How you know when you are good...

[IEAH_IGR08]

First of all I just want to Thank God, and acknowledge him in everything that i do.  I'm not around a lot of musicians all the time so it is hard to compare yourself to others (just to see where you are, because i strongly feel that it is not a comp.)  So i am wondering if anyone has any thing KNOWLEDGEABLE to say about this subject....

[spider5]

First of all, always remember that it is not a competition, but it is about playing and giving you all to Jesus. One way to know that you are good is when you are playing songs and immediately people know what you are playing. Another way to tell that you ae good and continuing to get better is when you play a song(s) with the record and it is almost lick for lick. You also konw you are good when someone starts to sing a song and ayou have never heard the song before, but you get the key that they are singing in and understand the pattern that the song is going in and you play with the person and it is almost as if you guys practiced the song that way. These are just some ways that you can tell that you are good.

[Rjthakid]

This has always been my definition of good:

Most musicians, including myself, can rip a song that they're familiar with and have practiced in their favorite key.

But my definition of good is when someone starts singing a song you've never heard in your life, in a key like B, in any style (contemp, Traditional, Hymn, Latin, Jazzy, whatever) and you're able to pick them up and sound like you were rehearsing that song before service started.

THAT'S good.  Complete fluency in every key, the ear to pick up just about any chord, and the ability to play any style.

[musallio]

This has always been my definition of good:

Most musicians, including myself, can rip a song that they're familiar with and have practiced in their favorite key.

But my definition of good is when someone starts singing a song you've never heard in your life, in a key like B, in any style (contemp, Traditional, Hymn, Latin, Jazzy, whatever) and you're able to pick them up and sound like you were rehearsing that song before service started.

THAT'S good.  Complete fluency in every key, the ear to pick up just about any chord, and the ability to play any style.

Our P& W team never practices.
We have a player who is "good" but only in 1 key
& then we have a player who meets RJTK's definition

Only problem is he doesn't know any theory.

[Rjthakid]

Our P& W team never practices.
We have a player who is "good" but only in 1 key
& then we have a player who meets RJTK's definition

Only problem is he doesn't know any theory.

I see why you put the word "good" in quotations.

If you can kill in Ab and have to drop out or transpose if a song is in E, then you're not REALLY good.   

[LaylaMonroe]

This has always been my definition of good:

Most musicians, including myself, can rip a song that they're familiar with and have practiced in their favorite key.

But my definition of good is when someone starts singing a song you've never heard in your life, in a key like B, in any style (contemp, Traditional, Hymn, Latin, Jazzy, whatever) and you're able to pick them up and sound like you were rehearsing that song before service started.

THAT'S good.  Complete fluency in every key, the ear to pick up just about any chord, and the ability to play any style.

By your definition, does that mean that a musician who doesn't play by ear will never be "good?"

[sjonathan02]

By your definition, does that mean that a musician who doesn't play by ear will never be "good?"

Yep.

[LaylaMonroe]

Yep.

Wow.  Okey dokey, then. Thanks. 

[musallio]

Wow.  Okey dokey, then. Thanks. 

Hey, that wasn't RJ answering
I'd be interested to know his answer.
That's quite a good question coz I know of some1 who plays beautifully..but they can barely play by ear..

I see why you put the word "good" in quotations.

If you can kill in Ab and have to drop out or transpose if a song is in E, then you're not REALLY good.  

Hahahaahah
Funny coz the 1 I was talking about plays only in Ab..I looked 4 30seconds while I was in the front @ the playing..i thought, OMG, how can U not want to upgrade to all the key if U've been playing for 9 years

Another "good" 1 kills in F#, but when he re10s from holidays, I'll encourage him 2 upgrade.

[sjonathan02]

Hey, that wasn't RJ answering
I'd be interested to know his answer.
That's quite a good question coz I know of some1 who plays beautifully..but they can barely play by ear..

Not that I know either of them, but think Richard Smallwood vs. John Tesh. 

I believe that Smallwood can play with or without sheet music and it's going to be beautiful.

John Tesh, I believe will play the snot out of anything that's written in front of him; but, remove the sheet music and I think he'll be lost.

Again, I don't know either of them personally, so I'm just giving my opinion, as well as, my opinion on what RJ calls "good". 

[themidiroom]

First of all, always remember that it is not a competition, but it is about playing and giving you all to Jesus. One way to know that you are good is when you are playing songs and immediately people know what you are playing. Another way to tell that you ae good and continuing to get better is when you play a song(s) with the record and it is almost lick for lick. You also konw you are good when someone starts to sing a song and ayou have never heard the song before, but you get the key that they are singing in and understand the pattern that the song is going in and you play with the person and it is almost as if you guys practiced the song that way. These are just some ways that you can tell that you are good.

Great definition.  I would also add that when you're good you can "move" your audience.  I've been around musicians that had good chops but their playing didn't convey anything.  It's hard to describe but there are some musicians that really make you feel with they're playing and it doesn't have to be the ones with the most technical ability.

[LaylaMonroe]

I would also add that when you're good you can "move" your audience.  I've been around musicians that had good chops but their playing didn't convey anything.  It's hard to describe but there are some musicians that really make you feel with they're playing and it doesn't have to be the ones with the most technical ability.

I completely agree.

[under13]

Great definition.  I would also add that when you're good you can "move" your audience.  I've been around musicians that had good chops but their playing didn't convey anything.  It's hard to describe but there are some musicians that really make you feel with they're playing and it doesn't have to be the ones with the most technical ability.

I consider that part of "the anointing".

I play alright, but I wont consider myself "good" until I can hang with the "big boys"

[musallio]

Not that I know either of them, but think Richard Smallwood vs. John Tesh. 

I believe that Smallwood can play with or without sheet music and it's going to be beautiful.

John Tesh, I believe will play the snot out of anything that's written in front of him; but, remove the sheet music and I think he'll be lost.

Again, I don't know either of them personally, so I'm just giving my opinion, as well as, my opinion on what RJ calls "good". 

Hey, U mentioning some big names there

I think the definition of "good" should be broadened to accomodate some players we've cast aside

[LaylaMonroe]

Hey, U mentioning some big names there

I think the definition of "good" should be broadened to accomodate some players we've cast aside

Perhaps "good" is subjective.  Maybe it's okay for one person's definition of "good" to differ from that of another person.

[sjonathan02]

Hey, U mentioning some big names there

I think the definition of "good" should be broadened to accomodate some players we've cast aside

I meant to go big, so that one could have a clearer understanding of what I am trying to illustrate.

Good IS subjective. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

[musallio]

Perhaps "good" is subjective.  Maybe it's okay for one person's definition of "good" to differ from that of another person.

I'm with U on that 1 LaRue

There are many people I consider good..even U are good in my opinion

[LaylaMonroe]

I'm with U on that 1 LaRue

There are many people I consider good..even U are good in my opinion

Thanks, but I think you just ruined your chances of having anyone take your opinion seriously... LOL! 

[musallio]

Thanks, but I think you just ruined your chances of having anyone take your opinion seriously... LOL! 

I think it would just be jealousy on their part.
Nothing is lost because we said good is relative anyway.

Let me share a story about players at our church:

4 a good 8 years we had a player (who could & still only plays in Ab).
Every1 is in love with the style he plays...the style that our church and many others are accustomed to.
But when a new guy came in, he wasn't playing the fast stuff & ol, so people were saying that he is not good etc.

I went to the guy on the 3rd Sunday & got to know him better. (this was before I ever touched a board).
The guy told me he could play in all the keys etc.

I asked him what he thinks of the other player's playing, he said it's ok.
He told me about the importance of playing in different situations. He didn't tell me though that he could play all that stuff that the people at church want until he Wowed every1!!!

The guy is mean I tell U. he plays all that even better than this other guy..so he shut many blabbers up!

He also introduced synthesizing at church, & that brought in a whole new dimension into our services.
Not to mention that the choir is making a name for itself in the region because of his expertise.

Now that's good

I meant to go big, so that one could have a clearer understanding of what I am trying to illustrate.

Good IS subjective. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

YEP!

[T-Block]

Perhaps "good" is subjective.  Maybe it's okay for one person's definition of "good" to differ from that of another person.

CO-SIGN!!!

Good IS subjective. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

Another CO-SIGN!!