My New Year's Resolution [Archive]

darknessgp

01-02-2008, 10:40 PM

In 2008, I will try harder to deliver Gazette episodes on time. Starting next week. :) With so many people taking time off the last couple weeks, we just weren't able to finish in time. Sorry about that. The good news is I take resolutions very seriously. What are some of yours?

On time? Sarah, i can understand not being able to get the episode out because of people being busy. But please don't announce the release of an episode unless you know it'll come out. You've already announced that it won't be on a regular schedule, mainly because you don't want to disappoint fans when there isn't enough time to get one together. So, please don't make the habit of breaking promises that were never 100% to begin with. Most of us had to deal with that with TheBroken for about 2 years

thehumaneclipse

01-02-2008, 10:58 PM

My TOP 10 new year resolution's are as follows:
10) Realize that Revision3 is doing their best and quit bitchin about it.
9) Watch more Revision3 shows because they are so great.
8) Be careful about what I say on these forums so as not to offend anyone.
7) Lose weight.
6) Give more Revision3 shows a chance (I still haven't watched XLR8R yet).
5) Become a member of Revision3.
4) Get a haircut because it is long and gettin kinda girly.
3) Get a new pair of glasses because mine are all scratched up.
2) Go to the movies more often (especially when Iron Man and Dark Knight come out).
1) Collect more Comic Books.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

mooking

01-02-2008, 11:11 PM

Wow. Ok, I read this and said oh boy. Now everyone please, it’s a new year, and it’s all been said, so just lets keep it to the main idea of the thread.
1. I hope for peace in the Middle east.

joesixpack

01-02-2008, 11:58 PM

In 2008, I will try harder to deliver Gazette episodes on time. Starting next week. :) With so many people taking time off the last couple weeks, we just weren't able to finish in time. Sorry about that. The good news is I take resolutions very seriously. What are some of yours?

I resolve to post nice messages and will try to be positive.

Sarah, you obviously have a following, they want to see more of your shows, and that is positive.

While it is doubtfull that anyone will take life coaching advice from someone called "Joesixpack", I think you should saddle this horse and ride it. It can only boost the ratings and revenues for Rev 3 - and you.

sarahlane

01-03-2008, 01:11 AM

jeffgarlick

01-03-2008, 01:44 AM

Sarah!

I can't believe how many demanding people there are bashing you and the Gazette! I LOVE THEM ALL - yes even "Fruit Club" and EVERY one of them is a gift of your hard work and appreciation of the fans!

Let me just say "THANK YOU!" and please, take your time, there ARE some grateful fans who appreciate your efforts and will enjoy the updates WHENEVER you're able to post them!

I think it's VERY nice that you even take the time and give your fans your time, hard work and talent and appreciate ALL that you do! :)

Thanks!

Jeff Garlick

heyseuss

01-03-2008, 01:54 AM

ryudo

01-03-2008, 01:56 AM

"Perhaps the reason they haven't been able to make 'gaming TV' work is because they haven't done gaming TV. Maybe if they had 15 total minutes of programming that doesn't treat it's viewership like a a pack slavering mongrel inbreds that think Tommy Tallarico shoving things down his pants is intensive journlism."

-TechTv fan talking about G4

What in the...?

haha I once used it as my sig also with some fixes to the grammar and spelling.(and no I have no idea who said it but I agree with it)

But I do not like G4 one bit and Tech TV at that time really meant a a lot to me as it was teaching me so much and brought much joy to me as a network I had sought all the time growing up was finally there then suddenly ripped away without reason and for what some POS shows like AOTS and cheaters and cops that aim at one audience of male teens and tries to be another Spike TV.

I do admit at first I liked the idea of the merging since back then G4 was pretty good and Tech TV was great and sounded like a dream but then watched as everyone and everything just about was taken off the air.

So 2004-2006 I had a void but just at the time I got my New PC in late 2006 a friend pointed me to Twit,Digg and DLtv..which then led me to revision 3 and since then all the old faces coming back and the shows being put up by Revision3 not only fills up that old void with a fresh new place but brings familiarity with it and thank you guys for it.

Keep up the hardwork as I personally believe many of the fans/viewers have passion for the content this site provides and hope to never see it ripped away like that again.

Again thank you.

sarahlane

01-03-2008, 05:38 PM

It's his signature. Quite an astute observation actually.

Yeah, but if you're going to quote someone, shouldn't it be a really solid quote? Oh well.

heyseuss

01-03-2008, 05:46 PM

Yeah, but if you're going to quote someone, shouldn't it be a really solid quote? Oh well.

Oh it's no 'Churchill' or 'Thomas Jefferson', but it's still a pretty good summation of how things went down in the eyes of fans. That network went from, me wanting to move from post-production to production, to not being able to force myself to sit through anything they aired.

crumbles

01-03-2008, 05:50 PM

Yeah, but if you're going to quote someone, shouldn't it be a really solid quote? Oh well.Have you shook the hand of every quote you've ever used? But if it makes you feel better, this is where it came from:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff99/Bojangles888/quote.jpg

heyseuss

01-03-2008, 06:00 PM

Yeah, but if you're going to quote someone, shouldn't it be a really solid quote? Oh well.

How's my quote in my sig?

darknessgp

01-03-2008, 07:18 PM

Yeah, but if you're going to quote someone, shouldn't it be a really solid quote? Oh well.

I would agree and I think it is a solid quote (minus the grammatical mistakes the guy made) because it expresses how I felt on the whole G4/TechTV stuff after it went down. Also, I've been using it as a sig since before we switched over to these new forums so, I'm a little surprised that my sig has got this thread off track.

kronos6948

01-19-2008, 09:05 AM

Back on topic:

I haven't made a resolution in years, simply because I simply never keep them. I feel it's as outdated an idea as the midnight kiss, since the idea behind it as far as I know is that whoever you kiss at midnight is the one you'll kiss all year. Sure, it's a cute idea, but it isn't indicative of how things turn out.

Yeah, I'm a bit jaded, and you probably think I'm a ton of fun at parties...I just like to do things a bit differently.

murphy1d

01-28-2008, 05:32 PM

"Trite and True" I stopped smoking on New Year's Eve and its now 28 days later (see 12 steps) and I don't really have the hourly urge for a cig.

For me, I thought it would be a farce of a Resolution, but I can't believe I am not "jonesing."

murphy1d

01-28-2008, 05:35 PM

Oh, and my sig is actually a pretty dead-on tribute to perseverance rather than a death-metal quote.

kronos6948

01-28-2008, 06:01 PM

Oh, and my sig is actually a pretty dead-on tribute to perseverance rather than a death-metal quote.

Good job on quitting smoking. I love to hear when someone finally gets rid of what I think is the nastiest habit.

As far as slipknot goes, I wouldn't consider them death metal. I wouldn't know what to put them in, but they're definitely not death.

That being said, that line is one that I've always heard wrong. I always thought Corey said "F*ck me, more amphetamines". That's what I get for not reading lyric sheets.

heyseuss

01-28-2008, 06:18 PM

Good job on quitting smoking. I love to hear when someone finally gets rid of what I think is the nastiest habit.

As far as slipknot goes, I wouldn't consider them death metal. I wouldn't know what to put them in, but they're definitely not death.

That being said, that line is one that I've always heard wrong. I always thought Corey said "F*ck me, more amphetamines". That's what I get for not reading lyric sheets.

HAHAHA you're funny Kronos. And correct, positively not death metal. A part of me resists, but I find Slipknot to be a pretty damn good band. Watching their DVD Disasterpieces is a genuinely fantasttic experience regardless of musicianship. Filmed with 16 cameras, it's fun as hell to pmp that angle button throughout. Also, they are all pretty damn good musicians. I get sticky pants from that drummer. They are creative and unique. I also LOVE their identityless masked uniformed approach to popdom.

Kronos I've listened to your songs. Really enjoyed them. Drummer is weakest link, he's solid, but not tight enough and his kit his only halfway there. Good cymbals, shit skins. Maybe it's unfair to say he is weakest link, cus your singer can't sing. His voice is appropriate for some moments, but overall he's never going to hold a strong presence. I think I might notice how bad your singers voice was and how loose the drummer was, only because your string section was so damn tight. Lead guitarist needs to vary his sound a little more often but overall I actually liked the songs alot. Tapped my foot and did a little air drumming a few times. Love that low end man, you found a way to get down there without losing the notes in the mud. You guys are kings of 'the breakdown'.

kronos6948

01-28-2008, 07:04 PM

HAHAHA you're funny Kronos. And correct, positively not death metal. A part of me resists, but I find Slipknot to be a pretty damn good band. Watching their DVD Disasterpieces is a genuinely fantasttic experience regardless of musicianship. Filmed with 16 cameras, it's fun as hell to pmp that angle button throughout. Also, they are all pretty damn good musicians. I get sticky pants from that drummer. They are creative and unique. I also LOVE their identityless masked uniformed approach to popdom.

Kronos I've listened to your songs. Really enjoyed them. Drummer is weakest link, he's solid, but not tight enough and his kit his only halfway there. Good cymbals, shit skins. Maybe it's unfair to say he is weakest link, cus your singer can't sing. His voice is appropriate for some moments, but overall he's never going to hold a strong presence. I think I might notice how bad your singers voice was and how loose the drummer was, only because your string section was so damn tight. Lead guitarist needs to vary his sound a little more often but overall I actually liked the songs alot. Tapped my foot and did a little air drumming a few times. Love that low end man, you found a way to get down there without losing the notes in the mud. You guys are kings of 'the breakdown'.

Cool man! Glad you liked the stuff...quick question though...Where did you hear them? I think I have our old website listed. You should check out our myspace. We have more stuff on there.

I do agree with you though about our drummer. He does need improvement, but he's working on it. We've only been a band for around 2 1/2 years, and have only been a 5 piece for about 6 months...so we're still growing musically.

Thanks for the compliments on the low end. I play a Schecter Stiletto Custom V (pictured in my avatar), and a Halo GVK 5 bass (pictured in the picture whore thread...me with the thundercats shirt). These are run into a DigiTech BNX 3, into the input of a BBE BMax T preamp through a Behringer EP 2500 power amp into a 210 cabinet and 115 cabinet. At my current setup, I'm pushing about 950 watts total.

Anyway, if you want to check out our myspace, it's www.myspace.com/centraliaburns, and my band's new website is www.centraliaburns.com. I really need to update my profile info.

heyseuss

01-28-2008, 07:23 PM

I do agree with you though about our drummer. He does need improvement, but he's working on it. We've only been a band for around 2 1/2 years, and have only been a 5 piece for about 6 months...so we're still growing musically.

I'd already been to both sites.

He's not bad, just not -there- yet. I'm well aware that what you guys do isn't easy though so I'm not gonna be too hard on him. Really didn't like alot of the various recordings drum sounds but can still recognise when he's on or off. It takes time though and he needs his bassman to work with him. I played the heavy stuff some 15 years ago. We held seperate rehearsals for bass and drums. Seperate rehearsals for harmony practice too.

Singer on the other hand....umm, sometimes I just couldn't see the point of him being there.

Various equipment information.

And I thought you were just pumping it through a big muff! ;)

kronos6948

01-28-2008, 08:25 PM

I'd already been to both sites.

He's not bad, just not -there- yet. I'm well aware that what you guys do isn't easy though so I'm not gonna be too hard on him. Really didn't like alot of the various recordings drum sounds but can still recognise when he's on or off. It takes time though and he needs his bassman to work with him. I played the heavy stuff some 15 years ago. We held seperate rehearsals for bass and drums. Seperate rehearsals for harmony practice too.

The hardest part about this is that I live in Philly and he lives in Jersey. Our schedules totally conflict too. But, he's taken some initiative to work more on his own.

Singer on the other hand....umm, sometimes I just couldn't see the point of him being there.

Funny, most people have the exact opposite reaction. They love his vocals. Live it's like Mike Patton meets some screaming stuff.

And I thought you were just pumping it through a big muff! ;)

I wish it was that simple. It took me quite a long time to find a sound that I really liked that fit well in our mix. I really liked that Meshuggah/Entombed sound, and that's what I strived for.

heyseuss

01-28-2008, 08:54 PM

The hardest part about this is that I live in Philly and he lives in Jersey. Our schedules totally conflict too. But, he's taken some initiative to work more on his own.

I noticed that your location wasn't Trenton. That sucks.

Funny, most people have the exact opposite reaction. They love his vocals. Live it's like Mike Patton meets some screaming stuff.

"Mike Patton meets some screaming stuff" ??? That's like saying eminem with a dash of winy whiteboy. Or UB40 with a little reggae. Mike can sing like 7 differnt gods, his screaming is instrumental (in 2 definitions). Your dudes 'singing' wasn't bad, wasn't terrible, just didn't have any diversification. His screaming was plain and average to me, sounded like a million other dog bark/scream-core bands. Don't get me wrong, screaming is fine to me. Just not on the spot in this case, really not cohesive with the 3 guitars sounds.

I wish it was that simple. It took me quite a long time to find a sound that I really liked that fit well in our mix. I really liked that Meshuggah/Entombed sound, and that's what I strived for.

It fits really well.

kronos6948

01-28-2008, 09:20 PM

I
"Mike Patton meets some screaming stuff" ??? That's like saying eminem with a dash of winy whiteboy. Or UB40 with a little reggae. Mike can sing like 7 differnt gods, his screaming is instrumental (in 2 definitions). Your dudes 'singing' wasn't bad, wasn't terrible, just didn't have any diversification. His screaming was plain and average to me, sounded like a million other dog bark/scream-core bands. Don't get me wrong, screaming is fine to me. Just not on the spot in this case, really not cohesive with the 3 guitars sounds.

I can dig what you're saying. I'm coming from a background of melodic death metal, so his style of singing wasn't something I was used to. I've actually take to trying to write vocal melodies myself, and just having him write the lyrics to the vocal melody. He's having a bit of trouble with our first attempt at it. Believe me, if I had a good enough voice to do the singing on my own, I would. He can be a bit of a diva sometimes.

murphy1d

01-28-2008, 10:10 PM

Yeah, I know Slipknot isn't death metal, but you're right.. it was hard to figure what they were. I'm not into Nile or other true death metal bands (except maybe Celtic Frost), but I wanted to put a user-friendly definition to the band.

As far as MP goes I have Peeping Tom's album (and FNM of course) and really dig it, but haven't heard Tomahawk yet. I understand it is awesome.

I'm all over when it comes to music, but then again everyone thinks they are. If you can mix Swans, Chris Botti and Green Milk from the Planet Orange into your MP3 collection, you're ok in my book.

The cigs were the one vice that had control over me for 15 years. But, I just said "I'm done" and haven't gone back. We'll see.

heyseuss

01-28-2008, 10:26 PM

I can dig what you're saying. I'm coming from a background of melodic death metal, so his style of singing wasn't something I was used to. I've actually take to trying to write vocal melodies myself, and just having him write the lyrics to the vocal melody. He's having a bit of trouble with our first attempt at it. Believe me, if I had a good enough voice to do the singing on my own, I would. He can be a bit of a diva sometimes.

When I went to check you out, I was prepared for the worst. Expected EDAGE over and over. Instead I was really nicely surprised, but, his voice was what I expected. He's the least important member of the band, don't let him get frontman syndrome.

For your vocal melodies, do it with you bass in your hand. By your self, and work some "hmm, heee, hooo, haaa" around your playing. Don't bother trying to form words, just make sounds with your mouth and find the patterns that fit the music. It'll help you show him the openings for where his melody fits.

heyseuss

01-28-2008, 10:38 PM

As far as MP goes I have Peeping Tom's album (and FNM of course) and really dig it, but haven't heard Tomahawk yet. I understand it is awesome.

Is that the name of his vocal album? I don't know the name of it, but he has a 40 odd minute album of just him and a microphone making noise with his voice. I haven't heard Tomahawk either but a friend of mine walked around with his wrist band from a Tomahawk concert on his wrist continually for months because it was, "the best concert I've ever been to". The drummer is John Stanier from Helmet right ???? That's worth checking out, they are on my list. I miss the REAL Helmet. I knew I was going to have a good time going to a Helmet concert, but I had no idea how jaw-droppingly good it was watching that drummer live.

I'm all over when it comes to music, but then again everyone thinks they are. If you can mix Swans, Chris Botti and Green Milk from the Planet Orange into your MP3 collection, you're ok in my book.

Is Chris Botti the trumpeter that was married to Katie Couric ?? He was in Paul Simons band for a while too, I saw him when I was a kid in the 'Concert In The Park' video. Even if you aren't a Paul Simon fan, that's an impressive concert to see 750'000 in central park.

The cigs were the one vice that had control over me for 15 years. But, I just said "I'm done" and haven't gone back. We'll see.

I pat your back.

murphy1d

01-28-2008, 10:53 PM

Is Chris Botti the trumpeter that was married to Katie Couric ??

Yeah, but they were just dating for a while, no marriage. My dad started me on jazz ever since I first heard Dave Brubeck's "Take 5."

My mom had classical music in the house all day long, so I come pre-loaded with music-loving DNA. That's why I was disappointed that the guys on TRS seem to be somewhat "niched" in their musical tastes. I figured they would be all over the place.

murphy1d

01-28-2008, 10:54 PM

Oh yeah. I'm listening to the song "Iowa" by Slipknot right now. Jez, this is a great song.

heyseuss

01-28-2008, 11:07 PM

Oh yeah. I'm listening to the song "Iowa" by Slipknot right now. Jez, this is a great song.

Iowa's ok, I think the first album is better.

Can't see California without Marlon Brando's EYES. Only one of us walks away.

If you love Take 5, but only have the basic studio version, track down the live 10-13min long version. Do you like that charlie Brown guy Vince Guarldi too?

My mom shoved classical down my throat too. My first record I owned was 1812 overture when I was 8. She has a degree in classical piano/cathedral organ, so I was one of those freak kids giving Bach concerts when I was 4.

kronos6948

01-29-2008, 09:47 AM

I didn't have any classical shoved down my throat. I grew up in a household of Oldies and Country fans. (BLECH!)

Anyway, most of my classical influence comes from cartoons. If it weren't for MGM and Warner Brothers, I may never have come in contact with classical music until I got older.

My first Slipknot experience was YEARS ago...I went to Ozzfest, and Slipknot was the opening band on the second stage. Someone working the board obviously didn't know how to work a live venue, or just didn't set the sound up properly for them. All you heard was rumble. So, I was unimpressed. Then, Wait and Bleed hit the airwaves, and it knocked me over. I liked the first album, didn't like Iowa so much...and Corey pissed me off when he dissed GWAR by saying they were irrelevant.

I wish I had your musical experience, Heyseuss, even though you probably never want to play a piano again...

murphy1d

01-29-2008, 03:27 PM

My first Slipknot experience was YEARS ago...I wish I had your musical experience, Heyseuss, even though you probably never want to play a piano again...

I find myself swimming in old waters all the time. Just a few months ago I had to download Cinderella's "Bad Seamstress Blues" because it was a favorite of mine years ago. Yet I always look for new bands. I live in Atlanta, so sometimes a new band is not all that new, like Eagles of Death Metal. But I'm digging them right now.

Any suggestions for new music? Don't worry about genre, as I have no boundaries.

PS, I'm watching Alton Brown right now. Once I tried steaming and broiling hard-cooked eggs I never went back to boiling. He's my professor.

kronos6948

01-29-2008, 06:53 PM

I find myself swimming in old waters all the time. Just a few months ago I had to download Cinderella's "Bad Seamstress Blues" because it was a favorite of mine years ago. Yet I always look for new bands. I live in Atlanta, so sometimes a new band is not all that new, like Eagles of Death Metal. But I'm digging them right now.

Any suggestions for new music? Don't worry about genre, as I have no boundaries.

PS, I'm watching Alton Brown right now. Once I tried steaming and broiling hard-cooked eggs I never went back to boiling. He's my professor.

As far as new music is concerned, the last "new" band that I got into was Mastodon. I'm sure you've heard of them by now, as they're on Warner Brothers nowadays.

But, if you haven't heard of Neurosis, and are into experimental metal, I definitely recommend them. They've been around for a while, and you'll get to hear the band that influenced Mastodon. A lot of people find them boring because they don't fit the normal metal genre, but to me, they sound like anger.

Other new music isn't my forte. I really don't listen to a lot of new stuff since I've become picky in my old age..but right now I'm currently spinning Dredg (definitely NOT metal, but damn, the music and singer are AWESOME), and I'm also on a Rammstein kick.

Speaking of AB, Here's a couple of pics of me and AB, back when I had short hair (the things us men do for women, I tell ya.)

Me & Alton (I look a little femmy in this pic...LOL...maybe it's a mancrush?)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v431/kronos6948/great%20big%20food%20show/meandalton.jpg

and here's me being involved in his stage show...I was a coagulated egg protein...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v431/kronos6948/great%20big%20food%20show/meonstage.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v431/kronos6948/great%20big%20food%20show/anervouscoagulatedprotein.jpg

I'm sure these photos will be responded to with people calling me a poser for having short hair and growing it recently, so I will give you an extra photo of me back in high school, for, you know, street cred (from my prom...)..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v431/kronos6948/youngme.jpg

heyseuss

01-29-2008, 07:41 PM

I wish I had your musical experience, Heyseuss, even though you probably never want to play a piano again...

I had a stomach ulcer by the time I was 9 and ran away from home over the stress of not being able to learn a piece of chinese classical for an exam. And yes, it made me hate my mother and hate piano. If I heard one it made my stomach hurt. It wasn't until the end of high school that I started getting into electronic and played in a covers band.

And yup, the album Wait and Bleed was on was better than Iowa.

heyseuss

01-29-2008, 07:47 PM

Any suggestions for new music? Don't worry about genre, as I have no boundaries.

Keeping it hard .... This Is Menace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF6FVDMlCYc

Specifically, songs like Dead Man, Predisposed, The Nameless, F8. F8 is f'n badass.

murphy1d

01-29-2008, 11:28 PM

Keeping it hard .... This Is Menace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF6FVDMlCYc

Specifically, songs like Dead Man, Predisposed, The Nameless, F8. F8 is f'n badass.

Jesus, that drummer fckn rocks!!!! Thanks, and if you have Pownce look me up and send me a song or two.

http://pownce.com/Murphy1d

murphy1d

01-29-2008, 11:36 PM

As far as new music is concerned, the last "new" band that I got into was Mastodon. [/IMG]

Mastodon's from Atlanta, so yeah I've got Call of the Mastodon.

I occasionally get back into ZAO or Heaven Shall Burn, but I've had to fill in with Clutch every so often.

When I saw Alton get a tattoo on Feasting on Asphalt I knew he had to be killer to hang out with. I haven't seen him here in Atlanta, but he films all over the city.

heyseuss

01-30-2008, 12:20 AM

Jesus, that drummer fckn rocks!!!! Thanks, and if you have Pownce look me up and send me a song or two.

http://pownce.com/Murphy1d

I don't pownce but I should huh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYFRW_nj-l0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGLklig0n5Q&feature=user
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bii6FFl-cWI&feature=user
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YovNevO0M7g&feature=user

You get the idea, keep clicking on the related links and you will have to change your pants.

kronos6948

01-30-2008, 02:19 AM

I had a stomach ulcer by the time I was 9 and ran away from home over the stress of not being able to learn a piece of chinese classical for an exam. And yes, it made me hate my mother and hate piano. If I heard one it made my stomach hurt. It wasn't until the end of high school that I started getting into electronic and played in a covers band.

And yup, the album Wait and Bleed was on was better than Iowa.

Holy $h!+, man...this is exactly why if I ever have any kids, I'm not forcing music or sports on them at all. If they see me play and want to play too, I'll let them choose how far they want to go with it. I won't force them into musical schools if they don't want to go.

heyseuss

01-30-2008, 02:53 AM

Holy $h!+, man...this is exactly why if I ever have any kids, I'm not forcing music or sports on them at all. If they see me play and want to play too, I'll let them choose how far they want to go with it. I won't force them into musical schools if they don't want to go.

Yeh, I stopped talking to her when I was 13-14. She was a doctor with the degree in piano/organ and she gave it all up to have kids, so when I touched the piano, she immediately started tuning me to be a piano playing doctor. I had the first 2 yrs of med school text books when I was in 9th grade.

I was playing as soon as I could support my spine. At first I did it because if the novelty of touching something and oise coming out, but I was 3. I copied bach and beethoven and mozart when I heard it, got 'diagnosed' with perfect pitch and started becoming one of those little freak prodigy kids and was giving concerts by the time I was 5. Adults saying to a 5 yr old 'wow, I can't do that', is a reason to do it, because of the attention. But when I developed my own tastes, and was giving up playtime to practice (I'm talking every day from the age of 4 -15), I started hating it.

When I came out of a piano exam once when I was 9, my crotch area of my pants were soaking wet, and people assumed I'd wet myself, but it was sweat running down my stomach during the exam from the nerves. They also expected me to sing all the time. Not songs, but to test my pitch recognition. They'd play 2 random notes and I would be in the corner with my eyes closed and have to sing it back to them and tell them whether it was a 5th or 7th or whatever. That was the most uncomfortable thing to do in the world while my voice was breaking, actually, not uncomfortable, impossible.

My dad supported my mothers wishes, until they split up, he asked if I wanted to keep taking lessons and I said no, and he said ok. (probably glad to stop spending the money). So, yay for him.

Good for you on your attitude about kids. Make them try something, if they don't like it, let them try something else. Some people say, 'you should stick with it'... but that doesn't apply to something that has no reward. If I stuck with it and continued taking exams, I'd never look back on it and say, "wow, I'm glad I gave up learning how to pop a wheelie on my bmx so that I could learn chinese classical baroque and get a degree in pomp and circumstance".

Now I play for me. I've got a crappy Ibanez 540r and a killer ampeg head and some random badass cabinet. Drumkit, keys, piano, protools, computers. I'm good now. Still play classical sometimes. I love playing Michael Nymans soundtrack to The Piano.