Tired of playing lead

[SlimGrady]

This is such a timely thread for me as I have been feeling the same way for some time now. After a busy summer I am feeling it even more.
When our band started 3 years ago, we were a three piece with a singer, we dropped the singer and picked up a much better one that played acoustic guitar. I was so excited thinking okay now I can free up a little! However, outside of a few mediocre strumming intros, we are still just a glorified 3 piece. Worst part of it all I have been lobbying for another lead instrument, keys or guitar it really doesn't matter, since almost the beginning and can't get the other guys on board?! Convenient for them because they don't care, they never play leads or understand that burden. To be the one guy in charge of guiding the song and melody.

As of late I feel I have won over my co founder of the band, the bass player, yet still our drummer and singer push back over money. Nonetheless, my bass player has contact with a keys player we have yet to hear yet, I am hoping and praying he works out. I am feeling the burn.

 

[toanhunter]

Try to inject some Steve Vai in your solos.

this! and allan holdsworth (good luck) and shawn lane lol

 

[toanhunter]

try learning to play like george benson, scat singing, with lead guitar mixed with singing, it's a good skill to have and for me increases my awareness of what I am playing, just do it for fun, it will improve your playing guaranteed because you're connecting it with your body.

 

[Holy smokes]

Lead is dead. Unless your Keith urban. I watched him mid solo grab a blind girl with his picking hand and there was no difference in the solo. Not one iota . Zilch haha. Come on man. Give me a break. So until you get your shizz together do the urban thang.three piece how boring is that.

 

[getbent]

tired of too much lead playing... this is akin to having way too much sex with hot girls who are both willing and unctuous.... too big of a steak... too much ice cream.... but, okay, I'm willing to entertain it (as a concept)

the solution... one word, two times.... wah wah.

 

[ClashCityTele]

Move to banjo?

 

[fenderchamp]

I have certainly have got sick of myself and my playing many times.

Like they say 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.

You can perhaps prepare some new challenges for your self to try to stretch your vocabulary.

Learn a new lick from one your favorite guitarists which will put you in a slightly uncomfortable situation, practice it a bit and try to use it in a couple songs each set.

Pick a solo (any solo) from your set to learn note for note off the record if you're not already doing it and and try to add one or more to a set for your next gig. Or adapt some other solo you admire to an existing song.

Improvise stuff you have worked out note for note, and work out stuff you improvise, or refocus solos that your have let slip.

Try to improvise a new lick say using only the two high strings where you generally play one of the old chestnuts that have your hating your playing.

Play some thing you play dirty clean and vice versa. Switch up which pickup you are using for different parts.

Try to start solos in different positions, either play a different lick in a different position, or try to play the same licks you usually play in different positions.

Mick Goodrick's "the advancing guitarist" is not a bad read.

Usually, with me, chuck berry syndrome is a result of my technique slipping and not being able to do anything cooler fast enough and clean enough... I'm not sure if that is an issue for you.

 

[Bob Womack]

I quit doing lead guitar and vocals in power trios when I realized I couldn't get out of the spotlight. Can't scratch or pick your nose.

Bob

 

[refin]

I've played in about 4 or 5 trios through the years---it has helped me rethink my role as a guitarist.I got so tired of playing solos in 98% of the songs.
The solution for me? Don't try to blister every one of them! Pace yourself,a simple chordal fill type solo that shakes hands with the song goes a long way.
It doesn't have to be a trio---right now I'm in a 6 piece band,but the keyboardist and I split the solos.Still,I have to stay fresh and pace my playing.Another thing that helped me was recording the gig----too much spaghetti playing!

 

[McGlamRock]

Others have said it but I’ll say it again, check out the YouTube for some hot lick tutorials. It’s always great to learn new licks and then transpose them in other keys. Grow that bag of tricks!

 

[black_doug]

I’ve played in the same country band, on and off, for over 20 years now. Except for about 5 of those years, I have always been the lead player. Actually, the lead singer almost never plays, so I am the ONLY guitar player in the band. He can’t play and sing at the same time…not criticizing him, just adding context.

The thing is, I am burned out on playing lead. I start every song and play every solo, plus try to help keep the rhythm going. Plus, I am unhappy with my playing, as it seems like every other solo I play is some variation of “Johnny B. Goode”.

Have any of you been in a similar situation?

You should just be glad to be gigging at all.

 

[39martind18]

As a solo act, any lead playing is on me. That said, I do not consider myself as a good lead player, but to keep audiences interested when I try, I employ a Roland GR30 guitar synthesizer to give my weak attempts some different voices and textures. What got me started doing this was seeing a very decent lead player use the guitar synth to great effect in a band setting. He used the keyboard voices to great effect for fills, and voices like fiddle, pedal steel sax and even flute (think Marshall Tucker Band). I can't honestly say that I'm all that great, but the different lead sounds can keep things fresher.

 

[KillingTone]

tired of too much lead playing... this is akin to having way too much sex with hot girls who are both willing and unctuous.... too big of a steak... too much ice cream.... but, okay, I'm willing to entertain it (as a concept)

the solution... one word, two times.... wah wah.

I was trying to come up with a good way to express my astonishment that someone would be tired of soloing and you nailed it. For me, I could never get tired of lead (or any of the other things you mentioned!). I’m perfectly happy that my bandmates lean on me for all the solos. We’re not a note for note group so each song lets me experiment a little with my take of the solo. It keeps me feeling creative. I’m OK with rhythm too but I’m happy to let the other guy do it.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

. . . it seems like every other solo I play is some variation of “Johnny B. Goode”.

Have any of you been in a similar situation?

I have a friend with the Johnny B. Goode problem. You're right, a little goes a long way.

I know of no cure.

 

[Silent Otto]

I love threads like this. The collective wisdom is outstanding.
However, it does make me wonder if the OP ever came back to read all the great replies.

My thought is that even SRV added keys.

 

[clydethecat]

Try to inject some Steve Vai in your solos.

Or some Richard Thompson...

 

[BFcaster]

I read this thread's OP and I think that I wrote it. Did I? no, but I could have. Especially the bit about Johnny B. Goode. That's funny, actually. Chuck (and Keith Richards) are the only excuse I have to being remotely called a lead player. I had the a poor bass player...so, I also had to kinda cover the bass line as well. This was not always fun, but to do what I wanted it was required. Doing song like the Stones' "Honky Tonk Women", where I'd start it off and set the table, kinda made it easier for the rest of the band. We also did "Midnight Rambler" (same deal), "Happy" (ditto)...even "Badge" by Cream....shoulda been the bass as a lead-in, but no it was me.

 

[hotraman]

I play a few leads, but am more of a 2nd lead rhythm guitarist.
OP, maybe try to learn how to play 8 string lap steel or pedal steel guitar.
In addition to playing 2nd electric guitar, I cover the keys in my band ( 1970's Southern rock, ballads, etc)
I get to play a lot of solos ( piano, B3 and Rhodes sounds)

 

[Beelzedad]

Embrace the rut, it's a sign you're headed somewhere new.

 

[charlie chitlin]

Steal licks from another instrument...sax or harmonica.
The things that happen naturally on one instrument are challenging on another.
Find the best player in your area and take some lessons.
Some legendary people teach.
I found Arlen Roth.
He lit a fire under me.