I Confronted a Fake Violin SCAMMER *CAUGHT*

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  • čas přidán 27. 04. 2024
  • In today's video, I confronted a fake violin scammer playing in a parking lot. He obviously couldn't play and I had to ask him one simple question: How many years have you been playing?
    These scammer, wether playing the piano, violin, viola, flute, cello, sing, trumpet, trombone, will never be able to play any real repertoire. They fake their movements and create an illusion as though they are playing. Do not be fooled however. The reason I made this video is not to expose him, but to bring to light that many people are doing this and the more this continues, the more people will decrease their appreciation towards real classical musicians who dedicate their whole lives in practicing their instruments, as well as musical prodigies.
    I hope I was able to accomplish this in an educational and entertaining way.
    Go Practice.
  • Hudba

Komentáře • 95

  • @Tyler_Kwak
    @Tyler_Kwak Před 3 měsíci +96

    It sucks for me as a violinist street performer who gets questioned (mostly on live streams) if I'm fake playing or straight up accusing me of fake playing. These people are giving a bad image on legit violinists.

    • @smithmusicstudies
      @smithmusicstudies Před 3 měsíci +1

      Yuuuup

    • @TwitterChannelOfficial
      @TwitterChannelOfficial Před 3 měsíci +1

      ur so good people think you fake it

    • @robinshen8364
      @robinshen8364 Před 3 měsíci +1

      God I wish I was so good that people thought I was faking it. Sadly, no one ever asks if I'm faking it. No one ever accuses me of taking steroids. They never even ask how much I practice or work out. They just smile and walk away.

    • @DariusSharlow
      @DariusSharlow Před 2 měsíci

      I wish I could be a street performer....maybe someone might like my twinkle :D! I'm only halfway through book two (Suzuki).

    • @smithmusicstudies
      @smithmusicstudies Před 2 měsíci

      @@DariusSharlow I've played suzuki book 1 and 2 on the street before. It's great performance practice.

  • @mariapaulraj263
    @mariapaulraj263 Před 3 měsíci +19

    The scammer did a good job covering his face to avoid embarrassment 😂😂😂

  • @hamwhacker
    @hamwhacker Před 3 měsíci +18

    I saw one in Rome. Couldn’t believe it. The cheek of it. Sad
    I spoke to him (old guy) BEFORE he had set up and started playing and so gave him money to support him since I couldn’t stop to listen. He sold me a CD with his photo on the front playing the violin.
    When I came back later he was playing with a bow attached to his violin without any hair on it. And his bow wasn’t in time with the music.
    I didn’t confront him but felt embarrassed that I had been fooled by a fraud.
    When I got back the hotel I opened the CD case. It was an empty computer CD rom.
    The only positive thing is that I know now that one day I will busk myself but I will not be nervous because it will be real.

  • @SnowJingxueWang
    @SnowJingxueWang Před 3 měsíci +12

    3:07 “Listen, this is a master class for scammers ” lol

  • @worgle123
    @worgle123 Před 3 měsíci +14

    You should just open Shazam - show them the screen and then start playing the exact recording they're using lol. You'd get some banger reactions out of that one 😆

  • @juliejules7780
    @juliejules7780 Před 3 měsíci +24

    I've never used all that fancy gear and wires and amp to busk lol. Just an acoustic violin so you know it's real lol

  • @CottonCandyTheWW2Geek
    @CottonCandyTheWW2Geek Před 3 měsíci +9

    The fact the dude in the red hoodie wasn’t even doing vibrato when there was vibrato XD

  • @randylazer2894
    @randylazer2894 Před 3 měsíci +18

    I have a jazz violin cd coming out, and have confronted several scammers in a large grocery store parking lot. On one occasion, the guy was really rude and started yelling at me, so I gave it back to him, disgraced him at a high level of volume. got him to leave. Another time I called one guy on the phone, and told him he was playing a song that a friend had written and recorded (true), and told him that if he did this again, my friend would call the cops and press charges, as the scammer of course was using the sound track that my friend had produced, along with my friend's actual playing. Surprisingly one really rude lady started yelling profanities at me for calling out the scammer and gave him money.
    I have shut down the playing of several scammers, and likely the best thing is to report them to the business they are situated at, as what they are doing constitutes fraud and violations of copyright law.

  • @jeansilva1396
    @jeansilva1396 Před měsícem +2

    Bro I have been trying to play violin 2 years ago and I still don't know how to play well any Melody.. And this idiots wining money for faking it's other level men.. Ridiculous

  • @charliebrown7904
    @charliebrown7904 Před měsícem +3

    Anyone who can play stringed orchestral instruments can see the scammers are not playing the instrument, but faking it. Bow hold is wrong, bow strokes and pressure do not match the music, right arm position is wrong, left hand position is wrong, left finger positions are wrong, left wrist position is wrong: etc, etc. One of the most difficult instruments to fake - of which you cannot really fake playing violin.

  • @reipfvn
    @reipfvn Před 3 měsíci +2

    I just saw one this week near my work! I was in bad mood. So I yelled “Stop Faking!” The lady stopped and left. My musician friend got an idea of giving them fake toy money. I think that’s a wonderful idea. They deserve fake money because they are fake violinists.

  • @SuperLlama88888
    @SuperLlama88888 Před 3 měsíci +5

    This should be outlawed for deceiving the public.

    • @brianjones4026
      @brianjones4026 Před měsícem +1

      yes its begging, even theft through falsification of service !

    • @dirkmoon619
      @dirkmoon619 Před měsícem

      Absolutely, that's why Biden should be prosecuted and be forced to repay his salary including benefits to the taxpayers he's been scamming claiming to be the president

  • @lauramunos4951
    @lauramunos4951 Před 3 měsíci +2

    Hey ViolinMechanic! Happy to see your channel grow. Keep up your dedicated work you put towards these videos! :))

  • @MyNameIsUnavailable
    @MyNameIsUnavailable Před 3 dny

    😂 Bruh...at 3:32 I fucking *_HOWLED_* when the music kept playing

  • @erikaatkinson9345
    @erikaatkinson9345 Před 3 měsíci +3

    But it's hard work fake-playing all day like that 😶😳🤣🤣🤣 He been fakin' it all day in the cold!

  • @user-jo2gg2dl1m
    @user-jo2gg2dl1m Před 3 měsíci +3

    bru i cringed just by the few seconds 😭 btw, UR ALMOST AT 25K CONGRATSSSSS🎉🎉🎉‼️‼️‼️‼️

  • @robinshen8364
    @robinshen8364 Před 3 měsíci +1

    I loved this whole video except for that last sentence...."go practice" cuz I knew it was time for me to practice😪

  • @gailrivas762
    @gailrivas762 Před 28 dny

    I’m really enjoying your channel.❤

  • @Deadbushfan1618
    @Deadbushfan1618 Před 2 měsíci

    Thank you for your services to the community lol, made my day

  • @Beefystew101
    @Beefystew101 Před měsícem

    We have this lady who does this 🤣🤣🤣🤣 it’s so funny seeing her look like a 🤡

  • @smithmusicstudies
    @smithmusicstudies Před 3 měsíci +7

    We had a family do this locally in parking lots. They would even bring their kids and say they needed money for rent and food. I. Reality, they didnt live in the county and had multiple scams going on. They had permission from the owners of the businesses, so there wasn't much to do. But our local sheriff'soffice posted about the scam. I made a comment about how they also faked playing. I was pretty disgusted that most of the responses were anger towards me saying, "Who cares if its fake as long as they entertain us." That's the world we live in.

    • @DariusSharlow
      @DariusSharlow Před 2 měsíci +1

      "Who cares if it's fake..." I do. I want to some day go outside, play my violin for others and think, wow, I did this.

  • @RAC-FER
    @RAC-FER Před 3 měsíci +1

    Praise your boldness

  • @Revan-up5tl
    @Revan-up5tl Před 3 měsíci +1

    yay an upload from our favorite youtuber

  • @linglingjourney
    @linglingjourney Před 3 měsíci +2

    You should do a part 2 and troll them

  • @kevinpalardy8592
    @kevinpalardy8592 Před 2 měsíci

    Hey where was this at!? Ive seen one play a couple times in the last few weeks at the Walmart in Longueuil, never paid attention, lol ill go see him next time

  • @ellybargmusic
    @ellybargmusic Před 3 měsíci +1

    Wait he told you he was Italian!? Is his sign a lie too? It's one thing to fake playing, but to fake being a refugee without work papers with two children to feed would be next-level terrible! [For non-French speakers, his sign says: "we are a family of refugees. I have two children and we don't have work papers."]

  • @smithmusicstudies
    @smithmusicstudies Před 3 měsíci

    Cant wait to watch.

  • @RatorGrimender
    @RatorGrimender Před 3 měsíci

    You got big cajones confronting them, it is a real problem sadly. Saw one the other day at the grocer.

  • @amandacollecutt2491
    @amandacollecutt2491 Před měsícem

    im at 1.23 and just so excited/scared for this video!!! :)

  • @miemie635
    @miemie635 Před 3 měsíci

    Are you from Quebec province? That's amazing ❤

  • @LegalEagle22757
    @LegalEagle22757 Před 2 měsíci

    Fair play to this guy his making money fake violin playing not robbing people homes cars..ect just a few friendly donations no harm the world is to serious and life is to short 😀

  • @APOCartman
    @APOCartman Před 2 měsíci

    People singing and not giving credit? You mean people like the group Milli Vanilli who finally admitted they lip synched after winning a Grammy then having it revoked?

  • @RiyaJoline
    @RiyaJoline Před 9 dny

    yes saw some in germany too... lol
    some of them cant even hold a bow properly.
    and the bow is soooo dirty (black bow hair.)😆😆and that thing shall make a good sound?😆😆

  • @agnidas5816
    @agnidas5816 Před 3 měsíci +4

    you live in Quebec ?

  • @nekoempress1
    @nekoempress1 Před 25 dny

    You should have gotten a cheap violin and asked them to play acoustic on the spot.

  • @nicholasrosen6342
    @nicholasrosen6342 Před měsícem

    I hate it here.

  • @nicke5056
    @nicke5056 Před měsícem

    Seen it all the time at the grocery store

  • @owenmcneill7746
    @owenmcneill7746 Před 3 měsíci +1

    You should have told people near Walmart not to give him money

  • @simplyexisting1125
    @simplyexisting1125 Před měsícem

    The recording has a piano in it as well.

  • @studlord9970
    @studlord9970 Před měsícem

    This is stupid. If you enjoyed the show, why does it matter if the music is recorded? And just because he can't play the violin, doesn't mean he isn't a person in need. It's not like he is walking up to folks, forcing a CD into their hands, and then demanding money for it. Bottom line, if you give, give freely and don't expect anything in return, not even gratitude or honesty. If you want to help in a way that you know is effective, don't give on the street level, give to known, respected charitable organizations.

  • @jl6075
    @jl6075 Před 11 hodinami

    No Shane from him at all

  • @LexJones207
    @LexJones207 Před 3 měsíci

    It seems like such a dumb scam. It's not like you can make any money by actually playing the violin.

    • @Gustavtheguitarist
      @Gustavtheguitarist Před 3 měsíci

      You’d be surprised at what buskers make. The scam is dumb. I genuinely don’t like it When I see a street performer that says or has a sign that says how they are searching for money or handouts because then it degrades the value of the music and is coming from my perspective of lack and bringing in tips that are literally all guilt or sympathy as oppose to appreciation. On the contrary when done right and not as beggar at times street performers make much more than gigging musicians. Especially when you get a high traffic spot in high income shopping areas. Europe has many places where people walk away with thousands a day and America has some really good gems for spots as well. It’s a fun thing to do and I think musician can benefit from it if for nothing else, the experience In America you can definitely get a lot of people who pass by who may assume that you are poor or something like that but overall street performers generally get a lot of appreciation in the right areas, return visitors, leads to Great gigs like weddings and private events. It’s an awesome way to grow a social media following too.

    • @LexJones207
      @LexJones207 Před 3 měsíci

      @@Gustavtheguitarist I will concede that in Europe they do okay. I've busked in the States and I've made $100 a set before, but usually the guy holding a cardboard sign that says "homeless vet, please help" does way better than me.

  • @Billsnotfound
    @Billsnotfound Před 3 měsíci

    What’s the first song’s name

  • @abe_nuh
    @abe_nuh Před 3 měsíci +1

    damn 🗿

  • @diegovillegas9988
    @diegovillegas9988 Před 3 měsíci

    I think the "violinist" is playbacking a David Garrett's song

  • @agmaiocplayer3
    @agmaiocplayer3 Před 3 měsíci +2

    Man, this guy must be ling ling to be able to make a sound on the violin when the bow doesn't even contact the string!

  • @JustinMestas
    @JustinMestas Před 2 měsíci

    I seen them in Idaho springs Colorado

  • @thee1jones449
    @thee1jones449 Před měsícem

    i just ran into one in the kroger parking lot in mi and it was awful

  • @Tripod-ld4qv
    @Tripod-ld4qv Před 3 měsíci

    Is busking profitable enough to fake doing it?

    • @kristopherwilson506
      @kristopherwilson506 Před 3 měsíci

      Surprisingly, yes. I used to busk audition pieces when applying for uni to get more exposure playing solo in front of people. Even simply practicing a decent bit.
      Once you add the setup-electric violin with an amplifier and the appearance of being in need-people are hooked

  • @stockflash8242
    @stockflash8242 Před 3 měsíci

    I have a question, are you French?..... My bad, I wrote this comment in the middle of the video before you said you were Canadian😅

  • @user-so7vi2nm3n
    @user-so7vi2nm3n Před 3 měsíci

    🤣🤣🤣

  • @linglingjourney
    @linglingjourney Před 3 měsíci

    6:00 im lony and have no friends too...we could be friends

  • @friedrichleblanc
    @friedrichleblanc Před 3 měsíci +1

    that person was actually concert violinist. ( non-practiced philharmonia )

  • @nathansutter6253
    @nathansutter6253 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Life is hard; be kind.
    People are complicated and make wierd choices.
    This kind of video easily becomes an excuse to be condescending, self serving and meritocratic. The culture of classical music suffers from these tendencies enough as it.
    You can do better.
    Do what you can to help others, use your platform as a youtuber to elevate people not humiliate them. This person has no real power and did not harm you. You however are using your platform and status to harm them for your own benefit. If you want to make the world a better place use your platform to improve the lives of those who have less than you, and if you want to call out someone as a fraud then use real courage to call out someone with real power who is guilty of doing actual harm to the community.

    • @amandacollecutt2491
      @amandacollecutt2491 Před měsícem +1

      I thought he was pretty fair in this video! VM wasnt unkind. I more worry that the faker might go loose, so stay safe VM! :)

  • @kahnlives
    @kahnlives Před 3 měsíci +1

    He’s actually just a street performer, if he can scam up a few bucks let him.🤷

    • @smithmusicstudies
      @smithmusicstudies Před 3 měsíci +6

      Performers have to prepare their work. If he had a comedy skit or something he crafted and added a fake violin as part of that, it wouldn't be a scam. But artists actually work very hard just to prepare 1-2 hours of content. If you're not actually preparing the work and you're faking 3-5 hours of playing, it's dishonest.

    • @kahnlives
      @kahnlives Před 3 měsíci

      @@smithmusicstudies Granted he’s not actually playing but he’s still standing there performing. I think of what he’s doing as the same thing in professional wrestling, you know it’s a fake but you still enjoy the show!

    • @smithmusicstudies
      @smithmusicstudies Před 3 měsíci +3

      @@kahnlives even professional wrestling requires some amount of preparation, writing, acting, comedic timing, etc. And wrestling doesn't pretend to be real in the sense that there is credit to the writers, actors, etc. People understand what they are giving to.
      If you know it is fake and still want to give, that is your prerogative. But I think people have a right to know so they can make an informed decision themselves. Many people who feel compelled to give are also on hard times themselves. And of course, you can have people overreact and treat actual performers like they are fakers which really stinks. I also see many of these performers bring children. So what does it say to those kids? The skill doesn't actually matter.
      To me, the problem isn't merely the miming. It is the deception in using people's ignorance to and generosity to make a quick buck at the expense of the real artist.

    • @kahnlives
      @kahnlives Před 3 měsíci

      @@smithmusicstudies To be honest I have less problems with his type, then say the guy on the street with the sign asking for a hand out.

    • @kristopherwilson506
      @kristopherwilson506 Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@kahnlivesthey’re not too different, though. One just went through more effort to garner sympathy and scam people. And I’m not sure if that effort is worth rewarding

  • @AM4K418
    @AM4K418 Před 3 měsíci

    PLEASE HEART THIS

  • @torus1
    @torus1 Před 3 měsíci +5

    Normally enjoy your content, but don't feel good about this one. The guy's in a low moment of his life. Maybe minimum wage wasn't cutting it to pay rent and put food on the table for his family while studying or requalifying for his real profession. As humbling and embarrassing as panhandling was, it wasn't bringing enough in, so he has to go even further to attract attention and "busk".
    People aren't donating under the condition that he really knows how to play the violin, they just saw a guy in need. If they really cared, they probably would have noticed as well.

    • @owenmcneill7746
      @owenmcneill7746 Před 3 měsíci +5

      In that case he should just beg

    • @MarkBonneaux
      @MarkBonneaux Před 3 měsíci +5

      The dude managed to get an electric violin. Those aren't cheap. He's not begging out of need, he's scamming.

    • @smithmusicstudies
      @smithmusicstudies Před 3 měsíci +1

      Nah. They make bank

  • @RiaS825
    @RiaS825 Před 3 měsíci +3

    Even if I wanted to I could never approach someone like that 😂🥲