No-one who engages in any creative outlet involving any sort of audience will be a stranger to criticism of various kinds. This can be good: constructive criticism helps us to see flaws we’ve not identified (or are in denial about), and ideally, provides some thoughts on what could be improved and/or how one might approach doing so.
Then … there’s the interwebs 
if you think you really play over those tracks then i feel sorry for you, its just dumb shread licks plasteredover a lame backing track, that you dont actually refrence or really Listen too.
perhaps your an 80`s joke 20 years after the fact.
really, i love the way you “Face” your licks like they actually have emotion.
your playing is dated shread, maybe mindless showing off at best, and by the way the second track has many blues licks available at safeway on special so you saying you dont really know blues has no basis and is just faux modest . i know you dont really listen to blues.
This is one of a number of thoughtful incisive critiques of my playing, related to these:
1. I know I’m far from amazing. Everything I do musically is just for fun, and my own satisfaction. If I’m too easily satisfied, that’s my business
2. well, that’s it really 
I don’t mind criticism, but what the hell is that?
It’s not just internet forums where you find this, either. YouTube is awesome for it. I’ve had some “excellent critiques” on there, using as few as one word: “weak” – without even capitalisation or a punctuation mark at the end Of course I’m far from the only person there with these sort of comments. Hell, I’m like plankton in the sea of YouTube, and guys with more visitors will naturally get more idiocy in the comments.
My point (again: if I have one) is that criticism is good and fine and helpful. Insults aren’t, and it’s not hard to pick the difference. On one of my Satriani cover vids (I think) someone mentioned that they thought I tended to rush a bit at times. That’s useful: it’s specific; it’s relevant; it’s not just complaining about “shred” (or some other stylistic wossname that doesn’t really help); and it was offered in a polite and rational way. It was also probably correct I am aware that my timing can wander around at times, and I don’t labour over my YouTube videos in search of “perfection” so there will undoubtably be cock-ups, rushing, lagging … and all manner of things.
Offer intelligent and coherent criticism, and the artist ought to be fine with it. They might or might not agree with or care about what you say, but that’s all good. However, offer insults, and the artist will ignore or attack you. – Last night was the first second time I’ve actually told someone to f— off; the other was years ago when someone made an insulting chauvinistic comment about my wife - again on teh interwebs.
Another aspect to this of course is whether people would be such dicks in the real world …
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For some reason YT seems to be about 100 times worse than forums for this!? The one thing that I do get annoyed about and this is something that has happened twice to me recently is when I offer some constructive criticism and it is removed presumably because they a) don't agree, b) are too blind to see it or c) don't want any slightly negative comments messing up their gear reviews (the most likely). I leave almost all comments and insults on my videos unless it is just mindless crap. If it is insulting but arguable then I debate the point and encourage others to put their opinion across rather than just delete.
My first comment here =)
People love to insult the others on the internet 'cuz they're behind the computer. They wanna show that they are better than everyone else, but they're are not able to do better and put a video on youtube.
@angeelmacri
I had a great one today. On one of my videos some chump (who has no videos of their own) posted "ya don giv up da dayjob dude." Great criticism. I thought about how best to reply… should I mention the session work I've done? Being named best guitarist in Melbourne after winning a contest held by Triple M and Allans Music? Having my playing on DiMarzio.com? The great feedback on my playing from Roger Mayer, Steve Blucher and Steve Vai? Playing Jemfest with Rob Balducci and Chris Brooks? Writing for three guitar magazines? The monthly instructional column I've been writing for three years which is read by 30,000 people? Do they think I was unaware that about 4 notes in that solo are a little sloppy? Do they think I let them go by accident? Of course I could have punched in and fixed 'em, but that whole solo was improvised and I wouldn't change a note of it because it's honest and it makes me happy.
Ultimately, these trolly comments say more about the commenter than the video poster. My attitude towards this stuff is, who gives a fuck what you think? I have much more important and positive things to devote my time to. The stop button's right there if you want to use it and go find something else to do.
Best worst comment that ever showed up on my youtube channel…
"Do you dress like that to make up for your lack of talent?"
I feel you got off lightly with "80`s joke 20 years after the fact"!
BTW always enjoy your playing Tsuken, you don't need me to tell you you're a great guitarist
NZguitars.com? No way, Raf. They only belittle non members there, surely? *tongue in cheek*
All kidding aside, remember what someone said to me after those insulting comments made about me? "You haven't made it until you have haters on the net".
Oh, and then there's "How many guitarists does it take to change a light bulb? One to change it and a thousand to say they could've done it better and faster"
Kaua e wareware e hoa! Tomorrow you'll be laughing about it.
I wish I didn't delete the one from the genius on my Bogner Alchemist video who said I should stop shredding and learn some Hendrix. Guess they didn't recognise the first thing I play… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjv-uHpw18c
I think the comments things are ridiculous. I don't know why they even have them on youtube any more. I was watching my favorite guitarist playing back in 1972 on a video and some guy says, "He's not very good, he's just copying everyone else's licks of that day." That was about Phil Keaggy, I don't know if you even know him, but it's absurd to think he's copying licks. No, I don't think he'll ever be voted the best by all the guitar players in the world, but he's more than original enough. Every album he's ever put out is in itself remarkably different from the last. Not to mention he is a full touring and playing professional with over 50 albums to his name, A session player and a producer to boot. And for added bonus he's had people like Ted Nugent say: "What happened to Phil Keaggy? He could have saved the world with his guitar!" after Phil Keaggy left Glass Harp to pursue a solo career.
It just goes to show how little the people making the comments know and how little they are as people. Sure constructive criticism is good for us all, but the bashing and nagging just turns everyone off. I make it no secret that I'm a Christian so I'll say that the Bible says to "speak the truth in love." And although it was talking about spiritual truth, I think us musicians could all benefit from doing the same in our circles.
Heh – most comments yet on any of my blog posts.
Jon, likewise I leave everything on there. Other visitors have buried a few dumb comments, and one or two have removed their own comments.
Angeel – it says something pretty sad about those people if they have to act different in real life and online, doesn't it?
Peter – wow at the accolades. Absolutely these comments reflect on the commenter, and it's not worth letting them get into one's head. Best to ignore or laugh, I reckon. – And excellent irony in the comment you deleted from your Bogner demo. I liked your rendition of Little Wing: nicely updated.
Kristie – That's just not fair. The way you dress doesn't make up for your lack of talent at all … :-p Total idiot, whoever left that comment for you >_< And you've neatly illustrated one of my points: we none of us should "need" anyone to validate us; I submit that if we enjoy what we're doing, it's enough.
Regan – lol at the 'net haters as an indication of success. Good way of looking at it though. ^_^ Oh, and I'm laughing about it already
Lewis – "speak the truth in love": I like that. ^_^ – And lol at the anecdote re Phil Keaggy (yes I've definitely heard of him, though I don't know his music)
Don't you just love internet trolls. I'm all for a supportive community.
My favourite recently was Guitar World's review of the new EVH Wolfgang:
miclain1995 (4 days ago)
wow this guy gets better every time i see him
ProfPudding (4 days ago)
he can't tap like Eddie though
Altered6Chicken (4 days ago)
eddie's tapping isn't even that incredible. I can fucking do it.
guitarnoize (4 days ago)
"I could play Stairway to heaven when I was 12, Jimmy Page didn't write it until he was 21, I think that says something" – Vim Fuego (Bad News)
Aljonrocks – Internet trolls FTL, indeed
Jon – Great work with the Vim quote, matey
… Anyway, Eddie's tapping actually *is* that incredible. I recall a vid of him playing on SNL (I think??) with G.E. Smith (love that guy's playing). I was astounded at what Eddie did. I had previously thought he mainly played the simple triplet arpeggio things that, yes, everyone can play. But he was doing all sorts of stuff; stuff I'd only seen Vai do – many years after this would have been. He really is outstanding.
Welcome to the internet dude. It's been part and parcel since it began, and these days it seems a natural part of most peoples mentality to put people down when they are insecure about themselves. And there's a damn lot of insecure people out there.
The moment your put your stuff on a public forum (be it internet or not) this is what happens.
Sadly, that's absolutely true. Fortunately it generally doesn't bother me (except this one particular idiot, but there's a back-story to that
)
well as your little sister i speak with years of experience that you are awesome. The idiot who left the message is clearly an idiot because they have appalling grammar
)
I have been looking at some comments on some random FB groups and the number of people who want to a) put other people down or b) try to sound as if they’re the shizzle and C) start a fight is ridiculous.
What worries me is the not quite sensible not quite adult people i teach who wind up thinking this kind of interaction is normal. Anyway, as others have said – luckily these idiots are in the minority and they clearly can’t do what you do otherwise they would.
Internet is not the only place either. I recently got mocked by a truckload of morons when i was out running. Apparently overweight people determinedly running up hills is hilarious. Clearly none of the dicks who laughed and pointed at me have ever been runners or they would have been a lot more supportive.
anyway. love you big bro
Thanks l'il sis
I find these sort of comments interesting (and at times amusing), rather than upsetting.
Man I got some doozies on YouTube just recently.