A
But if I can I'll also try to track the bass player down after the show and tell them they're awesome.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Someone plays better than you?
- Thread starter Axtman
- Start date
But if I can I'll also try to track the bass player down after the show and tell them they're awesome.
Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
Staff member
Administrator
Gold Supporting Member
Supporting Member
- May 3, 2002
- 28,948
- 20,932
- Disclosures
- Reviewer: Bass Player Magazine
I don't care. It's not a competition to me. We're artists who express themselves differently.
Maybe others have posted something similar. My band and another would regularly share a bill...if one of us booked a show, we would ask the place to have the other play...it was great. Doug was a phenomenal player and a super humble guy. Any time his band went on before us my head would spin. Dude just killed it and I was always impressed by his skills. In my head, the crowd was gonna be blown away by him and bored by me.
His talent never made me want to play like him, just made me want to be better at what I did. Same goes for pretty much every player I hear. Another reason I'm not a "figure out every note in someone else's song" kinda bassist.
His talent never made me want to play like him, just made me want to be better at what I did. Same goes for pretty much every player I hear. Another reason I'm not a "figure out every note in someone else's song" kinda bassist.
Most of the local extraordinary players I know are scraping by to make it in the music business, or playing low paying gigs 5 days a week to make 2K a month, so I do not envy that part of being highly skilled in the least.
Sometimes it motivates me to practice more, but I am still stoked for their elevated skill levels, fun to watch/hear them play.
Sometimes it motivates me to practice more, but I am still stoked for their elevated skill levels, fun to watch/hear them play.
Last edited:
Someone better than me? Happens all the time.
But nobody else plays just like me so it's all good.
But nobody else plays just like me so it's all good.
I just enjoy the music. I have no illusions about what I am and I play music ultimately, to please me. Plus, comparison is the killer of joy.
I get more psyched about live tone/energy than I do about ability or technique.
I used to compare myself to others when I was in middle school and there was one other bass player in my grade. I’ve since stopped.
I used to compare myself to others when I was in middle school and there was one other bass player in my grade. I’ve since stopped.
I get discouraged and feel bad about my abilities. But then, I realize that I am thankful that I can play what I can play. There are so many people who can't play any kind of musical instrument. At least I can play bass to about 5 hours worth of songs, even if they are easy ones.
Personally I just enjoy it then call them a c*** in a 'wow that was good' sort of way. I know what they are doing but also know my limits. I'd rather hold the groove and play to the song.
If they are still around after my gig and engage me , at my advanced age the conversation usually gets around to how long I've been playing. I tell them I took it up as a hobby about 3 months ago. So even though I suck, I'm not bad for only playing for 3 months.
Even BassCliff heard my playing and said I was good. But I'll take him at his word.
Even BassCliff heard my playing and said I was good. But I'll take him at his word. 
