[Bruiser1]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I play in a band and volume is always a concern. We often have someone complaining that we are too loud because they can't carry on a conversation while we are playing. To those people, I say that if you want to have conversations, don't go to places where there is live music unless it is a guy sitting in the corner with an acoustic guitar playing background music.

We had some people that were interested in hiring us come to a gig to hear us. One of them asked, "Do they always play this loud?". We heard that and asked many of the people who were at that gig what they thought and not one of them thought we were too loud.

Most people at our gigs like to dance and very few have ever complained about our volume.

We did do a few gigs at a country club where the owner or manager kept coming over and complaining that we were too loud. Of course it was one or two people who want to have a conversation. The thirty or so people that were up dancing loved it. We don't play that place any more because frankly we are not interested in being harassed while we are trying to entertain your clientele.

I frequently attend meetings of acoustic guitar clubs. I've seen a woman at several of them who has walked out because she thought it was too loud. I'm thinking that she must have incredibly sensitive ears because I can't imagine that a room full of acoustic guitars is too loud. At these clubs I basically can only hear myself because the sound of my guitar so close to me blots out all the rest of the guitars in the club.

Some people want to sit and have a conversation. They shouldn't go where there is live music. Some people have overly sensitive ears. They shouldn't go where there is live music. And yes, most musicians, especially those in our age group have some degree of hearing loss. That is why we have sound engineers who tell us what sounds good and what doesn't.

Having said that, I've been to a few concerts in large venues where the volume was just too much. But of the hundreds of concerts I've been to I can only remember one or two where the volume was uncomfortable.

Yes of course I agree with You, Doctor.

But I believe the roadies/sound personnel have something to do with that. Perhaps they don't take the time to check, check, check, one ,two check the product rather then check to see if the guitars are in tune .

I went to Hall & Oates concert last week in Orlando (Dr Phillips center) and I noticed distortion. Darryl Hall was seen waving (discretely) at his sound guy to adjust during his song ...after 4 songs Darryl finally gave his ok that it was good. Then he moved to his keyboard (and that had to be adjusted)

Perhaps with the performers going to different venues within a short time ..there isn't time or personnel to adapt to the different environments.
Dr Phillips is a great room (perhaps not as deep as AUDITORIUMS ) and the roadies didn't adapt soon enough. When they adapted ..they rocked and we ROLLED!!

[newyorkmaya]

I agree. The music at Spanish Springs is so loud you have to yell to be heard. That may be the norm in a bar, but many of us want a more sedate experience. The music, in fact, is so loud that I can hear it at my house by Silver Lake Rec Center appox. 1 mile away.

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by fred53

trouble hearing. That would be like making everyone who can't see clearly wear glasses. Stupid...

Under that analogy you believe one size fits all. I know several people here that do carry ear plugs and it works great for them. Very few buildings in TV or the Town Squares are acoustically friendly so everyone needs to adjust to their own requirements.

[tomwed]

I wonder if you could use a smart phone to control the volume.

I have noise reduction headphones that are very good when flying. It blocks out the engine noise and crying babies to a major extent. And I get to listen to my book.

I wonder if there is an app that would allow me to listen to the live event at a volume that is comfortable to me.

Here's an app that is for snooping in on conversations. That's not for me. But with noise reduction headphones maybe it might work work where it's too loud or too quiet like in a concert hall.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...e.earspy&hl=en

ps I didn't read the entire thread. If someone else suggested this idea already, sorry.

[toeser]

I agree. Many of the groups have decent sound levels, but some are over the top. We often walk to a concert, and one we heard from 1/2 mile away.

[bluzzman21]

I have read and heard all these comments about music too loud, and people cant talk while the band is playing and etc etc etc. First off I am a musician and have given up on playing anymore these days because first off, the people complaining of the music and that because I hear people saying when bands are playing things like Doobie Brothers, Bob Seger, Rolling Stones, classic rock music, that they are playing heavy metal and they are way too loud. First things first, classic rock is not heavy metal, and really people classic rock is just music from the sixties and seventies and even the eighties now, just because your past 60 does not mean you just got to listen to oldies. Most of the classic rockers are still around and still touring, and if you go to a concert, alot of them wear ear plugs and you can too. You can only lower your amp so much and the drummer does not always use brushes. Also another thing too that bothers me as a musician or a patron visiting a local establishment with live music, think people it is LIVE MUSIC, if you cant talk and hold a conversation you should go somewhere you can do that, we musicians are working hard up there on stage and one thing that bothers me the most is when they say your too loud and we cant talk, please either put ear plugs on, or find a place that does not have live music. Even tho I live here I am one that likes live rock music, 60's, 70's, 80's 90's and even new stuff, and the blues, and country. Since it seems like people dont want it here, just oldies I just go to somewhere where it is appreciated by all ages, and not just by some people who just got to complain about everything.

[spicesugar]

There is no place that serves anything other than fast food or a chain that has an environment conducive to a pleasant evening without breaking your ear drums. So we will never again go to a restaurant that has music. Can't hear can't talk can't be comfortable. The Villages is not the place for mature people only those who are still in puberty.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by bluzzman21

...First things first, classic rock is not heavy metal, and really people classic rock is just music from the sixties and seventies and even the eighties now, just because your past 60 does not mean you just got to listen to oldies...

I agree with everything you wrote. My favorite band is the Doors, they're not even close to heavy metal. I do like the newer stuff, Kings of Leon and Alabama Shakes are both great. A little older I like Bush and Pearl Jam and U2, I'll listen to most anything that's not rap, or hip hop. What I really enjoy is watching live concerts, I've got a nice 60" smart TV with a 5.1 surround sound and we can watch live videos for hours from off of Youtube. I just put videos in my favorites and then it's all ready to go when you want to play back on TV. I try and get a lot of the older bands performing live nowadays, everything from the West Bank and Walk away Renee to Vanilla Fudge.

[bluzzman21]

Originally Posted by IrisB52

"The problem with feedback is that you only hear the complaints. People who are happy with the volume are not going to tell you that.

I've played many gigs where 99% of the people are up dancing and having a good time and we get approached by the management because two or three people complained. "

The truth be told, very few people complain because the rest feel there is no point. More people are bothered by the loudness than you realize, probably more than those who are pleased with the sound level.

My husband was always in a band and it was my job to be all around the room to hear the sound and adjust, if necessary. Rarely did the volume needed to be upped.

Back in the 60's/70's hubby and I went to the Fillmore to see/hear a Canned Heat and Iron Butterfly concert. It was so loud, it was just noise to me. Everything was distorted, it was no longer music. Don't ask me how I did it, but I managed to sleep through most of the concert.

Thank you for your comments, the people who enjoy rock have to take a stand on this, it just seems like all people dont appreciate the musicians and music. I too saw Iron Butterfly and Canned Heat and not only the band blow me away but so did the sound and I loved it. Also read my comment it is under JimboBaby, so I know how your husband feels.

[bluzzman21]

whoever wrote chat before the breaks and during intermission I commend you.

[bluzzman21]

Sorry my name is bluzzman21 not Jimbobaby, but also he had some good comments also.

[tfritz]

Maybe TVs feel that Loud music= Good Time, being young, and buying more booze.
What we need is a cozy piano bar at the many country clubs that owns Grand piano, but
neglect to use them

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by tfritz

What we need is a cozy piano bar at the many country clubs that owns Grand piano, but
neglect to use them

I would enjoy that too. Funny, I never noticed the pianos.

[Prsm]

Seems everywhere in The Villages there's music blaring. I avoid certain stores because of this, but out on the street it's hard to avoid. I understand I'm the one that's out of step, but I do wonder what happens in people's heads that requires constant noise - does it fill a void of some kind? I like to experience the natural sounds of my environment, which in TV are just fine without constant music blasting at me.

[Tweety Bird]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Some people like music very loud. I always carry earplugs for that reason.

Yes, I do too. I put them partially in my ears. I'm not going to lose whatever hearing I have