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3rd Guitarist has nothing to add.
- Thread starter e41k
- Start date
Whenever I hear of someone who was "promised" a gig (and worse yet, when I LOSE THE GIG because someone else was "promised" it), I bristle. Come on! This isn't about promises or loyalty...if she's not meshing with the band and you're not feeling it, time to drop the axe and let her go! I'm sorry to sound so harsh. But if there's anything I've learned after beating my head against the wall with five different projects since August and finally settling on one, it's that if you're thinking about quitting or letting a bandmate go, then you've already answered your own question and there's really nothing to think about.
Sounds like she's better than you deserve, as some others have pointed out. Three guitars is a lot to mix well live, especially if everyone doesn't have clear roles and the writing doesn't cater to it. I feel the same way about two guitars and keys though, so take that for what it's worth.
If you want my honest opinion about the average sound of THREE guitars, I think nine times out of ten it sounds like shoes in the dryer...you have to have musicians who know what to play, AND a sound guy/girl who knows what they're doing! Good luck!
This thread is going on for ages 
IME amateur bands often sound best with fewer members, less clutter and tighter, less room for mistakes, I would forget about image and concentrate on what is best in the long run, less members gives more control and less room for egos to develop
IME amateur bands often sound best with fewer members, less clutter and tighter, less room for mistakes, I would forget about image and concentrate on what is best in the long run, less members gives more control and less room for egos to develop
You have a reasonably attractive female guitarist who plays anything you want her to, and does so competently, let's you EQ her amp, and despite not having much voice in the direction of the band, really wants to be in the band and so does all this without complaint?
And you're thinking about firing her? If you do, you're nuts.
As said before, you're the ones who write her parts. EQ her amp a bit better (since apparently she lets you), keep the volume level down, maybe get a smaller amp to play through. If after that it doesn't sound good, it's because the parts you wrote for her to play are crappy parts. Write more harmonized guitar parts. Can she sing? Have her sing some high harmony backup vocals. Three guitars can be tough to use, but can be great if used right.
Really, if you throw away a resource like this, you're beyond foolish. How often do we really get to play with guitarists who not only are totally cooperative, but also good looking?
If you do end up firing her, my band could use a female guitarist who's ridiculously easy to work with. I don't suppose you're in the San Francisco area?
And you're thinking about firing her? If you do, you're nuts.
As said before, you're the ones who write her parts. EQ her amp a bit better (since apparently she lets you), keep the volume level down, maybe get a smaller amp to play through. If after that it doesn't sound good, it's because the parts you wrote for her to play are crappy parts. Write more harmonized guitar parts. Can she sing? Have her sing some high harmony backup vocals. Three guitars can be tough to use, but can be great if used right.
Really, if you throw away a resource like this, you're beyond foolish. How often do we really get to play with guitarists who not only are totally cooperative, but also good looking?
If you do end up firing her, my band could use a female guitarist who's ridiculously easy to work with. I don't suppose you're in the San Francisco area?
Image is for the kind of crap that people like Simon Cowell promote, the stuff that is about short term profit and not the future of good music
Image is for the kind of crap that people like Simon Cowell promote, the stuff that is about short term profit and not the future of good music
Yes, but the reason there is profit is because millions of people enjoy that type of music. I'm constantly amazed by how many musicians miss that point. If people enjoy it, is it really bad music, or is it music that we just don't like?
I would keep the guitarist, for the reasons stated above. Someone who gets along, plays ok, and is willing to adapt what they do for the good of the group shouldn't be fired.
Yes, but the reason there is profit is because millions of people enjoy that type of music. I'm constantly amazed by how many musicians miss that point. If people enjoy it, is it really bad music, or is it music that we just don't like?
Good logic and true
I do however reserve the right to dislike the commercial music that is drip-fed to us under the assumption that everybody in the world likes it, whether it be radio or television, one of the greatest inventions ever has been `the off switch`
Can't tell if your band is actually gigging regularly. If no, who cares? Go on being friends, and turn her down when necessary.
If you are, have her switch to electric-acoustic. That will send her the furthest back in the mix... problem solved, and she still gets to be part of the band.
Tell her that you feel like it would give the band "a more rounded, fuller sound." And who knows, it might.
If you are, have her switch to electric-acoustic. That will send her the furthest back in the mix... problem solved, and she still gets to be part of the band.
Tell her that you feel like it would give the band "a more rounded, fuller sound." And who knows, it might.
No idea.
However, I don't think the OP mentioned an age range but I'm going to presume no older than college and that the band isn't really gigging ATM.
First off, it sounds like she has confidence issues. If I were you, I'd try to work with her, but be careful she doesn't develop dependency issues. If you want her guitar re-EQed, tell her what you want, why, and have her do it. As a band, try to engage her in the creative process, maybe teach her how to work the PA. Stuff like that. Make sure that everyone has to contribute and everyone has to pull their weight. And for goodness sakes, if you get frustrated with her, don't bully her.
The above may not be the case, and sometimes it's like watching a trainwreck, there's nothing you can do to prevent the outcome you see. If that's the case, be upfront an honest about it. Please don't fire her via text or email if you decide to. That's lame in my book. Talk to her directly.
But give her a real chance first.
I didn't read all the posts, but I did read the OP's original post. Honestly, you don't have such a bad thing going. I had a band many moons ago which had a hot chick singer. She could sing really well with me playing acoustic guitar, but at stage volume she was always lost in the mix. She had awesome stage presence and great outfits. All the dudes in the audience wanted her. All the chicks in the audience thought she was cool and wanted to be like her. She sounded okay enough in the recordings, but never shined live. We tried replacing her a few times and it never panned out, even with much better singers. She brought people to the shows by just being in the band. As little as she contributed, the band was always identified by her image.
Since this female guitarist is willing to do whatever you guys say, why not orchestrate all her parts and set her amp for her? Tell her it's a learning experience for her (it actually is). As much as I dislike multiple guitars, I have to say that bands that use 3 guitars with restraint sound really good (Radiohead). Teach her how to rock. There is actually a service in my city that gets chicks together to teach them how to start a rock band, etc. Pretty pathetic if you ask me, but it proves that women want to learn how to be rock stars.
All in all, this situation is not as bad as it seems. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Hey, at least she has an amp.
Since this female guitarist is willing to do whatever you guys say, why not orchestrate all her parts and set her amp for her? Tell her it's a learning experience for her (it actually is). As much as I dislike multiple guitars, I have to say that bands that use 3 guitars with restraint sound really good (Radiohead). Teach her how to rock. There is actually a service in my city that gets chicks together to teach them how to start a rock band, etc. Pretty pathetic if you ask me, but it proves that women want to learn how to be rock stars.
All in all, this situation is not as bad as it seems. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Hey, at least she has an amp.
this is so true, yet the best possible solution is going to be to cut her loose from your band.
keeping someone around who needs to be kicked out will eventually lead to the whole band breaking up out of frustration.
i have a lot of experience with these situations, unfortunately.
