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January 2006
Posts: 1482
Location: Michigan | after posting on the pick pocket post , it made me think about that when i go into a guitar store to putz with some guitars and i start to hear some of the other people in the room playing at such a much higher level than i will ever be able to achieve in my life , i find that i usually wont even pick up a guitar but just listen and watch them do there stuff.
i just don't feel comfortable playing around people that have so much more talent than i will ever have.
what about you ? GWB |
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December 2014
Posts: 1713
Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | I have always been like that GWB.
I could play beautifully to my horses, dogs, and birds, but completely freeze up around people. Can't do it! I have never had the desire or need to play for others, but I sure am glad they do!  |
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November 2013
Posts: 163
Location: Phoenix, AZ | I can relate completely! I can play decent when no one else is listening, as soon as I try to "show off", I mess up...
I have major respect for those who can play well with an audience. |
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September 2012
Posts: 813
Location: Thredbo, NSW, Australia | I jam with a group of people twice a month. Their musical ability ranges from beginner to pro standard, so there are better players than me and some I'm better than. But I guess that applies to most things in life.
I learn a lot from the jams and this has inspired me to get back into performing after a nearly 30 year break. Like most things, the more I do the better I get, but I know that there will always be better players and singers than me. I often have very good musicians in the audience, which is a bit daunting. However, whenever they comment on my performance its always positive.
The important thing is that I enjoy it, and its a bonus if some of the audience members enjoy it too - and they do.
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Yup!
I am also embarrassed by people who compliment my guitar playing...
Most of them don't play so they don't know that I am pretty terrible. 
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October 2005
Posts: 4063
Location: Utah | I'm comfortable playing in a band or ensemble as long as I am prepared. Playing with musicians much better than me is fun and a learning experience, but I really want to be able to play competently so they are not annoyed. My issue is I am not a soloist nor much of a singer, so I am very uncomfortable performing alone. A music store is a worst case scenario for me, because I just don't know and can't play anything solo, while there are plenty of people watching and hoping to hear something great. |
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | I play much better than a friend of mine, Scott.
But Scott is a great entertainer, and people love to hear him play and sing.
I'm decent, but probably fairly boring. People listen to me, but may not be "entertained."
Moral?: You're better off with a certain style, and the ability to grab the audiences attention, than you are just being "good." |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I find it much easier to perform to a bunch of strangers than to family and friends. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Good advise from all.... even Darkbar.
Playing with someone "better" than you is like getting a free lesson.
Do it whenever you can.
..
Also depends the company you keep.
I try to be supportive and helpful when I can be. That's because the "better" people I've hung with were always that for me. |
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May 2015
Posts: 186
Location: Glendora, CA | We have a weekly jam at lunchtime on Wednesdays to break up the week. We work 10 hours a day 50 a week so we find by Wednesday we are in need of some steam letting. It's an eclectic bunch - three on guitar, six on different sizes of ukulele, and a fiddle player. Most of the time I play uke and sing. By far my voice is my best playing instrument! I have though over the last few months, since I found my first O, started playing guitar on some songs. Thing is I find it really difficult to sing at the same time, this puts me WAY out of my normal comfort level, and makes me super self conscious. I find when I think to much about it my playing suffers. When I can relax and "let it flow" my fingers seem to have a mind of there own. I just gotta relax and let them do there thing without tripping to much.
My buddy Dick K who jams with us has been playing since he was 14, he is incredible. I have to echo what others have said, when we jam it's both inspiring and like getting a free lesson, when he lays down some fill lick, then shows us how he done it. Next week I am gonna record him playing some of my O's so we can all see how they should sound in the hand of a pro - I wouldn't play for you all for YEARS..at least on guitar. You can see me playing the theme from The Fall Guy on my tenor uke on YouTube - but all videos of my guitar playing are under house arrest! |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | It depends on the person who is better than me. Running the shop I see all types of people. Some are amazing guitarists and are not trying to show off. Those are the ones who make me want to grab my guitar and ask them, "Hey, show me that chord!"
But sometimes I get these really insecure people in here who feel the need to boost their egos. For example this past summer there was a couple who came in. In summer, the first thing I do is ask where they are from as this is a tourist area. Well this guy said (and this is an exact quote), "I'm from Alaska and I'm a musician." He immediately took out his smart phone and clicked on a video of him and threw it on the table in front of me. He wasn't that good. Played everything in open D and just barred straight across to get chords. (I got the feeling he never learned real chords.) And his singing was loud and abrasive.
What was really cool was, a few minutes another guy came in from Wisconsin who could play circles around almost anyone I have EVER heard. He was quiet and self-effacing. The guy from Alaska was NOT happy. After he left the Wisconsin guy and I played together and I learned some new stuff.
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December 2006
Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City | I just wear this make sure everyone knows what they're in for
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June 2012
Posts: 2330
Location: Pueblo West, CO | Old Man Arthur - 2015-10-30 6:51 PM
I am also embarrassed by people who compliment my guitar playing...
Most of them don't play so they don't know that I am pretty terrible.
Ditto.
When people ask me if I play the guitar, I tell them it depends on who you ask. |
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December 2001
Posts: 7229
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Damon67 - 2015-10-31 9:29 AM
I just wear this make sure everyone knows what they're in for
That shirt is awesome. As for the OP... I somehow learned early on that music is art. There is no good or bad, there just is. If I play like crap and someone likes it.. well they liked it.. and that's all that matters. If I play great and no one likes it... except maybe me... hey... that's good too. If I play with someone and learn something.. that's even better.
I have recently challenged myself to perform solo. I don't really have a plan, but I need to come up with some arrangements. The only time I ever played onstage by myself was a musical talent show when I was a kid. So while I wouldn't be intimidated to play in front of friends and family, I don't know how unless there is a band. So I'm gonna learn how and report back.. |
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July 2005
Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado | Hanging with guitarists who are way better than me - has helped me get better - learn from them...Even if it is one little lick...sometimes you already have some of the skill...they just showed you what they do...then you practice it ---and you can do it too. I thought Matt Smith was one of the best at playing very well - and teaching a technique or two...he is humble too. I was never a good bluegrass player...but spending a couple days with Brad Smith...helped my right hand technique...I have found most people are not judgmental...and if they have the time...they share...I asked Kevin Cronin the other day about a chord...he was happy to share...btw...he plays better than I thought he did...just doesn't ahve to do it with the band. |
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October 2005
Posts: 4063
Location: Utah | Alison, great story about the Alaska guy vs Wisconsin!
Have you heard if the buyer of the 6778LX-VN I sent a while back is enjoying it? |
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March 2013
Posts: 359
Location: undisclosed | I agree with Miles. I grew up jamming and learning by ear as well as learning the classical approach so playing with all levels was just a part of musical life. Adjusting to audiences was more challenging as they are non playing participants yet affect the mood and vibe of the occasion.
I think it really goes all ways. I've learned as much from beginning musicians as seasoned pros, perhaps because they are approaching music with fresh ears and fewer rules. This certainly can stretch your responses. I have a well developed case of polyphonic advanced earitus so on some level it is making sense. When it goes way outside the box, toss the box....
It is good to remember that while there are differing levels of technique there is only one you when it comes to expressing yourself. Someone may be more articulate but they can't express you. Of course I hate it when my hands are thrashed and I can't do my best but I'll still give it a shot.
In art Grandma Moses was a primitive in terms of technique and skill but this didn't keep her from painting valid pictures.
My advice in music stores is just to get down to business and tune other things out. I'll check an instrument for tone and playability through the ranges and noodle enough to get an impression but never worry about performing, I'm too busy evaluating.
Edited by Cavalier 2015-10-31 2:39 PM
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Steve, he's sitting here playing it right now and absolutely loves it. The original guy who was buying it for his wife backed out on the deal but it's in better hands now anyway. I don't know if you met Dan when you were out - older guy with a buttery smooth voice? Anyway, it's his now and both he and the guitar are very happy. |
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Slipkid - 2015-10-31 10:31 AM
Good advise from all.... even Darkbar.
Hey! What the hell is THAT supposed to mean...???? |
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October 2005
Posts: 4063
Location: Utah | CanterburyStrings - 2015-10-31 3:49 PM
Steve, he's sitting here playing it right now and absolutely loves it. The original guy who was buying it for his wife backed out on the deal but it's in better hands now anyway. I don't know if you met Dan when you were out - older guy with a buttery smooth voice? Anyway, it's his now and both he and the guitar are very happy.
I don't remember Dan but it doesn't mean I didn't meet him. I'm glad he loves the guitar. |
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June 2012
Posts: 162
Location: Pittsburgh | The short answer for me is YES. But I do it almost weekly when I play with two of my sons, who both perform. Many good comments on this thread that gave me some new ways of looking at it. Thanks! |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | No |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | It's the best lesson, skating on the thin ice and falling in, nothin makes you learn faster. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I wish I could find someone better than me to play with. Or worse. Or about the same. I'll take anyone. |
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July 2014
Posts: 154
Location: Canberra, Australia | Generally, no. I actually quite enjoy playing with people who are better than I am, provided they're a little patient with me not being able to cope with some stuff (I'm still working on barre chords for example). Everyone that I've played with has been quite patient though, and I've found that it's helped encourage me to get better faster so that I'm less embarrassed by my skill level.
BanjoJ has also been instrumental in getting me up in front of other people performing. When I first started playing guitar, I had no intention of ever doing that, but it's actually much easier than I expected (the ever-present nerves aside). A friend of mine (who's been playing about 25 years) and I are now working on a repertoire with a longer-term goal of performing small gigs. |
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are you shy about playing in front of better players than yourself?
