Some of the greatest enjoyment you will ever have as a resonator guitarist will be in backing up vocalists. Then again, it can also be a nightmare without the right skills. This month I will address some of the tricks and proper etiquette of not only making yourself sound good, but also of how to compliment the vocalist. Below I have listed 6 important concepts to help make you a better "complimentary player":

1. Don't Walk on the Vocalist.
Play ONLY in the spaces between the lyrics as the vocalist is trying to tell a story with them. Your focus should be on being "transparent". This means to make the lyrics appear smooth and seamless, playing in a manner that is not a distraction or doing anything that draws attention away from the vocalist. The audience focus should be on the vocalist during the lyrics. If they are looking at you, then you might be doing too much! Solos are the time you should stand out, not during the lyrics.

2. Learn the Lyrics.
Something that will really help you become a great complimentary player is to learn the lyrics to the songs you accompany. Learning lyrics is not only important to the singers, but also the backup instrumentalists. Knowing the words or message of a song helps you to set the mood of the tune. It also helps you to tie the words together. Believe me, it really does help!

3. Control Your Volume.
When I say "control your volume", I'm not talking about actual volume levels which are controlled at the soundboard. I am referring to how hard you pick (or attack) the strings. The key is to play within the mood or emotion of the song. Some songs will require a soft touch and simple slides or fills; others may require a harder attack. It just depends on the tune. It is pretty easy to figure out. It's also good to listen to the other players in the band to see how loud they are all playing. If everyone is playing soft, then you should be as well.

4. Dynamics
This is a word that comes up quite a bit when playing in a band. The term shares some of the same components as "volume" which we discussed above. "Dynamics" refers to how you let the music breathe by raising and lowering your playing volume, but can also refer to "group dynamic" concepts like swapping licks with other players in the band. Dynamics are one of the most overlooked elements in a band, but also one of the most important. The use of dynamics makes a decent band into a great band. Dynamics are very important when backing up a vocalist. The key here is to compliment the mood of the tune by swapping fill-in licks with the other players without everyone competing for the space. Many bands will plan out which instrument will back up (or play fill-ins) behind each verse of a song, essentially creating a "head arrangement". The better you plan and pay attention to this element, the more pleasant and smooth the music will be.

5. Less Is More.
A good rule in backing up a vocalist is found in the expression, "Less is more". Sometimes fewer notes are more effective than a flurry of notes. Remember, solos are the time that you "show your stuff" a little, not during the lyrics; that is the vocalist's time to shine. There are times when a single note played with great tone or emotion can be very effective. As I matured as a player, I found myself playing less in many situations.

6. Listen!
Another very important rule is to listen. I don't mean just "hear"; I mean "listen". There is a difference! Being an effective listener will help you play some really neat stuff. You might hear something neat in the way the vocalist delivers the tune, or sings a certain line that will help you develop a neat backup lick, or place a note or phrase in a cool way. Listening is also very important in staying on your toes with the rest of the players. Look around and pay attention. This isn't the time to let your mind wander.

Keeping these 6 ideas in mind will not only help you become a better player; you'll become a favorite player with vocalists in your area. You will be surprised how much your playing will improve and the compliments you will get- usually from the singer!

See you in March!
Phil