I was in a GC today and there was a guy playing a SG bass that had great technique and sounded good. His style was very different from mine but it seems when I listen to a lot of other bass players they seem better than I am. Not sure if they really are or if it is just that they have a different style. Any one else feel this way?

I was in a GC today and there was a guy playing a SG bass that had great technique and sounded good. His style was very different from mine but it seems when I listen to a lot of other bass players they seem better than I am. Not sure if they really are or if it is just that they have a different style. Any one else feel this way?

I used to think that way about other players. I would be scared to ask them about what they were doing. Or wouldn't want to pick up a bass after them in the same store. At 40 plus I just ask what they were doing, how they do it and be inspired by what they do as opposed to feeling down on what I do or don't. When I pick up a bass in the store I know what I am looking for and don't need to do any monster chops but I always make eye contact with someone and say hi if I know they are wathcing and listening to what I'm doing and make it OK for them to ask a question.

All the time, but there will always be people better than you and people worse than you. I always feel like an idiot when I go into a music store since I don't have any "monster chops" to show off when I try out a bass. But I deal with it. And for me, trying something out in a store means nothing, it all matters on the gig where I do my thing.

GC showoffs are always fun. Sometimes I wonder what type of crappy dynamic they must have when working with other people.

Once I was having a bad day and had dropped by GC to get some strings. I spent a good half hour playing all my most technical stuff on their fanciest basses.

I dont stress much about people that are better or flashier than me. My scene is pretty small so I know everyone who is really good. I try and learn from them. I am not so concerned about being the best in general, but I do want to be the best for my band.

Every time I see a GC Showoff, I think to myself, or say under my breath, "let's see you do that in time, with a drummer."

people usually agree.

there's always somebody better. Comparing yourself to them can be depressing, but with a midful attitude it can inspire you to practice and improve.

there's always somebody worse. Comparing yourself to them might help you feel good, but it won't teach.

I used to like comparing myself to worse players. Now I try compare myself to better ones.

+1 to Matrok's comment. It is true that as a class of musicians bass player generally are very self critical and very appreciative of other folks prowess. This leads us sometimes to the conclusion that someone else is better at this than we are. There are no winners or losers, at least not IMHO, in this game just brothers and sisters with a common interest in being the best we can be. I remember when, way back in the dark ages, I was just a young pup and followed a local idol of mine around like he was a god. He turned to me one day when we were hanging out and asked "why is it that you want to play like me?" I told him it was because he was clearly the superior player and I was desperate to become as good as he was. He stopped me dead in my tracks and said "you already are in fact you play things I never thought of playing and you speak with your own unique voice...what more can you expect to gain that's as important as your own voice, your own style, you own way of playing?". I still think he was better and now that he is gone I miss the challenge he presented. Yet I have always carried his words with me and spent my whole life staying true to my own voice. This is not a competition its a life long effort to be the best you can be.

Yes.
There are also better drivers, better cooks, better engineers, and better <everything elses>. Who cares? We only have n cycles on this planet in this life and n cycles wasted thinking about this are n too many cycles.

As Max Ehrmann said: "For always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself". (http://hobbes.ncsa.uiuc.edu/desiderata.html)

I am not so concerned about being the best in general, but I do want to be the best for my band.

this is the best advice or comment I have never heard in my life... yeah it´s true you only need to be the best player for your band, fot the moment you are living right now...

and this is attitude, and this is more important than be the best... you only need to make your best effort...:hyper:


Every time I see a GC Showoff, I think to myself, or say under my breath, "let's see you do that in time, with a drummer."

:hiding:

Atleast most of you can go into GC or another store and throw something down. My local GC only has 1 left handed bass, and its the one I already own. No one else local has anything left handed for me to even try.

If I do find something new to play (amp, bass, whatever) I love to play a few licks of "Beat It" by Michael Jackson. You wouldn't believe the way people look at you.

sometimes i get blown away by a bass players touch... i've noticed quite a few who use their thumbs for a rich full sound, not just a thump. I've picked up on that from watching cats at music stores.

Actually......I try not to play any thing fancy when I get the chance to stop at a GC. There's probably someone better than me thinking I'm trying to showoff. :)

Most of th GC's near me don't have any basses worth playing. Even if they are higher end basses, they have strings that are dead as a door nail and curvy necks.

i always give people the benefit of the doubt. so yes, i think that players are better than me a lot of the time.

I'm not intimidated by other bassists' playing, but I definitely recognize when someone is clearly more skillful than I am. Hell, it's why I'm taking lessons again and working on my playing from the ground up! :p

Every, (well ok almost every) bassist I have seen play live with a band is better than I am. I love to see other peoples take on things and appreciate the different styles that every single one of us has. I'm always watching the bass player, and usually exclaming to the person sitting next to me "Wow! Did you just see that??"

However, when guys in other bands come see me play with mine, they seem to think I'm pretty good too. I'm not saying that I am, it's just what they say.

I suppose it's all a matter of perspective.

Don't make music a competetion. Play it because you enjoy it. Don't always worry who's better. There's always someone better. One time at a local music shop I was just looking around and I saw a nice 6 string so I took it off the wall and no one was around really so I just started playing some fast shreddy junk and some slap stuff and I get a tap on the shoulder and some guy said 'Hey man you're awesome how do you do all that? How long have you been playing?' you know and I could tell he was a beginning because he played after me, and then other days I walk into that same place and see kids younger than me 50x better than me, so, there's always worse and better players. Just a fact of the music world.

In general, I tend to think most bass players are better than I am just because I look down upon my playing more than I should, even after having been told that I am extremely good. I am also incredibly shy when it comes to playing, alone, in a store full of other musicians. Knowing that they have the possibility of listening just makes me become extremely shy.

It is just one's nature. You are your own worst critic.

Seems like there's always some kid in the music store that can burn it up. I don't care. The bass players that I feel are better are the ones that know a million tunes, can play convincingly in any style, and never drop a beat or rush a fill.

The ones I admire the most are the ones who can pay all their bills with gig money.

I was in a GC today and there was a guy playing a SG bass that had great technique and sounded good. His style was very different from mine but it seems when I listen to a lot of other bass players they seem better than I am. Not sure if they really are or if it is just that they have a different style. Any one else feel this way?

not really... if you think of your instrument as your voice, you tend not to think in terms of better/worse... some people might have really impressive voices but it doesn't make me feel worse about mine... it's mine and i'm gonna speak with it :)

I practice some hot licks for days, maybe weeks, before going to GC to audition. So I'm ready...HA...just kidding! I've been playing bass for a year and suck. Everyone is better than me...but it doesn't bother me at all...I'm having fun...no matter what anyone's ears may be telling them. My dog doesn't howl and my girlfriend only leaves the room after the first hour...maybe I'm getting a little better everyday...like everyone else.

i always listen out for my flaws and my mistakes and don't think about the fills and runs that i do well, so i'm always surprised when other people say they like my bass playing

There's alot of people out there better than me, but there's alot there are worse too, so I don't. I just don't think about it most of the time. That video on youtube of that little kid playing Flight of the Bumblbee hurt though, cause I will probably never ever be able to play that.

There's always a bigger fish!

i think all bass players play better than i do. but that's cool, it's just more to learn.

Of course not. I am the greatest!!!! :bassist:

:hiding: :rollno:

Seriously, I think every bassist I've ever seen does something better than I do. Whether it's a technique, tone, or just their groove, I try to learn from everyone.

Guitar-store-showoffs actually prevented me from learning to slap for a long time. About 15 years ago, I was hanging out in the local music shop and over heard one of the employees making fun of the "typical bassist, who sounds like 'whackety-whackety-ping-whack-whackety'". I never wanted to be "that guy", so I avoided learning that technique until recently.

Of course there are other bass players who are better than I.
There are some who are worse, but I don't know how many. Probably quite a few.
I can play off chord charts and standard notation, but I stink at playing by ear.

Seriously, I think every bassist I've ever seen does something better than I do. Whether it's a technique, tone, or just their groove, I try to learn from everyone.


Here Here!

Besides I watch my Jaco instruction video to quickly realize how much I suck. :help:

In general, I tend to think most bass players are better than I am just because I look down upon my playing more than I should, even after having been told that I am extremely good. I am also incredibly shy when it comes to playing, alone, in a store full of other musicians. Knowing that they have the possibility of listening just makes me become extremely shy.

It is just one's nature. You are your own worst critic.

I suffer form the same thing. But whenever I play or jam with others, I always get approving looks compliments.

It's been said before: there's always someone better, and someone worse. So long you make yourself happy and the folks you groove with like it don't worry.

I'm better than some, but not as good as others. That's just the way of the world.

When I play an instrument or amp at a store, I play the kind of music that I'd play if it was mine. There's no sense in hearing what it sounds like with a bunch of slap licks if I never play slap.

I think it's natural to be awed by players who are better than you, but it should be a positive feeling of admiration.

However, it's pretty rare that I walk into GC and am in awe by some hack on a Fender doing a sloppy Fieldy impression. It's just more annoying because that guy always seems to think he needs to be louder than anyone else. :p

yes, but I'm gaining quick

Of course no one is better than me!

haha, just kidding!

I like to go into Guitar Center and fish for compliments on the occasion. Actually, I go there too often. I go just to mess around on their basses. It always feels good to be playing something you just made up or concieved a few days ago, and have people stop and just watch you for a bit. I get more compliments when I play things people know though. A few days ago I was playing Rush's YYZ and this middle-aged guy came up to me with his kids and started talking to me. He was around when it came out! lol, his kids new the song because of guitar hero, lol. Sometimes I get a bit too conceited, I'm ok with it though... haha

I know there are people better than me though, better at expressing themselves. That is most important, I am developing my own voice though.

Isn't music exciting?

Lots of players are better than me. But they don't get to play with 'my' bandmates :hyper: :D :hiding: :bassist: so i dont care!

Just be comfortable with your instrument and play your anus off...

I don't worry about what others think of me. I've never heard a negative comment on my playing, but I still want to keep learning and learning until i go deaf and my arms fall off.

I remember this one time I was at a Sam Ash and this quite elderly guy that reminded me of B.B. King was in there. I was just playing this E D C C D E progression with easy fills and he came over and said this... "I've got no idea what you're doing there, but whatever it is.. you're doing it right" That made me feel a little better!

Yeah, all the time.

My mum always tells me that I'm really good...I know I'm pretty good coz I knock people out sometimes when I'm auditioning (to the point where I've not got into potential bands from it :crying: ).

I'm all right at bass...some people tell me I'm great which is cool, but I don't let it go to my head. I DO sometimes think a little egotistically, but I've got a BA honours degree behind me and I was taught by one of the best bassists in the country during uni so I suppose thats normal...some people can do stuff better than me, other people I could piss all over with my playing - I'm just not afraid to SHOW I know my way around a bass during the bog-standard Oasis cover (I'm into Jamerson and Flea...what does that tell ya? :cool: )

Well I know I'm better then everyone. Yes, even you. But that's just my personal opinion, which in my opinion is fact.

If you can let go of the ego then this all becomes moot. Your value as a player is not connected to anyone but you. If you appreciate what someone else it playing, listen to it and incorporate it into your bag of tricks. Don't even think about it from a "I can't do that" or "I suck because he's good" thing... If you feel like less of a player because someone else is good then you are on a slippery slope to unnecessarily self-induced depression.

I often tend to think that most everyone is better than me. Even if they "aren't." I have the mentality that: I can learn what not to do from someone who is... less than talented and what to do from someone with downright skills.

The example that comes to mind is comparing a friend and I. He's been playing for about 2 years, and I've been playing about 8. I have pretty good chops; but know very little theory (I'm working on that...). He, on the other hand, knows a good number of scales and general theory. However... his playing is limited because he has barely any experience in a band setting, and could work on his chops. We both admire each other's playing, and both learn from each other. We're equals.

You'd be surprised how many peope fall into one of these categories or another...

If I want to wank then I do it a home or during a break at rehearsal. If I go to a store I am usually trying out a bass I want to buy. That means I play long, slow notes at every single point on the fingerboard. I listen for buzz, clarity, tone, etc. Sure I'll try my licks and see how they feel. But I don't really care what the guy next to me thinks. And there are lots of players better than me. I respect that.

:bassist:

I know there's better players than me,however i know there's players that are worst than me so it balances even.
example you can be better than me at slapping but i can be better than you at playing some rock/latin/raggae fusion and your buddy is better than us at jazz.
In my old hometown there is this friend of mine who's a bass player too and i always had people tell me hey (name) is better than you and this and that but i always looked at it this way.Yes he was better than me on playing certain styles and i was better than him on other styles.
The way i see it now is that there's always room for improvement.(me i just need the time to practice more so i can get better)

Just happen to be reading the November JazzTimes interview with Ornette Coleman here, where he says:

"In my case I have never discriminated against good or bad, because everyone can get better."

Fit right in to this thread, so there you go.

I'm pretty sure I'm the best...

Most bass players are better than me. I don't care at all.
I have good tone, my own style and I can do the job.
To top it all, I have a lot of fun. :bassist:

I just want to add that I have been playing with the same guys for about 5 years now and they are phenomenal musicians, much more talented on their instruments than I feel that I am on mine (my drummer is a absolute monster, he has rock solid timing and incredible chops, I am blessed), so I am always comparing my skills with what I perceive to be "better" musicians in general. Sometimes this can really get to you though, through the years I have learned to use it as a motivation to hone my skills upon, I don't really try to run before I can walk anymore, now I spend most of my time focusing on rock solid groove instead of hokey "lets try to keep up with this crazy drum fill" busy bass playing, more often than not nowadays I really just drone the root to let the drums breath more, it really does sound better, any experienced bassist with the most badass of chops will even tell you "less is more" especially on bass. And even though I been jamming with these guys for 5 years my drummer and guitar player have about 10 years of playing together (they are brothers) on me so I feel I got allot to learn still. I guess what I am trying to say is I think you should focus on the situation you are in, I try to be the best bass player for the band that I play the bass in and don't really care about having the ability to show off anymore. If you took me out of my band and sat me on a stool in front of people to solo It wouldn't be impressive.......but watch us as a unit and I doubt we will disappoint. Just have fun that is really all its about.

I'm pretty sure I'm the best...

I think your second best :D :spit:

If you took me out of my band and sat me on a stool in front of people to solo It wouldn't be impressive.......but watch us as a unit and I doubt we will disappoint. Just have fun that is really all its about.

Well said. Exactly how I feel about several of the bands I've been in.

I dont think, they are better, I KNOW they are better. :hmm:

.....there was a guy playing a SG bass that had great technique and sounded good. His style was very different from mine but it seems when I listen to a lot of other bass players they seem better than I am. Not sure if they really are or if it is just that they have a different style. Any one else feel this way?GC?
All I've gotta do is walk down to my son's room when I hear bass coming out of it. There he is with a PC and his amp on....
and the sheet music is scrolling on the PC screen while he plays it without hardly glancing at the neck....he's 16. I started at age 10(1965) and had no PC, Goldwave, etc. He will be better than me if he sticks with it. Yeah, Dad(me) gives him pointers if I hear that they are needed.....

To repeat: there will always be better and worse players than yourself.


If you took me out of my band and sat me on a stool in front of people to solo It wouldn't be impressive.......but watch us as a unit and I doubt we will disappoint. Just have fun that is really all its about.BINGO!
In the band I'm in, we(drums & bass) primarily get dancers going and paint a background for the vocals and solo instruments to draw on. We are the glue that holds it together.

\m/ good thread. I like the different views.

I'm happy with my playing. I just gotta keep my chops going!

Almost everyone I've ever heard is better.

But I know I have decent time and I know I pretty much play within my limits so it sounds OK.

I probably play bass about as well as I golf. Better than people who never play or have no athletic ability whatsoever; not as well as people who play and practice a lot.

I break 100 about once a year; but in every round there will be a few long straight drives, long putts, accurate chips and enough pars (ie 2 or 3) to get me to go back out again.

I'm not the world's greatest bassist, but I AM my favorite.

Seriously, I think every bassist I've ever seen does something better than I do. Whether it's a technique, tone, or just their groove, I try to learn from everyone.

Amen. When I go see a gig, every bass player that catches a groove is better than I am - because I'm not a bass player in that moment, I'm an audience member.

Most bass players are better than me. I don't care at all.
I have good tone, my own style and I can do the job.
To top it all, I have a lot of fun. :bassist:

Not only that - you live in Rheims. I visited there about 10 years ago - absolutely gorgeous part of the world.

I like to think that, chops-wise, I'm better than a lot of bassists in local rock bands I watch, but many of them kill me in groove, note selection, etc. It's stuff that comes with experience. Those 30 year olds that have been playing blues for 15 years are much much better than me, even if they don't show it. Not only that - creatively, they seem to see everything much differently. So I guess I'm not as good as I like to think.

.....there will always be better and worse players than yourself.
Word.
For the bottom line on this question, check my sig...

Of course, my sig also implies that a week ago, I was mediocre, and a week from now, I'll be a grooveless wanker! There's something to look forward to! Onward and upward, to grooveless wankery!

Of course, my sig also implies that a week ago, I was mediocre, and a week from now, I'll be a grooveless wanker! There's something to look forward to! Onward and upward, to grooveless wankery!

:D Grooveless Wankery :D

Well it's not a matter of better or worse, just "is there anything more to learn from other bass players?" My answer is hell yes! I'll never ever be "good enough" to stop listening and learning.

Yes, there are bass players better than me, thats why I steal licks from Geddy and Jonas and not the other way round!

i like the sentiment that every bassist has something to teach me...

a wise view to extend to everyone we meet.