Thought I would update this thread. Played on and off with both guitarists since March when I started this thread - realized during that time that I don't really want to play with gtr1 (busy British guy who doesn't listen) but think I can handle gtr2. A drummer friend of mine decided to come up for a weekend, when I told gtr2 he was all ready to book the same outdoor gig, for July this time. I said ok, we tried to get a violinist who sat in the first time but he wasn't available. So what does gtr2 do? Invites gtr1 without asking me! I went along with it, they were both gone again for about a month but we had two or three chances to rehearse with just the three of us, then the drummer came and we got one rehearsal in with him before the gig.
He hadn't played drums in almost two years, but slotted in great. Even without really knowing the songs he could fake it, I tried to give obvious cues. He ended up playing way better than gtr1 who should know the songs but just isn't paying attention - he just wants to go out into the stratosphere EVERY SINGLE CHANCE HE GETS - intro? STRATOSPHERE. Verse? TIME TO PLUMB THE DEPTHS OF SPACE. Chorus? ANOTHER CHANCE TO NOODLE! Actual solo section? He's ok, but I realized his phrasing isn't very good, just a bunch of notes tied together without telling a story. Cue to next section? OOPS SORRY I WAS STILL TRYING TO TRANSCEND THE LIMITS OF CONSCIOUSNESS WHILE I SEARCH FOR THAT ELUSIVE LICK.
Moral of the story - not playing with gtr1 again. I don't have time. It was fun while it lasted but I finally learned my lesson. Even vendors were complaining about him apparently - he was too loud too (of course!) Hope my drummer can make it up again before the end of the year, record some more, maybe even try and get a gig. But it won't be with gtr1, and it won't be an outdoors daytime gig where we have to bring our own PA - though we actually got paid this time! Fancy that...
Thanks for all the comments earlier on!
He hadn't played drums in almost two years, but slotted in great. Even without really knowing the songs he could fake it, I tried to give obvious cues. He ended up playing way better than gtr1 who should know the songs but just isn't paying attention - he just wants to go out into the stratosphere EVERY SINGLE CHANCE HE GETS - intro? STRATOSPHERE. Verse? TIME TO PLUMB THE DEPTHS OF SPACE. Chorus? ANOTHER CHANCE TO NOODLE! Actual solo section? He's ok, but I realized his phrasing isn't very good, just a bunch of notes tied together without telling a story. Cue to next section? OOPS SORRY I WAS STILL TRYING TO TRANSCEND THE LIMITS OF CONSCIOUSNESS WHILE I SEARCH FOR THAT ELUSIVE LICK.
Moral of the story - not playing with gtr1 again. I don't have time. It was fun while it lasted but I finally learned my lesson. Even vendors were complaining about him apparently - he was too loud too (of course!) Hope my drummer can make it up again before the end of the year, record some more, maybe even try and get a gig. But it won't be with gtr1, and it won't be an outdoors daytime gig where we have to bring our own PA - though we actually got paid this time! Fancy that...
Thanks for all the comments earlier on!
