"Are you good?"

[collins81]

I have told people that I am confident in my abilities. Those abilities are locking in with a drummer, creating a groove, and filling space. I try very hard to tastefully fill the space, but I have been known to fall down face first into a pile of horrible every now and then...

 

[JimmyM]

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"

Yep, I beat him until we open wallets

 

[Jared Lash]

I've been asked this a few times over the years by people who haven't heard me play. My normal answer is, "I'm pimptacular".

I'm confident in my abilities but I also don't want to come across as a blowhard so a little humor works well.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

LOL well i usually say "yes i am, one of the best around"....but then again i usually want your money in some way or form....

 

[rtslinger]

I just say I have been playing a long time and if the want to go further 40+ years so I guess I know what to play and when to play it. This answer leaves most with nothing more to say other than cool, wow that's great can't wait to hear you. Sat night a guy was talking to my brother and the guy said I have been playing guitar for many years and that guy is the best bass player I never played with. There's one for you.

 

[kraigo]

What's wrong with saying "yes I am" ?

That'd be my answer. I was on my way to a programming job interview, riding up the elevator with the guy who would be interviewing me and making the decision. In the elevator he asked me if I was good. It was not a really good time to give anything but a straightforward answer. I told him I was. Why not?

I got the job.

I don't advocate walking around blowing your own horn, but if someone asks, tell them you're good.

KO

 

[gnjpowell]

Good compared to what? Good enough to get paid and to be invited back. Izzat good enough to be "good"?

 

[henry2513]

"Good" is relative. I could be incredible to some people and far below average to others. I think it's a real subjective question to ask.

 

[icecycle66]

My answer depends on how much hassle I feel like dealing with.

I usually just say "Yes" or "No", which ever comes out of my mouth first without thinking about it, so that I don't have to waste time with someone who asks that sort of question.

Sometimes I'll say, "I'm better than people who aren't as good as me."

If I know the person is a musician I doubt the abilities immediatly, for not knowing better than to ask such a question, and tell them that we should get together to play if they really want to know.

 

[wes stephenson]

I just say " I can lock it in the pocket" and wink and stare into their eyes and wait till they laugh nervously and go back to their drink.

thats funny...

 

[wes stephenson]

if somebody asked me if i was good i would tell them that that is for them to decide not me to tell. then i would blast them with my secret Ab jazz scale death ray. 1,2,3, KILL!

 

[mambo4]

"We do our best, and people seem to like us."

 

[Jay2U]

My answer to the question if I'm good, is right below in my signature.

 

[NKUSigEp]

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

No problem! You can send the royalty checks to my paypal.

 

[EatADeadGoat]

I used to talk about how I was "so good" (when I was completely average in every way)

Now, I just say "I like to think I'm good at what I do, but I'm not great"

And now that I've *started* learning tapping, some of my classmates try to make me out to be something I'm not. Which is now very annoying. A year ago, I would have eaten up the praise though.

 

[monkeyking]

Of course, as we all know, good is very subjective. Average folk won't think I'm good until I do something flashy. Am I Geddy (or any name of 1,000 better bassists) good? No, but then, they don't know who Pino is anyway.

My stock answer is, "They've been giving me money for it for 30 years, so I guess I'm good enough." Naturally, I never tell them how little money it is...

 

[cjmodulus]

This is a personal thing with me. Whenever people know I play bass, they always ask if me I'm good. And to be honest, I get so uncomfortable answering that question. I always have to ask them what they define as 'good'. If they like it, then I supposed I am.. but if not, then I guess I'm not good. To be honest, I don't really think/know if I am good, I'd at least like to say mediocre at best. Anyone else feel like this during a situation such as this?

Dude, your sig is a quote from the room. That's good enough for me lol.

Yeah, I get uncomfortable answering that too. I usually just say that I'm not bad, or that I know what I'm doing (for the most part, anyway). Then I suggest that they see me play some time. When that time comes, I let the bass do the talking.

 

[TheEndIsNYE]

Dude, your sig is a quote from the room. That's good enough for me lol.

Yeah, I get uncomfortable answering that too. I usually just say that I'm not bad, or that I know what I'm doing (for the most part, anyway). Then I suggest that they see me play some time. When that time comes, I let the bass do the talking.

Hooray, someone else knows the movie!

Anyways, while it's nice that there are people I know who recognize my talent, but when they tell others I'm good and they come up to me, I get embarrassed and hesitant to answer.

 

[bassinplace]

What's wrong with saying "yes I am" ?

Because I don't know. I mean, good compared to what? I don't think I suck, but I could always improve.

 

[dsanders]

Q: "Are you good?'

A: "I get paid."

Number 1 in a series "Why I don't play for free."

This is full of win.