Just thought I'd share this one I got today I've been criticized on YouTube and on forums before, but this is the first time anyone has ever bothered to send a message to me personally.

advantage@xxxxxxxx.com
Subject: General performance on the Stick
Date: April 14, 2012 8:27:54 AM EDT
To: Stickist@aol.com
It amazes me that after so many years of playing the stick, you cannot play IN TEMPO with your right hand and left hand. Everyone who plays piano gets this but you continue to screw up your work with this fault.

It makes no sense.

Maybe it's your arrogance.

- Karen Finlaysen

I think I know who sent me this, and I don't think this person is named Karen (but it's not who you might think it is either...)

Hmmmmmm

interesting,............. well..... I guess it really isn't.
The points are silly and untrue, (even the one about all pianists having great time, lol I could show him a few that do not).

it's definitely jealousy, and hate mail.

I really don't get some people.

Brett

Thanks, Brett,

If "Karen" saw the messages I tell myself about my playing, I'm sure he'd be satisfied. Bob is the best Stick player out there these days that I can see. I have a lot of things to work on in my playing, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy it, or that (most of) my audience doesn't as well. Maybe in 10 years, when I've been at it as long as he has, I'll be as good as Bob is now. It's certainly something to strive for.

criticism can be hard to take for some people -but I really don't think you're one of them.

However, this isn't really criticism - just dickishness. This person may have valid point but it is lost in the utter obnoxiousness of his comment.

God bless the anonymity of the internet, right? No one would ever say that to your face...

Randy

2 things

first Greg do you suspect this "karen" to be an accomplished musician of some sort?

second, I have said this before. I believe Greg Howard to be the greatest stick player of all time, period. No one has had artistic achievements such as "stick figures", "water on the moon", "lift"

the list goes on. This music has meant as much to me as ANY music in my lifetime.

That includes Metheny, Jarrett, Miles, Gabriel, the Beatles all of the great music.

Greg is THE ONE stick artist who stands with them all...........For me.

opinions will vary. And I know it sounds like I'm kissing up....I'm not, If I thought Greg was a jerk,
I 'd still feel the same way.

MY hope is to make artistic creations (recordings , compositions, videos) which can stand with Mr. Howard's.

Bob is the best "technically" and a GREAT artist in his own right. But when I listen to "stick figures" I am moved in a way that very little music can move me.

So I guess I'm saying that i strongly disagree with Karen, lol

I hope this post doesn't make you uncomfortable Greg, I'm sure you are still a jerk in many ways at times, no Hero worship here, just a fan of the music.


Brett

She wouldn't know TEMPO if it came up and bit her on the @ss! greg, you da man... who ever this person is, is either jealous and or just a DICK!

If this is a discussion about an interesting subject then let's not get off on the track of who's the greatest of them all, it's a fools errand. A more interesting approach would be
looking at what the gains and pitfalls are of putting your creative work out into the sea
of social media, 'casting your perl's before swine' or adding to the artistic cache of
the emerging planetary consciousness .
`J`

In a way it's the same topic, just on a personal level. We put our art out there and we have detractors and sometimes appreciators.

there will always be critics. The internet lets people be mean without showing themselves (what's the word?)

anyway an interesting topic


Brett

Really, I just thought it was funny to get a hate email. I posted it to see if I could confirm the identity of the person who sent it to me, and I've been able to do that, so now I'll know who to avoid.

I harbor no illusions about my own failings as a musician, and I'd encourage any of you who feel like you aren't "good enough" to not let those feelings stop you from sharing your creativity with the world.

To JRJ's subject: we risk all with the promise of very little gain. Perhaps the gain lies solely in taking the risk

Good points Greg