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The keyboard certainly isn't my first instrument, but someone has described my piano playing as being like Elton John and I'm not sure whether this was intended as a complement, or an insult!
If any of you real pianists would care to offer an opinion on Elton John's piano playing, it might help me decide.
ROG.
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Rog-O, maybe it's just a comparison with no other opinion expressed or implied. What do you think of Elton's playing? Is it what you were trying for? If so, good for you! But let's hear the song and see how it fits with that.
I had someone describe some of my electronica as sounding like 80s music. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a compliment, but it was exactly what I was/am shooting for, so hurray for me.
Personally, I like Elton's chops. I used to look down on him a little, until I heard that he was the first musician since Elvis to have at least one song in the top ten for twenty years in a row. He's gotta be doing something right.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Not a real pianist, but a real fan of pianists. It was definitely intended as a coomplement. John is one of the finest rock pianists ever. There's a reason he and Billy Joel toured together.
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2026 • Reaper 7.57 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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Definitely an insult! It would be like saying you sounded like Keith Richards on the guitar.
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When someone says, "You sound like ______" take it as a compliment - especially if it isn't coming from a close friend who is also a musician.
More often than not people compare you to the stars that they admire. They may hear something that reminds of them of that star, or even nothing at all, just that they like the star and they like you. People listen with uneducated ears.
People have come up to me and say that I sound like "Kenny G" when I'm playing soprano sounds, and although I think I play way better than Kenny, I take it as a compliment. The general public thinks Kenny G is the one of the best sax players around, when I know dozens of locals who can play better. If a musician tells me I sound like Kenny G after I play a Kenny G type song, I take that as a compliment too, after all, when playing a K.G. song I'm trying to sound like him.
Someone told Leilani she sounded like Carly Simon, and Leilani sings much better than Carly, but she took that as a compliment because the girl who said that obviously had some hero-worship of Ms. Simon.
Unless they are scowling when saying it, take it as a compliment, it's probably meant that way. The general public looks at most stars as if they are the best musicians/singers in the world. They think the cream rises to the top and don't really know that it is more about politics than talent that puts you in the spotlight. As Tom Scott once told me (and I'll paraphrase) - "I know there is a sax player somewhere playing in a Holiday Inn in a city like Valparaiso Indiana that can put me in his back pocket, but I was in the right place at the right time, knew the right people, showed up on time, showed up straight, and did the job."
It's easy to take offense when none is intended, and it is just as easy to take it as a compliment. Taking it as a compliment is much more pleasurable, so go ahead and take it the happy way. It's your choice, make the best choice.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
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What Notes said and I'll add that when someone doesn’t like your playing they will not compare you to anyone, hopefully they won't say anything . . . . but I have heard some will say "man you suck" and this means it is not a compliment.  Later,
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Comparing your playing to EJ is much better than comparing your wardrobes ..
He can play. Wouldn't trust him with my wardobe, but I'd trust him on most songs.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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I could only dream that anyone would compare my playing to Elton John.  Don S.
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Quote:
...people compare you to the stars that they admire
+1
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Quote:
Comparing your playing to EJ is much better than comparing your wardrobes ..
He can play. Wouldn't trust him with my wardobe, but I'd trust him on most songs.
Ditto on the wardrobe . . . but I did kind of like the duck suit.
Later,
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Playing like Elton - well I never claim to be a pianist, so I can live with that.
I'd have preferred it if the comparison had been with Bruce Hornsby, but I guess that's just The Way It Is. (Ha! See what I did there.)
Good advice about the wardrobes, rharv, but let's not forget such timeless classics as
"Yellow Brick Wardrobe" and "Candle In The Wardrobe."
Is it just me, or is this thread getting a trifle surreal?
ROG.
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My main instrument is the guitar but I also play some piano and I wish some one said my playing was like Elton John's.
Not my favorite piano player out there, but the guy can definitely play.
Tim
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Tom, I like your new photo, great resemblence. Later,
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Quote:
Tom,
I like your new photo, great resemblence.
Later,
Hee hee. I'm pretty fond of that one, too. The art (based off an older promo pic of mine) is by Bill Holbrook, who does one of my favorite online comics, Kevin & Kell.
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2026 • Reaper 7.57 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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Compliment. If the person picked "insert artist here" to compare you to, they compared you to one of THEIR favorites.
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If I was thin skinned I might care.
I usually smile and carry on.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Asking for a little help here-- I have a terrible time trying to figure out who I sound like. I am new here and have only four songs posted, but if some of you could either insult me or compliment me by responding, I would greatly appreciate it.
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Honestly, I will tell you what people have told me.
You sound like you. Good, bad or indifferent, you sound like you. Belt it out to the back row and enjoy!!
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Well, if we had a link we might giver it a listen, but hey that's just me!
Let's see If Notes is way better than KG, and Leilani is better than Carly Simon, how come it is that Y'all are playing retirement homes, and they are legends!
Opps did I say that out loud! Just kiddin' there Notes ole buddy!!
I been hanging around with Eddie and Slivertunes too much huh!
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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geeeezzz who spiked my koolaide!
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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