intimidated by better musicians

[jenkins]

this is just a general topic i was wondering if anyone else struggles with, or if its just me. i have not been playing to long and am not the best in the world, but i noticed that whenever my choir or i follow my father to different speaking engagements, i always become horrified and intimidated by the other musicians in the church we're at. it's sad to say but i have noticed that the more "seasoned" musicians can sometimes be the rudest and most judgemental towards those who are not yet on thier playing level (and to me no one is just perfect, i honestly feel like playing piano and music in general is a life long learning process). i was wondering if anyone would have any suggestions on how to overcome this fear/intimidation AND any playing tips would be great!

[keysoflife06]

I totally agree, I have had to deal with people like that and they feel like just b/c they are more advanced that they can just over look you and like to showboat. I knew a guy that whenever he came to my church, when I let him play he would put a business card holder with his business cards on the keyboard facing the audience. I just look at it as childist games, I am a grown man and it ain't that serious anyway, I love to play music but I understad that my salvation lies is the cross and the word. If they act like that I just let them have it, I dont stroke their egos........the annointing makes the difference anyway. Just operate in your gift and let God elevate you.

[Cm9_Ed]

I believe that we all have had that musician that holds his head up at you and ignores you after church and brushes you off when you try to speak to them and be friendly because he feels that he is above you!! We have to understand that every musician isnt playing for the glory of God. Some are playing for glory unto themselves. I dont know what to say to help you overcome it. I admin I get intimidated sometimes too. It's like they forgot where they came from. Someone had to teach or help them get to their level. You would think they would reach out to those less skillful    You won't find that here at LGM. We all help each other. No inflated craniums here. I think. LOL

[Salvador]

I am a grown man and it ain't that serious anyway, I love to play music but I understad that my salvation lies is the cross and the word. If they act like that I just let them have it, I dont stroke their egos........the annointing makes the difference anyway. Just operate in your gift and let God elevate you.

Umm...Off topic...but why does your gender thing say female? Or was the "I'm a grown man" just a figure of speach?

On topic, I've never really had to deal with that. I guess the closest thing I've had was going to a church with a kinda cocky keyboard player and when we played all I got to do was play stings and pads. I was a little upset because I thought everyone would think I wasn't good. Then I realized I wasn't playing for them; I was playing for God. So what does it matter?

[PianoWizard]

I believe that we all have had that musician that holds his head up at you and ignores you after church and brushes you off when you try to speak to them and be friendly because he feels that he is above you!! We have to understand that every musician isnt playing for the glory of God. Some are playing for glory unto themselves. I dont know what to say to help you overcome it. I admin I get intimidated sometimes too. It's like they forgot where they came from. Someone had to teach or help them get to their level. You would think they would reach out to those less skillful    You won't find that here at LGM. We all help each other. No inflated craniums here. I think. LOL

This sound like what I've been through.....my advice to all would be do the 3 P's
- Pray
- Practise
- Play

PianoWiz...

[jenkins]

i feel you guys and i totally agree. thanx for taking the time to respond,because sometimes when i come across musicians like that i do tend to forget that this is all for god's glory, not man's. 

[musiqisme26]

i used to feel the same way but a person once said no matters how good anyone is remember cant be you so basically i not the best far from it and i know cats that are way better than me but they cant play like me and shouldnt and vice vesra

[Samala]

I can understand this especially for me. Sometimes when we have special services at my church, musicians come in that are so much better than me, that can flow with any song and any person singing. That's not me, at least not me right now. My pastor tries to encourage me and tell me that I am just as good as they are, but that's not altogether true. But one day, as I pray and ask the Lord to continually grow me, and as I practice more, that will be me. And that's what I am endeavoring to become. The people that I meet were just like I am one day, and they had to grow. Its a process, and we have to be patient.

[deandrehodges]

hey there,im new to this site and im loving it.sorry about my month later reply.i deal with this im just starting to improve at playing the keyboard and sometime well a lot of times because i dont know how to play to every song and along with every singer that the church is going to get someone better than me and just use me for emergencies.there has been many time when we have guestand they dont have a musician or if we go out  and are a guest and theres no musician and i would have to play im pretty embarrassed because im good only at my own music,then there has been times where they pulled me off to put someone ten times better than me on i was so humiliated.that is always in my sight.but i keep trying even if i mess up.there so much criticizm.sooo many times when ill mess up and i knew i did im trying find that key or get back on key and ill get criticized and thts the same when im singing.but im not going to stop trying,be encouraged.

[RWILLIAMS3000]

yea i struggle well used to struggle with tthis alot becuzz im still a beginner but i just try to keep the mind set that im not playing for them or to be seen or to showboat but im playin to glorify god and to let him use me in my ministry!!! so when i play i always pray first and tell god to use me no matter whose there or what we plan to sing cuzz in the end its all about God!!!

[caisza]

I totally agree, I have had to deal with people like that and they feel like just b/c they are more advanced that they can just over look you and like to showboat. I knew a guy that whenever he came to my church, when I let him play he would put a business card holder with his business cards on the keyboard facing the audience. I just look at it as childist games, I am a grown man and it ain't that serious anyway, I love to play music but I understad that my salvation lies is the cross and the word. If they act like that I just let them have it, I dont stroke their egos........the annointing makes the difference anyway.
Just operate in your gift and let God elevate you.

I feel u on that one. 

[PapaRooskie]

I've been playing since i was 8 and instead of letting myself get intimidated, i try to pick up as much as i can from other musicians.  For the people who are really rude, i jsut let the bask in the glory of themselves cause that's all they care about anyway.

[Bates]

I felt they way at one time. I know musicians who are like that. I suggest that you do your best to play your style, no one can beat you  at that. Also God knows when you are doing your best. I also know guys who overplay and it takes away from the choir or soloist. Knowing when to back off or hit a lick is important in how your music sounds. Keep your head up.

God bless,

Bates

[dfwkeys]

FEAR ONLY EXIST WHERE THERE'S AN OPPURTUNITY OF FAILURE.

[Docdb04]

-Be Encouraged-

I used to feel the same as many of you and still do at some time or another.  Whenever I see someone who I think is better than myself, (sometimes the person may think that you are better than them) I just try to learn what I could at that point from the person by watching and hearing.  Another thing that I remember is that I only have been playing for about 3 1/2 yrs.  A lot of these musicians I see have been playing for about 10-20 yrs., so of course they are more seasoned than I.  The truth is, is that you are your worst critic.  So your judgement on yourself will be harsh sometimes.  When you see or hear someone play you may sometimes start to compare your skills to their skills.  You can't do that because they have their own style and you have yours.  They may look at you and say you are already on the level you think that I am on.  Everybody has someone that they would love to play like because of the skills that they possess, and that is o.k.  Even the best of musicians.  That feeling is there to keep you humble about your gift.  I am sure Aaron Lindsey and Kevin Bond, have some people that they think is pheonominal (SP) and we think it can't get any better than that.  So take that intimidation that you feel and turn it into a hunger to better your craft.   

Be blessed and be encouraged.

[glyndalin]

Maybe because I know I"m not very good, I just go up to people and say "show me this" or "wow, that was great, can you show me what you did."  I've always got the best responses from other people.  I am my own worst enemy.

[playhear]

Maybe because I know I"m not very good, I just go up to people and say "show me this" or "wow, that was great, can you show me what you did."  I've always got the best responses from other people.  I am my own worst enemy.

Yeah, I've never come across musicians that went out of their way to make me feel low.  I've come across musicians who just don't have the time, are in a rush or whatever.  That's only human.

Sometimes we misinterpret rudeness.  As crazy as it may sound, their rudeness may be their way of caring for you.  This happens in sports all the time.  The experienced athletes are going to knock you around and try to turn you into a man every chance they get.  Most of the times, it’s because they see you can handle the pressure and want to toughen you up.  Tough love is probably the most efficient way to toughen somebody up so they can meet their full potential.