Someone plays better than you?

[bassinplace]

Get inspired. Living proof of what's possible. All I've gotta do is put in the work.

 

[jdh3000]

I watch, listen and see what I can pick up from them.

I never judge as better or worse because if I think I'm better than someone, I might miss learning something new.

I've been playing 40+ years and I feel I can always learn something new.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

What do you do when you see someone play better than you?

Become a fan. There are a couple of young guys I run into now and again who are absolute monsters. When I get the chance, I go see them play. I say nice things about them on fazbuk. Why not? They are not remotely interested in doing what I do. And when they show up at one of my gigs, they are always kind.

 

[David Demby]

Hope I motivated you

 

[Nevada Pete]

YouTube 16 yr olds with videos of their Tribassic prowess have destroyed my sense of self esteem.

1973, I considered leaving college to play guitar based on the encouragement of dorm mates. Then I met Eric Johnson, 6 string soul crusher, and quit playing guitar for a decade.

The same thing happened to me when my band opened for The Santana Blues Band and I heard Carlos play live for the first time. It was just exactly then that I realized I was going to have to find another way to make a living besides playing guitar. Which I thought I was doing.

 

[arbiterusa]

What do you do when you see someone play better than you?

Rip off every single thing I see them doing. You're not going to get better any other way.

 

[dramatwist]

I don't compare myself to anyone. Been playing for 50 years. I'm a better player than I was yesterday, and I'll be a better player tomorrow... as long as I pick up the bass EVERY day.

 

[Laurent]

I get inspired and motivated by people who play better than me. I try to learn from others as well.

It's not a competition for me, it a personal journey to become a better musician (and a better person) every day.

I am at a point where I play better than many people but many people, pros and amateurs play better than I do.
I have had the same music teacher for 14 years and I continue to improve regularly.
Practicing and learning is something I do for myself and not to show the world I can play faster and better than others.

 

[micguy]

I'm comforted by the fact that it doesn't happen nearly as often as it used to, I enjoy the music, and sometimes I say "yeah, I can work on that" - then I go home and work on that.

 

[punchdrunk]

I used to care. Now other things are way more important.

 

[Cutter8]

Well, it depends, because you can play a lot better than me and still suck! But, if it is someone who is really accomplished, it's pretty much
watch
listen
admire
learn
compliment...

 

[Brother Goose]

Hopefully I'm dancing right down in front!

 

[Matty Koff]

At first it motivates me to practice, until I spend a few hours doing it still unable to nail sweep picking, and it makes me throw up. Then I sell all of my gear and take up painting followed by calling up Tonya Harding to arrange a good old-fashioned kneecapping. Not long after I'm drowning myself in a bag of baby carrots and ranch dressing. Then I go buy more gear.

Honestly, I just keep doing what I am good at and every now and then try to throw in techniques I struggle with. It's not optimal, but - I love what I am capable of pulling off. And when I finally have those light bulb moments where a technique starts to click I get excited.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

I’m relieved. I’d hate to think that I was as good as it gets

 

[EXCAV8]

If I got upset over anyone who plays better than me, I'd never pick up a bass again. Therefore, I vote for, "None of the above."

My bass playing is MY bass playing. I am unconcerned with what anyone else is doing.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

It happens so much that now I honestly don't even think about it ...

Haha. This.

 

[db59]

What grading system are we using?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

The local luthier put me right off of playing guitar anymore, I finally sold my last one in the Spring of last year.
When I take a bass over to him he just thumps around a little on it, no big deal.

However, when I take a guitar over there he shreds on it for about 5 minutes, jaw-dropping stuff, and on the drive home I'm thinking "!@#$ it, I quit!", and really mean it!
He made the $140 pawn-shop guitar sound better than my much-better-spec'd guitar at home.
I sold them both within days, just wanted them out of my house!

Yeah, it's childish as Hell, but hey I've been fooling around on guitar for too many years & it just dilutes my time on bass.

 

[CallMeAl]

A.

but it’s not really like “I’m gonna play like that someday.” It’s more like “Music is amazing, and I wanna be the best musician I can be.”

 

[LuckyScott]

Everybody plays better than I do. Who cares? We are all playing and enjoying Bass