Someone plays better than you?

[projectapollo]

Good points. I was talking with the drummer in my band yesterday. He's probably the best drummer I've ever worked with, and I was telling him about my experiences trying to work in bands that have drummers who aren't so good.

I totally agree with this. I am MUCH better bass player with a great drummer.

 

[neddyrow]

just listening to Theo Von, the comedian explain how some you "admire" is a person that is better that you at something and you still like them.

 

[Reg Braithwaite]

I don't recall the exact words, but Wynton Marsalis spoke about comparing yourself to other people. He said that it was ok to use them as ticks on a ruler you use for measuring yourself. But the goal is not to be as good as them or better than them (in a specialized or broad sense). The goal is pursuing your own mastery.

 

[mattj1stc]

What do I do? Mostly, I try to see if there's anything I can learn and incorporate from it. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Doesn't really bother me though. First, better can be subjective - sometimes it's just different - be open to the difference. Second, be happy - think of how many more people were better than you when you started playing.

 

[SteveCS]

The concept of 'better' or 'worse' includes an implied measure of similarity, sameness, uniformity or conformity, without which 'better' or 'worse' cannot be judged. What a dull world we would inhabit if everyone played and sounded the same. Provided people have the technical abllity and musicianship necessary to meet the demands (or otherwise) of the music being made then the performance will be judged good, as will the performers, both collectively and individually. And that's what matters, IMHO.
That said, work (and the inevitable progress arising from it) seems more attractive and easier when inspired or motivated, whatever the means...
YMMV

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

I study their playing, and copy it, and practice what I can remember them doing.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Dry your tears and rejoice, i bet i'm worse than you.
On the other hand, it means that I can only improve and not be worse than I already am.

Improvement is pretty much the main thing that should come from hearing a better bassist play.

 

[dennis james]

I'm immune to it. I know there's an endless supply of players out there better than me, and always will be. I just work at it and practice to be the best player I can be.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

I'm better than a lot of people, and alot of people are better than me.

I just try to enjoy someone's else's talent or musicality and experience the same energy myself when I play, I can only really be accountable for my own shortcomings, not burdened by someone else's success.

after years of not playing way after my "hey day", I have a lot of catching up to do. but after getting motivated again I spent a year or 2 getting in the "shed and really focusing on every aspect of my playing, trying to really strengthen my weaknesses, so Im well aware of where I fall short!
Usually After I hear/see some one who plays better than me (most bassists). i get upset at myself for not buckling down sooner. I try not to beat myself up, because all of us have different abilities. I get sad when i notice someone very young play something effortlessly, that took me a long time to master.
for instance my band played a gig at a local VFW. the opening band was a bunch of young punky kids, that played classic rock covers, and had great/expensive gear! that made us really curious! they played a couple tunes we played, some Zeppelin & hendrix! the kid playing bass (a fodera) was rocking it! I have to confess, I was hoping he would "f"up at some point, but he Rocked! our guitarist was beaming!elbowing me "check him out!" yeah he was a little badass! he blew me away. I'm not horrible, but i'm no JPJ either, shamefully I dismissed it as he's a spoiled kid that gets to practice all day & night, and probably gets lessons online from some virtoso genius! I did pay close attention to some distinct things he was doing(he had a unique way of pulling off/slurring notes). shamefully, I felt like some watching EVH for the first time! yes, I was gonna rip him off! it wasn't ground breaking or even close, just different! "If you can't beat'em..." wasn't my first time I "borrowed" someone else's technique. but hey I've got alot of catching up to do! though to my credit, I have never claimed it as my own.
So to answer your question. When I see some one who plays "better than me, I usually rip them off a little! but I say they/It "influenced" me!

 

[zubrycky]

I don't care. First, music isn't a competition. Second, there's always a bigger fish. Third, I'm the only bassist of my type in this world.

 

[bearhart74]

Why is fire the drummer not an available choice?

 

[McG]

Although my initial reaction may be to give Tonya a call (not really ) I watch and learn. I've picked up a lot of ideas from better-than-me players over the years.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

Even though I am a man of stubby, fat, slow fingers and limited music theory knowledge, and a self-taught bassist, and even though I want my bass to sound kind of like Jimmy Bain’s on the Dio hits, I listen to the local jazz/blues/R&B station a lot because that’s where I hear a lot of bass players who are better than me, and I find it inspiring.

I don’t always dig the clean, tweeter-equipped 5-string tones I hear there, but I usually hear some killer drums and bass grooving within a few minutes of tuning in...patterns that would not occur to me otherwise.

I'm usually looking for inspiration! I want to be inspired by some ones playing! so when I play I try to throw a little something of my own meant to inspire something, not anything ground breaking, just something to make you say thats interesting! Not taking anything away from the song, though.

 

[Not yet]

copy their cool stuff

 

[higain617]

Fortunately, it’s never happened and likely never will.

 

[C Nolan]

I think it depends in what way they're better than you. If it's something like technique/ tone/groove then I want to improve my playing to their standard.

If they're playing more complex fills or something along those lines then it's best to just enjoy what they're doing and think no more about it otherwise you're on a fast track to overplaying.

Sports men and women need to beat each other, our job is to make good music

 

[OogieWaWa]

I try to steal everything I can.

 

[CATFISHMcC0Y]

i just sit back and enjoy. maybe try to absorb a thing or two, but most likely just listen and enjoy

 

[GIBrat51]

What do I do? Well, since almost everybody can play better than I can, over the years I've learned to - just ignore them, and eat my baby carrots. Mmm... ranch dressing...

 

[Lagado]

"Happiness is never grand."

True happiness has to be worked for. Practice makes perfect, it's the only way around it. That's what the guy you're listening to did. I can guarantee it.