Here's a classic (Hey, 2011 is classic, right?) blog post by Matt Scharfglass, a multi-instrumentalist, professional musician and former music editor at Guitar World. You can find...
Here's a classic (Hey, 2011 is classic, right?) blog post by Matt Scharfglass, a multi-instrumentalist, professional musician and former music editor at Guitar World. You can find more vintage Scharfglass columns under RELATED ARTICLES below.
Although I play a guitarist on TV, I’m actually a bass player. That’s what comes naturally to me.
I won’t lie: Deep down I’m a frustrated lead guitarist. Let’s face it, no one imitates the bass player when they grab a tennis racket and practice their moves in front of the mirror.
I have guitar envy. It was inevitable that somewhere along the way, I’d teach myself guitar (It’s only two more strings, right?), cop as many Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen and Jimmy Page licks as I could, and step out as a guitarist every now and then.
Well, the cool thing about working at Guitar World is that I’m constantly humbled. Working with guys like Paul Riario and Jimmy Brown is downright demoralizing, and that’s when I console myself with the reminder that I’m a bassist first.
That said, ever notice that the rate of douchebaggery per capita among most unknown guitarists is higher than that for bassists? Come on, don’t smash your monitor, just hear me out. I led my own band for about six years, at the beginning of which I made the executive decision to be the lead guitarist because (A) I naively thought it would be easier to lead the band that way, and (B) I just wanted to see if I could even do it.
I never noticed how catty other guitarists could be until I got up onstage as one. They’re immediately judging your gear and your look. They’re all standing there, arms folded, that “Show me what you got” look on their faces, quickly