A Few Words About Haters - A Stumbling Block to Ignore

Ah yes, you've seen them, you know them,are trying to improve at whatever pace we can
you've read their drivel: Haters! They lurk ongiven the desire, time, and ability that we possess.
YouTube, hang out in chat rooms, scoff toSome of these components are intrinsic to each
themselves at music stores. Their incendiaryindividual. Musicality is something that comes not
comments cut down, demean, and just plainonly by practice, but from love and passion.
make fun of just about everything they don'tMaking fun of and criticizing things like one's desire,
agree with, which is just about everything. Theselove and passion is akin to bashing another's skin
snobs don't stop at blasting people's playing butor hair color; judging their speech or the sound of
venture into other non-sequiters such as downingtheir voice. Passing judgment on someone
the type of equipment players use or questioningbecause of inherent qualities such as these is
someone's love of a particular player or musictantamount to racism. These Haters amount to
style.nothing more than Guitar Rednecks. They come in
What drives them to carry out their despicableall colors, shapes and sizes, three other qualities
deeds? Is it the musical prowess that they believethat should not be judged. Sadly, just like racists,
they possess? Do Haters see themselves asHaters are here to stay, I am afraid.
keepers of the true faith and protectors of allThe best one can do is to ignore them and not to
things guitar? Can you tell when I am beingbe one. People do judge, and some of their
facetious?favorite targets are those that are trying to
At the risk of sounding like one, allow me toexpress themselves and accomplish something.
pontificate. Haters are hiding their own lack ofDon't let a Hater stop you from trying to
ability; they are driven by their own shortcomings.improve. Keep expressing yourself with love and
How do weak-minded people prop themselvesremember that those who feel poorly about
up? By standing on those whom they see asthemselves' first line of attack is to criticize
weak. Even if they play well, they don't seem toothers. Everyone could use some encouragement
mind the extra perceived boost they get bymost of the time. Don't be a Hater. Rather, bring
appointing themselves Lords of Taste!some light to this whole situation that we find
Just remember, we are all at different stages ofourselves in.
development on our instruments and most of usRespect yourself, respect others, and Rock On!