How do you know when you're good?

It's a question that we ask ourselves over and over again as musicians, but in reality the answer can be very simple. I think what happens is that we search for such grand gestures in our life, love and everything else in between... and especially when it comes to our musical compositions, we question if we're good enough, and if we'll ever get to that point we've always dreamed of.

Well, I think that it all falls into place when we just stop thinking about it. Basically, we'll never get anywhere if we constantly compare our efforts to others, because we all work at our own pace. What were looking for is comfort, and I think that we can find it very naturally with just enough patience, strength and of course a little bit of confidence.

I must say, it's easier said than done, because as a muscian, I can be very hard on myself at times... but it's the little things that help me realize that I'm good.

First and foremost, I consider myself a songwriting before anything else.. when I can write a couple of really good songs a week, then I know that I've come a long way. And also, I play with my eyes shut a lot of times I just try to really feel the music, and that's exactly what I've wanted to do for years. And I've gotten to this point because I've kept very busy as a musician, I always keep moving onto something else, 'something new!'

So, how do you know when you're good? Let me remind you, it's not about what others think, it's about what you think. How do you know you're good

well, i think im good every time learn something new. in between i feel like im getting no where. lol i mean your right it really is how you think, and i mean completity (if thats a word lol) isnt everything. didnt jerry garcia (spelling) try to keep it "loud and simple"? and i mean he kicked same ass. and led zeppelin didnt start off with the hradest of songs to play, like dazed and confused. i mean if you can get together with a few friends and jam and have a good time, to me is being good.

I think your as good as you think you are, not to say you should be cocky. But if you think your good it will show positively in your playing. You shouldn't compare yourself to other or you'll hang yourself.

That's a great point. I play with more confidence when I think I'm better than eddie van

I know I'm good everytime I try to learn a song and I play it with ease.

Yeah most people cant get any better because they try too hard and then they try to compare themselves to the greatest.

Actually sometimes comparing yourself to some1 can help, but not like eric clapton or anything. Because it makes you strive to become better, but then again it also doesn't let you explore your own style.

lol, heres something to think about lol, everytime you feel mad about how you play, think compair your self to your self three days ago lol

sometimes after a practice session i'll think im relly good, but then i'll go home and listen to my Vai CD's and realize that i am not THAT good

well you have to compare our self to the progress you made. i mean you can always get better lol

You have to remember that the one thing that makes people like Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, or Steve Vai is PRACTICE. Plain and simple. These guys have not been blown by a divine wind making them great. It was hours of practice. You can be as good as you want to be it just depends on your desire.

yeah i mean the way i see it, we all like playing guitar right? so its not like oh god i got to practice again... it like ok wahoo guitar lol. just play like everyday make time for it and like it get good. i mean at the worst you stay the same lol. thats what i do play guitar all day lol. spend time with people that play guitar. always be tring to learn something new.

Nowadays I dont really use the term 'good' to rate myself...I tend to think more along the lines of individual. I find myself telling people how so and so is a 'great player' but when I say that the great is only great in my opinion, and partly to do with how unique and individual that player is to me.

I get the greatest feeling from my playing when i write something I never knew I could have written. It even happens when I'm just jamming to myself and recoring it to see where I could improve, sometimes I think, 'wow, where did that come from?' If that happens on stage its even better, and when I'm on stage and I pull off something that i've spent ages practicing and worrying about making a mess of I get a kind of adreneline rush where the nerves suddenly mellow out and its like me and the instrument are one.

I do the close eyes thing too.

I think I'm now getting good because I let myself go and I accept errors in my solos. Before I couldn't stand missing a note, now I don't really care. Don't get me wrong I'm not getting sloppy but I just go with the flow and enjoy the good licks I do and accept the bad.

I've been playing ten years now and just started to solo. I hate to say it but I lost a lot of years because I wasn't happy with my techniques. Don't make the same mistake, enjoy every second.

It's just like in life, sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don't. It's all about getting up and starting over.

Who doesn't like to practice? I consider practice an ordinary thing you just do it everyday, no big deal.

Originally posted by Benoit
I do the close eyes thing too.

I think I'm now getting good because I let myself go and I accept errors in my solos. Before I couldn't stand missing a note, now I don't really care. Don't get me wrong I'm not getting sloppy but I just go with the flow and enjoy the good licks I do and accept the bad.

I've been playing ten years now and just started to solo. I hate to say it but I lost a lot of years because I wasn't happy with my techniques. Don't make the same mistake, enjoy every second.

It's just like in life, sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don't. It's all about getting up and starting over.

Well, I think think it's wonderful when we can just try to lose ourselves in the moment, without feeling self conscious of every move we make. And sometimes, that's when the magic happens, I've found that my best guitar solos are recorded impulsively, and it's amazing feeling when you can accomplish something like that!

And yeah man, we just have to take some chances in life. The only things you'll ever regret are the risks you never took. Live for today, in case tomorrow never comes. And as musicians, it's important to learn to trust ourselves!

well said. its like every time we buy a new guitar, we run the risk of having to find some place new to sleep at night, lol.

That was moving... there is a tear in my eye. Really, but that may be due to the fact that my contact fell out onto my cheek while i was surfing today, so I just stuck it back in... it hurt but I lived but right now i'm crying. Yes, as musicians we must become one with the music.

you never compair your self to the greatest, at the most you set that as you goal. you should be compairing your self to your self and how you make your progress.

yepp u are right.

compair your self with your self.

I just saw a video i recorded one year ago, and I SUCKED big time. I know i can do mutch better now. And I know if i do what i like best for more year i'll get even better.