Cocky guitar player - how would you respond?

Neilage

Well-known Member
At our latest rehearsal, our arrogant guitar player boasted that he can also play the drums, although he has never had a lesson or studied percussion in any capacity.
I chose to ignore the comment rather than engage, but it's been eating at me and I've been wondering how you all might have responded.
 
The music director of our big band, a sax player who took drum lessons for a couple of years, was always telling me how to play fills and setups. To avoid conflict, I would do what he said, then go back to the right way later. Finally I got fed up and one night, with a particularly tricky section, had him come back and show me what he meant. End of that problem.
 
Your arrogant guitar player should concentrate on guitar, I wouldn't worry about it too much, unless he forcefully starts telling you what to play.

The leader of The Kootz plays a little drums himself, but let's just say he's a much better guitarist and keyboard player. He'll occasionally ask me to play side stick rimshots on a ballad, or something like that. Not a big deal at all.

If he thinks he's better than you, invite him to prove it.
 
I dunno, I know many drummers that boast they can play the drums even though they never had a lesson or studied percussion in any capacity...

In all seriousness, I don't know the tone or context of the statement, so there might be some subtext that's getting lost in the translation. As already pointed out many, many people with a different primary instrument are (sometimes) great drummers. Paul McCartney was already mentioned, but Stevie Wonder and Prince immediately come to mind as well.

I've worked in situations where everyone in the group could play at least a little something else, and I've never felt threatened by anyone that liked to play drums too. Honestly, I'd rather play with people that can offer ideas about how to approach playing on multiple instruments. I'm not saying it always works 100% perfectly, I've worked with a few micro-managers too, but 90% of the time it's fine.
 
At our latest rehearsal, our arrogant guitar player boasted that he can also play the drums, although he has never had a lesson or studied percussion in any capacity.
I chose to ignore the comment rather than engage, but it's been eating at me and I've been wondering how you all might have responded.
So what if he can? He isn't in that band and being that arrogant, he won't be there long
 
True, but
Oh yeah, some guitarists think they own the drums. Tell them to shut up and play a Paradiddle. Chances are they don't know what it is.
True, but on the other hand a lot of guys are multi instrumentalists. Drums were my first instrument and I still play. I dabble on bass too. I don't usually run around making a lot of noise about it though. Very few people give a damn
 
At our latest rehearsal, our arrogant guitar player boasted that he can also play the drums, although he has never had a lesson or studied percussion in any capacity.
I chose to ignore the comment rather than engage, but it's been eating at me and I've been wondering how you all might have responded.
Life's too short to take that crap. In my cases, I just quit the band.
Didn't call anyone or anything. Just stopped showing up.
If someone calls me, I explain it to them. If they don't, chances are pretty good, that guitar player had a drummer buddy he wanted to play with and that's why he was Richard to begin with.
 
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Multi-instrumentalists aren't uncommon, but they tend to gravitate to their strengths. Drums don't have the melodic agenda of guitar, keys, horns etc, and if someone has a good sense of time and decent coordination, there's no reason they can't play drums to a certain extent. Maybe they can't play with Weather Report, but neither can I.

Notable examples as listed above.

But since the person is also arrogant, that's an additional hurdle.
 
Yes, it can be tough when members insinuate that they could do it better. I once played with a lead singer that was also a drummer. Two practices in a row he said I did not play the intro to Dreams (Fleetwood Mac) properly and when I asked how he wanted it played he pulled out his cell phone and played the intro. He then noted that he had been playing it wrong in his previous band. The third practice he caught himself about to criticize the drum intro and said keep doing what you are doing, your playing is great. Problem solved.

Honestly, I didn't care how the intro was played. I offered to change the intro if he would show me what he wanted or envisioned. I have always believed that I am there to support the band to the best of my ability and will change to meet the vision of the band. Some bands want to replicate the album or a live version, some play with a lot of interpretation and creativity. I try to match what is expected or needed.
 
To clarify, said guitarist never implied he was better than me or even close as I've been playing for 40 years.

I believe... since drums are played by hitting things with sticks, folks assume it is an "easier" instrument.

Also, Said guitarist is neither a prodigy or a multi-instrumentalist, and I'm not all that impressed with his guitar playing. :)


Bottom line is that his behavior at rehearsal shows he is insecure and needs consistent validation. He likely figured out how to manage basic 4-way coordination with a simple 4/4 backbeat.
In starting this thread, I assumed several of my fellow drummers have encountered a similar situation, and I was wondering how folks dealt with this.
 
To clarify, said guitarist never implied he was better than me or even close as I've been playing for 40 years.

I believe... since drums are played by hitting things with sticks, folks assume it is an "easier" instrument.

Also, Said guitarist is neither a prodigy or a multi-instrumentalist, and I'm not all that impressed with his guitar playing. :)


Bottom line is that his behavior at rehearsal shows he is insecure and needs consistent validation. He likely figured out how to manage basic 4-way coordination with a simple 4/4 backbeat.
In starting this thread, I assumed several of my fellow drummers have encountered a similar situation, and I was wondering how folks dealt with this.
I’m not getting what he did wrong at all.
 
"well at least he's still talking with you"
 
I’m not getting what he did wrong at all.
Me, neither either.

Blues Band I was in past tense the singer/front was constantly asking me to play more simple. He could not hear the groove or pulse of a NOLA 2nd line, or a funky groove when the song called for it. He was just comfortable with shuffles, straight 8, and swinging grooves. Get him out of his comfort zone and he felt, well, uncomfortable. Which was fine. I'd step back take a breath and play as he suggested. No use fighting about it. Band was no worse. Maybe not quite as multi-dimensional, but then bars were not hiring us because we could funk up a blues tune lol.

But, if guitar player or anyone in band gets too arrogant overall then best to head for the exit. I don't like prima donnas. Kinda like a dog that gets too territorial. Find another band life is too short.

However, without further context Iahave no idea how arrogant said guitar player is on a regular basis.
 
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