Great rhythm guitarists are worth their weight in gold. My band is beginning to look for a new guitarist and number one priority is great rhythm playing. Much more than soloing.
Smart. And I agree. Thats why I spent 30 years as a strictly rhythm player. Before starting to play leads out of necessity . Now I do whatever is necessary to make the guy out front look good. (Unless I’m the guy out front 😂 then it seems like I screw up everything 😂😂) rock on ✌️💎
As a guitarist, I see myself as a role-player in the band. I play what the song calls for rhythm, lead and the signature licks the audience wants to hear. Being disciplined is key and never, overplay on the bandstand
1- Time, 2- Know all the chords and their inversions, 3- Sound, 4- Techniques, 5- Stylistic awareness, 6- Think as an arranger ( sometimes a song needs no guitar or very little ), 7- Musical communication with your bandmembers, 8- When playing lead, don't think, feel what the song needs, 9- Know the guitar role models ( On a studiosession I once was asked to play a solo, which had to be a mix of Carlos Santana and BB King...) 10- Take your 10 seconds of fame as if they were the last 10 seconds of your life. Great video, amen brother 🙏
I play solo acoustic gigs, sing, and use some harmonica. If you want to feel like there's no place to hide, that's the gig. I'll play a melody line while I back myself up with the chords (no looper) and I'll tell you what: it's made me take a cold hard look at my playing. I pay closer attention to my timing, my dynamics, whether my playing is clean and sharp, if I'm getting the tone I need, whether I'm hitting the root note at the right time, work to create a chord palette for the song that goes beyond basic chords, work on vocal-guitar blend and finding the sweet spot. If I go back in a band situation again I know considering all these things will carry over. It could help every guitarist to learn some solo pieces then play, record, and listen back to themselves. It's a real humbling experience. Thanks for your insight Terence.I bet you're a great bandmate to work with. Take care.
You might think this is geared towards beginning guitar players, but I have had this complaint about guys who have gigged for decades...PLEASE TUNE YOUR GUITAR!!!!!
It's ludicrous how many guitarists don't use or own a tuner...I have perfect pitch and still will NOT go to a jam, rehearsal or gig without one. Is it that difficult? Must be. One band I was in the other guitarist didn't have a tuner until I just gave him one, he didn't have a backup guitar either....🤦♂️ And I have to say, unless it's an acoustic instrument and you have no way to silence it, STOP TUNING OUT LOUD ONSTAGE!!!!!!!! Or even at rehearsal. It's super unprofessional and makes you look like a massive jackass.
I have been a rhythm guitarist in some bands and a lead in others. Currently I am the only guitarist and as a result I listen to what the bass player and keyboards are doing. The range each is playing in and the groove they are adding. For the rhythm sections I look for a part to play that adds to the song, not step on another musician. As far as rhythm guitar goes, if you learn the CAGED system and move the chords around when on a verse or chorus or bridge, you will be in demand.
5:21 This is good news to me as a guitar player as I am more of a rhythm player than a lead player anyway but the problem is leade players get more publicity and are more revered in the guitar world and we all want to be revered but you are spot on with the rhythm guitar thank you 6:46
So I have a rule , always take an amp with plenty of head room for the venue. Then turn it down to decent db level according to room size ,and crowd density . I make THEM (other band members , club owners , bar tenders etc. ) come tell me to “Turn UP !!” Everything after that is on THEM … 🤷♂️ No effects. 80’s Tube amp 2/12 can , just a Fulltone full drive and a wah. Played rhythm for 30+ and now Rhythm/lead for 15. My job is to make the front guy sound good . And the music ALIVE .. although now it looks like I’m going to be the front guy now 🙄
Any guitarist who is worth their salt knows all this already, ESPECIALLY if they consider themselves a pro. But it's astonishing that people often forget that a guitar is a MUSICAL INSTRUMENT first and foremost. I have to reiterate this fact to students who just want to play fast and shred but can't properly strum chords yet. The last metal band scenario I was in, the other guitarist was the furthest from pro as you could get. He overplayed, worked on the solos more than learning the actual songs, brought the wrong guitar and amp plus didn't know how to use his effects at all, AND felt the need to constantly solo after and in between songs (this was at rehearsal) where it was so loud we couldn't hear each other through the P.A. I lasted 2 rehearsals and told the bandleader that if I didn't start getting paid immediately, and more if he kept that guy around that I was done. That guy didn't even know the songs he chose to be on the setlist, yet the solos were overall spot on. I went so far as to email him the tempos, keys, which parts he was to play, etc. and he still showed up 2 weeks later unprepared. Perfect example of how NOT to be. Nice guy, I could talk shop with him. But I'd have been deathly embarrassed to have played live with him. So thank you for reiterating all these valuable points. Far as the volume thing goes, I know most of us like it louder than most. I've just learned to turn up as much as I need to to hear what I'm doing. If I can't do that, I can't do my job.
This is so right on the money, i tend to find that a lot of the time musicians that play and behave in such manner are trying to impress, pro guys that been around the block a couple of times are past that, theres a lot of guitar players, so sometimes is easier to just change him for one that can actually follow the MD's vision then to try to change the way a guy behaves on stage, and pretty much all competent MD's will give a guitar player a dedicated time to shine in a show because it enhances the show
Terence, I've recently stumbled across your videos and am 100% hooked. Every subject, every point I agree 100%. But now on to my own personal "rant"… yes I know that guitarists are usually grouped into "Lead" or "Rhythm", but I despise those labels. Why? I've been playing for about 60 years now, and have pursued the guitar to the point where I'm comfortable soloing at a moment's notice. Many people call me a "Lead" guitarist, but I really wish they wouldn't. The reason is this: I spend at least 95% of my stage time playing rhythm, and playing it with the groove and feel of the band is uppermost in my mind. Think about what Jimi and Eddie were doing during the times they weren't soloing… they were incredible rhythm players. So please don't call me a "Lead" guitarist. Call me a guitarist. And if you need me to solo, just give me a nod and I'm off to the races!
I’m starting to enjoy your channel a little too much, I might start looking for two new videos from you each day..(Just Kidding) Great Content.. good work!!
Awesome videos bro! I've watched 2 so far and am in agreement with a lot of the points you've made. I play guitar and lead in a band. I've been the guy just playing licks and thank God for other musicians teaching me. Awesome content 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Great information! I don't know what it is about guitar players that they think they are the star of the show! I personally think it is musical immaturity! Your videos are always on point as usual and I love your content! With that being said I do have one suggestion. I noticed that on this video the zoom of the camera was constantly jumping in and out. It is very distracting to me.
The truth is *the audience doesn't care what you know.* Make them feel good, play to the music. "A good rhythm guitarist is worth his weight in money" - Chaka Kahn
I tried to have 4 sounds ready to go on my pedal....it saves time to everyone. and this way you don't annoy the rest of the band while you are browsing dozen of sounds from your pedal board...when soloing LISTEN to the chord changes while playing....and finish on the bar measure that you are supposed to end...don't continue like playing like an idiot
Great sideman guitarists need to be creative in their parts but without being invasive. And be able to deliver what the song needs, in technical and sound terms, with great precision and the right feeling.
I've, actually played in a band where, the guitarist, didn't play "chords", he just did a "solo" through the whole song...I brought this up at a "Band meeting" and they looked at me like I was crazy...I play mostly solo now, btw...
I was recently in a “band.” Somebody invited in another bass player, so I just moved to keys. I don’t know the chords, but they seemed to like me soloing throughout the songs. 😅 I tried to keep my volume reasonable, so the drummer and 2+ guitarists drowned me out every time. 🤦🏿♀️
Speaking as someone who wears a lot of different hats, including "hired guitarist" at times: get comfortable sitting out. There's absolutely nothing wrong with playing very few or zero notes for several measures or entire phrases. Fellow guitarists: listen to Steve Lukather's part on PYT, or just about any Quincy Jones record you might play at a wedding or casino. REALLY listen. You can count how many notes he plays per measure on 1 hand. Also funk =/= constant 16th notes. Prince doesn't do that. Nile Rodgers doesn't do that. Catfish Collins doesn't do that. But for some reason guitarists wanna play hi-hat. You really think you know funk better than Prince?
I have found the worst habit guitar players make. They practice alone and adjust their Bass EQ settings to get "Their Tone". However... When onstage the guitarist should roll at least 3 numbers from the Bass EQ off of their alone practicing tone preference. This makes it so the bass player doesn't have to compete for the same low frequency. This is why bass players are always told to turn down. It's not that the bass player is too loud, it is because the guitar player has too much low end coming out of their amplifier. This also makes your stage mix much easier to hear all other instruments. It also takes some strain off the vocalist. If the singer can hear themselves, they are more likely to sing correctly rather than yell in the mic just to hear themselves.
I will be brutally honest I play drums and electric guitar and when I practice both instruments all I practice is music I don’t do none of this flashing crazy stuff. I do riffs here and there but nothing crazy.
😂😂😂 I saw this and I clicked it so fast! Haha! I'm a guitarist. I love this! So one thing I think I can focus on more is definitely bringing my guitar into the mix. The guitar doesn't have to be that loud. It doesn't even have to be playing the entire time. I've been trying to mix my guitars at about -5.5 dB or less depending on how many tracks there are. With leads I've been trying very hard to stay melodic. There's something about guitar that makes people expect some speed and technical ability. But if there's no melody it just sounds like bunch of plug n play licks. Timing. Not only playing with a click but also once the drummer records his part I try to go back and re-record my parts to fit with the drums. Intonation! Trying to make sure that my intonation is correct all the way across the neck. This is probably the toughest of all, but it's just a battle we have to fight as a string instrument.
As a guitar player I see a lot of other guitarist that do not even know the basics of the Major scale. They all seem to know the minor pentatonic scale & play their solos using that no matters what chords the song progression is made up of. They do not seem to know the difference between a "Maj7" or a "7th" chord or "m7" & God forbid a "m7b5" which are all part of the very basics of music which all come from the Major Scale.
Great rhythm guitarists are worth their weight in gold. My band is beginning to look for a new guitarist and number one priority is great rhythm playing. Much more than soloing.
Smart. And I agree. Thats why I spent 30 years as a strictly rhythm player. Before starting to play leads out of necessity . Now I do whatever is necessary to make the guy out front look good. (Unless I’m the guy out front 😂 then it seems like I screw up everything 😂😂) rock on ✌️💎
Correct. When you join a band, lead guitar is very political. They already have "their guy." Get a rhythm guy who can sing a little.
@@theofficialdiamondlou2418 Right. Stay "In the pocket."
As a guitarist, I see myself as a role-player in the band. I play what the song calls for rhythm, lead and the signature licks the audience wants to hear. Being disciplined is key and never, overplay on the bandstand
Exactly !
Totally agree, a lesson not learned by a lot.
@blueslsd it took me a few years to learn, but I wanted to be successful it was a part of my learning experience as a musician
1- Time, 2- Know all the chords and their inversions, 3- Sound, 4- Techniques, 5- Stylistic awareness, 6- Think as an arranger ( sometimes a song needs no guitar or very little ), 7- Musical communication with your bandmembers, 8- When playing lead, don't think, feel what the song needs, 9- Know the guitar role models ( On a studiosession I once was asked to play a solo, which had to be a mix of Carlos Santana and BB King...) 10- Take your 10 seconds of fame as if they were the last 10 seconds of your life.
Great video, amen brother 🙏
Rhythm guitar is the bread and butter of any song. Lead is the icing.
Very true! But you'll always need some razzle dazzle or the crowd will get bored. I know it sounds contradictory.
@@Ston247 True, this is where you need a frontman to hook them in.
I play solo acoustic gigs, sing, and use some harmonica. If you want to feel like there's no place to hide, that's the gig. I'll play a melody line while I back myself up with the chords (no looper) and I'll tell you what: it's made me take a cold hard look at my playing. I pay closer attention to my timing, my dynamics, whether my playing is clean and sharp, if I'm getting the tone I need, whether I'm hitting the root note at the right time, work to create a chord palette for the song that goes beyond basic chords, work on vocal-guitar blend and finding the sweet spot. If I go back in a band situation again I know considering all these things will carry over. It could help every guitarist to learn some solo pieces then play, record, and listen back to themselves. It's a real humbling experience.
Thanks for your insight Terence.I bet you're a great bandmate to work with. Take care.
You might think this is geared towards beginning guitar players, but I have had this complaint about guys who have gigged for decades...PLEASE TUNE YOUR GUITAR!!!!!
It's ludicrous how many guitarists don't use or own a tuner...I have perfect pitch and still will NOT go to a jam, rehearsal or gig without one. Is it that difficult? Must be. One band I was in the other guitarist didn't have a tuner until I just gave him one, he didn't have a backup guitar either....🤦♂️
And I have to say, unless it's an acoustic instrument and you have no way to silence it, STOP TUNING OUT LOUD ONSTAGE!!!!!!!! Or even at rehearsal. It's super unprofessional and makes you look like a massive jackass.
I have been a rhythm guitarist in some bands and a lead in others. Currently I am the only guitarist and as a result I listen to what the bass player and keyboards are doing. The range each is playing in and the groove they are adding. For the rhythm sections I look for a part to play that adds to the song, not step on another musician. As far as rhythm guitar goes, if you learn the CAGED system and move the chords around when on a verse or chorus or bridge, you will be in demand.
5:21 This is good news to me as a guitar player as I am more of a rhythm player than a lead player anyway but the problem is leade players get more publicity and are more revered in the guitar world and we all want to be revered but you are spot on with the rhythm guitar thank you 6:46
So I have a rule , always take an amp with plenty of head room for the venue. Then turn it down to decent db level according to room size ,and crowd density . I make THEM (other band members , club owners , bar tenders etc. ) come tell me to “Turn UP !!” Everything after that is on THEM … 🤷♂️
No effects. 80’s Tube amp 2/12 can , just a Fulltone full drive and a wah. Played rhythm for 30+ and now Rhythm/lead for 15. My job is to make the front guy sound good . And the music ALIVE .. although now it looks like I’m going to be the front guy now 🙄
Any guitarist who is worth their salt knows all this already, ESPECIALLY if they consider themselves a pro. But it's astonishing that people often forget that a guitar is a MUSICAL INSTRUMENT first and foremost. I have to reiterate this fact to students who just want to play fast and shred but can't properly strum chords yet. The last metal band scenario I was in, the other guitarist was the furthest from pro as you could get. He overplayed, worked on the solos more than learning the actual songs, brought the wrong guitar and amp plus didn't know how to use his effects at all, AND felt the need to constantly solo after and in between songs (this was at rehearsal) where it was so loud we couldn't hear each other through the P.A. I lasted 2 rehearsals and told the bandleader that if I didn't start getting paid immediately, and more if he kept that guy around that I was done. That guy didn't even know the songs he chose to be on the setlist, yet the solos were overall spot on. I went so far as to email him the tempos, keys, which parts he was to play, etc. and he still showed up 2 weeks later unprepared. Perfect example of how NOT to be. Nice guy, I could talk shop with him. But I'd have been deathly embarrassed to have played live with him. So thank you for reiterating all these valuable points. Far as the volume thing goes, I know most of us like it louder than most. I've just learned to turn up as much as I need to to hear what I'm doing. If I can't do that, I can't do my job.
This is so right on the money, i tend to find that a lot of the time musicians that play and behave in such manner are trying to impress, pro guys that been around the block a couple of times are past that, theres a lot of guitar players, so sometimes is easier to just change him for one that can actually follow the MD's vision then to try to change the way a guy behaves on stage, and pretty much all competent MD's will give a guitar player a dedicated time to shine in a show because it enhances the show
As someone who plays guitar live at least twice a week, this video gets a resounding AMEN!
This was a timely lesson I needed to learn that now especially bieng with a band it takes a lot of pressure off of me leading or bieng the hype man
This man is speaking facts!
Terence, I've recently stumbled across your videos and am 100% hooked. Every subject, every point I agree 100%. But now on to my own personal "rant"… yes I know that guitarists are usually grouped into "Lead" or "Rhythm", but I despise those labels. Why?
I've been playing for about 60 years now, and have pursued the guitar to the point where I'm comfortable soloing at a moment's notice. Many people call me a "Lead" guitarist, but I really wish they wouldn't. The reason is this: I spend at least 95% of my stage time playing rhythm, and playing it with the groove and feel of the band is uppermost in my mind. Think about what Jimi and Eddie were doing during the times they weren't soloing… they were incredible rhythm players.
So please don't call me a "Lead" guitarist. Call me a guitarist. And if you need me to solo, just give me a nod and I'm off to the races!
I’m starting to enjoy your channel a little too much, I might start looking for two new videos from you each day..(Just Kidding) Great Content.. good work!!
I think bass guitar is under rated and super fun!
Awesome videos bro! I've watched 2 so far and am in agreement with a lot of the points you've made. I play guitar and lead in a band. I've been the guy just playing licks and thank God for other musicians teaching me. Awesome content 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Great information! I don't know what it is about guitar players that they think they are the star of the show! I personally think it is musical immaturity! Your videos are always on point as usual and I love your content! With that being said I do have one suggestion. I noticed that on this video the zoom of the camera was constantly jumping in and out. It is very distracting to me.
The truth is *the audience doesn't care what you know.* Make them feel good, play to the music.
"A good rhythm guitarist is worth his weight in money" - Chaka Kahn
Another great video Terence
I tried to have 4 sounds ready to go on my pedal....it saves time to everyone. and this way you don't annoy the rest of the band while you are browsing dozen of sounds from your pedal board...when soloing LISTEN to the chord changes while playing....and finish on the bar measure that you are supposed to end...don't continue like playing like an idiot
Great sideman guitarists need to be creative in their parts but without being invasive. And be able to deliver what the song needs, in technical and sound terms, with great precision and the right feeling.
Thanks for the insite bro. Im learning a lot. Thanks.
I've, actually played in a band where, the guitarist, didn't play "chords", he just did a "solo" through the whole song...I brought this up at a "Band meeting" and they looked at me like I was crazy...I play mostly solo now, btw...
I was recently in a “band.” Somebody invited in another bass player, so I just moved to keys. I don’t know the chords, but they seemed to like me soloing throughout the songs. 😅 I tried to keep my volume reasonable, so the drummer and 2+ guitarists drowned me out every time. 🤦🏿♀️
Definitely good advice here for all... Thank You.
Speaking as someone who wears a lot of different hats, including "hired guitarist" at times: get comfortable sitting out.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with playing very few or zero notes for several measures or entire phrases.
Fellow guitarists: listen to Steve Lukather's part on PYT, or just about any Quincy Jones record you might play at a wedding or casino. REALLY listen. You can count how many notes he plays per measure on 1 hand.
Also funk =/= constant 16th notes. Prince doesn't do that. Nile Rodgers doesn't do that. Catfish Collins doesn't do that. But for some reason guitarists wanna play hi-hat. You really think you know funk better than Prince?
I like to think of the guitar player as an auxiliary player
In a mix, it's 1) vocals 2)everybody else. Guitar players believe it's 1) vocals and guitar 2) everybody else.
Mr. Fisher, could you do a video on how to sing and play. We have a bass player who can't sing and play, when he sing, he stops playing 😢
I have found the worst habit guitar players make. They practice alone and adjust their Bass EQ settings to get "Their Tone". However... When onstage the guitarist should roll at least 3 numbers from the Bass EQ off of their alone practicing tone preference. This makes it so the bass player doesn't have to compete for the same low frequency. This is why bass players are always told to turn down. It's not that the bass player is too loud, it is because the guitar player has too much low end coming out of their amplifier. This also makes your stage mix much easier to hear all other instruments. It also takes some strain off the vocalist. If the singer can hear themselves, they are more likely to sing correctly rather than yell in the mic just to hear themselves.
Can we tattoo this on the forearm of the picking hand of all guitar players (mine included)?
Normalise direct rigs and IEMs instead of cranking your amp up to deafen everyone
I will be brutally honest I play drums and electric guitar and when I practice both instruments all I practice is music I don’t do none of this flashing crazy stuff. I do riffs here and there but nothing crazy.
Practicing the music you have to perform is important for sure!!
How do you tell a guitar player he isn't good enough....we have a guitar player who looks at sheet music and then his hands and can't keep timing
The first thing I learned was how to count.
😂😂😂 I saw this and I clicked it so fast! Haha! I'm a guitarist. I love this!
So one thing I think I can focus on more is definitely bringing my guitar into the mix. The guitar doesn't have to be that loud. It doesn't even have to be playing the entire time. I've been trying to mix my guitars at about -5.5 dB or less depending on how many tracks there are.
With leads I've been trying very hard to stay melodic. There's something about guitar that makes people expect some speed and technical ability. But if there's no melody it just sounds like bunch of plug n play licks.
Timing. Not only playing with a click but also once the drummer records his part I try to go back and re-record my parts to fit with the drums.
Intonation! Trying to make sure that my intonation is correct all the way across the neck. This is probably the toughest of all, but it's just a battle we have to fight as a string instrument.
Sexiest instrument: piano 14%, I chose the wrong instrument 😩
As a guitar player I see a lot of other guitarist that do not even know the basics of the Major scale. They all seem to know the minor pentatonic scale & play their solos using that no matters what chords the song progression is made up of. They do not seem to know the difference between a "Maj7" or a "7th" chord or "m7" & God forbid a "m7b5" which are all part of the very basics of music which all come from the Major Scale.
Volume!!!
Singers don’t like to stop singing and let the band play.
dont tell me what to do man! Its all about me me me lol.
The job of every performing musician is to get women ‘in the mood’.
i dont know
You don’t know?
@@crnkmnky He doesn't know.
@@pfelice157 He should know
Yeah but he doesn't
Bro, you need to play with some better guitarists. Lol.