Different sound

[disturbed_pyro]

I'm going to be playing in my church band, playing rhythm electric. The lead electric guy says to play something different than the acoustic player does (play something other than basic strumming patterns). Any suggestions?
BTW, I don't really play loud at all, I can barely hear myself, so I want to do something to kinda make myself stand out more (no, not turn up the volume).

[steve]

well since you are in a church band I guess it would be a bad idea to play guitarwith lots of distortion.... I suggest to find out what the acoustic guitarist is playing and ask him what you should play, maybe you could play a solo (not all solo's have to be a full out metallica-style solo, you could play a neat solo just on a non-distorted guitar).

[disturbed_pyro]

well, for one, there's already a lead guitarist who solos. second, i can't solo at all. i need a different way to strum.
BTW, there is distortion on some songs

[GuitarGuillermo]

try playing a different form of the same chords that the accoustic player is playing. For instance, while he plays an open chord, you play a bar chord or power chord with the same root..

[cyberfret]

I would try would GuitarGuillermo is suggesting. And instead of strumming, you might try picking some notes of the chord individually.

Take a look at this lesson. It is on ska guitar, but look at the chord voicings. These are the types of chords you might try....they are not just for ska. The are higher, so they will cut through a little more....make you stand out :)

Major chords
http://www.cyberfret.com/styles/ska/101/page5.htm

Minor chords
http://www.cyberfret.com/styles/ska/101/page6.htm

Also take a look at this lesson on playing a ballad....it might give you an idea of what I am talking about when I say pick the notes of the chord individually.

http://www.cyberfret.com/misc-wisdom/ballads/page3.htm

--Shawn