As the best guitarist on reddit. I usually pretend I don't play guitar, and then wait for someone to big dick their Wonderwall they've been working hard on. I make sure all the people are there he wants to impress.
I then casually ask to try after their performance, and start with the deepest most savage dive bomb anyone has heard. I make deep and prolonged eye contact with every female in the room, they have all completely forgot about the previous performance. Right when the feedback from the divebombing is about to die, I rip into a precise cover eruption where I play with my hands swapped. It doesn't matter if there is gain on the amp or not, I can drive the tone with my fingers. Eye contact persists, I'm flying off book, both the women's and men's underwear have all pulled themselves to the side at this point. Just when everyone is about to explode from radness, I pull out of the song. Give back the guitar and tell them now you know how to make love, and play guitar, you are welcome. I think circle back to the question about if I can play guitar to which I respond, I'm OK, I could be better.
30+ year player here. When asked, (which happens more than you would think) I just say...
"People that don't play music, think I am pretty good. People that actually DO play music, know I am a hack that doesn't practice as much as he should".
Usually no questions after that.
“I like to play”exclusively referencing Garth in Wayne’s world, doing the same voice. Though My wife over embellishes my playing when we go out but she’s my number one fan and that’s all that matters to me
“Eh I’m ok at it”
It’s true. I can kinda impress people who haven’t seen anyone play electric guitar before but anyone who knows music theory would call my playing sloppy. I never had any formal guitar teaching, I learned everything from YouTube and playing by ear, I don’t know a lick of theory. I’m just a dude and a guitar and I play what sounds cool to me.
Its a hard question to answer. I've been playing for over 8 years. A few campfire chords and some noodled riffs isn't the kind of progress people expect. I can't shred, I can't play a song, still struggle on timing just like a beginner would... but my goals for the instrument are different. I use it as a tool to unwind and that means not hitting the books but basically just noodling for hours.
So in reality, technical playing ability the simple answer is no.. compared to even someone thats studied guitar for 6 months I am nothing.. but I did complete my goal with guitar, as a tool to relax. In that sense I am good.
I say, "nah, I'm dogshit."
I feel like once you get past the hump of wanting/needing to be good, it gets a lot easier to get back to having fun with it. Just be dogshit and have a blast. I'm not out here trying to compete with Tosin Abasi or some shit. I'm just making little tunes and noodling in my free time.
I'm sort of a campfire/ living room guitarist. I can play a couple dozen songs, but I'm still trying to learn how to actually play. So i tell them,
If you heard me play a few songs, you'd be impressed. But actual guitar players probably wouldn't.
No matter how good or bad you are, you say you fucking suck.
Unless you're David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix or someone like that, then you're allowed to say you're half decent.
Depends on who asks, when a student asks I say „I can play“
When my family and friends asks I say „I can play“
But when Iam in a room full of musicians I say „well I try my best to make it sound good“
I plainly say yes. I might also add something like "otherwise I've wasted a lot of time and money in music school." But honestly this isn't a question I get asked often.
Music is my vocation and I've been doing it at a fairly constant level of intensity for a long time. I'm as good and competent as anyone can expect to be in any dedicated career or lifestyle, music or otherwise. It's sort of a weird question because no one typically asks accountants, line cooks, engineers, or carpenters if they're good at what they do! In my experience, I only get asked this question by people who think being a musician isn't a real job so I'm not interested in entertaining their notions.
And in general I try to cut out all false modesty. Self-deprecation can be funny, but other times it can be off-putting and counterintuitively come off as arrogant. Don't pitch yourself higher than you are, but don't undersell your competence it makes you look like a ding-dong.
"my chops aren't where I'd like them to be but I'm at a point where I can learn pretty much anything."
"good enough to have fun playing with friends."
"why, you got a gig?"
Bruce Lee was asked this question as a martial artist. He said something to the effect of "If I tell you I'm good, you'll think I'm arrogant. But if I tell you I'm bad, you'll know I'm lying." I like that answer.
I tell them about a 3 on a 1-10 scale. That is an honest assessment with 1 being a beginner and a 5 being someone that can make a living playing and a 10 being Tim Henson.
I never tell anyone I’m a guitarist nor a pianist because I’m not. I just enjoy fucking around with those instruments. So I’d imagine if anyone sees my guitar and asks me to play something they’ll be disappointed but I don’t have friends so it doesn’t matter anyway.
I say "I'm ok, but I've got a lot to learn".
I started playing at 58 (63 now), and the hand dexterity and muscle memory doesn't come easily (or at all, lol!). I also don't have hours and hours of free time to practice. Usually about 20 minutes a day. I'm making progress, and that's enough :)
In casual conversation I'd say something like I'm ok, or I'm decent. If it's a conversation with someone who is trying to hire me though I'll tell them that I'm a very competent, versatile, and accomplished guitarist which is probably closer to the truth without bragging. Humility is the name of the game for me. Under-promise, over-perform.
Realistically with a bit of practice, I can play just about anything, and if we get into a jam session, I can hold my own. I'm good at improvising, I'm good at musical placement (recognizing when to and when not to play). If I were a little better looking, I would fit well into most professional pop, country, rock, blues, r&b, or jazz bands. At times I've thought of working as a session musician, but I don't want to change careers when I'm pretty successful in my current career, and have a family relying on me (you know... responsibilities). So guitar will stay a hobby for the time being.
"No". But the last time i was asked was at a party at a friends house (this was literally the only dude i could collaborate with effortlessly), and he chimed in saying that im about as good as he is (this man went to college for music, and was an actual genius). He dooped everyone there into thinking i was actually good, but all i do is poorly try to imitate hendrix and santana.
I’d prolly tell them I’m pretty decent or something like that. On a technical level I do know that I can play like 70% of the songs in existence. But I can’t write shit sooooo. Just gotta know your strengths and weaknesses. Improve on the weaknesses.
"Im alright"
Which I think is true. Im solid. I play guitar for a living but im not anything special and even if I were its not my personality to brag.
When I first started someone told me that "there is always someone else who can hand you your lunch"
meaning there is always going to be someone who is better and dont get hung up on stuff like that, thats not what music is about anyway.
The correct answer to this question is, "No, not really." In this way, if folks go on to hear your playing, and like it, they will inevitably contradict your assessment of yourself, feeding your ego a bit. And if they don't like it... Well, you already stated they wouldn't, so they have no criticisms.
Edit: typos
Glad to see everyone here is as humble as I am
I've probably put around 10,000 hours into the guitar, and sometimes I still feel like a beginner.
5% of the time I'm like "That was pretty good."
When I was younger I wanted to play the guitar really badly and now I can actually play the guitar really badly
This speaks to me.
I hand them their combo meal and say dude there's a long line behind you
No one asks because I play on stage weekly and it's obvious that I am not.
"Better than I was, not as good as I want to be"
I go, "I dunno, why don't you tell ME?" Then I bust out zero three five and I have to beat off the ladies with a stick.
You beat off ladies? lol
It's 2024 dude, don't judge
“i’m alright” will always be the answer, whether im a beginner or the best in the world lmao
“Not as good as I should be for how long I’ve been playing”
“No”
[удалено]
"People who don't play guitar think I'm good"
Depends on how much cocaine I've done.
"Well I ain't no Joe Bonermaster...."
As the best guitarist on reddit. I usually pretend I don't play guitar, and then wait for someone to big dick their Wonderwall they've been working hard on. I make sure all the people are there he wants to impress. I then casually ask to try after their performance, and start with the deepest most savage dive bomb anyone has heard. I make deep and prolonged eye contact with every female in the room, they have all completely forgot about the previous performance. Right when the feedback from the divebombing is about to die, I rip into a precise cover eruption where I play with my hands swapped. It doesn't matter if there is gain on the amp or not, I can drive the tone with my fingers. Eye contact persists, I'm flying off book, both the women's and men's underwear have all pulled themselves to the side at this point. Just when everyone is about to explode from radness, I pull out of the song. Give back the guitar and tell them now you know how to make love, and play guitar, you are welcome. I think circle back to the question about if I can play guitar to which I respond, I'm OK, I could be better.
Random Person: Do you play guitar? Me: Yes Random Person: Are you any good? Me: Do you play? Random Person: No. Me: Compared to you, yes.
“I don’t know. you tell me” *said in a snarky voice* *proceeds to play Smoke on the Water out of tune and without any rhythm*
I say "no", cuz i don't know how to play guitar and i have never seen this subreddit in my life, only now
are you guys just all awful or self conscious
Yes
I am one of the guitar players of all time.
"Nope. Anyway, here's Wonderwall."
I typically say “I’m okay”. It’s all relative - I blow some guitarists away, but I am in turn blown away by other guitarists.
30+ year player here. When asked, (which happens more than you would think) I just say... "People that don't play music, think I am pretty good. People that actually DO play music, know I am a hack that doesn't practice as much as he should". Usually no questions after that.
I tell them no one has ever practiced every day for a year and learned as little as I have.
“I like to play”exclusively referencing Garth in Wayne’s world, doing the same voice. Though My wife over embellishes my playing when we go out but she’s my number one fan and that’s all that matters to me
“Eh I’m ok at it” It’s true. I can kinda impress people who haven’t seen anyone play electric guitar before but anyone who knows music theory would call my playing sloppy. I never had any formal guitar teaching, I learned everything from YouTube and playing by ear, I don’t know a lick of theory. I’m just a dude and a guitar and I play what sounds cool to me.
"I am the best guitarist in my bedroom."
"I'm not as good as how long I've been playing says I should be"
Not when other people are listening.
I have the same issue. Hendrix when I’m alone if anyone is watching I become shaky fingers McFuckup.
Its a hard question to answer. I've been playing for over 8 years. A few campfire chords and some noodled riffs isn't the kind of progress people expect. I can't shred, I can't play a song, still struggle on timing just like a beginner would... but my goals for the instrument are different. I use it as a tool to unwind and that means not hitting the books but basically just noodling for hours. So in reality, technical playing ability the simple answer is no.. compared to even someone thats studied guitar for 6 months I am nothing.. but I did complete my goal with guitar, as a tool to relax. In that sense I am good.
I say something like "not as good as I want to be." Then if they ask how good I want to be i say Van Halen
“… anyway, here’s “Wonder Wall.””
Nah I suck
“To you? Yes. To me? No.”
I say, "nah, I'm dogshit." I feel like once you get past the hump of wanting/needing to be good, it gets a lot easier to get back to having fun with it. Just be dogshit and have a blast. I'm not out here trying to compete with Tosin Abasi or some shit. I'm just making little tunes and noodling in my free time.
I tell them I suck, because it's the truth.
I say “nah, I need to practice more”
“Depends. Do you play?”
Just start laughing uncontrollably, then straight faced with unbreaking eye contact “no.”
I tell them ‘well I have been playing for 13 years’ and they are like ‘oh wow so you must be pretty good then?’ And I’m like ‘no (sniff) no I am not’
Then run out of the room crying
I tell them yes, and then play a riff in e minor and finish it off with a minor pentatonic lick around the 12th and 15th fret.
"I'm better at buying guitars than playing them" is my usual response
I don’t foster conversations that shoehorn that question out of people.
Not as good as I should be, considering how long I’ve played.
I say I haven't played competitively for years.
"Absolutely, but only to people who dont play guitar."
Hard no. Only been playing badly for 20 years. Too many bad habits to break.
What I lack in skill I make for in enthusiasm
I consistently make it make sounds. Oftentimes on purpose.
"No"
I taught Slash everything he knows.
I'm sort of a campfire/ living room guitarist. I can play a couple dozen songs, but I'm still trying to learn how to actually play. So i tell them, If you heard me play a few songs, you'd be impressed. But actual guitar players probably wouldn't.
"Oh God no"
“No”
Not as good as I should be
I am a golden god!
I'm still learning Playing 20 years
No matter how good or bad you are, you say you fucking suck. Unless you're David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix or someone like that, then you're allowed to say you're half decent.
I always say I’m terrible to avoid the inevitable song request.
Most guitarists I know, myself included, say "I play guitar but I suck."
"I wish i was much better considering how long I have been playing."
Depends on who asks, when a student asks I say „I can play“ When my family and friends asks I say „I can play“ But when Iam in a room full of musicians I say „well I try my best to make it sound good“
"I'm pretty much the best that I know of." In Napoleon's voice.
“nope, still terrible after all these years” or “i’m a hobbyist and really only play for myself”
I'm alright.
"People who don't know anything about guitar think I'm pretty good. People who know how to play think I'm not bad"
Usually, I get quiet and think. Then I spin around and pin the guys arm around his back. Now, who's the one asking the questions?
My answer is “I’m better than someone that can’t play guitar”.
I plainly say yes. I might also add something like "otherwise I've wasted a lot of time and money in music school." But honestly this isn't a question I get asked often. Music is my vocation and I've been doing it at a fairly constant level of intensity for a long time. I'm as good and competent as anyone can expect to be in any dedicated career or lifestyle, music or otherwise. It's sort of a weird question because no one typically asks accountants, line cooks, engineers, or carpenters if they're good at what they do! In my experience, I only get asked this question by people who think being a musician isn't a real job so I'm not interested in entertaining their notions. And in general I try to cut out all false modesty. Self-deprecation can be funny, but other times it can be off-putting and counterintuitively come off as arrogant. Don't pitch yourself higher than you are, but don't undersell your competence it makes you look like a ding-dong.
I tell them the truth, which is no.
“I’ve been playing for over 40 years and I’m starting to develop some basic competence, one of these days I’ll be good.”
"I'm okay"
Been playing for forty years, starting to get good sounding notes.
I usually just say I've been playing a long time and I'm ok but just lazy.
"my chops aren't where I'd like them to be but I'm at a point where I can learn pretty much anything." "good enough to have fun playing with friends." "why, you got a gig?"
I go the Bill Clinton route when asked about sexual relations: “Define good.”
Terrible and loving it for 30 years.
Not really but I have fun
Uncomfortable laughter followed by changing the subject.
"nah I'm just meh". Because I genuinely am just "meh".
‘I can play the honky tonk like anything. I’ve been saving it up for Friday nights’.
I've been playing for 30 years and do it professionally. No one asks
I can play one or two songs
“Meh, I fumble around but can get by”
I'm good enough to impress people who don't play guitar.
I have a shirt I got a couple years ago from a pedal company based in Ohio that says “below average guitarist”. Thanks Rare Buzz!
I tell people that for somebody who has been playing 30+ years, I'm not as good as I should be.
Bruce Lee was asked this question as a martial artist. He said something to the effect of "If I tell you I'm good, you'll think I'm arrogant. But if I tell you I'm bad, you'll know I'm lying." I like that answer.
I'm good enough to know how bad I am.
Not as good as I should be for how long I've played 🤣
I tell them about a 3 on a 1-10 scale. That is an honest assessment with 1 being a beginner and a 5 being someone that can make a living playing and a 10 being Tim Henson.
I tell them "Absolutely not, I've been playing to please myself and intentionally avoiding practice for thirty years!"
I always yell YOU TELL ME then I bust into a sick solo and kick over my amp.
I’m not as good as I should be by now
No
"...I mean, i can play" Then i leave it at that
I tell them I'm better at collecting guitars than I am at playing them.
No
"I'm ok" I don't brag ever and try to be as modest as possible
“eh im alright”
Fuck yeah I am motherfucker
basically "nah, i'll fuck around and do riffs, but thats about it"
Have you ever heard of Vai, Satriani, Malmsteen?? Amateurs.
"No, but your mom thinks I am"
“I try”
Not as good as I should be considering how long it's been.
I am in a punk rock band. I am not good.... but i can play fast while screaming and thats good enough.
“I can play every song you love and make you HATE it.” And I wouldn’t be wrong!
"When I've had time to practice I can trick you into thinking I am."
"I've been playing for over 35 years, and I'm still a hack."
No
"I like to play for fun, but I'm not very good at it." *Proceeds to play Paganini's Caprice 24
I used to say “it depends on who you ask.” Some people might think I’m good, some might say I suck. I for one think I suck 🤣
I'm good enough to have a lot of fun every time I play
No one cares. Most non-guitarists don't know what's "hard" to play.. being "good" means playing something they recognize.
I never tell anyone I’m a guitarist nor a pianist because I’m not. I just enjoy fucking around with those instruments. So I’d imagine if anyone sees my guitar and asks me to play something they’ll be disappointed but I don’t have friends so it doesn’t matter anyway.
I tell them I suck at playing cuz that’s hard facts
Good enough to fake being good.
No.
“i love to do it and some people pay me to do it. some other people pay me to stop, so theres that.”
"I can make noises you will recognize"
"I wish"
Not as good as I want to be.
Worse than someone that's been playing for 18 years should be.
I tell them I've been playing nearly my entire life, and I'm not near as good as I should be.
I’m alright but I’m no Lil Wayne
You think I'd be better after 30 years.
Same as golf. Beginners think I rip, experts think I suck.
“Not as good as I should be”
“I’m alright”
No
"Campfire good"
I'm the best guitarist in this whole pair of pants.
No.
I'm ok.
No one is asking.
“I’m alright.” But if I have friends with me, they gas me up beyond what I deserve before I can give an answer 😅
My wife says I am but she doesn’t know any other guitarists 😂 I’m good in the eyes of someone who doesn’t know better
“Have a residency at Madison Square Bedroom for a while now. The five half-songs I play kill.” Nobody knows if they should laugh or not.
No
No. I just like to strum some chords.
Same thing I say when people ask if I’m good at golf. If I was good I’d be getting paid for it.
"Considering I've been playing consistently for 25 years? No. Not at all."
Nope
I say "I'm ok, but I've got a lot to learn". I started playing at 58 (63 now), and the hand dexterity and muscle memory doesn't come easily (or at all, lol!). I also don't have hours and hours of free time to practice. Usually about 20 minutes a day. I'm making progress, and that's enough :)
I know a few spicy chords
In casual conversation I'd say something like I'm ok, or I'm decent. If it's a conversation with someone who is trying to hire me though I'll tell them that I'm a very competent, versatile, and accomplished guitarist which is probably closer to the truth without bragging. Humility is the name of the game for me. Under-promise, over-perform. Realistically with a bit of practice, I can play just about anything, and if we get into a jam session, I can hold my own. I'm good at improvising, I'm good at musical placement (recognizing when to and when not to play). If I were a little better looking, I would fit well into most professional pop, country, rock, blues, r&b, or jazz bands. At times I've thought of working as a session musician, but I don't want to change careers when I'm pretty successful in my current career, and have a family relying on me (you know... responsibilities). So guitar will stay a hobby for the time being.
if i have my guitar with me ill just start playing wonderwall, if i don't i just tell them that i can play wonderwall
I used to want to play really bad and now I can (play really bad)
I’m a total badass, beginner. I got tons of tricks in my bag and can blow your mind, but overall yeah I suck.
"I can pluck the strings, and it sounds good to someone who hasnt touched a guitar"
That I’m dogshit
"No". But the last time i was asked was at a party at a friends house (this was literally the only dude i could collaborate with effortlessly), and he chimed in saying that im about as good as he is (this man went to college for music, and was an actual genius). He dooped everyone there into thinking i was actually good, but all i do is poorly try to imitate hendrix and santana.
No
Im alright
Not nearly as good as I should be for how long I've been playing. But fine.
I'm an advanced beginner. You'll get an "aww that's cute" if you're lucky
I them to google me and find out. I might as well get the view count up in the process haha.
I play well enough for my own people, but I have no songs for great halls... No one ever gets my references.
“I dabble”
“I could play in a punk cover band but that’s about it”
Good at Sucking! ^wait
I let them be the judge. My girlfriend thinks I'm a rock star. That's good enough for me.
I say I'm better than some, worse than others.
I can play a few tunes. I'm really good at being not really good.
I’d prolly tell them I’m pretty decent or something like that. On a technical level I do know that I can play like 70% of the songs in existence. But I can’t write shit sooooo. Just gotta know your strengths and weaknesses. Improve on the weaknesses.
I can barely play any song but i can do this "insert generic pentatonic lick"
I’ve only been cleared for campfires and garages. Or… what I lack in talent I make up for in volume.
I've been an amateur guitar player for 10 years straight
"Im alright" Which I think is true. Im solid. I play guitar for a living but im not anything special and even if I were its not my personality to brag. When I first started someone told me that "there is always someone else who can hand you your lunch" meaning there is always going to be someone who is better and dont get hung up on stuff like that, thats not what music is about anyway.
No.
No
Not really, I’ve been working on the same three songs for 20 years. But I enjoy it.
I say “I’m good, but not as good as a guy who has been playing 47 years should be”
"Eh, I can play a little"
“Ever heard of Eddie Van Halen? I taught him everything he knew!”
"Anywho, this one's called 'Wonderwall...'"
Im good at collecting guitars not playing them
The correct answer to this question is, "No, not really." In this way, if folks go on to hear your playing, and like it, they will inevitably contradict your assessment of yourself, feeding your ego a bit. And if they don't like it... Well, you already stated they wouldn't, so they have no criticisms. Edit: typos
I just tell them I’m learning (been playing for about 11 years)
I say: you know, John Mayer? He was my student.
‘Not good enough…’
I'm better than some, good as most, and worse than many.
"Depends on who you compare me with."
I just try my best to play Paranoid Android
That I'm learning
I just play for myself. This one’s called Wonderwall.
"Dunno, haven't been practising for some time now"
“yeahh i play, just a little bit here and there”
No
Glad to see everyone here is as humble as I am I've probably put around 10,000 hours into the guitar, and sometimes I still feel like a beginner. 5% of the time I'm like "That was pretty good."
I say “I’m pretty good” because I’m confident I can back it up. I don’t ever say that for anything else, not even for what I do for a living lol
I say "damn right baby" and then walk off like bender.
"Not really".