I always have avery accurate idea of exactly where I am in just about everything,and I've been like this from waay back.Reciting poetry,playing recorder,acting in plays in school and in church,virtually everywhere that involved doing something that is watched by others.Even today.Like in college,I failed my third year exams and had to repeat the year.It didn't surprise me.I knew it was gonna happen.And it's not like I intentionally gave wrong answers or anything,but I knew what to expect.
And in guitar,I know exactly where I'm at.And I have a fairly good idea of where I want to get,coz I think about songs(in my head)that I can't play coz I'm not yet that good,but I hear them in my head.
Ther are very few people who are really good that mouth off about it.Even those that really think they're good keep it to themselves.It takes some bit of wisdom to know what to say and what not to say.Plus the really good people know this isn't WWF wrestling.
I met another jerk in a music store the other day.I wasn't even talking to him.I was talking to another guy who we wanted to see.This other guy is a teacher and he's really good,improvising and all.He asks me what I can play.I tell him not a lot.I'd just come from learning a song I like(Six Pence None The Richer's "Kiss Me").So I play that.He's heard it before but can't quite place it.This guy is all over me,telling me to "run",over the fret board.I tell him I can't.Then he goes on about how you're wack if you can't solo.And I'm wondering,what is his obsession with soloing?I mean,in the song I'm playing,there's hardly a solo in there!Then he takes the guitar.And I ask if he's in a band or what."Noooo,I just play at him.But,aaaahhh,I know these things."Don't wait for me to tell you what he plays;crap,for all his fascination with soloing.Then coz we were standing and the guitar is strapless,he starts saying,ooohhh,I'm uncomfortable,blah,blah,blah,but there was a lot of amps and stuff you could lean on and do something decent.
The guy was old enough to be my dad,so I didn't tell him to go **** himself.I probably wouldn't even if he were my agemate,but the idea did cross my mind.
The real artists know that this artform is too complex to simply talk about greatness in a general way.Suckers don't.
Blacksmith talks about those guys who play alone in great halls that sell out every night.I have a feeling these guys are classical guitarists.On what basis would you compare these guys with,say,Vai or hendrix or Yngwie or whoever?
Like I said,it's not that straight forward.
You can be taller than me,but that doesn't make you a better basketball player,even though height is an advantage in basketball.
I'll stop coz I could go on forever.