Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Playing Songs You Dislike

#1

To be honest, we all don’t like the same songs.
I was just watching Ben’s new video from Cabin Camp on building a banjo solo.
Wouldn’t you know it…it relied on “Unclouded (Uncloudy) Day”.

I have no idea why, but I truly detest that song. Seriously, I really don’t know why, but that song just doesn’t work for me. I hate practicing it, I hate singing along with it and I’m not particularly fond of the melody. I have no idea why I hate that song, other than it reminds me of my sister-in-law, who is a good person but retains all that sister-in-law warmth that makes her special.

It makes no sense, but that song just makes me cringe and I don’t know why.
That said, I’m certain there are songs musicians are not fond of, but they play them anyway for a myriad of reasons. The mystery to me is how they do it.
As a Beginner, I have no Expert Opinion on how to play songs you don’t like. I’m sure I can learn a thing or two by playing Unclouded Day, but I would rather eat bugs.

How do you deal with songs you don’t like, but need to play anyway?
I know I could play it if there was a paycheck involved, but I don’t think Jesus would like what I’m thinking if I’m forced to play it because my sister-in-law made a request.

Mind you, it’s not because it’s a gospel song. That has nothing to do with it. I love gospel songs, even if I don’t always agree with the theology. And it’s a mystery to me, but “Unclouded Day” is a genuine stumbling block.

So how do you deal with songs you don’t like, but are compelled to play?

Yes, I’m nuts…and I’m OK with that.

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#2

I usually take songs I hate and use them to teach in workshops. That’ll teach me!

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#3

I think it’s sort of like your least favorite class in school. You don’t enjoy it near as much as your favorite classes, but you force through it anyway because it’s required. Even if it doesn’t seem necessary… (what does a physics course have to with a degree in journalism, anyway?)

Hey, in the process you might eventually enjoy it anyway. I was scared of physics, but it ended up being more understandable than I thought it would be, and I ended up liking it and becoming a little more interested in the field.

Who knows, play it for your sister-in-law next time you see her and maybe she’ll hate it too! Then you can have conversation material for the dinner table…

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#4

Let me see if it helps if poured in a new bottle… :wink:

I am no fan of this song either… But this trio (bumped into them just a couple of weeks ago) sings some songs really well.

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#5

Well I hope you learned your lesson, young man! :banjo::wink:

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#6

While that’s a possibility, it’s more likely she would sing along, very loud and slightly off-key with a thin, reedy nasal tone. This is usually accompanied by someone banging on an upright piano that hasn’t been tuned since before the Great Depression of the last century.

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#7

I’ll give them this: At least their voices sound like men.

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#8

I see ‘those’ songs as challenges, part of the time you put in to be a better player. The challenge is to contribute to make the song, singer, group, etc sound the best you possibly can despite how you personally feel about it.

It means working out breaks/rhythm you don’t like, which also makes it more difficult and challenging. But it’s definitely an achievable task.

The goal is to put in the time, put on your ‘Disney face,’ and play thru it so well that the finished product sounds great & nobody knows you hate it, then you win, :grin:! Personal music growth is the prize.

We don’t usually set out to learn songs we despise - most likely they come up when playing with others, or in a curriculum type of setting. Wishing you the best on your endeavors… like @BanjoBen said, it’ll teach ya something, and like @Michael_Mark said, you may even end up enjoying it… :wink:

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#9

@Banjoe that’s hilarious! My song that I detest is “Days of Elijah.” And wouldn’t you know it, the first time I played banjo in church it was on the list. I used a couple Foggy Mountain hammer-ons towards the beginning, which made the song palpable for me. I guess my answer is I don’t play or practice songs I hate - until I have to. :slight_smile:

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#10

While I basically agree with you, I’m not in a situation where I have the opportunity to play with other people often, much less have a singer involved.
I understand about doing the grunt work to be a better player, but for whom? 98% of my playing is strictly for me & my own enjoyment simply because there is no one else around to be an audience or band mate.
And if I ever find myself in a situation where I’m playing with others and someone says, “Let’s do 'Unclouded Day,” I will fake a broken string and excuse myself! :grin:
I should be back in time to play “Take Me In Your Life Boat.”

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#11

@BanJoe when I’m faced with a song I don’t like I run it through the test. Did Willie, Waylon, or any of the boys do a version I can connect with? Often I find a version I Willie like. :roll_eyes:

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#12

Actually, I don’t play with others very often at all either (hoping to change that though! :crossed_fingers: ) Couple years back I had more opportunities than now.

I think I remember you’re signed up for a multiple week wernick (spelling?!) jam and you’re the only banjo in your group… ya never know, something astray in the line of songs you don’t care for might come down the pipe!
They’ll be counting on you!! :grin:

Kidding aside, I’m my own worst enemy (either playing alone or with others), and think that when the need arises, getting songs I don’t care for accomplished helps me, or maybe i should say having the ability to put my feelings aside and work it out helps me… Sometimes I don’t like them because they’re difficult, other times its just the “yeah, no, nope, don’t like it” factor.

As mentioned before, we don’t usually look to go learn/spend time on songs we don’t like. There’s just situations… If you’re able to keep out of those situations, great. (fwiw, My son sometimes pulled the ole “restroom” excuse on songs he didn’t like… :upside_down_face: )

Oh and the question for whom? 1)Yourself. I get not working a song you dislike - unless there’s a reason. 2) That particular song might matter to someone, and just make their day that your gave it your attention. (I have seen that happen in several different occasions) 3) the song might be part of a curriculum, or band project (like your wernick jam thing, or even a cabin camp, or song a week/month challenges, etc.) and in the end you want to come thru for your group.

@5-StringPilgrim has a good suggestion, I’ve done something similar before , it helps !

Definitely an interesting topic you started @BanJoe!
:+1: :grin:

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#13

“hate” seems an awful strong word. I don’t think I’ve ever approached the level of hate toward a song or tune, but there are several I am bored with because they are so overdone & I’ve heard so many bad versions of them (wagon wheel, achy breaky heart, old time R&R, OBS, etc.)

I play almost exclusively alone. I love most of what I can get through. Those things I can’t yet play up to a certain level I view as a challenge (sometimes the challenge is to enjoy that tune more, as in Grandfathers clock on the fiddle).

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#14

Theres not any bluegrass songs that I hate, but there are some that I simply don’t enjoy. June Apple or Forked Deer for example. I think it is good to learn them, just to have them in your repertoire. I like to at least know a song well enough that I can improv a good solo on the fly. I wouldn’t put a lot of effort into learning specific breaks for a song I don’t enjoy tho. For example, Jake Workman almost inspired me to make my own cool version of Red Hair Boy, but I didn’t get very far simple cause I don’t really enjoy the song. So I quit. If someone asks me to play Red Haired Boy, I could play a solo, but I won’t put a week into building a cool solo for that song simply cause I don’t particularly like it. Now Little Cabin Home on the Hill, that one I liked enough to put in a couple days to learn Jakes 3 solos. All three of those are a blast to play :star_struck:

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#15

Aha! That’s the best reason yet to stick with it. Too many times in life I have seen little gestures make a world of difference to someone.

Years ago, a Public Affairs guy I had occasion to work with passed away, He really was one of the good guys. Calling hours were from 4-7pm, but I had to work until 6. I thought I would have time for a quick change before going to the funeral home, but last minute issues prevented that. Either I went & paid my respects wearing a loud print Hawaiian shirt or I skipped it all together. Both seemed like the wrong decision, but with 15 minutes left, I decided to go in my clown shirt. I immediately apologized to the widow for my inappropriate attire. She smiled and said, “You picked the perfect shirt. My husband bought one just like it two weeks ago, Seeing it made me feel he was OK.”
I was stunned, and a bit spooked.

Never pass up an opportunity to do a little kindness. You never know who it will be on the other end.

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#16

Yes it is, and I do not use it lightly, but for me it is as musical as Quint running his fingernails down the blackboard in “Jaws.” I don’t want the song abolished, I just don’t want to play it. Unfortunately for me, Simone gave me the right reason to persevere with it. It just might means something special to someone else, and for that reason it should be in my bag of tricks.

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#17

You know what I find funny?? I make a comment about Jake Workman and then sit back and wait for every single one of the Lindbloms to like my post :joy::rofl:

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#18

And @Michael_Mark

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#19

Ya True

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#20

Lindbloms: occasionally like posts

Literally anyone: “Jake Workman”

Lindbloms:
33%20AM

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