Rhythm guitar player quits....is the band done? - Page 3

Runnerman · #41 12-12-2012, 06:51 AM

LOL!
Love it when he tunes the violin too.

jungleheat · #42 12-12-2012, 09:56 AM

So you lost the least necessary, least talented, and most easily replaceable member of your band? I don't see the problem. Grab another rhythm guitarist out of the bucket (or better yet, a keyboard player if you can find one) and continue on. Or retool as trio (? it's unclear if there is a lead singer separate from the lead guitarist, but the LZ/Who lineup at any rate). Unless you are playing some kind of "niche" music or something really complicated, there are a bajillionty rhythm guitarists out there to choose from.

Each path has it's ups and downs and different methods for maximizing the results. If you stay with the 3 piece, you could add some effects to the bass, or get an 8 string. Play parts with a little more movement (more melodic, etc...), etc....

**jive1** · #43 12-17-2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bert Slide

Have your lead guitar player watch this video esp. 25 seconds in. Then he can be his own rhythm guitarist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiLCwuc_RaY

Who needs a guitarist, when you can do it on bass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO7_jV7jRag

Lunchbox4u_6 · #44 12-20-2012, 05:29 AM

I would personally rather have no rhythm player at all than to have a weak one.

godofthunder59 · #45 12-20-2012, 06:45 AM

I have been in JOHNNY SMOKE for 13 years. I'm the new guy. When I joined they had lost their bassist and 1st lead guitarist. I suggested we go three piece with vocals, They said that was impossible, I just shrugged my shoulders. After three months of auditioning guitar players they decided to go three piece. I cover many of the missing guitar parts on bass, use chords and in general fill things out just fine without another guitar.

MarkMgibson · #46 12-20-2012, 07:06 AM

This is isn't aimed at anyone, but nobody (except you guys) says "lead guitarist", or "rhythm guitarist" these days. Just "guitarist" will do fine.

Roadkill · #47 12-20-2012, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

This is isn't aimed at anyone, but nobody (except you guys) says "lead guitarist", or "rhythm guitarist" these days. Just "guitarist" will do fine.

That's mostly because a great rhythm guitarist is extremely hard to find

.

MarkMgibson · #48 12-20-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadkill

That's mostly because a great rhythm guitarist is extremely hard to find

.

Then you mean a "great guitarist" is extremely hard to find. You can't play guitar if ain't got no rhythm.

boristhespider9 · #49 12-20-2012, 09:16 AM

Since you haven't gone through this, just know that the replacement/audition process can be exciting, comical, and frustrating. Try to do a good job screening applicants BEFORE they come to the audition and when they are there, interview them to see if they are the right fit in all respects.

Roadkill · #50 12-20-2012, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

Then you mean a "great guitarist" is extremely hard to find. You can't play guitar if ain't got no rhythm.

There sure are a lot of "lead players" out there who can't lay back and play chords when that's what the song calls for

.

**baba** · #51 12-20-2012, 09:25 AM

Rhythm guitarist is probably the easiest member to replace. Guitarists are a dime a dozen. While great ones are harder to find, that goes for any instrument.

Carry on.

MarkMgibson · #52 12-20-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadkill

There sure are a lot of "lead players" out there who can't lay back and play chords when that's what the song calls for

.

That's my point, they're crap guitarists. It's all the one instrument - you can't buy a "lead guitar" or a "rhythm guitar" - you just buy a guitar.

kcole4001 · #53 12-20-2012, 03:09 PM

A good rhythm guitarist is very hard to find, but if you do don't let him get away!
These players find their sonic space and play interestingly to take the song to another level, not just hammer away at the root chords.

bigswifty1 · #54 12-20-2012, 03:20 PM

Gee, most times I been praying for rhythm guitarist to take a walk.

Runnerman · #55 01-14-2013, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

Since you haven't gone through this, just know that the replacement/audition process can be exciting, comical, and frustrating. Try to do a good job screening applicants BEFORE they come to the audition and when they are there, interview them to see if they are the right fit in all respects.

This has proven to be true. So far we have looked a two guys and not auditioned either of them. They were at two ends of the spectrum....

Guy 1 was a younger fella with little band experience seemed really interested but during the initial discussion via email expressed some real doubts about his abilities. Just did not hae the right vibe. He was a CL ad guy. We let him go right away.

Guy 2 was a much more seasoned guy but super laid back. I mean laid back to the point of frustration. I interviewed him by phone and I caught that vibe right away. He sent a demo which was good. I played it for the band at our meeting and everybody was cool with auditioning him. I sent the guy an email that night inviting him to an audiiton and giving hime some more info, told him I would send him some songs to learn...also told him if things worked out a date for first gig. He got back to me 3 days later saying the audition time was no good and he had another committment on that gig day in the morning. No suggestions from him about alt. audition dates which I had asked for. The band wanted to cut him loose right away. I thought I'd give the guy another chance so I sent him another emal asking for an alt date to audition and then I called him to follow up. He said he was eating and would read it and get back to me.....that was last thurs.... still have not heard from the guy. So he is definitely gone. I can't for the life of me figure out what he was thinking. Obviously did not really want the gig.

In the meantime we have practiced as a 3 piece and we were really tight and sounded good, so for now with a gig coming up mid-Feb we will be going forward as a 3 piece with no plans to bring in a 4th for now. I'm happy with the decision.

68Goldfish · #56 01-14-2013, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derrico1

If your remaining guitarist is good, I wouldn't sweat this.

Look at the bright side: now there's more room for bass and less constraint on how inventive you can be with each song's pulse and harmonization. I'd much rather play in a trio than be hemmed in by a weak rhythm guitarist.

Perfect sense right there.

obimark · #57 01-14-2013, 01:59 PM

Eating is important-- obviously more important than your band (although maybe he didn't like whatever material you sent him) or he is 350 pounds. ;-)

Caeros · #58 01-26-2013, 01:42 PM

My band kicked out our founding rhythm player earlier this month. It sucked on an interpersonal level, but his gear had been busted for six months and he obviously cared less and less about his ability level after a while, so good riddance. It sucks not to have the extra sonic density, but there's something about a really tight, lean four-piece band that just works.

Bert Slide · #59 01-26-2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

That's my point, they're crap guitarists. It's all the one instrument - you can't buy a "lead guitar" or a "rhythm guitar" - you just buy a guitar.

I dunno....... my first electric guitar, bought new in 1980 and I still have it.

MarkMgibson · #60 01-27-2013, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bert Slide

I dunno....... my first electric guitar, bought new in 1980 and I still have it.

I'm not sure what you point is, but I'm glad you've kept that guitar for so long.

I'm a mediocre bass player at best, but I play guitar for a living. All this "lead" and "rhythm" stuff is nonsense. A guitarist who can't play "rhythm", is just a poor guitarist. I understand what you mean - I've seen guitarists who can play great solos, but that's about all they can do. They should locked in a room for 24 hours with The Who and the Stones playing non-stop. Maybe then they'll understand what guitar playing is all about.