Does anyone else here get discouraged when listening to an amazing player?

[Mannyinnewyork]

Just enjoy yourself. Everything else is bs.

 

[Aussie Player]

No. Too many players judge another superior if they play something you can't.

Sometimes you may have the ability but have never learned the piece.
Sometimes you can play a piece that impresses the other player.

We are all individuals, we ultimately play things our own way, based in what we know and what we have learned.

Think of it this way, there are always other bands around you. Competition. Audiences judge these bands mostly by whether they like the songs. Only songs played badly affect audience perception.

If you play your songs well enough to please your audiences, you are only applying additional skill if you are the type who self challenges and uses spare time to tidy up nuance errors "you" believe can be played better or more accurately to the original "if you decide that for a personal goal".

At some point you need to relax and have fun, or your love of music will become a job or worse, a chore.

 

[bajistapromedio]

For me it’s more inspiring than discouraging. I listen to certain players for inspiration, but I often play different types of music than what I listen to for inspiration, because that’s what I’m capable of playing well (enough).

I also remind my self that those who have achieved that apex of their craft may not be able to do what I do for a living as well as I do. But maybe that’s just a narrative I tell myself to preserve my self worth?!??

 

[Pdaddy1978]

I KNOW for a fact that there will always be better players than me.
People who either have put in even more time invested in the instrument, or more raw talent, or a combination of the two.
I enjoy watching someone who's... well... better than me.
All I can do is be the best me.
Once your proficient, You should relax and appreciate other people's skills.
The only ones that DO get to me, are the kids on YouTube that can kick my butt.

 

[HardNHeavy]

not at all, we all do our own thing, more power to them, use it to your advantage and learn some tricks.

 

[LowendG]

If you mean someone who is a shredder, then absolutely not. Has nothing to do with my work (and getting paid for it!).

 

[Spectre Gunner]

No, I don't because I know there are many bass players who are much more talented than me. I just enjoy seeing/hearing good talent. Maybe I can learn something or steal a lick.

 

[wintremute]

Feel free to listen to me for a boost of confidence.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I don't get discouraged. In fact, I am cool with being intermediate. I play only for the pleasure and not for the perfection.

 

[QweziRider]

Never discouraged, always inspired.

 

[Geogio]

My bass lines are primarily driven by keyboards. Other bassists are always worth a listen though.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I don't let another player's abilities discourage my own enjoyment of the music and my playing.

I know where I am at as a musician and if I am unhappy with my playing, I know it's up to me to work on it.

 

[Nev375]

"That's just your ego messin' wit' ya."

Try feeling the music for a change rather than trying to measure it.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I know this is an unhealthy thought process, but I feel a mixture of inspiration, awe, and discouragement when I hear a fantastic bass player.

The intensity of each of these feelings will vary from time to time and sometimes discouragement will be the largest of the three feelings. This is very apparent in situations when I see a 10 year old who is way better than me, or a multi instrumentalist who casually picks up a bass and shreds.

I know this isn't a healthy mindset, and what I am seeing is the finished product. I don't see the countless times where they mess up, or all of the takes before that one.

Can anyone relate?

I can. Based on only the info you put in your post above, I ‘d say you are around the peak of the bell curve….

 

[Michedelic]

Come up with something nobody else can do.

 

[roccobass]

I used to when I was just starting out. As you become more experienced, this will pass. Just concentrate on getting the best tone you can and you'll find your voice. Don't spin your wheels stressing. Be your self.

 

[factory presets]

Right on! it's not a competition.

How can it not be a competition if hip hop and techno are "cheating"?

Asking for a friend.

 

[Captain Chaos]

When I first started. Not anymore as I realized I’ll never be like them.

 

[red_rhino]

Never. Not ever. When I see someone doing something I cannot, my takeaway is “It can be done”, because I can see someone doing it.

My motto: There is nothing you can’t do, there is just stuff you don’t know (yet). This applies to more than just music.

 

[JakobT]

I know this is an unhealthy thought process, but I feel a mixture of inspiration, awe, and discouragement when I hear a fantastic bass player.

The intensity of each of these feelings will vary from time to time and sometimes discouragement will be the largest of the three feelings. This is very apparent in situations when I see a 10 year old who is way better than me, or a multi instrumentalist who casually picks up a bass and shreds.

I know this isn't a healthy mindset, and what I am seeing is the finished product. I don't see the countless times where they mess up, or all of the takes before that one.

Can anyone relate?

The best antidote for that is to listen to an old clip of myself playing, and realize how much better I've become since then.