Veruca Salt

True Story. I swear on my stamp collection.

I have been quite busy with my students lately, and I have been wrapping up a number of projects, as it is approaching the end of the school year. This "final" week of teaching features a number of my students playing in a recital-type situation.

Last night, there was a performance with my students and a number of other novice players at a local all-ages club. Every Monday evening, this club has an open stage night, where players can have the opportunity to play before spectators. My mother is a member of this club, and she has been trying to get me to attend these jam sessions.

Immediately after I finished teaching my last pupil last night, I went to this club to greet my students. I was greeted at the main doors by a teenaged-girl, whom I had never met, but who I will refer to as "Veruca Salt" (For those who are familiar with Roald Dahl's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you will soon understand why I named her that).

The first thing out of Veruca's mouth was "Are you with all those people that have just started showing up?" I nodded. She then asked "Why?" in a rather cynical tone of voice. I tried explaining to her that myself and another teacher brought our students to this open jam session to allow them an opportunity to perform for other people. Her response was absolutely ludicrous, stating something of the fact that we were invading her space, and we were not welcome -- while she stormed away.

I was left completely speechless. Never in my life have a met someone who was so blatantly rude to me in front of my face. I certainly did not have ample time to conjure up a witty remark in retaliation of this assault. I know how I felt; like telling this witch what I thought of her attitude problem, and deflating her ego, in hopes of bringing a little humility to her.

I asked my mother what this girl's problem was. She started laughing, realizing that I just had a close encounter with Veruca. It appears that this girl behaves like this all the time, and very few people at the club can tolerate her. Of course, Veruca got up and played a few songs, but I certainly can tell that her talents weren't worth bragging about -- certainly not to the degree she throws her weight around that club.

Obviously, Veruca does not realize the importance of people skills in a musical situation. If you have a poor attitude, and you are controlling and demeaning to others, no one will want to make music with you, regardless of your talents. I know this from experience, as I have played in bands with controlling and manipulative people. What normally happens in this situation is the band members fight, people quit, the band breaks up, and eventually the word gets around that certain people are difficult (or impossible) to work with. Thus, these rude, egocentric, controlling people end up playing by themselves.

Nearing the end of the night, there were less than ten players left at the club. I asked my mother how many people show up to these jams on a weekly basis. My mother replied that the people I saw in the club at that moment, consisted of the core group. No wonder so few people attend this jam session at this club anymore. This little brat has sucked out any enjoyment anyone could have. It has certainly convinced me that I don't want to go to that club to jam on any regular basis.