A friend who played guitar with me in the jazz ensemble had to teach me a lot.  Keeping time, listening to the other instruments, not sleeping on the amplifier (I was so sleep deprived, I could do this even at high volume).

Most importantly, he taught me one of the most profound and powerful lessons I’ve ever learned.  When I joined the ensemble, I had visions of being Jimi Hendrix, Stone Gossard, or at least Jimmy Page.  

Not quite the role of the guitar in jazz.

My friend taught me that if you can hear the guitar in a jazz song, it’s a major fail.  But if you take the guitar away, its absence will be noticed.

At first, I thought, why the hell am I even here?  What 16 year old wants to play an instrument that wasn’t supposed to be heard?  At times, I would even put this to the test, pretending to play or turning off the volume to see if the teacher would notice.  She did.

Only a few years ago, I realized what a priceless lesson and experience I was given.  In the Tao Te Ching, there is a passage that goes:

Adequate leaders are noticed.  

Bad ones hated.  Good ones liked.

Great ones are not noticed.

Just like that jazz guitar.  My job was to keep the rhythm and provide color / tone / depth for the rest of the instruments.

I did get one opportunity to play a solo at a festival.  My friend, the senior player, was gracious.  He would eventually play a set with me in another class.  We are still friends today.