My bandmates are such killer musicians I feel inadequate.

[doubleR]

Our lead guitarist and our bass player are both amazing musicians. They're the kind of people who can hear a complicated piece, and a few seconds later they're duplicating it perfectly. The guitarist will warm up by playing a Van Halen tune, while the bass player does his warm-up exercises by playing funky slapping and popping like the bass in the Seinfeld theme.

 

What REALLY makes me feel slow is sometimes at band practice someone will suggest a tune we've never tried before. In a few seconds, the guitarist and bassist are ripping away, while I'm standing there feeling out of place because I'm trying to play catch-up.

 

I can "get" most of the stuff we do; however I just can't do it on the fly like they do--it takes me a couple of minutes to think about what I'm doing.

 

 

[Burgess]

Get over it.

 

They wouldn't have you in the band if they didn't think you could contribute. You're bringing something to the table they like whether you know it or not.

[srsfallriver]

I think that's an excellent position to be in. Its going to make you work harder and be better in the long run. If you work hard, the others will notice.

[brassic]

 

Originally posted by doubleR I can "get" most of the stuff we do; however I just can't do it on the fly like they do--it takes me a couple of minutes to think about what I'm doing.

 

 

Everyone learns in a different way. If you're getting the end result you want, then you shouldn't worry too much. And besides, there's very likely something that comes naturally to you that they admire themselves.

[doubleR]

Sometimes I get discouraged and I feel like quitting the band (which I might have done when I was a youngster).

 

However, that feeling passes very quickly, and when I get frustrated it motivates me to work that much harder.

 

Also, the guys in the band are really cool to me...they are very patient folks, and understand how hard I work in between our weekly practice sessions to get the songs down.

[Outrider]

To help battle this feeling, try to keep from downtalking yourself, either with them or in your own head. Your attitude and confidence takes you a long way in the eyes of others and in keeping your own head up.

 

In additon to working hard at your music, try to find other ways in which you can be a strong contributor. Organization, marketing, promotions, etc. are all important contributions to a working band. Musicians are always looking for someone to step up and take on these tasks. in other words, make yourself valuable to the band, and they will appreciate it.

 

Oh, and always bring beer to practice.

[Janx]

Originally posted by Outrider To help battle this feeling, try to keep from downtalking yourself, either with them or in your own head. Your attitude and confidence takes you a long way in the eyes of others and in keeping your own head up. In additon to working hard at your music, try to find other ways in which you can be a strong contributor. Organization, marketing, promotions, etc. are all important contributions to a working band. Musicians are always looking for someone to step up and take on these tasks. in other words, make yourself valuable to the band, and they will appreciate it. Oh, and always bring beer to practice.

 

Good points. After reading all the threads about bands with crappy attitude guys (and the suggestions to dump them, and take a lesser player but better person), the lesson is, it's better to be the cool dude who's got stuff to learn than the jerk who gets kicked out of bands.

[Roy Brooks]

In a band what is most important is how well the musicians play together.

[way2fat]

 

Originally posted by doubleR Sometimes I get discouraged and I feel like quitting the band (which I might have done when I was a youngster). However, that feeling passes very quickly, and when I get frustrated it motivates me to work that much harder. Also, the guys in the band are really cool to me...they are very patient folks, and understand how hard I work in between our weekly practice sessions to get the songs down.

 

 

I'm kind of in the same boat as far as being the weakest link, but I don't get discouraged, I have fun. One thing I have noticed is that the folks that are a lot better than me don't have nearly the chip on their shoulder that the folks who are a little better than me do.

[Aunt Flo]

Originally posted by Burgess Get over it. They wouldn't have you in the band if they didn't think you could contribute. You're bringing something to the table they like whether you know it or not.

 

Unless he owns the PA.

[Prog]

Don't overestimate them anymore than you underestimate yourself. I'm sure they are good musicians, and that's great to hear. But, ...

 

They can duplicate anything perfectly in a few seconds? Untrue. There's many settings that could easily make them look foolish. It's that way with everybody.

 

"someone will suggest a tune we've never tried before. In a few seconds, the guitarist and bassist are ripping away,". Again. Depends on the tune. There are many, many tunes that are easy to pick up quickly. Who's to say they haven't played it before?

 

They are comfortable in their element. You can get comfortable, too.

[twostone]

I'm in the same boat as you I'm the weakest link plus the oldest and the one who takes the longest to learn. But our band appreciates my detication my attitude they know I work my ass off to stay up. They're vets I'm the rookie but it really help me as a bass player and X singer to become alot better player.

[doubleR]

Originally posted by twostone I'm in the same boat as you I'm the weakest link plus the oldest and the one who takes the longest to learn. But our band appreciates my detication my attitude they know I work my ass off to stay up. They're vets I'm the rookie but it really help me as a bass player and X singer to become alot better player.

 

 

We sound a lot alike.

 

Our lead guitarist, bassist, drummer and singer all have years of experience playing in bands and have tons of gigs under their belt. Myself, I picked up the guitar in high school, played on and off for a few years, then didn't touch a guitar for about 15 years. I started playing again about five years ago, and up until that point I had never played in a band.

 

I also practice relentlessly.

 

[flip333]

I also took a long hiatus from music. Then I came back into it full force.

 

I met muscians who did not quit... and they are much better than me. However, I caught up and can hold my own now.

 

Also, there is the "grass is greener on the other side of the fence" thing.

 

Someone will play a riff I do not know... and it sounds like heaven to me... but a lot of that is simply because I do not know it. I have been busy learning other things.

 

For instance, my son's 14 yo friend came over once and played Voodoo Child. I was immediately impressed and felt small because I have never done that. So I decided to learn it. Its not that big of a deal. I do a nice job. Its like when someone makes faces when they play a few guitar chords, they can impress some people like they are doing magic (young girls come to mind).

 

So how do I feel when I do Voodoo Child? Not particularly talented. I do not feel like a big magic rock star. But now I know I can "fake it". That means act like bigshot guitar player.

 

"Fake it tilll you make it".