Opinion,What will make YOU better?

[basilh]

Have you wondered why the top players are so good, one of the reasons is that they are constantly diversifying stylistically as they play varied sessions, and have to remember the stylistic nuances they have applied to each performers records.

[Larry Bressington]

Pressure , is one of the ingredients that help develop skill's, [ only one of the very few ingredients]

[Bo Borland]

reminds me of that old joke... a guy carrying a guitar case asks an guy carrying a saxophone case
"How do you get to Carnegie Hall?"
The sax player answers "practice "

[Don Brown, Sr.]

Another thing that will make "anyone" a better player, is "BEING WILLING TO LISTEN" to what ones who do know, (who may want to help) by telling them what they're doing wrong, without that person feeling they're simply being criticized in their inability to play/or to play well.

I honestly believe that's the reason there isn't many more achieved players willing to waste their breath.

It's wrong to NOT tell folks (who ask your opinion) exactly how or what you are hearing in their playing that could be corrected to make their playing better.

The worst thing a person can do, it to take (what could possibly be) bad advice from players who aren't yet, themselves, up to the finer points of playing well. Above all else, keep an open mind.

There are many "Outstanding Players" here, who, (if a person is willing to listen to) would be of great help.

Baz, is one (at times) who (reminds me of myself in telling it like it is)comes on strong (in his unique way) of expressing his Honest opinions on things. But I'll add to that, by saying, he is one who knows what he's talking about! And there are many others on here as well, that can make big differences, if listened to when they try to help.

Some tunes on you tube make me cringe from wanting to say exactly what I'm hearing. But evidently they don't hear it as being that way, or some of it would never be aired. Simply playing "In Tune" period, will make any player sound 1,000% better than playing out of tune, or with pedals and/or knees not pulling true or returning true. Either way, it's still playing out of tune.

So again, above all else, developing great ears, is a Great Big Step, to being capable of playing well, and sounding good.

Remember: "The best player in the world, would sound like the worst, if he/she played out of tune."

[Danny Bates]

Larry Bressington said:

Pressure , is one of the ingredients that help develop skill's, [ only one of the very few ingredients]

So true Larry! I always crack up when a guy can play good until the record light is on ... the "pressure cooker" kills his ability to shine.

The other night pretty girl came up and sang "Respect" by Aretha Franklin with us. She had a great voice and nailed it really good. but her timing was way too laid back. I very politely asked her if I could give her some advice. She said "yes". I told her (in laymens terms) to listen to the drums and try to sing in time with the drums because she was falling way behind the timing of the song. This girl completely went crazy that I could tell her something like that. I later found out she had flunked out on an audition with "American Idol"... I guess Simon had "ripped her a new one" and I got all of her anger towards him! .... maybe I think timing is too important? Oh well, she certainly couldn't handle the pressure of criticism. I hope her future husband likes her cooking!

[Larry Bressington]

Beleive me, If she's not hearing the drums, she's not hearing you!
So you got all that pent up sexual frustration released to you then???
Next time somebody tells me that a paticular female singer can scream, i'll know what to exspect!

[Danny Bates]

I guess she took the song to heart and really expected some "Respect". I also expect she took our backround singing of all those obnoxious "Sock it to me" parts and decided to take that to heart too! She really "socked it to me".... although it was not "just a little bit".

Sorry about the topic drift... my "thin skin" was torn but healed once she walked away...

I was just trying to make the point that you can have great pitch and tone, but having bad timing totally ruins it for me. Imagine having to slow down on the part where she spells R.E.S.P.E.C.T.... we earn our money!

[James Morehead]

Yeah, nothing worse than bad timing. Except out of tune and bad timing.

[Larry Bressington]

Then there are those who start in the wrong key, and look at you, and then the audience look at you like this?????????????? The band is in the wrong key The singers mothers always have that same look dont they? Your supposed to follow the singer!
Put yur head down and keep it down!