Someone plays better than you?

[40Hz]

I don’t view music as an athletic competition. I just play bass.

So how much better somebody else can play is irrelevant to me. I always assumed there’d be many people in the world who could do things I don’t or simply can’t do. So when I run into one of them it isn’t cause for existential crisis.

 

[Kmonk]

I think how you react to seeing someone who is better than you really depends on your level of experience and your overall work ethic.

I've been playing for over 40 years. During that time, I have toured and currently do music for several popular television shows. I consider myself to be a good player, especially since my business partner is a Dean at Berklee and he uses me for all his bass and guitar recording needs.

When I see someone who is better than me, I don't let it bother me. I appreciate their talent. No matter how good you are or how good you think you are, there is always somebody better.

 

[4001]

There's always going to be someone better than you.
Nothing to loose sleep over.
And, maybe that's a good thing.
If you're better than everyone else, then you have nothing to strive for.

 

[Humbled]

Enjoy.

 

[shawshank72]

I’ve just learned to live with the fact that I’m better than a lot of other bassists, and a lot of other bassists are better than me.

 

[dan1952]

When I first heard Stanley Clarke, I realized that I was never going to be able to do what he did, and for about a minute just thought I should quit. Then I realized that I COULD do what Joe Osborn could do, or Kenny Edwards, or Randy Meisner (at least physically!), and that Clarke , and later Jaco, were freaks of nature, and that most records didn't feature athletic feats on the bass. I could play music!
I can live with that.

 

[Rib 13]

I didn't know bass playing was a competitive sport

 

[39-Bassist]

Pick "G"

Give them props, keep working on being a better player and dont let it bug you.
There's always someone better.

 

[Phalex]

Everyone does at least one thing better and or differently than I do. I enjoy seeing someone else play a tune I know differently than I do. It’s an opportunity to learn. Even if I don’t go home and learn what they’re doing.

Monster players are fun to watch. I’ve handed my bass over to lots of players that are better than me. I think its a gas.

 

[Wesley R]

G. Go about my life and be happy.

Comparing capabilities is like comparing wages, some one is always better/makes more, someone is always not as good or makes less. It can be very unhealthy to compare some things.

 

[Richard Martin]

Say Screw Them and go back to playing American Band.

 

[TonyP-]

Saw a young Japanese / Asian girl on youtube the other week playing a 6 string bass.... she was amazing
did it make me upset? Nope
did it make me want to practice more? Nope
did it make want to sell my gear and retire? Nope

I just thought she was a bit of a freak, then went back to watching porn....which is something I AM good at LOL!

I like you

 

[rashrader]

How about you just enjoy listening to them play?

 

[two fingers]

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

I just enjoy it and don't compare myself to him/her at all. It neither motivates nor discourages me.

It takes some work, but I try my best to listen to music, and watch/listen to live musical performances, as a non musician would. I try to just enjoy good music, and learn something from music that isn't my favorite.

So I didn't vote in your cleverley-worded poll. Even your carrots option involves sorrow, which I don't experience.

 

[lbbc]

A long time ago I heard the phrase "Surround yourself with people who are better than you, musically. That will make you do one of two things....rise to their level or stand in their shadow". I have done that in my band and I have practiced and improved a great deal.

Now, will I ever be Victor Wooten or Billy Sheehan? No, I respect them and have bought online video and DVD instructions by them...and have learned a lot. It's all a journey and I enjoy the "bass playing" ride!

 

[TinIndian]

Easy! Whack em' in the knee!

 

[Biggbass]

lol
Considering we live in a world surrounded by people who excel in everything imaginable there's always someone who can do anything better than someone else.
If that is something that causes anxiety then one probably shouldn't leave the house.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

The correct answer is watch them closely and see what you can learn.
There a lot of bass players better than I, but I don't let it bother me. I just keep on practicing and doing the best I can.

 

[bassplayer9512]

Sometimes it motivates me, sometimes it frustrates me, sometimes it's just pure talent that I will never have, it always makes me evaluate my playing. Lately I have been trying not to focus on how or what someone else is playing. There are a lot of insanely technically skilled players that can't write music I can listen to. Some players are great players and song writers to boot and those are the players i enjoy more. To me Larry Graham and can write more listenable music than Victor Wooten but would say Victor is the more skilled player.

I have my own style of playing and it's more traditional. I'm not trying to be a slap bass monster nor am I trying to be the next Steve Harris. I just am going for good bass lines in original music that serve the song. That's what keeps me motivated lately. I also have purchases a small Korg Mono Synthesizer that has changed my playing for the better believe it or not!

Usually new gear gets me more motivated and inspired than seeing someone better than myself. Especially a professional.

 

[BigBluez]

If it depressed me to see bassists better than I am, I would have quit playing a long time ago. Mostly I just enjoy... if there's anything they're doing that I think I could learn (a technique or style or something), I might pay special attention to that.