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Got an issue playing with this guitarist

F

Fassa Albrecht

Feb 18, 2007
7,818
26
38
Tyneside, UK
#1
I'm in need of some advice on this one.

My CU band got together at the end of last month to try out some new guitarists, and to choose a couple to play this year.

ANyway, my problem is this- I have played with one of the new guitarists before in a friendly sort of way, and I really did not enjoy the experience. This guy is a good enough player but is a little too clever for his own good, and tries to make things a lot harder than they need to be, especially the songs. This means that I'm forced to play catch-up as he completely screws around with the songs and also sing.

What should I do? Should I outright refuse to play with this guy or what???
 
#2
sometimes playing catchup can be a great growing experience

...but i'm not sure if you mean he's creating complex arrangements and time signatures, etc. or just overanalyzing the existing structure without adding something to the song

if it's the former, i'd give it a shot, if the latter, i'd try to talk to him about changing his ways a bit before refusing

good luck:)
 
#3
Just my 2 cents, but since you described him as "a good enough player" instead of "an excellent player" or something a little more complementary, I say toss him. While excellent guitarists are hard to find, good ones are a dime-a-dozen. There's no reason to play with anyone you don't want to...unless you're getting payed.
 
#4
What is a CU band?

If it's your church band then the leader of the band would probably tame him if he gets too busy. Even if he does get a little bust that doesn't mean you have to change your bass line unless he's playing something syncopated with you and the drummer. Your job is to hold the fort down so let him and the other musicians battle it out.
 
#5
You said you are getting together to try new guitarists out, including one you didn't gel with before.

I would just rock up, play my best bass with all the guitarists trying out, then put in my 2 cents on who I felt gelled with the band and who didn't.

If your friend overplays out of the musics' context then not taking him on should be a no brainer, right?
 
#6
Depth_Charge said:
If your friend overplays out of the musics' context then not taking him on should be a no brainer, right?
Click to expand...

Who actually picks the guitarists?

If you explain this to the other members of the band and don't vote for him, what else can you do? If the other members of the band vote him in, then it's up to you, whatever you do.
 
#7
If he is as good as he seems, it might be a good learning experience. Also you have to do your homework before, so you know what to expect and not be 2 blocks away from the guitard.
If he is a douche and selfish, replace him cause he is just asking for trouble.
 
#8
If he's screwing around, why is it up to you to play catch up? Play the agreed arrangement, and nail it. If he goes off on one, that's his problem.

As a general rule good players don't throw the rest of the band when they do unexpected stuff, because they do it so well its "expected" - they can throw something in and make it so natural that you can follow them easily. If he's throwing the band he's not as good as he thinks (or as he'd like to be - overly flash playing is usually trying to hide limitations).

It sounds like you didn't get much (if any) say in his recruitment, you've raised your concerns politely. Now you've just got to get on and do your job. If it blows up then you tried your best, and your not responsible.

ian
 
#9
capnsandwich said:
What is a CU band?

If it's your church band then the leader of the band would probably tame him if he gets too busy. Even if he does get a little bust that doesn't mean you have to change your bass line unless he's playing something syncopated with you and the drummer. Your job is to hold the fort down so let him and the other musicians battle it out.
Click to expand...



CU band- Christian Union band. It's basically a society for any Christian uni students, and we meet once a week with a band playing worship music.

As for the guitarists, we've already chosen them and this guy is one of them.
 

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