What do you look for in a guitar player at auditions?

[Dale Cleary]

Just as in the drummer thread this may be helpful to younger players so please feel free to share your thoughts.

[Dale Cleary]

The first thing I look for in a guitarist is his or her ability to listen to the other musicians around them. This shows that the band and the music are the focus as opposed to the guy that spends the whole time fiddling with his amp' to get HIS sound right.
Listening to the other musicians shows good manners and is likely to result in better performance from everybody. A musician who doesn't listen is like a person who always interupts when speaking with others, resulting in a one way conversation.

Of course they have to be able to play!

[bataisflow]

Well yeah they have to be able to play is the #1 thing! Also, I am tired of guitar players who just noodle a solo - come up with a melody. Being able to play both lead and rythm is key.

[Squireaholic]

I like a guitarist who:
Shows up and is ready to start on time
Is pleasant on and off the stage
Knows the setlist
Stays within the genre being played
Plays at a volume appropriate to the venue as well as the music
Is not a 'wowielookatmeimsoloingagainarentigreat'
Is considerate of other 'bandies and the audience

...it's because it is similar

[Q]

A guitarist's greatest possible asset is a clear lack of awareness that he's as good as he actually is ...

Q

[RobAdams]

After original JETHRO TULL lead guitarist Mick Abrahams left the band after their 1st album, one of many who auditioned for the lead guitar spot was a guy who showed up without an amplifier. His audition was executed with just an electric guitar without amplification. Ian Anderson had to strain to hear the guy play. This guitarist was none other than Martin Barre, who became the band's second longest remaining member aside from Anderson.

JETHRO TULL TRIVIA QUESTIONS:

In between Mick Abrahams and Martin Barre, JETHRO TULL had another guitarist who filled in for the suddenly departed Abrahams. None of this guitarist's brief career with TULL has appeared on any official JETHRO TULL album - although a performance of this line-up appeared on a long unreleased album that featured other artists as well.

Who was the guitarist?
What band did the guitarist join soon after his short stint in TULL?
and
What is the only album where a performance of this rare TULL lineup can be heard?

[brismike]

ok we give up . .who is it?

[YESYOUANDI]

Was it another Brummie-----Tony Iommi-----Black Sabbath?

Cheers,

[bataisflow]

I think he joined the monkees shortly after.

[Dale Cleary]

Someone who isn't on drugs! They can be a nightmare. I had to find an awol guitarist one night. I eventually found him in the ladies toilet doing speed. It was his last gig after that !

[bataisflow]

If doing drugs is more important than playing your instrument, that's a problem for sure. But a little fun never hurt anyone (or has it?)

Actually drunk musicians are the worst! I'd rather have someone baked off their gord than drunk as a skunk youknowwhatiamsayin?

[Dale Cleary]

And we were doing these enormous weekend tours lasting 4 to 5 days. We'd get to about within an hour of the venue and the bass player and guitarist would break out a six pack. This would be around 3 to 4 pm.
After setting up while drinking beer they would perhaps rest or eat and be drinking while doing that.
During the show (lasting 3 hours) they would continually dring bourbon.
I'd sometimes get a hard time from them re' tempo's ?? Can you imagine ? I was the one drinking the Orange juice.
If the musician wants to have fun making music should be enough.
If they want to take drugs save it for after the show. The only people who think that performance is enhanced are the ones on the drugs.
It can be a real problem for those just wishing to work and pay the bills. A musician on drugs has an agenda that doesn't involve but may effect the performance.
IMHO.

:drummer:

[bataisflow]

I was in a band called Midnight Kitchen from Boulder, CO. THe Lead Guitar, Rythm/Lead singer and myself were all freinds going way back in High School. My Lead player would have a bottle of Jack behind his amp almost every night. He would get drunk as a skunk (we all drank but didn't tear it up like him). The funny thing was he never missed a lick, I mean spot on - that guy has a lot of talent. Actually, most of us could play our instruments in our sleep! One night though he got so wasted he started rambling some BS in the mike for like 5 minutes - it was actually pretty hilarious! But after that we had to take the mike away from him.

[Dale Cleary]

I replaced a drummer in a caberet show who'd had a deal with the lighting man. Every time a number ended the guy would turn down the lights over the drumkit so this guy could have a swig from a whisky bottle !!
Some of the shows had been a bit rough apparently.

Many people can play while drinking. In Melbourne there is or was in my day a tradition of hiring rehearsal rooms for over 8 hours. After about the first 5 or 6 someone would bring in a 6 pack or something. We got quite used to it but it can get out of hand.
Sydney doesn't have the same mentality as Melbourne being an outdoor type of town. rehearsals would last 3 to 4 hours only. No excuse to drink during this time. But many do !

:band:

[Dances w/PURPLE]

Dances here is NOT a musician, did play the clarinet in school but nothing to what you all are talking about but let me throw my .2 cents in because while reading this thread several things struck me.
bataisflow said:
If doing drugs is more important than playing your instrument, that's a problem for sure. But a little fun never hurt anyone (or has it?) Actually drunk musicians are the worst! I'd rather have someone baked off their gord than drunk as a skunk youknowwhatiamsayin?
Dances:
Someone close to us is a musician and was in a band. He's a serious musician and I've seen him play many times at jams and so forth. He doesn't drink. Problem with the band he was in is you have five guys, with the majority drinking like fish. The bar tab is deducted from the band's pay...who got jipped? He was basically supporting their bad habits. Liqour or skunk effected the playing? I recall one night watching one of the bandmembers get sloppy drunk and then going on stage and eating the microphone (almost..actually, I think he was using his lips to prop himself up) and butchering the song that on the CD is a cleaner cut. I'm not talking about a little "herbal inspiration" but the kind of stupe that effects your performance. How about a "nasty" drunk? You can say, "well that was the Jack talking" all you want but sooner or later...

[STARRSHIP TROOPER]

The guitar players that i've had the best results playing with are
1. Skilled; they don't have to be experts but should be able to follow songs writen to their skill level.
2.Fun; they should have fun playing and I have to have fun playing with them
3. Dedicated; Hey if you don't whant to rehears or take gigs BY
4.Did I say fun? Yea when your sound is going out super and the people listening are into you are into your sound so much that they are part of our show, thats fun thats good guitar playing.
You may miss a note, a chord or your place in a song alltogether. If your good you'll catch up and your band mates lafing will cover you till you do. Unless your playing All Good People Your Move because the croud knows the song note for note and give you those dagger eyes.
Starrship Trooper

[RobAdams]

Tony Iommi is the answer to the TULL question. Sorry about the delayed response! I forgot all about this thread!

Of course Iommi went on to join Black Sabbath.

The album that reputedly has Iommi's only TULL appearance is the ROLLING STONES ROCK AND ROLL CIRCUS. The track is SONG FOR JEFFREY.

I have since learned that this is incorrect. The RSRRC was originally to be a TV special. TULL were on it, but they mimed to the backing track for A SONG FOR JEFFREY. Iommi was there, but he was not playing a note! The only one playing, according to Ian himself was Ian. The CD & DVD was released in the mid 90's.

Sorry to take this thread off track!

Now, BACK TO WHAT YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUITAR PLAYER AT AN AUDITION!

[Keyloard]

First I look at his technique. If he's sloppy in practice, he'll be sloppy live. Next I look at style. Can he play jazz? Can he play classical? Can he groove, play funk, improv, play with a latin feel? How good is his chord and scale vocabulary? The I look at his creativity. Can he write music? Can he write more than a simple 3 chord song? Does he write lyrics? These are the 3 main things I look for. Then there are other minute things like fitting into the band. Is he grungy while everyone else in the band is clean cut and preppy? Is he cocky or modest? Is he socialable or shy? Just my two cents.

[therifferoo]

Oh, there are lots of things.
One important thing, I think, which goes for all musicians, is what I like to call "fill-space courtesy"and intuition. The guitarist I play in the 10-piece with and I have played together for so long, it's like telepathy, man. We very rarely, if ever, step on each other.
That's important. As someone said above, ya gotta have "big ears".
Volume is important, too.
As well as tone, dynamics, expression, versatility, "personality."

Lotsa stuff!!

Yeah, showing up for gigs, and showing up sober enough to play is always helpful, too!! LOL!

~Riff. :keyboard:

[Rabin105]

I'm a great guitarest i can play all those styles and i don't do drugs so why am i not in a band oh and i don't look for guitarests I don't need any guitarest since i already am one

[Dale Cleary]

Do you audition ?
If you can't find a band, start your own. It isn't that hard so you should have one soon.
Good luck :D

[STARRSHIP TROOPER]

Rabin105, I didn't see there was that much trouble getting into a band. Finding gigs is the hard part even if you fill a place and the crowd loves you , you may not get booked at that place again for a year. visit your local music stores and check the postings boards. you might find something to work with either people just whanting to jam or looking for experienced guitarist like you. I turned down a friend with a band this summer because they are an all accustic and I need my electric wailing fix. I can't play as much anymore because my hands are swollen most of the time. There is a chance that two other friends and I may start a band this spring. Brad can do all the leads, I'll play rythum when I can and probably a few dueling leads, but I have a great vocal range from Jon Anderson to Justin Haywood. Is it that you don't whant to be in a band with 2 or more gutarist ? This is how Steve Howe likes it. Or you just can't find a band. Maybe if you relocate to Austraila Dale can set you up.
Starrship Trooper

[yes_angel]

Of course talent and not acting like you are the best!Audience contact is a blessing in it's self.

[YYY]

Long Hair and a cumcumber

[STARRSHIP TROOPER]

YYY are you Leif Garret?

[JohnPaul]

Being a guitarist, competent at lead, rhythm and classical (and not one with an overly dominant ego).. I look for either:

1) In the case of a supporting guitarist - good timing, good listening, good ability to pickup where problems occur in the rhythm section.. don't know or care if they do drugs provided they aren't a problem worker..

2) In the case of a co-personality - all of the above, plus the ability to share the stage politely, but if there's any issue of contention, can that issue become a vehicle to promote both of us - the Duane Alman/Eric Clapton thing of Derek and the Dominoes. In this case, it's good they they have there own specialty - blue grass perhaps..

But honestly, I've only ever put bands together that haven't gone very far in the performance venues.. so, my 2 cents are worth maybe a penny and a half.

[Dale Cleary]

Hey YYY. remember not to wrap the thing in alfoil !! A brown paper bag should do the trick.
Rabin come to Oz. I can then introduce you to the music and theatre buisness here.
You'll then want to go home :D

[therifferoo]

Rabin105....
Check out these things:

1) Go around to all the rehearsal spaces and recording studios and music stores in your area. They almost always have bulletin boards. Put up an ad for yourself, and scan the ads that are up while you're at it.

2) Go to jam nights. This is a great way to meet other musicians, and a good forum to show 'em your chops!!

3) If there are any music schools or colleges that offer music depts. in your area, hang out there for a while and hook up with some of the students. They probably have bulletin boards there, too, so bring your ad to post there, too!! Ha ha!!

4) Check out classified ads in music mags.

5) Check out www.musiciansreferral.com (I think that's right! You'll find it!) for listings from all over. You can place an ad for yourself there, too.

ABOVE ALL....

PERSERVERE!!!! Keep jamming. Keep practicing and working on strengthening your weaknesses and making your strengths more dynamic. And keep pounding the pavement and putting yourself out there....either someone will find you, or you will find someone. It's amazing how many great musicians there are out there once you really start looking hard.

GOOD LUCK Rabin105.....

Shred it baby, shred it!! LOL!! Rock On, Brother!!

~Riff. :keyboard:

[STARRSHIP TROOPER]

My son is a great guitarists. He's 17 and started playing 3 years ago. He is in a band writes all the music and rules the frets at a speed and precistion only seen in pros. He makes me sick. I can't keep up with him and I've played for 38 years.
here's what I see with him as a band member. He helps the others by being patiant and teaching them the complex riffs he writes. He loves playing and will practice 4 to 6 hours a day. He rehearses with his band 3 to 4 days a week.
And he has set a goal in his mind to make it big no questions about it. I bought him a new 120 watt Crate amp head and twin 4 -12" cabinets for Christmas. Now I can get my practice amp back.
Starrship Trooper

[BillGuitar]

The ability to realize that ability is sometimes no ability at all.

[Parish]

The ability to realize that ability is sometimes no ability at all.

Brilliant...

[BillGuitar]

Brilliant...

I really am sometimes embarrassed by all of these bands playing kinda-Yes, but they really aren't. Howe they ever got in a band before me is a baffler...

Rob and I were talking about this. It's quite odd.

Parish, only Fripp would play ONE NOTE in Starless. But that one note builds more brilliant tension than a gajillion Yngwies!

:heydude:

[BillGuitar]

more cowbell!

[Yes.2]

The ability to realize that ability is sometimes no ability at all.
:Wow:

Good one Bill!:clap:

[BillGuitar]

:Wow:

Good one Bill!:clap:

SOON OVER BABALUMA

[Imperatrix]

I look for a guitarist who does not wank...on the guitar, that is.

And NO GEARHEADS. Shut up 'n play yer guitar.

[BillGuitar]

I look for a guitarist who does not wank...on the guitar, that is.

And NO GEARHEADS. Shut up 'n play yer guitar.

Hey! I wank!

(but it is Satriani-wank, not Petrucci)

MattLuv!:hearts:

[Andrea YouAndI]

The ability to realize that ability is sometimes no ability at all.

First question: WHAT? :Wow:

Second question: Why were you so bored that you had to bump up these old threads, Bill? ;)

Third question: Why am I even looking at this thread? I'm not a musician, just an honorary assistant! :lmao:

Now back to your regularly scheduled non-threadcraps...

[Timmo]

A big package.

[Yes.2]

SOON OVER BABALUMA

An album so genius it's almost pure insanity????


Yeah buddy!!!!!:bncy: