"Are you good?"

[lfmn16]

Next time someone asks say "Jeremiah 9:23." When they ask what that means say, "Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth;"

That way you look humble and like a scholar

If they still have a blank look, just say, "Yea dumb a--, I'm good"

 

[baileyboy]

My own personal assessment is that I am good, not the best, but have an excellent work ethic so am always improving.

 

[KeishabaSubbota]

In my experience... which ain't all that much, the best musicians I've met never thought they were good. When asked, they'd just say "I'm not good enough... or I'm not as good as I'd like to be..." The ones who've bragged about how good they were... well, they usually proved to be blowhards.

100% agree

the main issue comes when someone introduce to you as the greatest bass player who step on the earth and you are there like... emmm yes... i have one or two chops.... i really don t think im that good...

 

[AlmightyPancake]

I always reply without actually answering. My usual response is "I've been learning to play for about 13 years."

It doesn't make a quality judgment, it's completely true, and I don't feel cocky saying it.

 

[DeivoxCarnal]

Not as good as your mom was last night!

POW!

If the 90's calls and want's it's joke back, tell them you haven't seen me.

 

[code911]

Lol...some pretty good responses. When someone asks me that I usually tell them No...but the PA belongs to me so the rest of the band lets me play

 

[NKUSigEp]

I tell 'em I'm like the ________ of bass.

Examples of names I have used to fill in the blank: Charles Manson, Bill Clinton, Brad Pitt, Audrey Hollander, John Candy, and Dr. Seuss.

 

[chaosMK]

No one has ever asked me if I was "good" but when people ask about my experience I usually say I'm an expert in a specific area of bass playing (modern prog/technical metal) and am still working on the rest.

 

[JACink]

"I'm better than I was yesterday, but not as good as I´ll be tomorrow!"

 

[dvh]

"Are you good?" is a dumb question that does not need to be taken seriously.

If you're not into the conversation: "I'm good enough..."

If you are: "Define good..."

 

[SteveC]

Better than some, not as good as others.

 

[bassbully]

I think a lot of players don't realize how important of a factor that is. I wouldn't consider myself in the same league as my guitarists or drummer, but they all love working with me and have told me that they wouldn't want to work with anyone else in their projects.

I agree and its rewarding to have someone that can play circles around you say that you are a solid bassist with good timing,taste and feel who can craft good basslines. I have to remember that sometimes when I look at my hands and wonder why they won't work sometimes.

 

[Lawkeeper]

Same here, I get told I've got a feel for it. Good enough for me!

 

[JimmyM]

My answer is "I'm no Gene Simmons, but I get by."

 

[dustinfennessey]

I usually say I suck...I also usually say our band sucks....neither is true but it ends the conversation really fast...thats winning

 

[KevInDaBassment]

"I get by."

dang....stole my response!! lol

The great part is when I tell this to people and they go "sooo...is that a yes or a no?" I respond with a "..maybe" while I grin my head off. Everyone has an opinion of what "good" is and sometimes it's very uninformed. What I look for is someone who fits the music, doesn't over-play (either a sign of selfishness, arrogance, or insecurity in their abilities), is versatile, writes their own basslines, and is humble about their abilities. If someone is a really busy player and it fits the music, then so be it...but that doesn't mean someone who stands back and grooves isn't good because they fulfill a different role and style.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

My answer is "I'm no Gene Simmons, but I get by."

That's setting the bar pretty high there, Jimmy!

I've never heard you play before, but I'll go out on a limb and say you'd beat Gene in a "bass-off"

 

[makkE]

"I try."

 

[BIG97BEN]

I tell 'em I'm like the ________ of bass.

Examples of names I have used to fill in the blank: Charles Manson, Bill Clinton, Brad Pitt, Audrey Hollander, John Candy, and Dr. Seuss.

That's awesome. I'm gonna have to use that equation.

 

[RustyAxe]

I just tell 'em "I do what I do, why do you ask?" ... and leave it at that. Never know when it could lead to a gig or a referral.

The fact that I might play with 3 different bands and a couple of duos in the course of a month, and get referrals for sub and short term work all the time says something ... but I don't need to tell it to everyone who asks.