There is ALWAYS someone better than you

[chungweishan]

Are there better musicians than me? Certainly. Is my band looking to replace me? Nope. Lucky me. Unlucky them. There are days I wish they would replace me.

My ego allows me to believe I'm still better than others, so much so I don't practice anymore. I don't even look at my bass until rehearsal. If someone tells me I suck, there's a really good reason why. I won't go into goofy reasons that I limit myself technically because of some artsy-fartsy excuse... it's mainly because I just don't care to get better. I have rehearsal tomorrow, and I'll screw up the same songs I've been playing for two years.

Music is a competition in terms of getting gigs, it's been measured and quantified especially in this forum with its numerous: Best/Worst Bassists Ever, Favorite/Worst Albums, Listen to this Music That I Like and You Should Like Too, Don't Listen to That Other Music Because It Stinks Because I Said So... type of Posts.

 

[InnerBass]

If I'm not getting paid by the note, why should I over play?

 

[Blueinred]

Lots of good stuff here on this refreshing topic. Just a few thoughts:

As to the tennis ranking reference, back when I was into tennis and wanting to improve, I always sought out players who were more skilled than I as it greatly sped up my skill acquisition. Sometimes the same is true with jamming or gigging.

Always consider the source when receiving criticism. It may hurt sometimes, but it may be the truth and should motivate you, not piss you off. If it's from a less than well informed "know it all", don't give it much emotional weight.

Discovering and learning new techniques/musical approaches/styles is a hoot, to me anyway. It can enhance what you already do well and you can express yourself even more "artistically". You may be very, very surprised at the variety of styles your favorite players can play, even the metal heads.

When the musical magic happens, to the point of it almost being an out of body phenomenon, well, there's nothing like it. By yourself or especially playing with others. And it can happen whether you are beginners or accomplished and seasoned veterans. Your audience will sense it, too, even if the audience is just you.

Jaco didn't slap, and I don't know if he could or not. He didn't seem to be bothered by it. When appropriate, and done well with tasty tone, I like it. But, moderation in all things (including moderation!).

There are jerks in EVERY walk of life. Choose to be different than them.

"Ramble on......." Robert Plant

 

[BAG]

I wish more "tough guys" would realize this before looking for a fight.
No matter how big and tough you might think you are, there is always someone who is bigger and tougher.
And they very well may not look it at all.

I've seen this on many occasions. I've worked in, and then managed, pubs and clubs for over 30 years. I've seen people you wouldn't think could fight their way out of a wet paper bag take all manner of abuse from big tough looking bullies. Suddenly the bully pushes things too far, crosses some line set by the little dude, and the bully gets an almighty lesson. One that I remember vividly ended up with two big blokes being taken down in a big way by one bloke half their size. I received a call from one of the bully's sister later that night ranting about how her brother had a broken jaw and that she was calling the police. I agreed with her that she should do that and that she should give them my name and i'll show them all the surveillance footage of the incident. Unsurprisingly I never heard from her or her brother again. Maybe he ended up admitting to her what actually happened.

 

[BAG]

Just imagine a whole band of virtuoso players that all overplay all the time.

That's how I feel listening to many forms of jazz.
Just last night my daughter was in a combined schools choir at Town Hall in Sydney. They were accompanied by the combined schools jazz band and a renowned jazz/classical vocalist/instrumentalist. It was live on Youtube so, despite it being 5 hours drive away, we got to watch and listen. Hearing "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" played in 5/4 with the vocalist singing in what appeared to be some other unrelated time signature, plus three or four solo spots for different instruments where they played a hundred notes per bar, bored me beyond compare. Yes, all those musicians are probably much more accomplished technically and theoretically than I will ever be. Yes, it did move me..... to hit fast forward to the next piece. Just because someone is more technically or theoretically proficient doesn't mean they are better.