5 Creative Ways to Use Two Electric Guitars

What do you do when you have 2 electric guitar players on the same stage and all the main parts are covered?

At Worship Artistry we arrange master recordings to be played by a 5-piece band. But here are some tips on ways to utilize the two electrics and get the most out of the pairing.

1. Double Lead Lines

This is a criminally underutilized technique! Two lead guitars playing the exact same thing with slightly different tones can take a hook from good to freaking awesome. The slight variation in tone and playing style adds so much sonic power. You can also play the same line in different octaves. It sounds different than an octave pedal or playing octaves with one player. The key is to lock in with the other player and to not overuse it. Wait for that hook that defines the song or launches that bridge and use it there.

2. Take 2 Different Parts of the Same Chord

Have one player take the top range and let the other take the lower. Leave one tone clean and one tone dirty or reverb out one and leave the other dry. You can also vary the rhythms with one playing 8th notes and the other playing 16th's. It will add a depth to the sound that won’t be there with only a single guitar.

3. Divide the Labor

I might be getting out there a little, but I love this one. Take a simple lead line from the song and have one player take the on beats and the other take the off beats or some combination of that. If you can split the players between left and right speakers even better.

4. Emphasize

You know how rappers often have a guy marching around stage with them that just yells random words in unison? You can do that on guitar as well. Have one player take the full lead line and have the second only play certain notes of the same line. The emphasizer will sound best if that part could still stand on it’s own without the lead line.

5. Harmonize

Okay, don’t overuse this one. You aren’t trying to be the Allman Brothers (or are you?). A few tastefully done harmonies should get the job done. If you aren't sure how to harmonize check out this 101 lesson on guitar harmony.

The most important things to do with 2 electric guitars is to plan and communicate! If you don’t know what the other guy (or gal) is going to do, you can’t build a coherent idea and you’ll probably just end up creating a wall of chords that may or may not sound good.

Get creative and as always, make sure you are on the same page with the rest of your band. Watch the video below to hear these ideas in action.