Playing Around The Lead Guitarist

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 13 Feb 2013 9:26 am

All great ways of saying it Pete. I personally think that it's the band leader's job to keep the players in line. If the leader wants to lead, then he/she needs to tell it like it is to the players . Of course if the band leader is also the culprit, then it's probably time to look for a new situation.

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 13 Feb 2013 9:40 am

once the average bar band guitarist has tasted the nectar of being "lead", there is no turning back (or tuning him down) - build your skills and look to move on. i see this with bar bands all the time - 200+ watt amps & nobody is listening to anyone but themselves...
i think all this came about when musicians stopped singing harmony parts - i can count on 1 hand the bands i have seen lately with even basic 2 part harmony, let alone good 3 part. when you have to listen for your part, suddenly everybody has to shut up - there is no way to hear a tenor/baritone part (or lead for that matter) over someone noodling in the background. i've been fortunate to be in "singing bands" so everyone understood this.

if you get in a band with a "lead" guitarist who doesnt sing....you are gonna be in for a rough time...of course, thats what god made Peavey Session 500's for

Mark Wayne · Post by **Mark Wayne** » 13 Feb 2013 11:15 am

Jason,

It's amazing how many 'good' players - guitar, horns, piano, fiddle, bass, and even steel players play over their fellow band members. Being diplomatic can work to your advantage: One method that may help is saying something like "You're kind of stomping on me there," or "Can we work out where you and I switch between the fills?" A positive request will most often work better than a negative. But... what happpens then is that they might get self conscious and not play much at all, but then eventually getting back to their ways like many have said here.

If saying that is not effective, when you're at practice, make a public statement with everybody in the group listening (including the band leader) mentioning that there is a conflict of fills. There's a good chance this will isolate the culprit and put weight on him or her without mentioning their name. It might make you feel like you're all alone saying that, but it will be for the profit of all!

It's all about respect, but when that energy get's flowing because the crowd is watching....well, people get selfish. Chances are these type of players will never get into a noteworthy band unless they change their nature.

Like Fred said, Work for a band that has a good, knowledgeable bandleader. If you have a good leader who knows music, it can take the psychological load off of you as well. All of this is just my opinion, of course.

If all that don't work go over and unplug their amp cord from the wall and say "you're done".
(just kidding)

Alan Tanner · Post by **Alan Tanner** » 14 Feb 2013 1:14 pm

You guys sure do a lot of boo hooing about the big bad guitar players. In my experience, this is a road traveled by many, and mostly by pickers who are "not getting their share". Yes...that's the ticket...just turn up and bury the other guy...good advice....sounds pro too.
There is an abundance of steelers around with poor timing skills, dont know where "half way" is, and cant lay out. Always chiming, blowing whistles, and throwing in "look at me" licks, effects running rampant, just like the guys you are wanting to tromp.

Dave Biller · Post by **Dave Biller** » 14 Feb 2013 1:58 pm

I agree with you, Alan. Poor taste and lousy stage etiquette are not "instrument specific".