First off – there are a lot of wise truthsayers on this site. Give a man a Stick, and he becomes a philosopher.
I really like what others have said.
Second – Steve, How long have you been playing Stick? I’m guessing less than 5 years? Just a guess. Now let’s compare ourselves to the true masters of the Stick:
Emmett Chapman -40 years.
Bob Culbertson – 30+ years
Greg Howard – about 25 years
Steve Adelson – about 25 years
Jim Storm – 5 years.
Oh wait, skip that last one
. I looked on your profile, and I see you are 27 years old. Hmmmm. That may be the problem with your playing. Most of these guys have been playing for as long as you’ve been breathing. Lighten up. You’ll get there. And calling yourself a faker won’t get you there any quicker.
One of my favorite sayings is, “A blade of grass will grow a days worth in a day’s time.” Certainly, you can practice, and study, and practice, and study, until your fingers fall off and your eyeballs pop out, and it will still take you 40 years to play like Emmett.
I have played the Stick five years. But I played the guitar for like 25 years before that, and you would never know it from listening to me. And I am okay with that. 95% of my playing is in my living room, with headphones, and, let me tell you, I sound damn good TO ME. It relaxes me, it keeps me centered, it pleases me. I really don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks about it. I enjoy (and need) constructive criticism, but at the end of the day, the only audience that matters is me.
I won’t ever make a living playing the Chapman Stick. I am a Professional Counselor by trade (and a good one – send me a check.) I play the Stick for me. And, when I do play out in public, I am a poser!!! Why the hell not? Embrace your paper clown. Be one with your faker. I read today that Mary Travers (of Peter, Paul and Mary – RIP) had a nervous energy to her voice. It was stage fright. Remember, most people have never heard a Stick player. When I play out, I always introduce myself, ask how many people have heard a Stick, and when no one raises their hand, I tell them they are about to hear the best Stick player they have ever heard.
Jim Storm