I don’t know where i’m going with this draft.

I haven’t decided if the guitarist is real or imaginary – if he is central to the plot or secondary. If real, is he supernatural in nature or is there some other explanation. If imaginary, does he serve a purpose (possibly a manifestation of an ESP capability), or is he just ‘there’.
Am i to resolve the existence of the guitarist, or does the guitarist fulfill some other purpose?

Also, i vaguely have the feeling that this idea is familiar or has been done before (possibly as a folk story?) – but i can’t place it. If it has, my subconcious appears to be unsatisfied with whatever ending may have been.

It’s psychological if the guitarist is imaginary. It’s far creepier if he’s real. Why not write a version both ways?

This brings to mind a science fiction short story that I read many years ago. Let me see if I can find it… [time passes]… I thought it was Asimov, but I don’t see it listed under his name. Anyway, it was about a person who manages to write the perfect tune, the one that you can’t get out of your head. I don’t think that’s anywhere near where you were going, but I thought I’d mention it. If I eventually find it, I’ll provide a link.

Bravo to August 2nd, excellent advice. A strange twist too would be the guitarist and the listener are the same person.

You could tweak the story that the only time he sees the guitarist is in a reflection, your protagonist never really puts two and two together. There are psychological disorders involving individuals who don’r recognize themselves such as Focal Onset Dementia or Agnosia.

I also read your draft as a possible psychological thriller.

This reminds me of Lovecraft’s ‘The Music of Erich Zann’ in mood more than specifics. Thanks for sharing!

I was stumbling around looking for inspiration and I stumbled onto this draft. I like the idea of not knowing who/what the guitarist is but I will confess I’m not sure which direction to take it either. I hope you don’t mind that I wrote a sequel

I dig it.