Guitarist Who Can't Jam

junglegirl · #1 07-28-2008, 10:17 PM

Our former guitarist recently had to quit the band due to personal reasons. With several gigs booked, we had to work quickly to find his replacement. We auditioned this guy who had a very good audition. He learned all the material we asked him to learn for the audition and even played several other songs that both he and we knew. He seemed like a nice guy, very calm and confident. We hired him.

He's been in the band for two months now and some strange things have been happening. While we practice, we will occasionally start playing a random song...usually something one of us heard on the radio. Every band I've ever been in does this at practices. If he doesn't know the song, he will just stand there and glare at us...sometimes with his arms folded. Our rhythm guitarist will try to yell the chords to him, but he still just stands there. We all find it odd. I mean, we don't do this at gigs, but practice is just that. Besides, this is how we used to occassionally come up with new songs to play out. Is his behavior acceptable or should we be concerned?

Poor Tom · #2 07-28-2008, 10:21 PM

Well partially yes, and partially no. You hired him in a manor that might not have suggested you normally play that way. My band jams randomly a lot and to be honest sometimes I stand there with a confused look on my face with not a clue what to play. But if you guys were giving the dude the chords to play over, there was no reason for him to refuse to play. Unless he doesn't know any theory or something?

AxtoOx · #3 07-28-2008, 10:21 PM

I have to put up w/ 3 guitarist. 2 are excellent all round and can jam to anything. 1 does what you say but doesn't glare, he just sits out. His gift to the band is he is an excellent song writer. Gotta take the bad w/ the good.

ric1312 · #4 07-28-2008, 11:57 PM

Sounds like he's the type of guy that doesn't like to jump in unprepared, my drummer is like that. Just tell him to loosen up and not worry if he messes up.

M@ddest_H@tter! · #5 07-29-2008, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric1312

Sounds like he's the type of guy that doesn't like to jump in unprepared, my drummer is like that. Just tell him to loosen up and not worry if he messes up.

+1

GeneralElectric · #6 07-29-2008, 05:44 AM

Maybe he's a perfectionist and he thinks you guys butcher songs

Seriously though, for a guitarists standpoint, it can be a bit hard to play over just drums and bass. Though with the rhythm player belting out the chords, it shouldn't have been a problem.

This never happened to any band I've been in. At practice, we work on new material, not covers. Unless someone has one they want to play live. Then we vote on whether or not we like the song to begin with, and play a few different versions of it and then record. (Original, and then our own spin on it, with each take getting a bit more out there as we get more comfortable with the song) If we don't find it agreeable at any point, or we just aren't feeling it, its scrapped.

Maybe he just doesn't wanna play covers.

BobWestbrook · #7 07-29-2008, 06:56 AM

You didn't hire him to jam, you hired him to play prepared material. That's what he's comfortable with, and it sounds like he's doing well at it. IMO, you are possibly jeopardizing your band by your reaction.

junglegirl · #8 07-29-2008, 09:37 AM

Agreed that we hired him to play the stuff that is prepared and we do go over the prepared material. I'm just saying that occassionally it's nice to break into something new. It keeps us loose and fresh. We haven't shown any reaction at this point. We just sort of go back to the stuff we were prepared to play.

mrokern · #9 07-29-2008, 10:16 AM

I'll freely admit I'm not a good jam player...too many years of classical music education I think.

That said, if someone is kind enough to give me a chord or two, I'll at least do what I can, as long as it doesn't consume rehearsals.

-Mark

LarryO · #10 07-29-2008, 10:21 AM

your question was, "Is his behavior acceptable or should we be concerned?"

If you don't accept it, it's unacceptable. Honestly I think there is nothing wrong with what he is doing. Maybe he doesn't like those songs, Maybe he doesn't like to improvise, maybe this, maybe that......maybe you should ask him instead of talkbass. Seriously ask him.

Zuhzuhzombie!! · #11 07-29-2008, 10:26 AM

I do the same.

The keyboard player in my band is real big into stuff like Dresden Dolls. Our drummer is just anxious to play, so the two of them will jam out to that stuff, which I have no idea how to approach, so I'll just sit there and let them do their thing for a moment. I'll turn my bass off and practice something I know.

I don't know chords either, so usually if I'm inclined or obligated to do so, It'll usually take me a few minutes to work something out.

ManOnStreet · #12 07-29-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AxtoOx

I have to put up w/ 3 guitarist. 2 are excellent all round and can jam to anything. 1 does what you say but doesn't glare, he just sits out. His gift to the band is he is an excellent song writer. Gotta take the bad w/ the good.

My guitarist is just the same as the 3rd guy,he doesn't know how to jam on a song but he's really be a brilliant writer with all his great riffs. I just thought that we create a song and play it, not crap into a 1000 notes with nothing, just simple like that...

Caca de Kick · #13 07-29-2008, 10:38 AM

Well, you should ask him if it bothers him.
It sure would bother me because, 1) I don't play covers. 2) I'm limited on time to get what needs to be done, done.
Oh yes I can jam, but I do play on other peoples projects, and screwing around isn't a good use of time.
Now if it's a song writing session, that's another thing...

mjolnir · #14 07-29-2008, 11:03 AM

Seems a bit strange to me... I wouldn't be concerned if I were you if not for the fact that he still refused to play even as the changes were being called to him. Maybe that's something he could use some help on?

In the end, it's best to talk to him and see what's up.

kesslari · #15 07-29-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Well, you should ask him if it bothers him.

More importantly, ask "why".

There are so many "issues" that get posted here that can be much better addressed by open communication in the bandroom than idle speculation among strangers in an online forum.

We can guess from now till next Tuesday why he's doing it, and chances are we'll be wrong.
You'll learn more directly from him. He may have good reasons, and it could take your band farther. Or you may find you have a major creative schism. Or whatever.

Ask the man.

BobWestbrook · #16 07-29-2008, 11:31 AM

The guy obviously feels more comfortable with some advance notice. So give your potential new songs some forethought, and give him the courtesy of a few days notice with the chord progressions. You cannot expect everyone to be at ease with that impromptu approach.

ggunn · #17 07-29-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junglegirl

Our former guitarist recently had to quit the band due to personal reasons. With several gigs booked, we had to work quickly to find his replacement. We auditioned this guy who had a very good audition. He learned all the material we asked him to learn for the audition and even played several other songs that both he and we knew. He seemed like a nice guy, very calm and confident. We hired him.

He's been in the band for two months now and some strange things have been happening. While we practice, we will occasionally start playing a random song...usually something one of us heard on the radio. Every band I've ever been in does this at practices. If he doesn't know the song, he will just stand there and glare at us...sometimes with his arms folded. Our rhythm guitarist will try to yell the chords to him, but he still just stands there. We all find it odd. I mean, we don't do this at gigs, but practice is just that. Besides, this is how we used to occassionally come up with new songs to play out. Is his behavior acceptable or should we be concerned?

Have you talked to him about it? Not confrontationally, of course, but you should (IMO) discuss it with him; too many times I have seen animosity grow between folks because they don't talk but instead react to what they think is going on in each others' heads. Some folks just can't jam, or won't because they are afraid of playing something "wrong". My guess is that he will loosen up when he gets to feel more comfortable in his new situation.

derrico1 · #18 07-29-2008, 01:58 PM

+1 to asking him. Maybe he's unable to jam, or maybe he's just steaming because he thinks the band is unfocused and throwing away rehearsal time.

If you don't know, ya better ask somebody.

Marksb_2000 · #19 07-30-2008, 07:50 AM

The best guitarist I play with will not play a note in front of anyone that he hasnt prepared in advance. He is a professional player who has a very good rep around town and does not "jam" at rehearsal. He comes in with his parts perfect.

He says that since he plays for a living, he cant risk his reputation by ever sounding bad in public. He also has a low tolerance for wasting time in rehearsal.

Some players are just like that. Count yourself lucky that he comes to rehearsal prepared. Dont run off a strong player becasue of his personal preferences.

RustyAxe · #20 07-30-2008, 08:00 AM

When I'm "hired" it's to do a job. Maybe that's his attitude, too. Working on one's setlist is fine, but if time and travel is involved, noodling around is a waste of time and money that could be better spent elsewhere. A professional musician acts like one.

When things get unfocused in rehearsal, that's my signal to have a smoke, or a beer ... y'know, something worthwhile.