This is just a start but I've noticed some general principles in "Bob playing" and thought it would be a good idea to compile a list. If anyone has others or has corrections to these please add on!
1. Focus on root-fifth combinations with particular focus on the fifths.
2. Tend to dwell in the upper register.
3. Favor voicings with fifth intervals (or in other words, voicings going diagonally down the neck of the guitar). Fifth intervals are very consonant and blend well.
4. Stick to two or three notes in a chord in most cases. When using three, tend to stay away from use of a 1-3-5 triad. The third note may be an octave of the root or fifth, or in certain cases an extension note like a 7 or 9.
5. Hold common tones over chord changes. Favor moving the lower notes over a sustained higher note. The idea is to make smooth transitions and hide the fact that a chord change has even occurred.
6. Tend to stay off thirds, especially when using 3-note chords. Thirds stick out and tend to make chords too dense. Allow the melody, lead instrument, or piano to reveal tonalities.
7. Guideline 6 may need to be ignored completely depending on the song and what the other instruments are doing.
8. Thirds sound good when resolving from a suspended fourth or on a IV-I progression.
9. Your volume should be set so you should not be heard if you play on a beat where several other instruments are also playing. Be heard and enhance the band sound by filling in spaces where no one else is playing. Stay away from beat 1.
10. Utilize syncopation and play on "and" beats.
11. During a lead guitar player’s solo, key into the solo and accent what he is doing rhythmically and harmonically. Follow down tangents. Accent the notes he is playing.
1. Focus on root-fifth combinations with particular focus on the fifths.
2. Tend to dwell in the upper register.
3. Favor voicings with fifth intervals (or in other words, voicings going diagonally down the neck of the guitar). Fifth intervals are very consonant and blend well.
4. Stick to two or three notes in a chord in most cases. When using three, tend to stay away from use of a 1-3-5 triad. The third note may be an octave of the root or fifth, or in certain cases an extension note like a 7 or 9.
5. Hold common tones over chord changes. Favor moving the lower notes over a sustained higher note. The idea is to make smooth transitions and hide the fact that a chord change has even occurred.
6. Tend to stay off thirds, especially when using 3-note chords. Thirds stick out and tend to make chords too dense. Allow the melody, lead instrument, or piano to reveal tonalities.
7. Guideline 6 may need to be ignored completely depending on the song and what the other instruments are doing.
8. Thirds sound good when resolving from a suspended fourth or on a IV-I progression.
9. Your volume should be set so you should not be heard if you play on a beat where several other instruments are also playing. Be heard and enhance the band sound by filling in spaces where no one else is playing. Stay away from beat 1.
10. Utilize syncopation and play on "and" beats.
11. During a lead guitar player’s solo, key into the solo and accent what he is doing rhythmically and harmonically. Follow down tangents. Accent the notes he is playing.
