How did you get into playing guitar and how did you end up forming the band?

I started playing piano a long time ago, which got me into music, and I went to a summer camp. I think it was right after eighth grade, and everyone played guitar there, so that inspired me. Then I started jamming with one of my friends sometimes just called (up) different people and got a band together.

How did the band form and what made you guys come together?

My other friend played guitar, so we started with that, and then, we just knew people that played drums and bass, (and) we just got them together.

How do you usually come up with your respective parts?

I play by ear, so I kind of just go off of the song. I like to make up what I feel sounds good, but I know like the bass player, he uses tabs and so do the other guitars. I’m the lead guitarist, so I come out of the texture a little bit, I guess, and then the rhythm guitarist, he holds it down, and the (bassist) does as well, and then the drums. (They) kind of keep the rhythm going, keep it driving.

What’s the biggest challenge of being a guitarist in a band while balancing school and extracurriculars?

Probably the biggest challenge is getting everyone together, because everyone else is so busy. It’s hard to find time when we’re all free. For me, I mean, I don’t really do a lot in school, so it’s easier for me.

How do the members and instruments shape the style of music the band plays? 

I listen to a lot of different artists that kind of like shape how I play, like different chords (and) voicing, so (they) influence me a lot in my play. McGee is a big one for me and then Robert Glasper on piano, and that (also) kind of influences me on guitar. Robert Glasper—he does a lot of patterns and stuff, like repeating and a lot of reharmonization. So that’s kind of complicated and I like that. And then McGee, he has extended super big chords, so that affects me a lot.

What’s been the most memorable performance, whether on stage or just practicing you’ve had so far, and why did it stand out to you?

The first time we had like the whole band together, we played “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” and that was super fun. It’s a huge guitar solo. I just remember that. I mean, it’s definitely easier to play with other people because playing with the backing track or whatever, they won’t build off of you and it’s just more fun just playing with other parts.

Is band more of a hobby or something you want to pursue seriously?

That’s really the only thing that I care about that much on doing after high school. I’m not really sure what I want to do, but I’d love to keep playing, maybe as a session musician or something like that, but I don’t know yet. Right now, I’d say it’s more of a hobby probably just for the guys that I play with, but if I end up in like a group that’s more into it—that gets a lot of gigs—then it probably would be something I would take seriously.

What’s your mindset during a solo?

My mindset during a solo nowadays is probably more playing in the style of the song because I feel that’s the most important part. When I was first starting, it definitely would be to play the right notes and stuff, but now I know my scales very well and everything like that so it’s just more about fitting this song.

If you had to switch instruments what would you choose to play instead? 

I would probably want to play drums. I mean, I play bass, guitar and piano. I just want to add the drums in. That’s something I’ve always wanted to do is play the drums, but I guess my dad won’t let me. I think I’ll end up learning them eventually.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a fellow musician or band player who wants to start playing or joining their own group session?

I’d say listening to other people while you’re playing is definitely the most important thing in a band. And not really worrying about what instruments everyone plays; just kind of having fun and going with it.