Guitarist with NO rhythm

jfenderp · #1 06-11-2008, 01:39 PM

Well, I've been in a band for the past couple months. None of us has ever been in a band before but we have a problem with one of the guitarist. He's been playing for 15 years and he CAN NOT play rhythm guitar!! He has played by himself for 15 years so he can lay down some crazy AC/DC solos but can't keep a beat when strumming a song with 3 or 4 chords, he just completely screws up and he can't get back on beat so sometimes we just have to quit playing that song all together.

We all really like the guy and he loves playing with us since he has never even played with another guitardist before(I think this may be his problem). I can't tell if he is oblivious to the fact that he completely sucks, or if he doesn't go home and work on what we play.

It has gotten to the point that after practice each week after he leaves, we sit around and discuss what to do for an hour and finally just say. "Maybe next week he'll do better". We haven't done anything because he's a really good guy and the rest of us kinda feel sorry for him. Any suggestion on what to do or how to put it to him nicely that we don't want him to play with us anymore unless he can get his act together.

mister-o · #2 06-11-2008, 01:46 PM

Record your practice and play it back with the whole band listening. Then you can have a non-targeted discussion, such as "what does everyone think of their parts" (just an example). The recording isn't going to lie. If after that he still doesn't recognize a problem, then it's time to have "the talk".

Just a suggestion.

stflbn · #3 06-11-2008, 01:47 PM

Isolationism has ruined more good prospective musicians than anything has.

They get so used to not keeping good time that they actually don't know their timing is horrible.

You could try to get him to practice with a metronome, but chances are he won't notice there's a problem.

I'd rather work with a lesser lead player who can keep time then a great one who can't. He's only playing lead for a portion of the song.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfenderp

Well, I've been in a band for the past couple months. None of us has ever been in a band before but we have a problem with one of the guitarist. He's been playing for 15 years and he CAN NOT play rhythm guitar!! He has played by himself for 15 years so he can lay down some crazy AC/DC solos but can't keep a beat when strumming a song with 3 or 4 chords, he just completely screws up and he can't get back on beat so sometimes we just have to quit playing that song all together.

We all really like the guy and he loves playing with us since he has never even played with another guitardist before(I think this may be his problem). I can't tell if he is oblivious to the fact that he completely sucks, or if he doesn't go home and work on what we play.

It has gotten to the point that after practice each week after he leaves, we sit around and discuss what to do for an hour and finally just say. "Maybe next week he'll do better". We haven't done anything because he's a really good guy and the rest of us kinda feel sorry for him. Any suggestion on what to do or how to put it to him nicely that we don't want him to play with us anymore unless he can get his act together.

jakrees747 · #4 06-11-2008, 01:47 PM

keep him in a cage and only release him for solos!

seriously, if he is holding you back, tell him. if he dosent improove, ask him to leave. its hard as hell, but if hes holding you back.....

oldrocker · #5 06-11-2008, 05:34 PM

My current co-lead guitar player in one of my bands - he can solo on any 12 bar blues - but if asked to play rhythm while the other guy takes a solo he has no idea what to play or what I IV V means

Lemoore-on · #6 06-11-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

Isolationism has ruined more good prospective musicians than anything has.

They get so used to not keeping good time that they actually don't know their timing is horrible.

Wow! I have seen this so much.

jfenderp · #7 06-11-2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldrocker

My current co-lead guitar player in one of my bands - he can solo on any 12 bar blues - but if asked to play rhythm while the other guy takes a solo he has no idea what to play or what I IV V means

So what do you do? Does he realize the problem? Is it something that is fixable or has the past 15 years defined him as nothing but a soloist, because we need someone that can play rhythm.

MochomanXXL · #8 06-11-2008, 11:14 PM

haha this reminds me of this one guy I know, He can play full on sweeps and can 3 finger tap and has been able to do this for years(by himself of course). He was in a band and I saw him recently play and my god he kept the worst time i've ever seen. Its a shame to see all that talent be wasted because basically he pulls songs apart with his awkwardly bad timing.

oldrocker · #9 06-11-2008, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfenderp

So what do you do? Does he realize the problem? Is it something that is fixable or has the past 15 years defined him as nothing but a soloist, because we need someone that can play rhythm.

I can't do anthing - we rehearse in his basement. If I mention anything he calls it "band drama" and dismisses it

So I don't say anything.

Munjibunga · #10 06-12-2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mister-o

Record your practice and play it back with the whole band listening. Then you can have a non-targeted discussion, such as "what does everyone think of their parts" (just an example). The recording isn't going to lie. If after that he still doesn't recognize a problem, then it's time to have "the talk".

Just a suggestion.

And an excellent one at that.