I've started rehearsing with a new band which is awesome and getting to play songs i've been writing is excellent fun. Looks like we have a gig or two lined up in the new year too. The drummer and bassist are great and shut up when required but the second guitarist seems to have no 'off' switch. Or understanding of volume. Or what too much treble/multi effects/gain means.
I am relatively new to this outfit which have been playing together loosely for a year or so but since joining they have all said how much better the band is sounding with the songs i've brought along.
We were recording the session last time for reference and analysis but he is playing over literally everything including intros, disussions etc. Most of it is just incoherent flange soaked multii effect 'distortion' but he does have his moments of genius. I've tried gently explaining what might be a good guitar part for him to play but my patience is wearing thin - how can I approach this? Our sessions are really productive but its painful when we can't hear ourselves discuss ideas.
Rant over!
Comments
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It's probably the novelty of being able to play properly loud for 2 hours, once a week but band practice is for rehearsing songs as a band, NOT practicing licks and noodling.
Another suggestion is playing the same annoying lick whenever he speaks. Like, every time. It sends a clear message about how annoying he's being.
Have you talked to the others and found out if they find it as annoying?
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I'll most likely be hungover during our next one so I might be a little less restrained. Thanks all!
I was in a band with a bass player like that. He wouldn't take the hint, or a telling, and it eventually wore me and the drummer down so we left. Is this guitarist bringing anything good to the mix aside from the occasional "moment of genius"?
You might just have to acknowledge the fact that this guy is not your guy and let him go. It sounds like you have a solid unit between you, the drummer and the bassist so the band won't stop functioning if/when you start looking for a replacement.
Also, sounds like your band practice etiquette is spot on, good job buddy!
dont do anything other than having a quiet 1:1 with him.
dont tell him he is wrong, ask him about it
Maybe he loves music, he loves guitar, he loves playing it
maybe band practices don't have to be formal processes manageme by strict protocols
maybe you are wrong and he is right
or in reality is somewhere in between
peace brothers and sisters
I do get the impression the second guitarist does love playing etc but its a pain when someone you don't know all that well is holding things back. Hopefully he has had a chance to practice this weeks so maybe Sunday's practice will be a different ball game!
As as with all conflcts like this, don't talk much - just ask him questions and see what he says about his music etc and his gaols and what he likes to do.
and then he might ask you, and you do the same.
and at the end you have a much better mutual understanding of each other and a much better chance of sorting it out, plus the possible benefit of some synergy
we are very rarely right in life - the other persons usually has a very valid viewpoint that we'd not thought about
good luck