Pervading deleterious pessimism

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 19 Oct 2006 2:17 pm

Self criticism in small doses is healthy and vital. Too much will "choke a cat" as Wes Montgomery would say.

Let's strive, as in Bill's example, to eschew obfuscation

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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, transcribers, technique tips and fun stuff. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Rhythm Tuneup DVD and more...

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 19 Oct 2006 2:18 pm

Buddy Bill,

Are you living downwind from Squirmin' Herman's old house?

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"I drink to make other people more interesting." -- Jack Nicholson

Colm Chomicky · Post by **Colm Chomicky** » 19 Oct 2006 2:43 pm

Reminds me of the old TV series "Kung Fu"

Remember Master and Weed Hopper?

Master: "If we have the wisdom to learn, all may teach us their virtues. From the crane we learn grace and self-control. The snake teaches us suppleness and rhythmic endurance. The praying mantis teaches us speed and patience. And from the tiger we learn tenacity and power. And from the dragon we learn to ride the wind. Life sustains life and all living creatures need nourishment. Yet, with wisdom the body learns to sustain in ways that all may live."

I am but Weedhopper, Bill is Master ![This message was edited by Colm Chomicky on 19 October 2006 at 03:44 PM.]

Dr. Richard Buffington · Post by **Dr. Richard Buffington** » 19 Oct 2006 3:30 pm

[ conscientiouly applied program of oral hygiene and professional care ] is the only thing I completely understand in this whole thread. Dick

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 19 Oct 2006 3:44 pm

"...Weed Hopper..."

"GRASSHOPPER!"

Not "Weedhopper"....

But otherwise, yes, the symbolism has a certain flair to it that's similar.

Far better than a thread opener merely interjecting an influx of verasimilitude into an otherwise bald and haughty narrative.

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 19 Oct 2006 4:05 pm

Bill's choice of words, cadence, rhythm, color, and juxtaposition are unique.

I especially enjoy the way he writes outside, and skirts around the subject matter at hand...and magically ties it together and....

...wait a minute...

...that's JAZZ!!!!

Pete Young · Post by **Pete Young** » 19 Oct 2006 4:22 pm

I know the wheel fell off mine at thirty five miles an hour Made a hell of a mess

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 19 Oct 2006 4:46 pm

I may someday be fortunate enough to meet Bill in person. I don't want to hear him play the steel guitar, or check out his amp/gear/ or guitar. I just want to hear him PRONOUNCE a few of his 75 cent words!

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 19 Oct 2006 9:55 pm

Terry E.,

Congratulations for the proper usage of the word UNIQUE. Every now and then, someone who should know its proper usage will say VERY unique. Of course both words are adjectives, but the real problem stems from its actual definition. Being the only one, cannot be intensified by placing very before the word unique. FWIW

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 19 Oct 2006 10:06 pm

The desire to maintain a captivating interest in the steel guitar, would suffer drawbacks, which constitute hindrances in the learning process;

. . . manifest as desultory advancement of proficiency to nugatory effect, of course![This message was edited by James Cann on 23 October 2006 at 09:38 AM.]

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 19 Oct 2006 10:10 pm

Confronted with grandiloquence of overweening magnitude, we must determine whether such sesquipedalian verbiage elucidates the ratiocinative potentialities of the perpetrator thereof, or, conversely, adumbrates the flocculence of that cogitator's intellectual wherewithal, or, to articulate the aforementioned conundrum more succinctly, WHAAA.....?????

[This message was edited by Brint Hannay on 20 October 2006 at 07:49 AM.]

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 19 Oct 2006 10:56 pm

Pervading deleterious pessimism is a profound encumbrance to progress in musical terminology.

...A negative attitude makes it hard to learn music.

The desire to maintain a captivating interest in the steel guitar, would suffer drawbacks, which constitute hindrances in the learning process; if so affected.

...It’s hard to stay motivated and continue learning steel guitar if you’re a pessimist.

It’s just that simple!

Down with pessimism!

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My Site - Instruction

[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 20 October 2006 at 12:06 AM.]

Ric Epperle · Post by **Ric Epperle** » 20 Oct 2006 1:21 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>...It’s hard to stay motivated and continue learning steel guitar if you’re a pessimist.

It’s just that simple! Down with pessimism!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That should have been said in the first place.

Just kidding..

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MSA D12 Vintage XL

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 20 Oct 2006 1:36 am

Brint H.,

Thanks for the spiffy reproof, which engenders a wily repercussion within me, to take note of proficiencies that are mingled with misspelled verbiage. I stumbled briefly on your incorrect spelling of RATIOCINATIVE. Your command of the English language appears to be formidable, should one be tempted to engage you in a debate involving specific terminology.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 20 Oct 2006 2:31 am

C. Schlotzhauer,

Please permit me to classify your gruff reply as having a trace of indignation. The bluntness of your inquiries, instantly reminds me, that a sudden progression into a derisive manner of contention, is thinkable, and forbids me to respond in kind. I've always felt that books and pencils were placed before us at school for a reason. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 20 October 2006 at 03:35 AM.]

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 20 Oct 2006 4:12 am

I've decided I like trying to understand Mr. Hankey's posts much better than reading about Jazz...

Right on, Bill Terry.
I cannot imagine Bill H. comparing a sax player to a guitar player.

Unfortunately, another post has degenerated into a discussion of style as opposed to content. However, it's hard to keep fun out of topics.
Whether that's good or bad, play on.

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 20 Oct 2006 4:37 am

Bill, touché! It behooved me to proofread more meticulously, to avoid egregious typographical malformation of the vocabulary employed in this collegial colloquy. More pithily stated, Oops![This message was edited by Brint Hannay on 22 October 2006 at 09:05 PM.]

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 20 Oct 2006 4:52 am

Bill reminds me of one of my absolute favorite college professors (whose name unfortunately...and embarassingly...escapes me) whose class was " articulation and enunciation" but consisted of him waxing eloquent on various subjects for the entire semester, and giving us a final exam on the one book we were required to read about the actual subject. His lectures were completely irrelevant, but we didn't care because they were simply so damned entertaining. He also caused many a thesaurus to be sold at the campus bokstore.

I bet Bill has a few looking in one himself.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 20 Oct 2006 5:22 am

Bill; I, for one, enjoy your prose... Keep up the good work.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 20 Oct 2006 5:46 am

Terry E.

I remember as a teenager, the complete lack of topical instructional material. While I was looking to learn 'Crazy Arms' or the like, all that existed were outdated manuals from Mel Bay, Nick Manloff, etc. Some things may never change ....[This message was edited by Barry Blackwood on 20 October 2006 at 06:47 AM.]

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 20 Oct 2006 5:54 am

Can anybody TAB out what Bill says?

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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 20 Oct 2006 6:48 am

Does anyone have an extra copy of "Vocabulary for Dummies" ? I would be willing to pay for it. Thanks

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 20 Oct 2006 7:20 am

I quote authors William Strunk Jr and E.B White, who wrote the legendary grammar & writing manual, "The Elements of Style":

"Omit unecessary words.

"Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell."

Bill, my man, while your vocabulary is impressive and inexhaustible, it is also beneficial to all readers that it be used with severe economy.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 20 Oct 2006 9:20 am

Chris Walke,

College professors teaching proper English, have been blazing the trail of conciseness since day one. A large class could easily overwhelm the efforts of a named professor to satisfactorily review written material. The imaginary bugbear created by additional work responsibilities, on the part of the teaching staff, accounts for the taylor-made to fit expression, "much too flowery." Should those who profess the precarious belief, that short and to the point is better, try reading ZANE GREY'S, "The Thundering Herd." Draw from his use of the English language. Impeccable, to say the least, including his "flowery" prose. Pessimism can be found to run rampant, unless it is recognized for what it stands for. Attitude adjustments, are monumental gifts, if efforts made to restore positive thinking, produces the desired changes. Energy, temperment, and foresight fit perfectly into a progressive plan, to succeed in steel guitar advancement.

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 20 Oct 2006 9:50 am

A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.

But, necessity IS the mother of invention...

And invention requires creativity...

And there is creativity in Bill's choice of words...

Therefore...Bill's choice of words are NECESSARY!

Terry