Originally Posted by
brent.h
Derek, you and I both have a similar philosophy: melodies and audience matter the most!
Man, you know, when non-musicians or guitarists who are non-jazzers ask me what I play, I just say old music and old pop. Then they go, 'Oh, oldies from the 60s?' and I go, 'Nah, older like 20s or 30s.'
Sometimes guitarists will press on and say, 'You mean jazz?' and then I try to change the subject or distract them with a 'Hey, let's get some ice cream' type nonsense just so I don't use the word 'jazz'.
This term has unfortunately come to only mean a very cerebral improvisational style that only a select few will get (which of course is not true because there's trad, swing, etc. that's a lot more physical and dance-oriented). In my experience, when the typical bluesman/rocker associates me with their idea of 'jazz', they act all funny around me and some kind of inferiority complex surfaces with passing remarks such as 'oh you play jazz, you're so much better than me', or 'i only know 3 chords for what i play', etc. So yeah, I die a little inside when this association is made because I'm simply not better than them, I can't do the things they do like shred pentatonic stuff, and I admire/like a lot of rock (I grew up on alt rock).
I've also met bluesman/rockers in real life from jam sessions who renounce their roots and try to get into the jazz thing because they think that being able hear and improvise on the spot is the pinnacle of music; they buy gear, instructionals, take lessons with pros, etc. But they are very unhappy with their music and themselves.
There was even one user on this forum who used to complain about not getting jazz and not being able to improvise. (You've interacted with him, actually.) I found him on r/jazzguitar - same writing style, same gripes, very easy to spot - doing the same thing, complaining even more loudly and vehemently and challenging random users to prove him wrong with claims such as 'Some people simply are not cut out for jazz and cannot improvise. Fight Me.' (paraphrased; the Fight Me part is not paraphrased). In every one of his posts, he keeps bringing up how he graduated from college doing music, toured with bands doing metal music, has had record deals, multiple albums, has all kinds of gear, done all kinds of transcriptions, etc. yet hears nothing in his head when it comes to jazz. He goes on and on about how 'jazz' is merciless, unforgiving, or how it will crush you. He's been complaining for 8+ years since 2018, and last I checked, he's still on the subreddit complaining with a different username. Many people have responded to him here and on the subreddit to offer tips, but he's not gotten any better or happier. All this because of 'jazz'. This is not good for mental health.
I told him on the subreddit once, bro be proud of what you can do. I can't do what you do. I can't shred, and I don't have the guts to play huge screaming crowds at a screaming volume and connect with them. You're doing everything I wish I could do - melodies and audience.
Just be happy doing what you do, double down on it, and own it! Rock, blues, country, swing, whatever. Play things you like. Don't play things you don't like. Don't waste time being miserable, especially not with 'jazz'.
. When I started, a friend told me it took her around ten years to become respectable. I still have my fingers crossed for that 
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