Audiences not into chords?

**Christian Miller** · 01-05-2026, 12:30 PM

Interesting little titbit there. I have wondered for a long time if acoustic orchestra guitarists used to step up to the vocal mike for their solos.

**garybaldy** · 01-05-2026, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by pamosmusic

Me too.

80% of the "yeah man's" I get from the audience are when I do chord stabs or chord riffing stuff in a solo.

Yeah, with string bass they all talk over a notey solo but if you do a bit of rhythmic slap they love it!

**frabarmus** · 01-05-2026, 05:22 PM

When a single-note solo turns to chordal solo, it creates a climax... it's often my favourite part of a solo...

Listen to Wes (3:30)

**Strat-itis** · 01-05-2026, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by Christian Miller

I really found when playing for dancers one thing that always seemed to get a good response was playing as rhythmically as possible in the solos with chords. Not fancy chords - simple ones often. But just clear rhythms.

It's this. For entertaining an audience, the main goal is to animate rhythmically. This is realistically more viable with single note. While being cerebral and pretty is also received reasonably well, but it is not the primary goal. So I don't really think it's chords bad, it's just that the main goal is being spicy rhythmically. People do like good harmony but it can't always be at the expense of enthralling rhythm.

**Jonah** · 01-06-2026, 04:21 AM

Originally Posted by Strat-itis

It's this. For entertaining an audience, the main goal is to animate rhythmically. This is realistically more viable with single note. While being cerebral and pretty is also received reasonably well, but it is not the primary goal. So I don't really think it's chords bad, it's just that the main goal is being spicy rhythmically. People do like good harmony but it can't always be at the expense of enthralling rhythm.

I believe that jazz made a long way since 30s-40s... and to many people it is not such a basic entertainment.
For me though drums and rhythms can be sophisticated.. .the real music is in harmony and flexibility of time.

When I put on Frisell my wife (who likes 30s - 40s dancing) says: Oh... this is that guy that you say he is burning...

**Litterick** · 01-06-2026, 05:36 AM

Why not listen to his music and watch him play?

**frabarmus** · 01-06-2026, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by AGreatApe

"No, sorry, I no longer include that many chords in my lead playing. I spent some years learning chordal lead playing such as in Wes Montgomery style, but I sensed it gets poor reactions from audiences."

In my experience I've found that, most of the time, the audience is pleased when I am pleased with what I am playing (which is difficult enough already).

**emanresu** · 01-06-2026, 11:51 AM

About OP - dunno. Me being an audience member sometimes too, I'd say it might be not so accurate viewpoint
Whatever method you choose for the notes of the solo - all of those can work just fine. Maybe not respecting the style or era in some cases, but still, they all can work just fine.
I suspect it is the comfort-zone or laziness that the audience is allergic to. Doing something in one way too much and it can be a challenge to avoid the "staleness".
Here's the problem put nicely in another form of artz:
When You Hate the Crowd | Louis CK 😂🤣😂 - YouTube

**AGreatApe** · 01-06-2026, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Litterick

Why not listen to his music and watch him play?

I have been! Really like his collaborations, esp with the violinist/vocal Simone Draetta. I'm gonna catch his livestream this week and ask him to clarify about the chord lead vs audience thing. I'll report back, even if I'm embarrassed for having had it all wrong.

**RLetson** · 01-06-2026, 02:11 PM

Bucky Pizzarelli. Just mix it up.

BTW, Lenaro's accompaniment on "It Might as Well Be Spring" is mostly chordal and quite nice.

**Litterick** · 01-06-2026, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by AGreatApe

I have been! Really like his collaborations, esp with the violinist/vocal Simone Draetta. I'm gonna catch his livestream this week and ask him to clarify about the chord lead vs audience thing. I'll report back, even if I'm embarrassed for having had it all wrong.

Sorry, I should have made myself clear: I meant the rest of us, not you. I think we can learn by listening and watching.

**Christian Miller** · 01-06-2026, 05:40 PM

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**Christian Miller** · 01-06-2026, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by Strat-itis

It's this. For entertaining an audience, the main goal is to animate rhythmically. This is realistically more viable with single note. While being cerebral and pretty is also received reasonably well, but it is not the primary goal. So I don't really think it's chords bad, it's just that the main goal is being spicy rhythmically. People do like good harmony but it can't always be at the expense of enthralling rhythm.

You do need to read the room

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**garybaldy** · 01-06-2026, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Christian Miller

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Actually that was something I didn't immediately turn off!
Live version

**Strat-itis** · 01-06-2026, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by Christian Miller

You do need to read the room.

Yes, context is important. But context usually isn't built by just being cerebral, although it has its place. It isn't off base for a pro to say he prefers to focus on spicy rhythm. That doesn't mean chords bad.