Everybody wants to be the lead guitarist?

[Floyd Eye]

Ive played in 1 and 2 guitar bands a bunch. I kinda like being the only guitarist.

I play alot of rhythm and alot of lead.

I like playing in bands with only one guitarist. In fact all of the bands I ever started were 3 piece bands. I co-founded another band that was a 4 piece and was recruited into another that was a 5 piece.

 

[SgtThump]

I never wanted to be anything other than a bassist.

And…. I REALLY like playing bass and have 9 gigs lined up for 2026!

 

[cobrahead1030]

Whatever fits the song. I’ve played in bands where I never took a solo & others where I had them in every tune.

Ideally in a 2 guitar band, I like to be able to split solo duties 50/50 with the other guy.

I’ve always practiced & played lead stuff a lot more on my own time than any given band situation mandates. I enjoy playing for the sake of it being fun, I don’t need to plaster it all over everything I do.

 

[skoora]

If I ever did a band again or even just a jam, I would dig to have another git player there. I just dig the size of the sound, especially if you have complimentary tones and instinctively sync on when to lock together and when to open it up.

 

[legend71]

I like playing lead and I love playing rhythm. To me they are not really different things. Don't enjoy playing with other guitar players but love playing with keyboard players. Wish I had one in the band!

 

[skoora]

I like playing lead and I love playing rhythm. To me they are not really different things. Don't enjoy playing with other guitar players but love playing with keyboard players. Wish I had one in the band!

I’ve never experienced that but it does sound like it could be cool. Love a lot of the music from 78-83 that had that guitar, keyboard combo.

 

[Tone Monster]

Nope

 

[rsm]

I enjoyed playing rhythm or bass; I did get occasional solos but it wasn't something I demanded. If we were playing a long gig (3 sets), we may take 5-10 minute solos, guitar, bass and/or drums.

If I was to do a band today, I'd rather play keyboards - either focused on Hammond or 80s style synth music. And, of course, keytar:

 

[Findthetone1]

I'm a hack at both but the older I get the more I appreciate solid rhythm players. I love a good riff and a lead has to serve the song.
My true dream is to become an accomplished lead player on electric spoons though.

 

[Speeddemon]

I like playing lead and I love playing rhythm. To me they are not really different things. Don't enjoy playing with other guitar players but love playing with keyboard players. Wish I had one in the band!

One of the coolest gigs I did -save for the vocalist, who was -while proficient- just not the right fit for Ozzy-, was an Ozzy tribute, where I was the lead guitarist, and the other guitarplayer, played a mean keyboard as well. And the Ozzy material really leant itself for alternating between the two.
When we did "I don't know", he would just chug rhythm guitars, but for Shot in the Dark, No More Tears, Mr. Crowley, all keys! Huge sound. Loved working with that guy.

The 4 guys that inspired me to start playing guitar were lead players; Jimi, Slash, Angus & Clapton. But I enjoy the Maiden/Priest harmony tandem stuff just as much.

 

[skoora]

I just know if I only get the steak knives the leads weren’t weak, I was.

 

[rstites]

I've never really drawn a distinction. I played in strictly one guitar bands so covered rhythm, leads, etc. When writing original music, I prefer not to really think of leads/solos so much as just instrumental sections to shake things up. I never really loved the standard solo over the top of a standard verse/chorus underneath all that much.

Having said that, I can noodle all night over old blues changes and just enjoy it. It's simple but a lot of fun. For that matter, I can hold down the rhythm or bass underneath too and have fun. It's all good.

 

[Maarcn3]

Lead guitar all the way, solos are my favorite part.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

I don't know if everybody wants to specifically be a lead player, but I do think everybody more or less at least wants to be a bad motherfucker on stage, whether that's the lead guitarist or a great rhythm player.

It depends on the situation. Like I think most people would rather be James Hetfield than Kirk Hammett.

 

[matttornado]

I been the only guitarist and lead in the cover band I'm in for the past 10 years. I love the flexibility & being able to be creative mixing and matching several guitar parts into one. Saying that, I really enjoy playing rhythm guitar, especially behind someone else playing a killer lead or whatever.
If had to choose, I'd be the rhythm player.

 

[Spaceboy]

I consider myself a rhythm guy but somehow end up operating as the lead in most bands for some reason.

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

I've grown to like being the only guitarist in a band, unless I meet another guitarist who is a good songwriter, then I naturally focus on that as creating the song is ultimate.

In my earliest days, I thought all metal bands had to have 2 guitarists, and I started out on rhythm as a noob, but quickly caught on to leads. From then on, it was either co-leads or I was lead. Gotta have it.

 

[Kraku]

I don't know if everybody wants to specifically be a lead player, but I do think everybody more or less at least wants to be a bad motherfucker on stage, whether that's the lead guitarist or a great rhythm player.

It depends on the situation. Like I think most people would rather be James Hetfield than Kirk Hammett.

I'm more of the rhythm guitar + bass sort of a player.

 

[anomaly]

I much prefer playing rhythm since Hetfield, Cantrell are the reason I picked up the guitar. I can play lead but never bothered learning that sweep picking shit and I don't know many tapping licks either. I play lead like those two players.

 

[anomaly]

I couldn’t care less if I ever play lead. I do when I need to and I’m reasonably competent, but I’d rather be laying down a thrashy rhythm. Hetfield was the reason I picked up a guitar in 1984 and rhythm players have been my main inspiration ever since.

If a lead fits it is great ( think Pantera, Floods….freaking awesome lead work), but a lot of them just sound like wanking to me.

Very true, i hate that wanky lead shit that people like Petrucci does sometimes. Dimebag is one of the only players that does shred type leads that inspires me. He was an incredible rhythm player as well though.