Would you rather?

[DaveyO]

I thought this might be a fun question
Would you rather be a virtual technician on the Guitar?
Or a social player that writes great songs?

[BlueBowman]

I enjoy a good solo as much as anyone, but a great song is a gift.

[StringPicker6]

I just finished the 2 part documentary on Billy Joel on HBO.  I'd rather be a social player that writes great songs. 

That documentary is fantastic, by the way.  Genius guy, but a bit of a tortured soul.  Who the hell divorces Christy Brinkley????   

[Silence Dogood]

I'd just like to be able to play the stuff I hear in my head.   

[unclrob]

I'd be a player socal or what ever.Most of my clients who only care about technic only spend there time at home and have no plans to play BUT they havecute video on line and they all sound the same.

[Silence Dogood]

I'd be a player socal or what ever.Most of my clients who only care about technic only spend there time at home and have no plans to play BUT they havecute video on line and they all sound the same.

I get that, but it really depends on what your goals are.  I have been criticized some over the years because I don't play out, and "only play at home."  But not everyone is wired up to be a performer.  For me, playing guitar is like reading, or painting, etc.  It's what I do because I enjoy doing it.  It's not really intended for anyone else.  YMMV.

Having said that, I do love live music (good live music), but I've noticed over the years that not everyone playing out really should be. In fact, if I enter a restaurant and see a guy set up in the corner with a guitar, it usually kind of makes my stomach sink.  I always wonder what we are all about to be subjected to without asking.  Hopefully not an hour of some guy sawing away at Wonderwall and Wagon Wheel.  But sometimes I'm surprised and it will be some tasty playing!
 

[StringPicker6]

I like the performers who've memorized the lyrics and chords and aren't using a tablet, but I do also understand the utility of being able to look up any song in a second.

[William2]

I get that, but it really depends on what your goals are.  I have been criticized some over the years because I don't play out, and "only play at home."  But not everyone is wired up to be a performer.  For me, playing guitar is like reading, or painting, etc.  It's what I do because I enjoy doing it.  It's not really intended for anyone else.  YMMV.

Having said that, I do love live music (good live music), but I've noticed over the years that not everyone playing out really should be. In fact, if I enter a restaurant and see a guy set up in the corner with a guitar, it usually kind of makes my stomach sink.  I always wonder what we are all about to be subjected to without asking.  Hopefully not an hour of some guy sawing away at Wonderwall and Wagon Wheel.  But sometimes I'm surprised and it will be some tasty playing!
 

I agree with this. It depends on what your goals are. I don't feel I need to share what I do. When I returned to the guitar, it wasn't with the idea of playing out. I just enjoy music and the guitar. I don't possess compositional skills, and I don't think most people do at least in terms of something that will last. As far as live music, I like it but there isn't much where we now live and it isn't something I'd go to see. But when we lived in Milwaukee, we did go to dinner spots that had good jazz players and that was fun to watch and appreciate.

[jazzereh]

I enjoy good live music.  But not me playing anymore.  I'm the stay at home, play for myself and compose tunes for me type now.  Does that make me a 'social' player as per the OP?  Not really sure about that definition. 

So the short back story.  I've played guitar for many years and many years ago used to play in folk clubs.  For the past 20+ years I've been playing jazz [I play sax] and have played many local gigs in both restaurant / clubs, jazz festivals and corporate / wedding bookings.  I've had my own bands during this time but about 2 years ago lost the 'need' to play and left my band and stopped playing sax.  But, the guitar has always been my constant companion and that's how I get my urge to play satisfied now.  And making music in any form keeps my mind active.

Most of my playing is 'composing' rather than playing tunes.  While I do play the tunes that I enjoy hearing, mostly I compose the music that I hear in my head while I have the guitar in my hands.  I'm not a lyricist, just a music composer.  And I'm far from being technically great. 

So, not sure if I've really addressed the OP questions but that's my take.

[unclrob]

I'm not big on playing solo BUT playing withsome else and together is an amazzzzing feelng and getting paid to do it even better.I've been playing duo's and bands since I was 13 and having that connection with other players is what its all about for me.