Comments and judgements?

[Stormy]

Now that I only play for my own enjoyment and pleasure and do not compete either solo or with a band, do I have any right to make comments or judgements on the standards of todays competing soloists and bands?
I've had my day should I now leave it to those still directly involved?

[Neil Dickie]

Originally posted by Stormy:
Now that I only play for my own enjoyment and pleasure and do not compete either solo or with a band, do I have any right to make comments or judgements on the standards of todays competing soloists and bands?
I've had my day should I now leave it to those still directly involved?

If the RSPBA went by the above criteria we'd have no-one on the judging panel! :)
I think that everyone has a right to venture forth with opinion, commentary or judgement until their last day. The trick is knowing which comments to air and which to keep to one's self - a fuzzy grey line which confounds every one of us.

So keep the posts and comments coming. Just remember the fuzzy grey line.

Neil D

[Mitch Man]

Fuzzy Grey Line?

Sounds like a politically correct term to me!
I think we forget that Nobody is making a million
dollars at this whole piping game, so what's
at stake?
Prizes???(100£'s for the best pipe band in the world)

If people want to say that the World's is a rubbish contest and state their reason's, then
I say let them vent their concerns so that everyone can learn from it.

On the other hand, if others want argue the positive aspects of the World's contest, then
that brings a balance to the whole topic!

If everybody says nothing for fear of the grey line, then nothing gets debated!
What would be the point of a public forum if
nothing is debated?

That goes for Reeds, Chanters, Pipebags, Seasoning, Pipe Makers, Judges, Music, Bands, Contests, Contest Venues, and a multitude of
other topics concerning all aspects of the bagpipe.

With the experience that is present on this board
there should be at least 10 new topics a day,
so what's holding everybody up?

If Stormy wants to view his opinions based on his own experiences, then he's more than welcome
to view them here and I would be quite interested in hearing him.

I might not agree with everything that I read,
but at least it makes the game interesting!

Then again, we can all talk about how the weather was at the different venues and leave
it at that!

IN my book, there is nothing sacred that we can't all talk about!

Again, I have to ask the question, what are
we all afraid of?

JM

[Mike Szarka]

Originally posted by Mitch Man:
Fuzzy Grey Line?

IN my book, there is nothing sacred that we can't all talk about!

Again, I have to ask the question, what are
we all afraid of?

JM

John:

We can talk about anything, but somewhere there exists a line between being controversial and being rude. I think that's the fuzzy grey line. I love a good debate as much or more than the next guy, but some people are not as adept at separating what is a theoretical/philosophical discussion from something that gets perceived as a personal attack on a person or a band.

For the finer points on decorum, please read our bass drummer's inspirational tome "If You Don't Want to Hear the Truth, Don't Talk to Me. Now Shut the ...."

Mike :wink:

[Ed Via]

Stormy wrote:

Now that I only play for my own enjoyment and pleasure and do not compete either solo or with a band, do I have any right to make comments or judgements on the standards of todays competing soloists and bands? I've had my day should I now leave it to those still directly involved?
__________________________________________________

I don't think you have to be a current top competitor or anything in order to have an opinion in these matters, Stormy. As with any other pursuit, if you're enthusiastic about it and have studied it, etc., then you're certainly entitled to your opinion. For someone to suggest that you aren't would be akin to someone saying that only current or former great basketball players are qualified to know good basketball playing from poor. Continuing with the basketball/sports analogy, many of the finer coaches in history were not great players themselves, but instead great students of the game. Now it's only logical that the ranks of piping adjudicators should be filled by those who competed at a high level themselves, but that doesn't mean that they alone are capable of recognizing good execution and musical playing. I'm barely an intermediate player on this instrument, and that's probably all I will ever be, but I can recognize good tone, execution, and expression when I hear it because I've studied it and trained my ear by listening to good players and bands.

[Neil Dickie]

Hey! Finally a thread which is stirring the pot ever so slightly. (Good move JM!) Where's this magic line anyway, fuzzy, grey or whatever form in which it is manifest? I guess determination of its position is a matter of personal preference.

One might think that Angus MacGhilliebrogue is a pure eejit and that his band sucks, but one might not necessarily feel impelled to share that opinion with others. Then again, dialogue is boring when incessantly civil; a little vitriol never hurt as long as it's supported by good, solid reason.

Anyway, the Fuzzy Grey Line was a tune I wrote for somebody's hair (actually it was a lament for the loss of it!)and it seemed a good term to apply to my post.

And, by the way, John, I am extremely hurt that you accuse me of being politically correct. Take that back. You'll ruin my rep!

Neil D

PS - everyone who doesn't think the same as me is an eejit.

[Eric M. Stein]

Stormy,
Of course you should. Why should anyone not say
what they feel. While the First Amendment is not universal it works pretty well in the U.S.
If people did not share their opinions we would still be playing only MSR's.....

[Mitch Man]

One thing about stirring the Pot, you got to know
when to step back and let it simmer! :)

I'll agree, if anyone is going to start something
controversial, they better have their facts ready
to backup their statements.

And I agree with Mike about the difference of
being just Plain Rude and going against the grain of the mainstream thought.

If I were to state that I don't think the 78th
have a hope in hell of ever winning the world's
again, some might see that as being rude, but if
I back up my statement with solid reasoning such
as they have too many guest players and their
Pratices are too infrequent, then that is a fair
statement to make!

If I were to say that Shotts Medleys are boring
and old hat, how would people see that?

Maybe Neil, you need to open a topic header called "Fuzzy Stuff" :wink:

JM
BTW Neil, PLease accept my sincere apologies!
A box of chocolates is on the way to your front
door as we speak! :D
Didn't somebody say you just never know what
your going to get in a box of chocolates? :wink:

[ December 12, 2001: Message edited by: Mitch Man ]

[Dain Forsythe]

Stormy wrote: I've had my day should I now leave it to those still directly involved?

Stormy, absolutely not!

JM wrote: IN my book, there is nothing sacred that we can't all talk about!

Yes! :p I think what really matters is HOW one goes about it. This is really difficult without all the context clues of a personal one on one or group conversation, no intonation, no hands waving around, no eyebrows to read, etc. This has often times disuaded me from participating.

Getting to know peoples' gist from reading their posts over time, is what pulled me in. At first sight, for a newbie, someone's joke can often seem like a real rude comment. So, time is always a factor, too.

I'm all for stirring the pot, but splattering the contents all over the wall just makes a big mess, and nobody really wants to taste it afteward! :D

Cheers!

Dain :)

[Dain Forsythe]

I should also add that this forum is really opening people up tremendously. It just feels safer. Not many people I know really enjoy rude comments, or negative attacks. I realize that there are folks like that out there, and the www has been a fairly 'free' place for them to roam, and troll, etc. but this forum is already displaying all the attributes needed, including it's participants, for a comfortable place for a good solid controvercial DISCUSSION. I expect more really good arguements, in the philosophical logic sense, will be had within this forum. :D I look forward to it! :)

[Iain MacDonald]

Whoever said "Nobody made $1 million..." hasn't met "The King of Cardenden."