lol
Well-known member
Yeah, I was obsessed with being a lead guitarist. So much so my rhythm was very lousy lol. Much regrets.
HellraiserJohnny
Active member
Maybe I'm just the old head around here but why is there a need to draw a line between Lead/Rhythm guitarist???
Maybe people just don't understand (or remember) how Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page played? Was SRV a rhythm or lead guitar player???
Can you even BE a lead guitarist without mastering Rhythm guitar???? Beats the crap out of me!
That being said . . . It took me 3/4 of my life so far to find a guitar player who, when we met, told me he has no need or intention of playing solos. He is the rhythm guitarist period. He's currently working with me on my recording project and I do have to say, he's an inspiration. 100% team player who only wants to contribute to the song. No ego, no competition. He finds a way to only play stuff that adds to the tune. I don’t know why he loves playing this way but I do have to admit . . . I love that he does and we will be playing together for many years to come.
Maybe people just don't understand (or remember) how Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page played? Was SRV a rhythm or lead guitar player???
Can you even BE a lead guitarist without mastering Rhythm guitar???? Beats the crap out of me!
That being said . . . It took me 3/4 of my life so far to find a guitar player who, when we met, told me he has no need or intention of playing solos. He is the rhythm guitarist period. He's currently working with me on my recording project and I do have to say, he's an inspiration. 100% team player who only wants to contribute to the song. No ego, no competition. He finds a way to only play stuff that adds to the tune. I don’t know why he loves playing this way but I do have to admit . . . I love that he does and we will be playing together for many years to come.
guitarmike
Well-known member
Johnny,
I'd argue that a real lead player is competent at all of the guitar parts in a song. If you only play rhythm and not any solo parts you have a lot to learn, and vice-versa. I play guitar at church and am the electric guitarist. I am expected to cover all electric guitar parts in the songs we play, that is how it was when I was in cover bands as well. It takes a lot of practice, I'm not sure how well I pull it off but I try.
OldGtrGuy
Well-known member
Definitely not much of a lead guitarist. I've written maybe 7 solos ever and I'm not very knowledgeable in the sales and theory department. Been practicing them a little more but still very much a rhythm guitarist.
Here's one I've written recently, pretty much all I have to listen to. Not the best production, the guitars are a little muddy and theres some mistakes, just a demo.
The lead starts around 2:30 and this solo was 100% punched in section by section.
Here's one I've written recently, pretty much all I have to listen to. Not the best production, the guitars are a little muddy and theres some mistakes, just a demo.
The lead starts around 2:30 and this solo was 100% punched in section by section.
67mike
Well-known member
G
Gitfiddler
Well-known member
lead. never wanted to be the extra point kick holder or a lineman either
tallcoolone
Well-known member
Never played in a band with another guitar player 
nightlight
Well-known member
As Keith Richards said, "I'm a guitar player, and I play guitar". *mic drop*
DanTravis62
Moderator
I focused on rhythm most of my life, but always played lead in bands anyways because I was normally the most technically proficient guitarist in whatever band I was in
10 years ago or so I decided to start taking lead playing a lot more seriously, and I'm honestly really thankful for my years spent on rhythm chops - it's made me a far better lead guitar player (especially with shreddy stuff)
10 years ago or so I decided to start taking lead playing a lot more seriously, and I'm honestly really thankful for my years spent on rhythm chops - it's made me a far better lead guitar player (especially with shreddy stuff)
HellraiserJohnny
Active member
Mike,Johnny,
I'd argue that a real lead player is competent at all of the guitar parts in a song. If you only play rhythm and not any solo parts you have a lot to learn, and vice-versa. I play guitar at church and am the electric guitarist. I am expected to cover all electric guitar parts in the songs we play, that is how it was when I was in cover bands as well. It takes a lot of practice, I'm not sure how well I pull it off but I try.
I am old and sometimes have a hard time saying what I mean, or I infer things when making statements, sorry. We agree 100%. That's what I meant by the reference to Hendrix, Page ect. They were real lead players because they played everything the song required.
DrewJD82
Well-known member
Whenever I see ads stating “Lead guitarist available” I always think, “Ah, you’re one of those guys”
Always seemed weird to me to differentiate between the two, like in the last 20 years you started having kids define themselves as “clean vocals” and “screamer” if they were singing in a band, as if both aren’t vocalist.
Always seemed weird to me to differentiate between the two, like in the last 20 years you started having kids define themselves as “clean vocals” and “screamer” if they were singing in a band, as if both aren’t vocalist.
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