How many times have you hear the common discussion if one musician is "better" than the other? or if you are a musician or a music student, how many awkward moments have you suffer when someone tries to "compare" your playing with some other colleague?; or even worst, How many times have you put yourself into the firing line when you compare your own playing with other musician than seems to be "superior"?
Sadly, the world of music is full of wrong conception that can lead the students, amateurs and even professional players to get stuck and frustrated in their path to success. One of those misconceptions is that music is a field where we can compare one musician to another like if we are in a horse's race, looking forward to see who plays better than the other, who plays faster, who plays the most difficult changes and who is younger than his pair. This way of thinking is absolutely wrong and let me tell you why.
If we put two musicians on the same conditions, let say, in the same rehearsing room, with the same instrument, both with the same level of musical knowledge and we ask them to play just one note, the same note, that note (even with all the other external conditions been the same) is going to sound different. Because both musicians are a totally different person from one another. It's seems pretty obvious doesn't it? But is not.
Every one of our hypothetical musician had come from different path, raised from different families, had lived distinct experiences, heard diverse kind of music, and also each one of them has his own particular anatomical structure. All those factors (there are more than the ones I've mention) blended in one unique form what makes the musician A, absolutely different from the musician B, that's the reason why the note played sound so particular on each one.
We can't compare objects that are so distant in his constitutive characteristics, is impossible. Is like comparing apples with pears, yes they are fruits (yes, they are both musicians) but they are so diverse in taste, shape, color, etc; that they aren't matter of comparison. The same happen in the musical field. Every musician is unique, so no one can sound better than you, because it is impossible that the other musicians would be able to magically transform into yourself. Until this point have you follow me through, right? Have you figure it out the best part so far?
Exactly, you made it? The only person equal to yourself, that it's to say, the only other musician with can you be compare to (and compete) is your own self. So, you have to compete with your own self to get better, not to be superior to anyone, no, it is impossible, (everyone are a completely marvelous musicians). Try to learn more in order to be able to help others in their musical path to success. Share the knowledge you have, focus on be a better person today that what you've been yesterday.
Learn from every musician you know and in the process try to share your experiences, your thoughts. Forget misconception of "better/worse" player. Every sound you make is the most beautiful sound you have ever heard (as Kenny Werner once said). Work one that note to be able to transmit you whole being in the things you'll play.
Music is an art for sharing. The act of sharing is the true treasure in music.
PD: All the pictures are from the film Whiplash (2014)
Happy Practicing.
Carlos.