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How to know if you're good?

A

AlphaMale

Oct 30, 2006
1,792
1
Ventura County
#1
I've never been out-shredded by anyone playing a shorter time than me but there are people that are better than me that I've met. But I've met about 3 people that have played for 2 and three years that I know I'm better than and other people agree.
How will I know how good I am?

Let's say by (amount of time) I should be able to play (Riff, or Song)

Third Day: ______
Second Week: _____
1st month: _____
6th week: _____
2nd Month: _____
100th Day: _____
6th Month: _____
8th Month: _____
10th Month: _____
1 year : _____



Please thanks for your help.
 
#2
I would be careful by rating peoples skills by comparing how much they can play to how long they have been playing. I don't care wether a person has played for 5 or 10 years, if the person is good, then he is good.
 
#3
you think you are better than someone because you can "out shred" them? I dont think you should concern yourself with if your improving faster or slower than the average person. The best someone could do to answering your question would be their own experiance and Im guessing it would vary wildly from person to person.
 
#4
AlphaMale said:
Let's say by (amount of time) I should be able to play (Riff, or Song)

Third Day: ______
Second Week: _____
1st month: _____
6th week: _____
2nd Month: _____
100th Day: _____
6th Month: _____
8th Month: _____
10th Month: _____
1 year : _____
Click to expand...

People stop working seriously on something when it sounds good to them. That will determine how long it takes to learn something... and your expectations on what is good will determine how good you are.
 
#6
You'll know by how many gigs you get. :)

Humility goes a long way too, people don't tend to like hanging around people who are overly concerned with how much better they might be than other people.

There's also a whole lot that goes into being a good bass player. Speed has very little to do with that. Feel IMO is a lot more important, as is the ability to be tasteful, play in pocket, know what's right for a song, and a plethora of other things.

I'll say lastly that I actually think it's good that you're asking this. I've met countless musicians that THINK they're really smokin players, but need a reality check. I've no clue how you play so there's no judgement here, you may play well beyond your years - but I'd keep it in check if I were you, and continue working as hard as you have to get you to the point you're at now.
 
#16
+1 to everything said here. Good is very subjective... I personally feel somebody is good when they find their own niche within their band. It's not about speed or insane technicality. I know a lot of "good" bass players who sit in the pocket and groove all night.
 
#17
When you have enough life experience to realize that your ability to play bass is about #38 on you priority list.

Typically what makes a bass player good is not skill but maturity in both life and music... if your fucus in a band is making the OTHER guys sound good... your getting there.
 

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