Do you ever hear someone's music and think what a rank amateur you are?

[osiris]

This happened to me several times. It happened last night, but I felt better when I found out the artist was one of the hottest names around and has every available tool at her disposal.

[imrae]

Björk. So many great, distinct ideas that I couldn't have created because I wouldn't have expected them to work.

[vurt]

errr i know im a rank amateur, without even hearing a note from anyone else. doesn't stop me enjoying it

[mjolnir]

with a few exceptions, i'm never able to come close to the same styles as my favorite bands. no matter how hard i try, i can't get the same kind of music happening. the only exceptions turn out to be styles and bands that i don't really like; i do know how to make some of those styles. but not even many of those styles, actually, can i make either.

i had a phase where i was pretty good, back in 2015 or so. but i lost all copies of my work and my brain degraded and i haven't been able to be at that level ever since. even earlier this year i was more creative and more mentally powerful. i just can't concentrate much on music, my mind is just broken.

[funky lime]

nah, if i hear something that rocks me, i tend to find inspiration in it rather than self-loathing. you are what you eat, so to speak, so it seems counterproductive to feel bad about eating really well.

[crimsonwarlock]

Boston's 'More than a Feeling' has always been one of my favorite rock songs, but after seeing/hearing Rick Beato's analysis of that song, I realized I will not ever be able to get to that level of performance and production mastery.

I don't feel bad about that, though, I just like the song even more because of it. And I learned a lot of that analysis.

[BazJacuzzi]

All the time, and I'm sure that person feels the same way about lots of other people. Seems healthy to me.

[Bunny_boy]

Of course

[harryupbabble]

rank amateur
for sure

my heros music triggers fun chemicals in me
i guess they are like drugs
i've not taken heavy drugs
i've taken aspirin
that one sorta does make my headaches go away
but i don't need aspirin
certain songs makes me forget my headache
none of my songs can do that

i want to make songs that are like my musical heros...
able to trigger fun chemicals
but i'm dreaming and keep on failing

so yup, rank amateur here for sure
but just last week, while browsing at amazon for wall posters...
i saw one that has the words,
"nothing is impossible (until it's done)"

[harryupbabble]

wait a sec, i have to recheck that quote

[harryupbabble]

"it always seems impossible (until it's done)"

[Scrubbing Monkeys]

Oh sure......still to this day.....and it doesnt have to bw anyone famous or pro. I saw a young boy sing Yesterday in my doorway. He didnt even speak english. His tone and delivery was amazing. Was on a session once and the drummer asked to play my guitar. He was far beyond my ability.

[Uncle E]

It's more frustrating when it *doesn't* happen. "That could've been me, if only..."

[jancivil]

I'm hopefully going to encounter people that do things I haven't or can't quite, & pretty frequently.

inspiration in it rather than self-loathing

I can do both!

[mjolnir]

One thing that helps to feel less amateur is the realisation and remembrance that a lot of us are no more than "one man bands", and most of the best of the past were full fledged bands or at least large teams of engineers and session musicians to supplement the lead. So, don't feel bad... if you're making any tunes at all on your own, that's a lot to be proud of.