Here's one for you...not pool related per se, but definitely on topic. I happen to be a fairly accomplished blues harmonica player. It is pretty obscure, so just for some back-fill; a player with proper technique can elevate a simple diatonic harmonica from a dime store, airy, thin sounding instrument, to one that sings with almost horn like tonality.
Everyone has one when they're a kid, so no one takes it seriously. If i had a nickle for every time I had a guy or girl at a show say "what kind of special harmonica is that?"
I once even had a guy offer me 50 bucks for a harmonica of mine....I said, "listen, you can get one for 10 bucks at any music store." To which he replied, "no, there is something special about that one!" Easiest 40 bucks I ever made. It goes back to the adage I hear around here all the time..."it's the Indian, not the arrow."
Even among harmonica wannabes, it is very rare to find an individual who has truly become proficient....it is due to a lack of knowledge. They don't know the music or tradition, just like the pool bangers don't know the game.
A pool player will never be more than a "banger" unless he studies the game, studies the greats and plays all the games. They just bang balls around the table with no finesse, no concept of shape, english, or other fundamentals.
Similarly, most harmonica wannabes aren't even really musical. They sit in with a band and step all over the other musicians. They have no concept of musicality, leaving space...don't know chord changes and the standard songs that all hip blues musicians know. But since most people have never heard the true potential of the instrument, a guy who can just get some sound out of the thing is considered a pro.
No different than times I've been out shooting, ran a rack or two and had girls ask me if I play on ESPN. Hell, I'm a C player...I run a rack once in awhile...I'm sure as hell not gifted with a cue at this point. It is all in who you compare yourself to. In anything I do, I compare myself to the best, therefore I am low-mid tier at best. As Socrates said, "the only knowledge comes from knowing that you know nothing."
To me it is just the same in pool as in anything...you have true aficionados of the game of pool, who know all about banks, one pocket, can name the great players past and present....know the techniques, etc.
As an aspiring pool player, I understand these types of frustrations, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that this sort of thing is common in many other endeavors and not exclusive in any way to pool.
The wannabes never know what they don't know...and as Danny D. says, "If you knew what you didn't know, you'd already know it!"
I have lauged many a time at these types, but at the same time, I feel a responsibility to educate; however, I only give my time when I know I have a receptive party on the other end.
Just a thought.
R.S.
