UberMetalDood
New member
Everyone is so nice and non-critical. The only time you hear criticism mostly is from ******bags who take it to the extreme. How can you tell if you're a decent player or if people are just kind of being nice?
How do you know if you are any good?
- Thread starter UberMetalDood
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SamusChief
New member
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
If you can improvise with a decent amount of skill in your opinion, you're good. period. You get better with practice. It's a matter of having the will to practice.
If you can improvise with a decent amount of skill in your opinion, you're good. period. You get better with practice. It's a matter of having the will to practice.
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
You'll know when you're good... I think.
You'll know when you're good... I think.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
I guess there is no way to really know. You're right that most people will just say something is good or ok, rather than say something and hurt someone's feelings. The way I look at it is when I post a clip, if no one says anything than it's probable average at best, or worse. If a couple of people actually take the time to type out some form of reply then I have to assume they're being at least partially genuine....if not more.
The shame of the whole thing is that almost no one posts stuff they've written or even takes the time to record covers they or their band performs. When people do take the time to post, almost no one comes in here to notice.
I for one am going to make an attempt to change that. I'm going to take the time to come in here and check out the new posts and leave comments where I think I can help or offer some praise or helpful critiques. While I'm not working I'm going to attempt to learn and record at least one new song a week. I may not make it every week, and I'm limited to backing tracks I can find on the net.....not to mention my ability, but I'm going to work at it.
I've heard several of you clips, and FWIW I think you're a really decent player. I know (I think it was you anyhow) that recorded a clip of an amp you traded and the guy told you it was total crap, but it wasn't. I thought the tone and phrasing was really nice.
If that wasn't you...sorry. Post something so I can make fun of you! :chairfall
I guess there is no way to really know. You're right that most people will just say something is good or ok, rather than say something and hurt someone's feelings. The way I look at it is when I post a clip, if no one says anything than it's probable average at best, or worse. If a couple of people actually take the time to type out some form of reply then I have to assume they're being at least partially genuine....if not more.
The shame of the whole thing is that almost no one posts stuff they've written or even takes the time to record covers they or their band performs. When people do take the time to post, almost no one comes in here to notice.
I for one am going to make an attempt to change that. I'm going to take the time to come in here and check out the new posts and leave comments where I think I can help or offer some praise or helpful critiques. While I'm not working I'm going to attempt to learn and record at least one new song a week. I may not make it every week, and I'm limited to backing tracks I can find on the net.....not to mention my ability, but I'm going to work at it.
I've heard several of you clips, and FWIW I think you're a really decent player. I know (I think it was you anyhow) that recorded a clip of an amp you traded and the guy told you it was total crap, but it wasn't. I thought the tone and phrasing was really nice.
If that wasn't you...sorry. Post something so I can make fun of you! :chairfall
Bass_Medic_05
Purveyor of Low End
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
I think you know in your heart if you are improving, by the amount of effort and practice you put in. I am not one of those guys, that is naturaly talented so I know i have to practice or I sound like.......well you know.
I think you know in your heart if you are improving, by the amount of effort and practice you put in. I am not one of those guys, that is naturaly talented so I know i have to practice or I sound like.......well you know.
DankStar
Her Little Mojo Minion
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
Dunno, cause I just try to make up stuff I'd like to listen to, which typically isn't too hard to play. Sometimes I'll hear a band like Brain Drill and think, "I suck at guitar," but then I realize that stuff's kinda hard to listen to, as technically competent as it is.
Dunno, cause I just try to make up stuff I'd like to listen to, which typically isn't too hard to play. Sometimes I'll hear a band like Brain Drill and think, "I suck at guitar," but then I realize that stuff's kinda hard to listen to, as technically competent as it is.
TheLivingDead
Dawn Of The Shred
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
Personally, I rely on cynical old people who are heavily rooted in blues and classic rock. I have a lot of them around me and they're all brutally honest.
My close, guitar playing, friends are honest as well and I return the favor. But we have more fun with it. "lol you suck!" means "Damn, you're getting good!".
Personally, I rely on cynical old people who are heavily rooted in blues and classic rock. I have a lot of them around me and they're all brutally honest.
My close, guitar playing, friends are honest as well and I return the favor. But we have more fun with it. "lol you suck!" means "Damn, you're getting good!".
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
There are a couple of ways to answer this.
If you're trying to determine if you're technically good at playing guitar just record yourself one day, then listen to the recording the next day with fresh ears. You'll be able to pick out any timing errors, missed strings, and really be able to get a handle on where you're at and what you need to improve at.
If you're looking for songwriting skills the best way to develop them and get feedback is to play out in front of people who like the style of music that you're doing. If you develop a following you're doing fine . . . if everyone leaves the bar after your first song, you need work.
There are a couple of ways to answer this.
If you're trying to determine if you're technically good at playing guitar just record yourself one day, then listen to the recording the next day with fresh ears. You'll be able to pick out any timing errors, missed strings, and really be able to get a handle on where you're at and what you need to improve at.
If you're looking for songwriting skills the best way to develop them and get feedback is to play out in front of people who like the style of music that you're doing. If you develop a following you're doing fine . . . if everyone leaves the bar after your first song, you need work.
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
if you are really honest with yourself than you should know. listen back to what you play and if it sounds like its supposed to thats what youre shooting for. if you hear clams and hiccups then you know what you need to work on.
im a decent enough guitar player to get on stage with most people and not embarass myself and im just fine with that.
the bar litmus test is ok but dont forget that most people like crap
if you are really honest with yourself than you should know. listen back to what you play and if it sounds like its supposed to thats what youre shooting for. if you hear clams and hiccups then you know what you need to work on.
im a decent enough guitar player to get on stage with most people and not embarass myself and im just fine with that.
the bar litmus test is ok but dont forget that most people like crap
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
In my teens, my band would routinely record rehearsals. The recorder is objective. Listening back to the recordings was supposed to help us spot our mistakes and work at correcting them.
After some time of such recordings, a musician should eventually be exposed to recordings from long enough in the past to have faded from short term memory. If these recordings make you wonder, "Did I play that?" or, "That one could be tricky to relearn!" then it would be fair to say that you have reached a decent standard.
In my teens, my band would routinely record rehearsals. The recorder is objective. Listening back to the recordings was supposed to help us spot our mistakes and work at correcting them.
After some time of such recordings, a musician should eventually be exposed to recordings from long enough in the past to have faded from short term memory. If these recordings make you wonder, "Did I play that?" or, "That one could be tricky to relearn!" then it would be fair to say that you have reached a decent standard.
Johtosotku
New member
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
If you can play what you want the way you want, you're good.
When getting there recording your playing as much as you can is essential, like Funkfingers said. Record your playing and try double tracking it and playing over it and see if you can hang on to it.
If you can play what you want the way you want, you're good.
When getting there recording your playing as much as you can is essential, like Funkfingers said. Record your playing and try double tracking it and playing over it and see if you can hang on to it.
Spudman
New member
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
Go sit in with other people, especially ones you think are good. You'll know at the end of the jam if you are or not. If you end up feeling like you weren't good then hopefully the session will inspire you to keep improving. Then go back and do it again. Repeat as often as necessary. Eventually you'll be really capable, and that's a good place for a musician to be.
Your question kind of reminds me of bicycle racing. A lot of guys are really fast and can kick butt...until they race against somebody else. Usually those guys are just training by themselves.
Moral is - it's music and it's incredibly fun to share the experience with other like minded people. Just remember it's not a competition, it's a communion, but you need a vocabulary to speak the language. Do your homework then go commune.
Go sit in with other people, especially ones you think are good. You'll know at the end of the jam if you are or not. If you end up feeling like you weren't good then hopefully the session will inspire you to keep improving. Then go back and do it again. Repeat as often as necessary. Eventually you'll be really capable, and that's a good place for a musician to be.
Your question kind of reminds me of bicycle racing. A lot of guys are really fast and can kick butt...until they race against somebody else. Usually those guys are just training by themselves.
Moral is - it's music and it's incredibly fun to share the experience with other like minded people. Just remember it's not a competition, it's a communion, but you need a vocabulary to speak the language. Do your homework then go commune.
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
It's realative.
I can see both where I came from, and where I'd like to be, so I see the gap between them realative to where I am.
Someone who doesn't play might see me as much closer to the top, so the gap is much smaller to them, cause they're seeing it from the bottom, instead of from my perspective.
My thoughts are kind of jumbled, but I think the point is there.
It's realative.
I can see both where I came from, and where I'd like to be, so I see the gap between them realative to where I am.
Someone who doesn't play might see me as much closer to the top, so the gap is much smaller to them, cause they're seeing it from the bottom, instead of from my perspective.
My thoughts are kind of jumbled, but I think the point is there.
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UberMetalDood
New member
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
I guess the problem is I think I'm not any good. I practice my ass off but can't nail the solos. Most of the problem is due to the fact that I try to play the tab as it is written. It was only recently that I started accepting that it's ok to play it the most comfortable way to me.
What's more is that I am barely starting to utilize economy picking and legato whevever it feels comfortable instead of trying to hit every note with accuracy. I don't think I'll ever have that kind of finger dexterity. Luckily I don't really care about winning a guitar marathon. I just want to play music like it should be played.
I think in the end I'll probably end up being somewhere in between David Gilmour and Satch. I will probably never try to learn a Steve Vai song even though I think he is a guitar god.
I guess the problem is I think I'm not any good. I practice my ass off but can't nail the solos. Most of the problem is due to the fact that I try to play the tab as it is written. It was only recently that I started accepting that it's ok to play it the most comfortable way to me.
What's more is that I am barely starting to utilize economy picking and legato whevever it feels comfortable instead of trying to hit every note with accuracy. I don't think I'll ever have that kind of finger dexterity. Luckily I don't really care about winning a guitar marathon. I just want to play music like it should be played.
I think in the end I'll probably end up being somewhere in between David Gilmour and Satch. I will probably never try to learn a Steve Vai song even though I think he is a guitar god.
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
When I asked my now ex-Jazz guitar teacher before he moved back to his hometown if he thought I have what it takes to succeed through music school when I start in the Spring and eventually become a part-time musician, he said, "Just remember to hire me when you're famous." I really didn't know how to take that. I still don't. To me, it sounds like backwards sarcasm or he just didn't want to tell me the harsh truth. I mean, I think I'm pretty bad, so it must be the latter.
When I asked my now ex-Jazz guitar teacher before he moved back to his hometown if he thought I have what it takes to succeed through music school when I start in the Spring and eventually become a part-time musician, he said, "Just remember to hire me when you're famous." I really didn't know how to take that. I still don't. To me, it sounds like backwards sarcasm or he just didn't want to tell me the harsh truth. I mean, I think I'm pretty bad, so it must be the latter.
GoDrex
Riffologist Extraordinaire
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
It's a tough question because some guys seem to have no idea that they suck. So if you can't tell that you suck how will you know when you're good?
Until a person is capable of honestly assessing where they're at, they won't know.
A great way to find out is to record yourself a lot. It's harder to tell when you're playing, what it really sounds like. Listening to recordings of your playing can make a big difference.
It's a tough question because some guys seem to have no idea that they suck. So if you can't tell that you suck how will you know when you're good?
Until a person is capable of honestly assessing where they're at, they won't know.
A great way to find out is to record yourself a lot. It's harder to tell when you're playing, what it really sounds like. Listening to recordings of your playing can make a big difference.
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Lazarus1140
New member
Re: How do you know if you are any good?
If you're playing a gig in a band and people aren't shaking their heads in disgust or unbelief and then leaving you're good enough.
If you would like to play what players you admire play but can't ..... you're not good enough.
If you're playing a gig in a band and people aren't shaking their heads in disgust or unbelief and then leaving you're good enough.
If you would like to play what players you admire play but can't ..... you're not good enough.
