What's it called when...

[marshman]

Is there a name for the phenomenon of guitarists who, when faced with nothing to do while drums and bass handle a little interlude, decide to play the bassline too? If you want to know what I'm talking about, try playing Rocky Mountain Way. It happens in plenty of other songs, but that one really is guaranteed to bring it out.

 

[Call Me Al]

This is known as Spotlight Deficit Syndrome, or SDS. Or Piggybacking in layman’s terms.

 

[hawk620]

It's called annoying.....especially when his timing isn't the same as mine.

 

[Peegoo]

I would guess in some cases it's caused by the feeling they need to be playing SOMEthing rather than stand there.

This sort of stuff hopefully comes with experience because it can take a while to understand that knowing when not to play is equally as important as when to play.

 

[lowatter]

Less is more...more or less.

 

[Lawdawg]

Guitarists who do that are missing out. I always loved those parts of the set, I could light up a cig, sort of look cool up on stage, and flirt with the girls in the front.

 

[beep.click]

I once wrote a really cool bass part for a recording project. The guitar player threw it out. He wanted me to double the guitar line.

 

[schmee]

Is there a name for the phenomenon of guitarists who, when faced with nothing to do while drums and bass handle a little interlude, decide to play the bassline too? If you want to know what I'm talking about, try playing Rocky Mountain Way. It happens in plenty of other songs, but that one really is guaranteed to bring it out.

I believe that's called "former guitar player" in local bands.
Or it could be a guitar player smart enough to know his bassist will get lost or screw up in the interlude so trying to keep them on track......

But where is it in Rocky Mountain Way? I dont hear it.

 

[johnny k]

Agreed. Put down the guitar and bust a move ! Something like that should do the trick.

 

[Peegoo]

But where is it in Rocky Mountain Way? I dont hear it.

The breakdown immediately preceeding the talk box skullduggery.

 

[marshman]

Check in @ 2:59--yeah, it's bass drums and synth, but a guitar ain't synth.

 

[Grandfunkfan]

We used to call it over play. It's quite common among the youngsters that are trying to play everything they can because it's cool to actually be able to play. Power trios tend to do it too but it makes sense cause you need to fill space. I'm in band now that's basically a trio with a keyboard player so I really don't have an excuse to over play but we're a blues band so I feel the need to keep the guitar omnipresent. We just added a sax player a couple weeks ago and we let him and the keyboard player solo so I'm backing off ... Kinda. Unless it's ruining your sound enjoy it and feel free to share all those hard earned licks!

 

[Deeve]

"Laying out" may be an under-discussed part of playing cooperatively. See, generally, "harmonica guy" sitting in...