Some Simple Questions About Playing Lead Guitar Live? (have Never Done It Before)?
Another play lead guitar question has come in this week. Let’s tackle it straight away:
Question: I got asked recently to play lead guitar in a concert in a weeks time, although I’ve never played lead guitar before. I have a few questions which may seem simple to experienced lead guitarists but are way out for me!
1) are pedals necessary? I’m only playing 2 songs
2) before a solo, should I turn my volume up and then down again after or leave it as it is?
3) do I play chords throughout the songs (apart from the solos) or infill with some riffs?
4) I’m playing some classic rock stuff and some alternative rock stuff, would I need a different tonal quality and how would I achieve this?
1) are pedals necessary? I’m only playing 2 songs
2) before a solo, should I turn my volume up and then down again after or leave it as it is?
3) do I play chords throughout the songs (apart from the solos) or infill with some riffs?
4) I’m playing some classic rock stuff and some alternative rock stuff, would I need a different tonal quality and how would I achieve this?
Sorry if these are simple questions. But I’ve never really played an electric guitar and it’s all alien to me. The technique isn’t the question, it’s just the set up.
Thanks for your help!
Answer: to enhance your performance you could use an ‘overdrive’ for drive a ‘chorus’ pedal to thicken the sound and a ‘delay’ to give it space…pay attention to your amplifier settings?…and adjust them to the acoustics of the venue?…tubular furniture,high ceilings and wooden floors are echoey and carpet and soft furnishings and curtains can be sound absorbing!…a clap of the hands on stage usually gives you a clue to the answer?…depending on your line up?…lead guitarists usually play their guitars set to full volume (for best tone) and use less attack with the pick whilst playing relevant fills/chords or sometimes a mixture of both until your solo… But!!!…make sure they fit the mood of the song…and remember!…sometimes its what you leave out that can be good (Eric Clapton plays less notes but with 100% feel!) and a good tip is to feed youre guitar lead thru the strap before plugging it into the guitar?…this prevents stepping on it and pulling it out of the jack socket!…which results in suffering an over dose of un-wanted silence!…av good un…
1)No, pedals are not necessary although many lead guitarists use them for effects purposes. Some amps have different channels for rhythm and lead guitars with the latter giving a boost in the signal.
2)You could but usually its not necessary as you are probably already playing a little bit louder.
3) This depends on the nature of the song. Some lead guitarist follow the rhythm and break off for solos. Some play different variations of the rhythm. Some play separate riffs and lead through the whole song so to speak.
4) Not really. Its hard to say not knowing what your set up is but pedals are a great way to achieve different sounds without switching amps or guitars. If you’re just playing a show or two I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I work at a recording studio and we will get classic rock, indie rock, and hardcore all out of the same amp but mind you we are working with great amps. It really depends on what you are playing out of.
Use a decent Amp with reverb and overdrive you should be fine – better start practicing young ‘un.