How Do You Play Odds-and-Evens?

How do I tell the guy I am not good at the instruments I play? Kind of complicated...Please help?

• I am not bad, one instrument I am good at...let me explain. So during my first weeks at my job, when I first started working there, they asked me if I played any instruments. At the time I was teaching myself piano as a beginner(I am in the level 3 or 4 area), and I haven't played guitar in a while, but was planning on playing soon. So I told them I play Violin, Piano, and Guitar. My level for each instrument is: Violin-Advanced, I am playing level 6, and a college level 6 type piece for NYSSMA as my Violin solo. Guitar-Intermediate, although I haven't played it for a longgg time, not including me starting to get back into it recently...the few times I started playing again this month...(I don't know if I am 100% back into it yet...) Piano-Beginner...I haven't practiced it in a while because I am focusing on my Violin solo, because it is very difficult, like my teacher tried to talk me out of it a few times difficult...So I stopped practicing Piano 2 Months ago...although again, I am starting to get back into it...slowly...like I am with the Guitar.(When I told them I was playing piano, it was about 6 months ago) So most of my time playing is Violin, my main instrument. Everyone thinks I can play a bunch of instruments...I kind of can...at different levels.I am not great at them all though, only one. So my boss ended up telling one of his friends that I play a bunch of instruments. Today he came in and started talking to me about the instruments I play and bands I listen too. Then he asked for my e-mail, and he mentioned how he's a musician, and how forming a band is tough, and how I'm a great kid and how I play a bunch of instruments...and how some songs are tough, or to difficult, or out of his singing range But again...I am not great at all of them...so I don't know if he wants me to play for him or something...but I am not good, and I don't really play these much. I mean yeah, this is the perfect opportunity to get back into them...but I am not ready to do anything music related with the Piano or Guitar. The other thing is....he is like 30-40 maybe a little above 40...and he keeps mentioning how he's the old guy and stuff and I make him feel old with all the bands I listen too now...but anyways, he is just not in my age group to relate...yeah we have many similar band interests...but the age different still makes it odd and hard to relate to each other.. So I don't know what to do or say... The guy has my phone number and email.

• Answer:

  It's always a better idea to underplay your ability and let people be pleasantly surprised than to overplay it and have them be disappointed. I wouldn't worry too much about the person who thinks there's anything creepy going on. Musicians like to network, and young people are an asset to a band because their young friends come out to support the band at gigs. 30- and 40-somethings have kids and get tired and don't get out for as much nightlife as 20-somethings. Plus, he's right - sometimes it IS really hard to find good musicians to put a new group together. Do you WANT to join a band? If not, just be cool, say you're really flattered, but you just don't feel like you have the time to commit to a band right now. If you do, well, go for it - the worst that happens is they decide you're not that good after all. On the whole, I would talk about your violin a whole lot, stress how that's your main instrument, and downplay the piano and guitar. Say things like "Yeah, I've tried tinkering around with piano some ... it's a tough instrument to figure out. Hopefully I'll get better at it eventually..." Don't give him the impression that you lied about it earlier, but just signal that you don't consider it your main instrument and don't have a lot of confidence on it yet.