Performers: How does your spouse/SO feel about your playing?

Brad Little

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My wife has little interest in my playing, I don't play out much any more, occasional open mic, but even when I played a little more regularly, she had no interest in going to hear me/us. On the plus side, she never complains when I buy an instrument nor asks how much I paid!
 

highwayman

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My wife could not be more supportive. She likes my playing and singing, even bought me a guitar a few years ago. If I buy a guitar, I pay for it my own money, not out of our joint funds. So, no discussions like "Is this really necessary?" (Of course it is). And when I go " Now my collection is complete, I do not buy guitars anymore", she does not believe me. Could it get any better than this??
 

davismanLV

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VERY supportive of my playing and singing. Playing and singing together wasn't always great but still fun. But mostly now it's just me either singing or playing. And I usually get a hollered, "HEY!! That sounded GREAT!!" Occasionally, some critique or suggestion, which is fine. Lord knows I'm not always at my best. I play during normal business hours of afternoon/early evening. So I have no complaints at all. It's a good vibe here!! (y)(y)
 

dwasifar

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If you are talking about this.
I would say no. But listen yourself:


I really like this! You guys have a nice set-back groove going on these.

I didn't really expect you to be like Liliental, it was just that the name was similar. I'm a big Kraan and Hattler fan, so of course I had the single Liliental album (expensive import) and later the CD version (also expensive import). So you're not like Liliental so much, but still I can see how your band would appeal to the same fans.

Here's a Kraan song that comes to mind when hearing your stuff:

 

twocorgis

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Has always been supportive! Came to almost all of our NIGHT SHIFT gigs for ten years! Very nicely was my "sound person ears" from around the room.

Doesn't miss the late hours now that the band days are over. (Neither do I!)
Don't you miss playing out Kurt? I want to do a lot more of it when I retire, but the band I'm in right now is just about right at no greater than a few gigs a month.
 

The Guilds of Grot

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Don't you miss playing out Kurt? I want to do a lot more of it when I retire, but the band I'm in right now is just about right at no greater than a few gigs a month.
Well, since all the Bar owners learned since Covid that gigs can be earlier for better attendance it's tempting but still I don't miss the lugging and setting up all the equipment!
 

crank

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I don't miss driving home after 2am. Won't take them late night club gigs no more.

Looking to do some low key acoustic solo and duo gigs. I just picked up 2 used Bose L1 Compact systems. Light and easy to set up.
 

GGJaguar

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I don't miss playing out, but I do miss jamming with friends. All my gigs for the past 10 years have been Concerts for One, and the "one" is me. You don't really get better as a player unless your playing with other people. I'm sure my playing ability is at an all time low now.
 

twocorgis

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Well, since all the Bar owners learned since Covid that gigs can be earlier for better attendance it's tempting but still I don't miss the lugging and setting up all the equipment!
I always say that I play for free, I get paid to move my stuff! And with neo magnets and class D amps, that got a lot easier.
I don't miss driving home after 2am. Won't take them late night club gigs no more.
I don't miss that either!
 

Rich Cohen

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Never found anyone supportive of my playing, ranging from comments like "You love that guitar more than me" to current life partner who says things like "Why don't we switch jobs and I'll play guitar all day" when the reality is that I play maybe 15 minutes a day tops if you add it all up, a minute here, a few minutes there.

Last time the 18 year old neighbor kid came over to play in the late afternoon, she made a big deal of putting firewood away the whole time, then let me have it, "I'm a horrible example to the kid because I'm just sitting around playing guitar while she works".

The kid's been through a lot this summer, lost two friends his age in a row, one to a Fentanyl OD and the other was mowed down by a trucker while riding his bicycle, and his parents tell me that the few times he comes over to play mean the world to him, but that doesn't rate with the one who must be obeyed, all playing is slacking.

I once lived with a GF who would keep you awake with her insane snoring, but if I left the bed, went to the living room and tried to play a couple teensy tiny note on the guitar at almost silent volumes, she'd wake up in an instant and holler "Are you playing guitar?" and that would be that.

So no luck on this topic in my life, just guilt trips.

Yet, she's an artist, spins, knits, tie dies, and it's all art, but my playing is not, I figured that out a long time ago. Her art is important, mine is an annoyance. Luckily I made money flipping guitars, it was basically the only reason I could get away with it.

My artistic urges are just something to feel guilty about.

If I restring a guitar (she hates that sound, and tuning) I usually tell her I'm prepping one to sell and that makes it ok.

Life is rarely what you wanted it to be, which is why guitars/GAS/forums are such a great escape, but a bit of a Catch 22.

The more you escape, the more you need to escape.
I commiserate with you.
 

krysh

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I really like this! You guys have a nice set-back groove going on these.

I didn't really expect you to be like Liliental, it was just that the name was similar. I'm a big Kraan and Hattler fan, so of course I had the single Liliental album (expensive import) and later the CD version (also expensive import). So you're not like Liliental so much, but still I can see how your band would appeal to the same fans.

Here's a Kraan song that comes to mind when hearing your stuff:


Thank you so much. Kraan is great. I have seen them live twice in the early 90s and and Hellmut with his band 10 years ago. Love their stuff.
 

dwasifar

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Thank you so much. Kraan is great. I have seen them live twice in the early 90s and and Hellmut with his band 10 years ago. Love their stuff.
I'm envious. I have never had the opportunity to see them, but I understand their live shows were outstanding, especially around the time you saw them.

Is it true that Hellmut Hattler's name has become a slang term in Germany to describe playing bass extremely proficiently? "Hattlern," is it?
 

PreacherBob

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My wife is a pretty quiet person and hasn’t really commented on my playing and singing. HOWEVER, she has been my sound and media engineer everywhere I’ve gone and for all the folks I’ve played with for the past 25 years. The only comment she offers is, “Honey you’re not loud enough, but I’ll take care of it”. True story😃😎
 

davismanLV

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My wife is a pretty quiet person and hasn’t really commented on my playing and singing. HOWEVER, she has been my sound and media engineer everywhere I’ve gone and for all the folks I’ve played with for the past 25 years. The only comment she offers is, “Honey you’re not loud enough, but I’ll take care of it”. True story😃😎
PB!! I like her STYLE!! (y)
 

Guildedagain

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You don't really get better as a player unless your playing with other people.
Neighbor kid's dad rightly says you only progress playing live and I agree, some massive improvement in a short time, reaching deep, being inspired, having to sound good.
My wife is supportive of my playing, but NOT supportive of my guitar buying.
I don't discuss it with mine, but under the guise of flipping I don't get any flack over an enormous stockpile. I sold a few this summer, but bought just as many. Old habits die hard. And when you're attracted to odd guitars, they're not the kind that sell well at all. I have a running ad local on CL for a bunch of Guilds, zero interest, as well there's a BR listed for $900 nobody wants, and a vintage D40 for $1800, same deal, relisted over and over.

And I'd like to buy them both but have to watch my money.

And selling online now has implications.
 

dwasifar

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Not in general, but among fans.
For those of you wondering what the heck krysh and I are talking about, here's Kraan from 1977 showcasing Hellmut Hattler's bass talents. Ignore the weird mimes.



I've posted this before in another thread but it won't hurt to post it again.
 
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