member 30687 Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 I'm continually confused by the focus of those who look at music as a subject that can be quantified into lists of "best" this or that. To me it betrays a naive or beginner's approach to think that there's any criteria to competitively compare music or players from widely varying styles...or even from related styles. Certainly we all have favorites but often these lists just repeat the same popular players, etc., & frequently they turn into slugfests wherein partisans insist anyone who fails to recognize the supremacy of (insert name) is a damned fool. What's the point of that, huh ? It's great to have heroes & we all go through that sort of phase but, really, as we become exposed to more music (& I hope that learning & widening your scope is part of your goals both as a musician & a person) I think it's inescapable that we realize that there's not just One Greatest anything. Even if you do feel that someone is deserving of greater acclaim & want to spread the word about them (which is hardly the case when touting, for example, Led Zep or any other already well-known subject) please maintain a little dignity or politesse & refrain from hurling insults at those who think differently---that just shows your own inability to think & therefore undermines your intention. These forums are a privelige offered to us not a playground to be abused. I realize this is more an attribute of youth &/or immaturity (& that those are not the same thing!) but for those who post these lists, especially new forum members, please think about the reason we are here: to share information & insights. Fan clubs belong elsewhere. [OK... I've got my suit secure---FLAME ON! ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teahead Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 No flame retardent attire required. I've returned to the forum recently after a three month absence, and I must say that there has been a noticeable increase in the number of 'Best of' posts within these pages. They are pointless for all the reasons you already mentioned, and countless others. I'm glad someone spoke up on this, if there was a "Best of the contributors acute observations" thread, you'd get my vote! Pedal Clips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudcat Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Agree I'm not a fan of "best of" lists... however.... I do like postings related to favorites (see "favorite riffs," "favorite unsung guitarist.") The reason for this distinction is that the favorites list are intended to be subjective and personal whereas a "best of" list implies something more authoritative (my impression anyway). Anytime people start talking about their favorites, gems start turning up. I know on the two above mentioned threads several riffs/guitarists were listed that I had forgotten about. Got the old memory banks cranked up for me. But here's the bigger question: Ingwie or Chet Atkins? Mudcat's music on Soundclick "Work hard. Rock hard. Eat hard. Sleep hard. Grow big. Wear glasses if you need 'em."-The Webb Wilder Credo- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James-Italy Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Loverboy rulez, all other bands suck! Just kidding! I agree that those "Who is the best..." threads are so subjective. But let's not dampen the enthusiam of the new members too much. As long as there's not a huge influex of Carmine/Bralalalala types, it's all cool. I love this forum because it's full of knowledgable, helpful players of all styles and levels. It's a place to share experiences and spend time with fellow guitarists. Most everyone gets a pretty good response to their "reasonable" questions. This forum has personally helped me immensly. Let's try to keep relaxed about all those "Who is the best...." threads. They come in waves and then disapeer for a while. Wanna see some really degenerative posts? Head over to harmony-central forums. When I need a laugh I check those out! This is a cool place and you guys are mostly cool. My Gear My Attempts at Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMcGuitar Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 member # 30687 - Very wisely stated. I suspect that since music is an emotional medium, there is a certain amount of "(insert name/style/whatever) really moves me - he/she/it's the greatest and I need to share that with others" that just comes with the territory. I think it's easy to see how that can degenerate into "bests" & "worsts" & "____ vs. ____". It doesn't really make any sense, but that path is simple enough locate, given human nature. What is truly unfortunate is how it can become personal, nasty, and belligerent. I don't mind if someone has an opinion, but insults and so forth really aren't called for. Just my $0.04 (adjusted for inflation) May all your thoughts be random! - Neil www.McFaddenArts.com www.MikesGarageRocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hound Dog Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 I rate this as one of the top ten best posts of the current week! Yum, Yum! Eat em up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darklava Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Originally posted by member # 30687: I'm continually confused by the focus of those who look at music as a subject that can be quantified into lists of "best" this or that. To me it betrays a naive or beginner's approach to think that there's any criteria to competitively compare music or players from widely varying styles...or even from related styles. Certainly we all have favorites but often these lists just repeat the same popular players, etc., & frequently they turn into slugfests wherein partisans insist anyone who fails to recognize the supremacy of (insert name) is a damned fool. What's the point of that, huh ? It's great to have heroes & we all go through that sort of phase but, really, as we become exposed to more music (& I hope that learning & widening your scope is part of your goals both as a musician & a person) I think it's inescapable that we realize that there's not just One Greatest anything. Even if you do feel that someone is deserving of greater acclaim & want to spread the word about them (which is hardly the case when touting, for example, Led Zep or any other already well-known subject) please maintain a little dignity or politesse & refrain from hurling insults at those who think differently---that just shows your own inability to think & therefore undermines your intention. These forums are a privelige offered to us not a playground to be abused. I realize this is more an attribute of youth &/or immaturity (& that those are not the same thing!) but for those who post these lists, especially new forum members, please think about the reason we are here: to share information & insights. Fan clubs belong elsewhere. [OK... I've got my suit secure---FLAME ON! ]Sorry Mr member man,but I think it's all in fun so cheer up! ARE WE MEN OR ARE WE DEVO? The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Worthington Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Yes, I don't disagree. TOP TEN GREATEST BEST LIST 10. Favorite Rosewood dreadnought with faux ivory inlay and original tuning machines. 9. Best haircut by a shredder, non-metal division. 8. Top ten desert island CDs by unknown blues guitarists, but ones who play real blues and not those wankers and posers and wannabees you see these days who get their money for nothing--what is that, Hawaiian noises? 7. Most exremely skilled guitar tech EVER!!!!!! 6. Fastest string changer, between Jimi, Yngwie, SRV, EVH, EC, FZ. 5. Most ass-kicking unsung guitar hero you wish you could pretend to be. 4. Coolest Jimmy Page stage outfit not counting those dragon bell bottom things he wore. 3. Biggest, baddest tube amp ever smashed into with a Fender guitar during a filmed performance in the '60s, the Hi-Watt or Marshall stack. 2. Worst palm muting technique by a ROCK singer shredding a Jeff Beck riff through a compressed humbucking pre-Mexican vintage Kurt Cobain Model FENDER practice combo amp re-issue mic'd with a CHEAP mid-range single-coil expression pedal simulator ever. 1. Dumbest not-that-funny contribution into the worst thread in a favorite forum with the worst grammar, spelling and diction--and the tab is wrong--and that doesn't mention BRITNEY SPEARS kissing Madonna's ass, let alone make reference to any Christina Aguilera videos, on a CD or LP that forever killed live performance of the most skilled shredder alive you clueless MORON, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darklava Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Originally posted by James-Italy: Loverboy rulez, all other bands suck! Just kidding! I agree that those "Who is the best..." threads are so subjective. But let's not dampen the enthusiam of the new members too much. As long as there's not a huge influex of Carmine/Bralalalala types, it's all cool. I love this forum because it's full of knowledgable, helpful players of all styles and levels. It's a place to share experiences and spend time with fellow guitarists. Most everyone gets a pretty good response to their "reasonable" questions. This forum has personally helped me immensly. Let's try to keep relaxed about all those "Who is the best...." threads. They come in waves and then disapeer for a while. Wanna see some really degenerative posts? Head over to harmony-central forums. When I need a laugh I check those out! This is a cool place and you guys are mostly cool. PIE-ZON you got some nice shit can i come over and play your stuff?Also move that digacrap away from wolfie! The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James-Italy Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Originally posted by DARKLAVA: PIE-ZON you got some nice shit can i come over and play your stuff?Also move that digacrap away from wolfie! Thanks- Come on over! Hands off the new Goldtop though. The Digatech GNX2, Wolfie, and THD Univalve were the first real things I bought last October, that's why you see them all together in the photo. (THD thanks to the guys on this forum My Gear My Attempts at Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolead Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 I'd have to agree. The bests list, while occasionally interesting, are often verbose and lengthy. They're just too subjective to be considered anything worth reading ALL of, and most of us get sick of them half way through the posts. I'm still trying to figure out why "The Best of..." lists always manage to draw over 30 posts, usually ending in an bloody apocalyptic battle of why SRV is way better than Malmsteen. Shut up and play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darklava Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Originally posted by James-Italy: Originally posted by DARKLAVA: PIE-ZON you got some nice shit can i come over and play your stuff?Also move that digacrap away from wolfie! Thanks- Come on over! Hands off the new Goldtop though. The Digatech GNX2, Wolfie, and THD Univalve were the first real things I bought last October, that's why you see them all together in the photo. (THD thanks to the guys on this forum Rock on my brother!Also i hope you guy's don't get mad because i'm on all the topics.I LIKE TO JIBBER JABBA.Did you say gold top? The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
member 30687 Posted September 26, 2003 Author Share Posted September 26, 2003 Originally posted by member # 30687: ...Certainly we all have favorites but often these lists just repeat the same popular players, etc., & frequently they turn into slugfests wherein partisans insist anyone who fails to recognize the supremacy of (insert name) is a damned fool.... Even if you do feel that someone is deserving of greater acclaim & want to spread the word about them (which is hardly the case when touting, for example, Led Zep or any other already well-known subject) please maintain a little dignity or politesse & refrain from hurling insults at those who think differently---that just shows your own inability to think & therefore undermines your intention. These forums are a privelige offered to us not a playground to be abused.Reiterated to distill my actual points: the often repetitive nature of the offerings & the sometimes nasty invective that gets in there. [& yes, I know the difference between the jokes & real insults. ] There are times these can yield new info but often it's just "Best Guitar Solo...?": "Stairway to Heaven", etc. "Who's Better: X or Y?" That's what I'm talking' 'bout! Anyhow, I've said my bit, back to the partay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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