Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

We have an established, well-paid, highly sought after cover band, but we can't find one talented, committed guitarist in Cincinnati who can play jazz and R&B! What's up?!! Either they can't play well enough to keep up or they're too individualistic to fit the group dynamic. I thought keyboardists and soloists were the biggest premadonnas. I feel like I've come across some new breed of musicians. Everybody wants to be a fill-in.

Guitar players are a dime a dozen be patient you will find what you are looking for. I think part of the problem with most guitar players today is they put the cart before the horse they all want to be rock stars before they learn how to play their instrument and frankly jazz is over a lot of peoples heads they just want to hear Play That Funky Music and Sweet Home Alabama all nite long. (incidentaly I am a guitar player) you probably should try your local craigslist and backpage. There are a lot of great Jazzers down here in the Houston Area (has a great jazz scene) good luck!

Haley has it in a nut. I've been always fortunate with guitarists but have heard many a story like this. You'll find one, best of luck with it.

One thing I've noticed is that everyone is different. You can't really expect a cookie-cutter kinda guy who plays like you're used to & just fits in perfect, like a new part on an old car. (I'm not saying that's your problem or anything.) With any new player, the band will sound slightly different, unless you're one of those "note-for-note" bands, which I really don't prefer, myself.

Our new guitarist is way different from the aggressive style that I became used to with the last guy. We played everything a bit fast for his particular style of playing.

With the new guy, we're able to better find a groove, & I've had to slightly alter the way I play some songs, as a bass player, to accomodate his own unique sound. I'm liking it, btw, but yeah, it does make me learn to play the stuff in a whole different way, sometimes.

We've had him for about 6 practices, & we've gotten two very solid sets together in that short time, plus some that are a bit iffy, as yet. That's to be expected, of course, especially on the original material. Now I'll admit that we aren't playing jazz, but I don't really think the genre has much to do with it. Sometimes you just have to accept what a guy does, & it can make your sound even better in the long run.

Of course it took us about 3 or 4 years to find him...& we dealt with the drunk untuning flighty twit for far too long while we searched.

Finding ANY "committed, adaptable, dependable, sober, accomplished" musician, on any instrument, is a pain in the back door, but when you find one, it makes it all worthwhile.

Believe me - I feel your pain!

Best of luck.

Ohiokeys wrote:We have an established, well-paid, highly sought after cover band, but we can't find one talented, committed guitarist in Cincinnati who can play jazz and R&B! What's up?!! Either they can't play well enough to keep up or they're too individualistic to fit the group dynamic. I thought keyboardists and soloists were the biggest premadonnas. I feel like I've come across some new breed of musicians. Everybody wants to be a fill-in.

I understand your frustrations. I've endured drunk drummers, showboating bassists, "all-lead-no-rhythm" guitarists, and of course the "I've got tons of personal and dependency problems" singers...

However, I hate when ppl make such sweeping generalizations about someone just because of the instrument they play.

I appreciate the good word. You can tell I'm a little frustrated. I'm not typically one to make generalized statements but we're a highly skilled 9-piece band who gel well musically and socially, but we have to cycle through 4 different lead guitarists. Of course, the show has to always be built around the guitarist who's chosen; they would rather play the gig without attending rehearsal; neither of them help nor offer to help with setup or strike, and they want to get paid early or first so they can leave as soon as the last note is played or soon after. And those are the consistent characteristics - not to mention their individual querks! Does anybody else have to deal with this level of arrogance??? Maybe it's a Cincinnati thing.

Just wondering Ohiokeys?

Is it that expectation is too high or is it the social thing as well? I know from being in some really good bands everything has to match up right?

I've learned to lessen my expectations because often times you'll find gold where you least expect it.

Just my tuppence, hope you find what you are looking for.

Ohiokeys wrote:I appreciate the good word. You can tell I'm a little frustrated. I'm not typically one to make generalized statements but we're a highly skilled 9-piece band who gel well musically and socially, but we have to cycle through 4 different lead guitarists. Of course, the show has to always be built around the guitarist who's chosen; they would rather play the gig without attending rehearsal; neither of them help nor offer to help with setup or strike, and they want to get paid early or first so they can leave as soon as the last note is played or soon after. And those are the consistent characteristics - not to mention their individual querks! Does anybody else have to deal with this level of arrogance??? Maybe it's a Cincinnati thing.

Oh yeah! I've had that with guitarists more than others, maybe...but there were a cpl keyboardists who were just as bad or worse...I feel for the drummer, myself. They can never ever slack. LOL

And singers! Oh my good grief! No equipment. No rehearsing on their own & using cheat sheets. No helping w/set up & break down. Constantly trying to pick up somebody's wife. Always late. Yadda yadda yadda!

Jazz is the hardest of the genres on guitar, in my opinion.
Not likely to find a good jazz guitarist through want ads...
I recommend advertising in any university that is within driving range for you. Hit up their music majors.

Jimi Hendrix was fired from Little Richard and the Isley Bros bands for showboating. And we all know how that turned out.

Ohiokeys wrote:I appreciate the good word. You can tell I'm a little frustrated. I'm not typically one to make generalized statements but we're a highly skilled 9-piece band who gel well musically and socially, but we have to cycle through 4 different lead guitarists. Of course, the show has to always be built around the guitarist who's chosen; they would rather play the gig without attending rehearsal; neither of them help nor offer to help with setup or strike, and they want to get paid early or first so they can leave as soon as the last note is played or soon after. And those are the consistent characteristics - not to mention their individual querks! Does anybody else have to deal with this level of arrogance??? Maybe it's a Cincinnati thing.

The last time I dealt with that, it wasn't the guitarist lol. I see it with all positions. It's the person, not the instrument. Some musicians just get good enough to start getting way too much positive attention, and then the next thing you know, you are dealing with Paris Hilton. It happens.

Glad to know I'm not alone. This has been very encouraging. You guys are hilarious! This area is heavily bent toward country, modern rock, and metal so many of the musicians or up and coming musicians gravitate to those genres. However, there's still a very broad jazz and R&B base that is only covered by a very small handful of bands, most of which are pretty poor to mediocre vocally. Ultimately, we end up with a heavy private schedule which I love, but finding a guitarist skilled enough who's not strung out on himself is like trying to piss on the moon. Hmmm, that was kinda different... Anyway, I'll continue the search.

Take 1000 guitarists,
.
Narrow that down to guitarists who can play 10 songs from start to finish without screwing up badly.
Now you have - what? - about 650?
Now, eliminate the guitarists who can't keep a good tight tempo.
Now we're down to - maybe 400 or less?
Now, let's include only guitar players who know the basic chords (A, B flat, B, C, D flat, etc) and the coresponding minor chords.
Ok - not too bad there, maybe down to 350.
Delete those who don't know all the 7ths or minor 7ths.
Down to 250 . . .
Delete the guitarists who don't know the 9ths, and you're down to 25.
Now, delete the guys who are prima Donnas, no-shows, druggies/drunks, lazy, no amp, no transportation, no time for practice, women - problems, and eliminate all the excuse makers . . .
Ok, now you have maybe 5 left.
If you're lucky.
.
Now, eliminate those who live too far away, and eliminate those who don't 'get' your style of music, and eliminate those who just don't have enough experience . . .
. . . and you have . . .
. . .
hmmm . . .
. . .
oh - oh . . .

LMAO! You funny, RM!

Good luck anyway. Ohiokeys! Ain't it fun to rant?

Isn't it fun!