Some of you must be like me. I always watch guitarists closely and try to pick up on what they are doing.
I've learned a few riffs. Through the years though what I've mainly learned is how a guitar fits into a band: Rhythm not too loud. Lead carving out a frequency that cuts through. Not playing all the time. Varying one's volume and attack to work under and around vocals.
I've learned to play different riffs and such throughout a performance lest I repeat too much and become boring. Seen that happen often over the years.
I've seen plenty of concerts where I didn't learn a damn thing and thought - I wish this band had a good guitarist.
I've learned from seeing club level bands, like mine, that as a or the guitarist you need to blend in and not make it all about you. Too many players do this. Sometimes it is all about you but only sometimes. the rest of the time it's not.
I've also learned how when a club lead player hits his distortion it often gets lost in the mix and makes a sound reminiscent of a swarm of angry bees. Too many notes and no clarity of sound and probably needs less bass, more treble.
A lot of the above actually holds true for acoustic player. I hate seeing someone who just slams a steady rhythm with little or no feel...often fighting with their vocals. This last thought is not, obviously, concert performers but at lounges and the like.
Just some thoughts triggered by some recent experiences at shows both good and bad.
Cheers.
I've learned a few riffs. Through the years though what I've mainly learned is how a guitar fits into a band: Rhythm not too loud. Lead carving out a frequency that cuts through. Not playing all the time. Varying one's volume and attack to work under and around vocals.
I've learned to play different riffs and such throughout a performance lest I repeat too much and become boring. Seen that happen often over the years.
I've seen plenty of concerts where I didn't learn a damn thing and thought - I wish this band had a good guitarist.
I've learned from seeing club level bands, like mine, that as a or the guitarist you need to blend in and not make it all about you. Too many players do this. Sometimes it is all about you but only sometimes. the rest of the time it's not.
I've also learned how when a club lead player hits his distortion it often gets lost in the mix and makes a sound reminiscent of a swarm of angry bees. Too many notes and no clarity of sound and probably needs less bass, more treble.
A lot of the above actually holds true for acoustic player. I hate seeing someone who just slams a steady rhythm with little or no feel...often fighting with their vocals. This last thought is not, obviously, concert performers but at lounges and the like.
Just some thoughts triggered by some recent experiences at shows both good and bad.
Cheers.
