Donovan Banks wrote
singemonkey wrote
But if you can blow peoples' minds in a couple of styles you need to place yourself way beyond halfway.
That depends on the company you keep.
The guys I jam with think I'm awesome, my mates who play think I'm.... actually I don't know, they never say. Basically I get the feeling that there is no blowing of anything when I play. :-[
Well, in the same way, Joe Pass wouldn't have been all that impressed jamming with Jimmy Page. It doesn't mean Page wasn't a spectacular player at one point - quite capable of leaving fans howling at the moon. I think when the audience can really enjoy your playing - not just the song, but actually the guitar playing itself - you've hit good status. When you can blow their minds, you're very good. When you can blow other good guitarists' minds, you're hitting the peaks.
Jimmy Page and Angus Young were very good. But Danny Gatton was a freakin' amazing player.
I think if an audience can be impressed by your playing - knowing nothing else about you (i.e., not as in, "wow, he's improved.") - you're getting good. Even if you're "playing to your strengths." Robert Johnson was amazing, but I doubt he would have been too hot on a basic classical piece or playing electric jazz guitar.
