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06-17-2006, 06:33 PM
| | | | How do you answer this?
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I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets asked this...
When someone finds out I play bass, maybe 90% of the time, their first question is "Are you any good?"
I've always hated this question! I never knew how to answer it without sounding like an ass. Say "yes" and you've got ego issues. Say "no" and then they just think you suck (and maybe they had/knew a band that needed a bass player and you just blew it by saying no. Happened to me once!).
Anymore, I just say "Well, I'm nowhere near as good as I'd like to be; I don't think I'll ever say that I'm 'good,' no matter how well I play."
Anyone else?
Just wondering, as this happened again today. |
06-17-2006, 06:36 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Calgary, AB | | | my answer: for the amount of time i've been playing, good.
it's probably better to just say you can lock in to the drummer and hold the groove, than to say you're good. it's all that's really needed, and it's what the guitarist (so they can wank all they want, without the time being lost) or drummer (so he can get the beat off you if he looses it) really wants. |
06-17-2006, 06:42 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seweracuse, NY | | | I usually reply with 'not bad...'
Luckily, when it happens at work, all my co-workers nod vigerously when someone asks.
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06-17-2006, 06:46 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: Land of OZ | | Depends on who you ask!  |
06-17-2006, 07:47 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gainesville Fl USA | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by jeff_bass28 I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets asked this...
When someone finds out I play bass, maybe 90% of the time, their first question is "Are you any good?"
I've always hated this question! I never knew how to answer it without sounding like an ass. Say "yes" and you've got ego issues. Say "no" and then they just think you suck (and maybe they had/knew a band that needed a bass player and you just blew it by saying no. Happened to me once!).
Anymore, I just say "Well, I'm nowhere near as good as I'd like to be; I don't think I'll ever say that I'm 'good,' no matter how well I play."
Anyone else?
Just wondering, as this happened again today. | "I can hold my own." It's worked as a great dodge for me, as I'm not really putting commentary in anyone's mouth but my own. |
06-17-2006, 07:50 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sydney, Oz | | | Answer: I'm alright.
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06-17-2006, 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by jellisii "I can hold my own." It's worked as a great dodge for me, as I'm not really putting commentary in anyone's mouth but my own. | I tried that one once. Turned out the guy also played bass, and, well...I definitely could NOT hold my own against him! 
What I really hate is when it happens in a shop. I could just be in to check stuff out, and someone will come up and ask me that, then stand there looking at me, as if they're waiting to be amazed. um...go away please, I'm just looking at stuff... |
06-17-2006, 07:53 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Mantua NJ, US | | | i say that i'm better than i was yesterday, but not as good as i will be tomorrow.
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06-17-2006, 07:55 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by Bob Clayton i say that i'm better than i was yesterday, but not as good as i will be tomorrow. | imma use that from now on
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06-17-2006, 08:07 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by jeff_bass28 I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets asked this...
When someone finds out I play bass, maybe 90% of the time, their first question is "Are you any good?" | Gosh, I've never had anyone ask me that.  I wouldn't worry about impressing a person that asks a question like that (unless they're obviously kidding or paying me big money for a gig).
I would probably give half-a-smile and say,
"Yeah, sometimes..."
OR
"I'm not Jaco, but...".
OR, maybe you could just say,
"What kinda' question is that?".
I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Joe
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06-17-2006, 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Bassist4Life Gosh, I've never had anyone ask me that. I wouldn't worry about impressing a person that asks a question like that (unless they're obviously kidding or paying me big money for a gig).
I would probably give half-a-smile and say,
"Yeah, sometimes..."
OR
"I'm not Jaco, but...".
OR, maybe you could just say,
"What kinda' question is that?".
I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Joe | I don't really worry about it, I just always think "What kind of a question is that?" And you're right about not impressing the type of person who asks that, but I wouldn't use the Jaco answer. They're not going to know who Jaco is!  |
06-17-2006, 09:24 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Here, Now | | If I'm asked about my bass playing, I think about how it feels to be locked in  with the drummer. That puts a smile  on my face and I say something like "I get the job done pretty well." I think the smile says as much as the words. People who understand the role of the bass know I've given myself a pretty strong endorsement. |
06-17-2006, 09:31 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, MA | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by jeff_bass28 I never knew how to answer it,,, | I would ask them "Who would you consider a good bass player?" |
06-17-2006, 09:34 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ocean Springs, MS | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by JansenW I would ask them "Who would you consider a good bass player?" | That's a really good answer. Then you put the ball in their court. |
06-17-2006, 09:52 PM
|  | put a bird on it | | Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Minnesota | | i usually just tell them how long i have been playing
Them: are you any good?
Me: well, i've been playing for 8 years now
Them: oh so you must know something then 
Me: yeah 
the reason i like it is because then the interrogater can come to their own conclusions
Last edited by superbassman2000 : 06-17-2006 at 10:06 PM.
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06-17-2006, 09:56 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, MA | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by superbassman2000 i usually just tell them how long i have been playing | Another really good answer. |
06-17-2006, 10:05 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Shrub Oak New York | | | usually just say that i'm alright or that i've played in alot of bands before and can hold my own.
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06-17-2006, 10:12 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by jeff_bass28 And you're right about not impressing the type of person who asks that, but I wouldn't use the Jaco answer. They're not going to know who Jaco is! | True.
Joe
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Public school orchestra director, rock covers, funky organ trio bassist. Lover of soulful things.
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06-17-2006, 10:16 PM
| | | | i always reply:
"compared to what?"
cause its obviously a relative thing. |
06-17-2006, 10:16 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: CITY OF ANGELS | | | Usually someone asking that kind of pointed question is just waiting to prove something. Make himself feel better, by making others feel bad.
But back to the original question, I usually just say"I can hold it down, with the right guys". I say that #1 because as a hobbyist, its true. #2 it takes the ball outta their court. | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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