At some point in the process of your learning to play guitar, you may have the opportunity to join other musicians, and play music together.
In order to sound great playing as a team of musicians, everyone will need to practice individually, and as a group.
It is by practicing as a group that whatever songs you are working on come together to perfection in order to either play in front of an audience, or in a recording studio.
There are many tips and techniques to consider in order to effectively play guitar in a band situation.
Let's take a look at five strategies that will help you to play guitar in a band situation.
1.
  Listen: Your ears are the single most important way that you can play effectively in a band.
When playing in a group situation always listen to what everyone else is playing.
Try not to focus only on your playing abilities.
Playing in a group situation requires much give-and-take that can only be accomplished by hearing what everyone else is trying to accomplish in their playing.
Listening will also help you to balance out the volume of your guitar with everyone else's instruments.
2.
Watch: Your eyes are the second most important way that you can practice effectively in a band.
Although it might be tempting to only focus on what you are playing, you will play more effectively, if you watch what everyone is doing on their instruments.
It can be very easy in the beginning stages of learning a new song to get lost and not be sure where you are going in a song.
By watching the other musicians in your group, you can figure out where the song is just by watching for your fellow musicians visual cues.
3.
Music Cues: There are many musical cues that can be utilized in a band situation.
Musical cues are when you actively apply both your listening and watching skills as a musician.
If you have a leader in the band you are playing with, chances are that they will have some cues that will help you to follow where they are going musically.
From vocal cues, to finger cues stating where in the song the band should be at, music cues are a great way to tighten up your guitar playing in a band situation.
4.
Come Prepared: There is nothing more frustrating in a band situation then when someone has not practiced ahead of time what they were to know for the band practice.
  Always ensure that you have adequately practiced what you are to learn on the guitar to the best of your abilities.
Coming prepared is a great way to demonstrate that you are serious about your guitar playing.
5.
  Patience:  Every musician has rough days.
  You can be the most prepared musician in the world, and yet for whatever reason sometimes the band, including yourself, just won't be playing their parts correctly.
This is where patience and a cooperative, and encouraging team of players is required in order to be a great band that can practice together under any circumstances.