So what do YOU do to stand out from the other guitar players in your scene?

[Blazer]

Well, to make a lasting impression, means that you have to do something differently from the others.

In my own case I noticed that every band in my local scene has a guitarist using a Fuzz pedal and that chainsaw tone is everywhere.

So to stand out, I'm using a Mooer "Solo" as in "Soldano" pedal for moderate distortion and an Ibanez stereo Chorus (eighties pedal) and Mooer Analog Delay to fatten the thing up. So far it works because I DO sound like myself and nobody else.

 

[Vibroluxer]

I only play at home so as not to embarrass others.

 

[Moonraker5]

Play Rickenbackers.

 

[chris m.]

I just do me. I'm me, and no one else is.

To be a bit less philosophical, I suppose I can say that I've developed my own style and feel over decades, and so I have my own sound. An objective observer would hopefully say that I play what is needed to support the song, and am good at both rhythm and lead. Hopefully they would also say that I lean towards tones that are appropriate, classic, and sit well in the mix.

With respect to lead playing I try to make it melodic, musical, and synergistic with the whole song. Not just a bunch of wheedly wheedly thrown on top of just about any song. Tricks to doing this are playing the changes, often incorporating variations on the vocal melody, and trying to come up with something that has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

 

[68tele]

Fewer notes, more melody in solos/breaks

 

[Timbresmith1]

I start with original material, and I play like me. Driving rhythm interspersed with Travis picked atmospheric segments that come back to hammer the listener. I am working that guitar and amp. Hard.
Be afraid.

 

[posttoastie]

this works for him, play it high

 

[Chiogtr4x]

Okay whatever group I happened to be in, and there are three, we all play different cover music styles

And admittedly it may be the same pool of music that a lot of other people play, so my emphasis is to put together a fantastic sounding band with good vocals.
I try to sing really well, and folks seem to like it.
I kind of morphed over the years ( many), from a lead guitar player, that is now a singer who plays decent guitar. Just saying there is a balance there...

Everyone I play with are very good musicians
at their respective instruments and we like to show that off, but it's all about a band sound and delivery of a good song; doesn't matter what it is.

Edit- all above was edited to make sense !

 

[Controller]

If they play low I play high and vice versa.

 

[CCK1]

I don't always use a pick, and I'm not afraid to use the neck pickup, or roll off the tone control.

 

[sax4blues]

I wait until they stop and play things which are beautiful to the ear. Non musicians often don’t recognize the skills in flash. They do hear the one beautifully placed note or phrase.

 

[Old Plank]

Well I don't do anything really, and I definitely don't stand out!
Focusing on our originals a lot more than others is one thing I guess, but then there's so many listeners that just want to hear the same ol' faves they know.

 

[JL_LI]

I’m a standout just being me. I never play outside the house except on the porch or one of the patios. Don’t believe it? C’mon over.

 

[mr natural]

Back when I was in a scene I was the only cat who could fingerpick. Everyone else had started with rock right away but I had started out With Mississippi John Hurt, John Renbourn, Gordon Lightfoot and John Fahey. I taught a lot of people how to do it.

 

[SixStringSlinger]

Be me, whoever that is on a given day.
Show up on time and prepared.
Don’t be a dick nor suffer dicks.
Know that it’s not always going to be fun but quit once it’s never fun.
Let things fall where they may from there.

 

[Moonraker5]

Come on, folks, to be perfectly real, nobody here is going to stand out amongst their peers by claiming they have their own style, their own sound, their own techniques... Unless Hendrix is posting on this thread, those lines above are just a load of hogwash. You are not Hendrix. You are not standing out based on what and how you play.

So how does one stand out? I'll tell you: Guitar you play, clothes, haircut, shoes, amp, cool strap, new capo, picks you use, no pedals, worn out Levis, a NEW MODEL ARMY t-shirt (the once hip Joy Division and Ramones t-shirts are now not hip as they are now worn by fourth grade kids)...... Those are the ways you stand out.

Wear one of these...

Play one of these:

You'll stand out.

 

[posttoastie]

Wear your own shirt

 

[drumtime]

I have no motivation or reason to want to stand out. I want to fit in. Takes at least as much skill, IMO.

Actually, I probably do stand out because I'm 40 years older than everyone else on stage.

 

[Preacher]

I play so badly sometimes people can't forget me if they tried.

 

[brookdalebill]

I use a B bender to mimic a pedal steel.
I don’t use it all the time, and I don’t play B bender “licks”.
When I split solos, I use the bender for the back half of the solo, usually.
I also know a bunch of songs, and their signature intro, solo, and outros.
Both guitar and pedal steel parts.
It’s kept me employed, and employable.