How Good Are You?
By Trebor Ztimen
How many times have you seen an ad for a musician, or for a group such as Middle-Aged Mass Musicians, and questioned yourself as to how good a musician you are to try and “make the band”? How many opportunities did you pass up because you thought all those professionals are so good there is no way you could make the grade? Realistically, how many big name bands “got lucky” and individually the members play no better than you? The latter is probably more accurate than you would believe. It is much easier to write your own material and play it than the intensity to duplicate another person’s genius. Before you start yelling Eric Clapton at me, give me a chance to explain.
Over the years I have had met with different musicians, and wanna’ be musicians, and I always seemed to get asked the question, “How good are you” or “Can you really play”. The two toughest questions anyone can ask you. Especially a musician. Many musicians I have met fall into three categories. The first category is the insecure with the opinion they are not good enough. They are easily impressed by another’s skill and agility on a fretboard, their mastery of a keyboard, or the timing of their percussion. Then there is the second category of the egotistical “know it all” musician. The third is the “I am good but can still learn” that sees something good in everyone’s playing. We have to understand what is good and what is really playing?
First off, staying away from the insecure and egotistical categories is where you want to be. You can respect another’s skill but don’t get overly impressed. Although they may have just played a song you felt was difficult, you may play a song that they believe is difficult. Can we play as good as anyone in a big name band? Can we really play? The answer is simple – if you can play one song you can play. One song means you have the skill to play and that is the start.
There have been times I have met with someone and had to listen to a “guitarist” whack out a ten-minute riff. I call it the show-off riff. Something they practiced for who knows how long just to be their introductory riff. The riff didn’t go to any particular song, just a note picker. However, when it came to trying to get together for a number, it was all the “I don’t do that kind”, or “That isn’t my line”, or “I am just learning that”. I was even told I was playing something wrong – and I had written it! In my opinion they were “good” for nothing. We never could connect with anything.
Another experience is the one hundred-song “good”. They knew a hundred numbers, however the material came from one generation only and they believed all other eras and genres in music were dead. In their eyes, one genre was magic and no other music was worth playing.
The experience that is the most irritating is the guitar player that uses extreme distortion with power chords. My opinion is if you are limited to power chords you probably can’t handle all six strings. If you know nothing with a good, clean sound, you probably are not considered good. Distortion is good – when the number calls for it.
The answer to being “good” is knowing what makes someone good while the formula to “really playing” has several ingredients. They are the ability to be diverse in music selection, the chemistry to play with others, the dedication to want to learn material, and a sincerity to maintain a wide focus on the genre of music you play. So, that being said, no one should claim to be good or not – that will be determined by the band as a whole. A soloist can be good but can play with no one because they know one genre. In many cases some soloists are like a loners, they can’t play with anyone. They never develop that chemistry that allows them to play with others. Experience will tell you that sometimes there is a chemistry among players and sometimes not. If there is, the group is good. That’s entertainment. That’s “really playing”.
Keep in mind - no matter how good someone is they can always learn something from someone else. When they can no longer learn, they are no longer good. A sincere want to continue to learn and the dedication of wanting to play is the making of one that “can really play”.
Success does not come easy. Neither does being good. Success is different in everyone’s eyes. To me it is as simple as a band getting together and having a good sound. To others it is the extreme – fame and fortune. Just remember not to let the enjoyment of music turn into a monster by putting the target too far away to hit. Of the millions that try, only a small percent see themselves in the spotlight. That can be depressing. Never let an enjoyable activity become a depressant. To become and remain successful at any level you have to keep a focus – music. If you believe being a member of a band is a way to attract members of the opposite sex, is a night out away from the significant other to spool it up, or a time to get drunk or high on other than music, then the success will never be realized.
So the next time you see that ad or want to join that group, go for it. You will soon realize musicians are a loose knit group always ready to expand. They welcome others with the same interests. They enjoy music, they enjoy jamming, and they can all share some knowledge with each other. The knowledge you obtain will make you good.
