Being in a Band: One Guitar Player or Two? Which is better?

If you're a guitar player in a band, you probably have a preference of whether you like being the only guitar player, or if you like having another guitar player in your band. There are a lot of pros and cons to both, and depending on your personality and confidence, one or the other may be a better fit for you.
Nick talks about the pros and cons, which might be a better fit for you, and will be following up with upcoming videos on example of when and how to play differently in those situations.
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[@NiRo_90125]

I prefer to be the only guitarist in a band. My favorite type of lineup is a five man band of vocals, guitar, bass, keys and drums, because I can easily hear what I and the rest of the band are doing. It's a very versatile lineup too. The vocalist can pick up a guitar or play additional keys for some songs for example.

[@pazdylan1873]

i agree with you...if you have keyboards in a band especially someone who is solid on rhythm then that's enough for me. the guitarist then connects up with the keyboard player as though another guitar.

[@squiggly_lines]

You make some good points, though personally I've always played with one other person in my life, if we formed a band or played in a band through our lives it was both of us or nothing. Our book of original material is absolutely gigantic and it is my belief that because of the working relationship my good friend and I have when it comes to music is what has allowed us to write such a huge repertoire of original pieces. We both play lead and rhythm parts in the majority of our songs, we both know how to work our way around the bass guitar fairly well so we can record our own natural bass tracks if need be. We help each other grow and drive and inspire one another, we even plan on opening our own business together and retiring with our families in Arizona one day. I know not everyone can find themselves in this scenario within their musical careers but I have found this arrangement truly a blessing to motivation and inspiration when it comes to performing and writing.

[@Jcrashinthecar]

Depends on what style you’re playing, but for rock/blues based stuff, two guitarists is almost essential. Problem with guitar players is they don’t play for the song. They step all over everything and often have trouble strumming or adding ambiance. With two you can do acoustic, clean electric, etc. brings the song sound out and that’s what you want! Most people don’t give a crap what the guitarist is doing. They walk way with a general impression...did they sound good or not? Did I like the songs or not?

[@danrl9710]

Very true words, but also true in that lead guitarists are inherently egotistical and want to showcase the skills they’ve worked long and hard to master.

[@cosasDEguitarra]

Every band I've been in had 2 guitars... If I join a band again I want to try with only one at guitar (me xD) to be really free in what to do!!!

[@errorsofnovember6068]

i am in a 3 piece band and it feels naked everytime i play a solo without rhythm

[@ArtsyCupcake]

I liked the intro on this. Very interesting points on 1 vs 2 guitarists. The point about it depending on the guitarist’s personality was great - never thought about that! Thanks for another informative video!

[@greg6162]

Trust me personality is probably almost important as skill. You can have the best guitar player in the world but if he stifles the creativity or doesn't know how to play with the people around him. Maybe that means he's trying to take the band in a direction they're not able or ready for then it's really not a band and it loses it's fun considering most people play for fun. We find people we like to jam with and have good synergy then often times it becomes a band. That's my situation, I work well with others and understand more than I know if that makes sense. Back to being a 3/pc and only playing for 8/months but I stopped for a few months in between so really 5/months.The first month I learned to play the Santeria solo by Sublime, I played everyday for hours until I could play it pretty good by myself and ignored anything chords because I was just messing around. People heard me talking at work and it was a drummer and bass player. We jammed and while I'm definitely well above the average beginner (finger dexterity, bends, double stops, HO/PO etc) but at my stage I'm having simple beginner issues like holding the pick and not dropping it... or missing chord progressions on basic power chords. But we play pop/punk so that helps but I've realized I'm fretting way too hard, my pick attack is to hard and most importantly.... I GET NERVOUS and it shows when I play, even though I can rip those parts in my bedroom easy. I'm better at standing up and not looking (never thought that would happen) while I play and I'm much better now at keeping time and holding the pick. However being able to play relaxed is the hardest thing for me because I don't want to let the band down so I gotta work on that. I'm learning the Katana MKII 100 and got a MacBook Air just for that and can dial in some decent tones with good EQ settings so I don't block the low end bass and kick drum. I'm pretty dedicated but it's a lot to take in considering 8/months ago I didn't have a guitar. Also, learning to play covers can be tough if there is no KZbin video

[@wrap-itsolutions2387]

Great video ... I've just gone from playing in a 2 guitar band to being a solo guitarist ... Your observations are spot on! ... I'm actually really enjoying the freedom .... I've had to change my solo playing style ... a lot more double stops and thicker sounds (extra delay reverb etc) where I can get them but other than that its not been too bad.

[@OneGuitarist]

The way you approach things are very different, and it makes you think differently. Same as bass playing. I can play a song thousands of times on guitar and might know the bass line, but actually being the bass player, keeping the bottom end and only focusing on that, makes you see the song completely different as well. Have you played any gigs like that yet?

[@wrap-itsolutions2387]

@@OneGuitarist I'm more trying to cover 2 guitar parts or keys with one guitar in say something like superstition with one guitar. You are correct though you have to look at the song as a whole and pick the essentials to make it work.

[@ChrisContra]

Most of my favorite bands have just one guitar player, but not all. Dave Mustaine is an amazing player, but he has a second guitar player and they switch off solos, which is very cool. So, to me, it depends on what the band is looking to do with both players. Nice video Nick!

[@leanhduy75]

came across your channel while I was searching for some tips for starting a band :) definitely a very insightful video and I learned a lot just by spending 10 mins on this video. definitely gonna watch more of your content

[@robschaller9061]

I am a pro player and know all of the GREAT players that play the blues and blues-based classic rock. SEVERAL of these guys have toured a few, extensively. No matter how much of a virtuoso you may be there are simply things you can do with 2 good (Good PROFESSIONAL players) you simply can not do any other way. You listen to Led Zeppelin performing live in the 70's with just the 4 of them and then listen to Celebration Day O2 in London where they were using back-line musicians and it is MAGICAL... when EGO is not in play, there lie the seeds whereby MAGIC can spring forth, magic in its purest form which is crafted from fallen human hands yet is transformed into something that is alive something that happens in a live audience setting something that touches the human soul deeply.

[@simonandthelyricalpoets]

Good video Nick. I think for a live sound I would prefer two guitarists.

[@frankoconnor8141]

I`ve been in several 2 guitar bands in the past, and it was fine, as we gelled well together, but today I`m the sole guitarist, in a line up of Guitar, Bass, Drums, & keyboards, and I can honestly say that I totally love it, as we sound so much tighter, can`t explain why, it just feels that way, and when you look at other bands with a similar line up, it makes sense, eg, Pink Floyd, early Genesis, Deep Purple, (instrument wise.) Ten Years After, and no doubt many others, they all seem to have that perfectly full range sound. 😎🎸

[@CHAOSmusic-2019]

Lol I don't think I can get rid of my friend, (or maybe he's the one who's gonna get rid of me ?) Hahaha. Interesting your video of the pros and cons. Nice Bass shot at 4:50 👍

[@Miraie93]

For me 2 guitars is good. When perform live, second guitar can cover the riff when the other guitar doing solo part. Except the original song really don't have the riff during the guitar solo part. The keys can cover it but for a metal/rock song, second guitar way better.

[@TheSixStringCorner]

Being in a Rush tribute band for 10 years you learn how to fill the spaces that sometimes can be needed. I have also been in other bands with other guitar players. Rhythm people are easy to coordinate with since it is fairly cut and dry. But with another lead player communication is essential. Sometimes ego battles could come up too. It's best to have a little humility and do what is best for the overall song and/or the band itself. Guitar is fun, isn't it?

[@danrl9710]

Yes, 2-lead guitarists is tough. I do lead vocals and rhythm, but did have an additional 2-guitarists at one point. Egos, styles and general arrangement considerations are a challenge. For someone like Grohl, he just tells Smear and Shifflet what to play and when, but not many of us are in that fortunate position. Not sure if anyone knows this, but he was in a little band before Foo and they relied on one guitarist who also sang vocals. They were good too!

[@SafelandingRecords]

Brilliant video.

[@ryanspencerlauderdale687]

I find having two players is better, because it forces you to create a tone and playing style that doesn’t take up the sonic space of everyone else. The more musicians and tracks you add, the smaller that space gets, and the more you need to focus on clarity and working together to create a huge collaborative sound.

[@MasterSplinterPDX]

I've only been in 1 band with another guitar player, and that was very brief. I found that the writing process got bogged down with too many ideas from me and the other guitar player.

[@Wildcoyote-y6h]

We ll I think it’s subjective like Iron Maiden ( 3 guitars) would sound pretty awful with 1 guitarist. But in the other hand I’m in a 2 piece ( I’m on drums and backing vocals) haveing 1 guitarist is great to be noticed. If either of us want to stand out it’s very very easy but when I was in a 4 piece with 2 guitarists it was hard to be heard

[@billrymes6682]

I appreciate your advise. I'm an intermediate guitarist that is playing in a Rock School student band for about 2 years now. I'm finding a lot of frustration with feeling held back in becoming a better player because of a lack of motivation for improvement among my band mates. My "rhythm" guitarist lacks any sense of rhythm and believes that he sounds great. I'm consequently taking on most of the guitar parts as a result. I know a lot of people use loopers as a solo act, but is it worth trying to incorporate a looper into a band scenario for a more full sound?

[@OneGuitarist]

It can be pretty tough to use a looper with a band because the whole band has to sync with your loop. Having a metronome click in everyone’s ear monitor can help, or things can get ugly fast. But I’ve used them a few times in the past at gigs.

[@danrl9710]

In short, no. You’ll eventually find musicians who can pull their weight, and ultimately creating music as a band of humans without relying on technological tricks will generally yield the greatest fulfillment and enjoyment. Hang in there, you’ll see.

[@stevegiles9080]

Black sabbath only had one my favorite band. I do listen to alot of metal sabbath to thrash to some death. They have 2

[@enriquevenegassouper3445]

Greetings, thanks for your toughts, im been playing since 1997, now im in a band with a drum and a bass player, i just thinking how i can grow and fill the lost frequencies with only my guitar.... pedals?? choruss...delay.... stereo.... how to sound big... pantera w/one guitar....k¿rgrds

[@michaelmace9712]

I have done a solo acoustic thing for far too long, so i think about this maybe in a different sort of way. Two guitars in an acoustic act can be absolutely fantastic. Unless I’m one of the guitar players. Then it sounds mostly ok. Don’t hate it.

[@BluemoonTraveler]

Very nice video my friend! Thanks for sharing. Your views is so great. Like 12. Have a happy time.👍👍

[@SevenTalesBand]

What about two lead-guitarists? How do you split up the lead parts, licks and solos?

[@danrl9710]

Humility, honesty and dedication to the song rather than your ego. It’s challenging work, but can be done. Again, unless you’re working in a dictatorship scenario like Grohl, it takes humble guitarists and musicians. The group needs to decide who does what best. One of your guitarists might be a tone freak, well let him take the swells and fills. The other might be a faster lead player so let him take a solo that you want to spotlight. Both guitarists won’t be identical, so it’s about identifying strengths and weaknesses and allocated work accordingly.

[@greg6162]

So as a new guitar player (less than 8/months) with a 3/pc jam band what is the best place to get accurate music to learn to play if there is no video on it... would Ultimate guitar tab be worth it for me or is there a better option for someone that doesn't have a trained ear yet? Any help would be greatly appreciated 🙏

[@fraliubass]

✌️😎