In the 15 years I’ve worked as a sideman and studio musician for a variety of artists and producers, I’ve had the privilege of learning some valuable lessons. Regardless of genre or idiom, approaching the task of being a supportive player with respect and adaptability may seem obvious, but there are many nuanced elements to be mindful of. Playing the supportive role as a musician calls for heightened awareness, deep listening, patience, and an open mind—all of which you can nourish and develop by considering the following tips.
Lead with Intention
It’s an honor to be invited to play someone’s music. It means they value your skills and appreciate how you deliver them. Always approach a project with care, focus, and commitment. If the music has lyrics, learn them. It’s equally important to have at least a basic understanding of what the song is saying, in addition to knowing how to play it. One way to work this into your preparation is to make mental notes based on the lyrics as they relate to your part. I often memorize the structure of a song by the lyrics—this allows my playing to be unified with the wordplay and organically integrates my creative awareness with the music, beyond staring at a chart or counting bars.
Another important element of playing with other musicians is being aware of space. When accompanying a melody, be sure to insert accents or lines only between the melody’s phrases. Otherwise, you might find yourself competing for the same space as the singer or lead instrument.
Fuse Craft and Creativity
In the context of supporting someone’s musical vision, it’s important to have a confident grasp of both your creativity and your technique. Technical ability is the product of discipline, work, and development, whereas creativity is a bit more complex. I often think of creativity not as something you earn, but something you remember. As children, we all start out with wild creativity—singing, dancing, making art of all kinds, even if it’s completely imagined. The addition of technical refinement yields a personal approach to creative identity with endless potential.
Fretboard fluency is a wonderful area of focus. Practicing with a metronome and exploring new ways to voice chords, outline melodies, and voice-lead are all great ways to blend creativity with technique. I recommend setting a slow tempo (60 bpm) and playing a simple melody on the B string. Focus on staying in time but also on playing musically—using dynamics and varied articulation like attack, slides, or bends. Then start adding notes below the melody to create harmonic shifts. This exercise will help you develop a creative vocabulary to draw from when accompanying others.
Play Like You Talk
When playing in a support role, your top priority should be to make everyone else sound better. I like to think of this in terms of a group conversation—where everyone feels heard, and everyone is listening. To facilitate this kind of dynamic, make it your goal to complement not just the project or song, but the other musicians.
Navigating space in the music is key. It’s crucial to maintain a sense of when to allow breathing room and when to add colorful contrast. Think of a conversation with close friends that flows for hours, where everyone feels motivated, inspired, and valued. That’s the kind of communication you want in a band. One way to explore this is to respond to a phrase you hear by playing a new phrase with similar motion. You don’t need to replicate what you hear note for note—just imitate the rhythm or contour while playing different pitches. This shows the other musicians, and the audience, that you’re tuned in—and adds a personal touch, while remaining complementary to the music.
Stay Curious, Stay Fresh
It’s important to be able to generate new ideas. Sometimes what you think sounds best doesn’t work for your fellow musicians. Instead of forcing an idea, practice adapting creatively. One way I train myself in coming up with new ideas and breaking out of old habits is by taking a well-known song and creating a solo guitar arrangement of it. I don’t transcribe or try to replicate it—I just find my own way of playing it on guitar, incorporating the harmony, melody, and rhythm as I hear them.
This process leads me into chord voicings and finger positions I’d never come up with otherwise and greatly expands my knowledge of the fretboard. It’s interesting to see what happens when you have the choice to go with what you know works—or to experiment. In addition to its creative and technical benefits, I find this kind of practicing also keeps my mind curious. And curiosity is a powerful motivator.
