of loopers, microphones, and
mixing devices. While most of us
can appreciate the skill this takes,
few of us have the desire to do
something similar as a primary
musical endeavor. When considering
the looper as a performance tool,
most guitarists would rather do
something a bit simpler, having
the looper function as a second
guitarist for filling out the live sound
or playing harmony lead lines. For
players operating in a power trio
scenario, this is a really cool capability.
With practice, a looper can be
employed on stage for anything
from ambient background
drones, to layered harmonies, to
functioning as an invisible rhythm
guitarist to support one’s melodic
flights of fancy.
Using a looper to fill the role of a
second guitarist does require a
bit of practice and a thorough
knowledge of the device’s
functions, however. Live looping
can be tricky, and it helps to
know your looper inside and out
to avoid on-stage blunders and
loop trainwrecks. It also helps
to have all the parts thoroughly
planned out and rehearsed in the
context of a full band practice
session, so that your bandmates
know what to expect as well.
If you and your bandmates
are excellent, cool-headed
live improvisers, you may get
away with ignoring th