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How do you know if you are good?

T

tomber

Sep 8, 2010
20
0
#1
So I just had this Jazz Band Audition and I was wondering if there was a way you can tell you are good or if you got the part. Also I'm trying to start this band and my friend says I'm not good enough even though he's never heard me play.
 
#3
being good always changes, it's like a sliding scale

last year I thought I was a very good player and now I know I wasn't because now I'm better, but I bet you next year I will be better

I think being good has more to do with maturity and doing what's right than being an awesome player, but that being an awesome player certainly helps

p.s: punch your friend. HARD
 
#4
If you think you're a good musician, you're not. Don't hold yourself back, just always think "I can be better", and you'll always have a drive to play more. There's no such thing as "good enough". However, the best way to tell after playing with someone is talking to them- Are they enthusiastic about playing with you? Did they like whatever improv stuff you did? Did they mention playing with you again? Were you able to pick up the parts quickly? There's alot of clues that you can get to show how interested they are in playing with you. As to your friend, well, if he's never heard you play, and he thinks you're not good enough, then you probably don't want to play with him. No offense, but someone who would pass that judgement blindly probably isn't worth the time it would take you to set up. He may be a good friend, just not a good bandmate. Show him what he's missing once you're on stage and prove him wrong.
 
#5
There is no way to tell if you're good or not. If you think you're really good, you're an egotistical prick. If other people tell you you're good, then you probably are good. Once you begin buying into your own hype however...... Egotistical prick.

And kick your "friend" in the nards. Really hard.
 
#9
tomber said:
So I just had this Jazz Band Audition and I was wondering if there was a way you can tell you are good or if you got the part. Also I'm trying to start this band and my friend says I'm not good enough even though he's never heard me play.
Click to expand...

Your friend is a guitarist, so he is judging based on how you dress, your hair, and your mom's credit limit. :D

Good luck on the audition. Hope you make it in.
 
#16
eSmith said:
Record yourself and post the video on youtube, then link it here......

We'll get back to you........
eSmith.
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No!!!! There's approximately 38 million videos of inexperienced musicians on youtube already, we don't need even more.


People will tell you when you're getting good, they'll want to buy you drinks, give you things for no reason. Girls will notice you that are waaay more attractive than you could get otherwise (that may be just me).


Rockingbird said:
When i end up getting people commenting positively on my playing in a music shop, i take that as meaning im getting better.
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Wrong place to look for honest informed feedback. Salesmen will say anything to make a sale. People hanging around music stores playing Stairway to Heaven (or Hairway to Steven) don't know enough to give you valid feedback.

Find a good teacher, take a lesson, play some stuff for him/her. They'll probably be able to quickly understand your strengths and weaknesses as a player and can give you some things to work on to get stronger in your weaker areas. Having an objective knowledgeable person critique your playing is immensely valuable (note that I didn't say that it was fun).
 
#18
Just to add another +1 to all the "If they invite you back, you're good".

I always keep in my mind "I could be better" and strive for it, but my band mates like my playing so I'm good to them. In their eyes, I'm "good". In my eyes? I "need work". But that's how it should be, otherwise you'll never reach for that next level.

Don't ever worry about about when you feel "You're good" because probably, you never will, and if you do, you will have plateaued. Always think of playing better! It's half the fun in being a musician! :)
 

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