Headphones

mr3cushion said:
There's a 'Dark side' with players that wear headphones/ear pods as to What or Who is on the other end.
Click to expand...
100%... If I were in some level of money match. There'd definitely be rule in place not allowing their use. Unfortunately, I can't force TDs to the same.

That said, the level of player that routinely beats on me, doesn't need advice...lol
 
Flakeandrun said:
I guess it's not illegal in tournament play (given that SVB can turn off his hearing aids
Click to expand...

How do people think this is an argument for anything? The Good Doctor used it in his foul thread, others have used it, now I see it again.

Do you know what people with hearing loss can't do? Hear as well as you or me. Given the choice of being allowed to turn off hearing aids sometimes and not feeling isolated the rest of the time, I goddamn guarantee that almost every person would choose to be able to hear. Helen Keller said she would choose hearing over sight if given the option.

As for the Earl argument, he is just a fool.

Cultural standards aside, headphones are great if you are playing alone and want to be left alone. They are a pretty obvious statement that you don't care a bit about hearing what others have to say. Playing pool with someone wearing your headphones is the same level of rude as picking your nose and wiping it on the tablecloth while eating dinner with someone. Same goes for using your cellphone in public restrooms.
 
Flakeandrun said:
Touched on this previously in another thread, but want to approach with a little more curiousity.

I personally play very often (90% of the time at least) with headphones in; casual, tournament and petty gambling (in the couple of times I've played for bigger money, I have not, and that was because I was told not to by the person who set up the games - played three games that are more than pocket money now. Not pursuing them, but still feel happy to take or leave what comes at me. Didn't affect my comfort as much as it has in other times, and I attribute that to the extra adrenaline and just generally 'having bigger fish to fry')

Part of the original reason was language barrier, and it just became habit. I can play without them, but more often than not it is more comfortable to stick Spotify on shuffle and have at it. Are there any well known players who prefer to compete with headphones in? I guess it's not illegal in tournament play (given that SVB can turn off his hearing aids, or Earl can wear earmuffs lol). or is it something that is illegal in tournament play, and exceptions made at the discretion of TDs?

More importantly in this thread. What are the jams that have you feeling like you could clean the table?

I've a couple of songs that have found their way onto both my practice and matchplay playlists:

* The Kills - Future starts slow
* Seb - Fuck it I'm the man
* PawPaw Rod - Hit em' where it hurts
* Tom T. Hall - Faster Horses
* Dinosaur Jr. - The Wagon
* Billy Fury - Wondrous place
* Rain radio/block noise - 079
* Hyphen - 3 pound pints

Do you play with headphones in? In what environment? What gets you off?
Click to expand...
I always recommend to players to not use headphones. They are not allowed in a number of tournaments (BCA, APA) so why get used to them and then not be able to play with them at tournament time. Also, headphones and hearing aids are not the same thing. Hearing aids are a medical device and I believe are allowed in all forms of play. Earl's earmuffs are legal in most systems because they are not electronic, so no risk of cheating
 
I don't play with headphones but I would love to play with earplugs because of the stupid Touch Tune machine.

Anyways, I try to avoid headphones because I don't want to be accused of cheating. I've seen people coach players via telephone call and headphones.

I know an APA captain who is trying to implement this on a team he manages especially the lower level players.
 
VarmintKong said:
I always figure if someone has headphones in they don’t want to be bothered. I wouldn’t expect someone to wear them when we played, but I’m not gonna make a deal out of it.

Man you have some eclectic tastes. Thanks for the tunes; be sure to check them out.

Depends on my mood. I’ve always been a little bit of a spaz, so I have to be careful not to get to amped up.

If I don’t care aboot that:

Clutch: Subtle Hustle
Alex Bevan: Skinny
Parliament Funkadelic: Bop Gun or Super Stupid
Killswitch Engage: Unleashed
Violent Femmes: Kiss Off (gotta be the live one)
Fire from the Gods: Excuse Me
Ekoostik Hookah: Lady Vanilla (gotta be the live one from Sharp in the Flats)
Pantera: Shedding Skin
Nothing More: Fade in Fade out
Thin Lizzy: The Emerald
Bob Marley: Redemption Song
Greensky Bkuegrass: Past my Prime
Hugo’s version of: 99 Problems
Cypress Hill: Spark Another ‘Owl
The Music Man play: Trouble in River City
Anything by Bloodhound Gang

If I’m trying to zone out or wind down:

Neil Young: Cortez the Killer
Tool: Eulogy
Funkadelic: Maggot Brain
Robin Trower: Bridge of Sighs
Blue Oyster Cult: I Love the Night
Allman Brothers: Little Martha
Steeldrivers: Where Rainbows Never Die
Pink Floyd: Lost for Words or Is there Anybody Out There
Pantera or Black Sabbath: Planet Caravan
Andy McKee: For my Father
Uncle Lucius: Keep the Wolves Away
Aaron Lewis: Everybody Talks to God
Alice In Chains: Nutshell
Corey Smith: 21
Clapton’s version of: Malted Milk
Sports talk radio
Click to expand...
Good choices, Emerald is probably my favorite Lizzy song. And about anything by Clutch is good by me. And since you listed the Planet Caravan cover, Skyclad do a pretty radical cover of Emerald, though the violin touches might not be everyone's cup of tea.
 
Last edited:
zetetikos said:
I like wearing headphones as well, and do so when I practice alone. I know in the states they are banned in most leagues and tournaments because of the potential for coaching.

In netherlands its considered an antisocial and dick move, no one will stop you from doing it, but everyone will look down on you, and people are usually told so at some point, (love the dutch directness)and then stop wearing them. The general attitude is none of us are pros, it's a social thing at the end of the day and headphones take away from that.

When I practice it's usually Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nick cave, Leonard Cohen, maybe some Pogues.

If I want to be a bit more amped up switch it to crass, subhumans, krs1, or any other old school punk or hiphop.

I use bone conducting headphones tho, as I don't like to not hear my surroundings
Click to expand...
I'm the opposite, I like to hear nothing but jams. I do have them on a setting that picks up conversation and dims the sound/noise control so I can speak and be a bit more social. But like I said, sometimes an opponent might have too big a language barrier. Especially older guys. My Chinese isn't good enough, and their English isn't good enough. Younger guys I can either converse with well, or muddle through.

I was concerned about it being a dick move here, but then actually, some of the behavior I would consider polite, or normal, isn't necessarily observed. I try to play it by ear and not upset anybody.
 
Monti said:
I played someone in a tournament who had them in. I called 2 fouls 3 times and then when I got the third and started re racking, he said I hadn’t told him.
So I would play with just 1 in, to have your own music but also be fully interacted with the opponent.
Click to expand...
I have the noise control option that allows conversation to mute them. But actually, you're spot on. I do often use one only.
 
i wont play with someone with headphones on. ruins any social aspect even when gambling.

and in pool many times you need to alert your opponent about something. if he chooses to tune you out its his fault if a problem arises.
 
maha said:
i wont play with someone with headphones on. ruins any social aspect even when gambling.

and in pool many times you need to alert your opponent about something. if he chooses to tune you out its his fault if a problem arises.
Click to expand...
I never once wore them playing snooker growing up, and I would agree with most people here that it would be considered rude where I am from. So I guess when language barrier has sometimes taken away the social aspect for me, I have tended to lean into wearing them. There was a period where it was either solo practice, or play with someone I can't understand. I do have the noise control set to recognize voice, and mute when it does so.
My language skill has improved to accommodate more subject specific vocabulary, which has made some aspects more fun. But culturally, people here do 'small talk' differently from what I am accustomed. There's no 'shooting the shit' it's more interview styled and direct questioning haha So learning more talk relating to the game that is currently being played has been useful.

I had never thought about the aspect regarding coaching which some others had mentioned previously. Can certainly see now why they're a no go, especially where money is involved.

Thanks all for the playlist sharing! Added a few dozen songs to my list :)
 
Last edited:
axejunkie said:
Good choices, Emerald is probably my favorite Lizzy song. And about anything by Clutch is good by me. And since you listed the Planet Caravan cover, Skyclad do a pretty radical cover of Emerald, though the violin touches might not be everyone's cup of tea.
Click to expand...
You’re dawg-gone right! My nephew is a guitar junkie and listens to Maiden constantly. I told him to check out the duel lead in Emerald and he loves Thin Lizzy now.

Never heard of Skyclad. I’m going to play that as soon as the kids get their homework done and I can get down to the table.
 
VarmintKong said:
You’re dawg-gone right! My nephew is a guitar junkie and listens to Maiden constantly. I told him to check out the duel lead in Emerald and he loves Thin Lizzy now.

Never heard of Skyclad. I’m going to play that as soon as the kids get their homework done and I can get down to the table.
Click to expand...
Lizzy were a big influence on metal as few bands had two guitarists then outside of southern rock groups. And Skyclad were brilliant IMO, though all I know is their 90s era. Loss of original singer probably hurt their popularity.
 
On banning ear gear; the angle is probably coaching and then spying. Telepathy is ok because there's no such thing etc...
More selective BS is all.
:D
 
axejunkie said:
Lizzy were a big influence on metal as few bands had two guitarists then outside of southern rock groups. And Skyclad were brilliant IMO, though all I know is their 90s era. Loss of original singer probably hurt their popularity.
Click to expand...
Righteous and Kickass man! I liked the violin. Maybe it shouldn’t have been in the forefront so much early, but I really dig the vibrato when everyone took their turns at the solo. Also dig that guitar squeal; had that Zakk Wylde type of harmonic to it. Tasty jam! I’d of never heard it if you didn’t share, so thanks fer that.

Brag on my nephew for a minute. I bought him a Maiden book for Christmas and told him to learn a little bit of “Where Eagles Dare” for me. At New Year he was like, “Hey Uncle Varmint, check this out,” Kid had the whole song down except the solos. He just tries to play to fast. Got his own band with his buds. Keep an eye out for “Legboner” in the next decade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top