I almost exclusively play lead gutiar and practice lead guitar techniques. Rhymth kinda bores me to me honest but is there something I'm missing out by not playing rhythm.
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Most people start out thinking that rhythm is "easier" than lead.
But as you get more musically advanced, you come to realize that the division is superficial at best. The very hardest guitar work you'll ever see is "chord-melody" type songs which simply defy classification as either rhythm or lead.
Good lead work requires a solid understanding of harmonic structures. Good rhythm work requires a solid understanding of melodic lines.
They are two sides of the same coin.
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." -- HST
I was the same way, but a few years ago I realized my rhythm playing really sucked eggs :oops: and if you want to record , write , and play in a band you have to play decent rhythm 8) . Learning to play good rhythm guitar makes you a MUCH better player IMHO--the dog
One word: Hendrix.
He blurred those lines bigtime. I learned through SRV (a la Hendrix) and a really good teacher that rhythm is just as important, if not more important. The groove dictates what leads will work and how you might structure them. I've really gotten into that "hybrid" style as a result of this. Dave Matthews is another big influence, and he listened to SRV.
On another level, playing hard chops builders are much "easier" when you play them in a rhythmic group ( ie triplets or 4s, even 5s or 7s) versus just trying to coordinate your picking and fretting hands @ as fast a rate of speed as possible.
"Contrary to popular belief, Clapton is NOT God. The prospect that he is God probably had a large hand in driving him to drugs and booze. Thanks everyone."
-Guitar World :lol:
You also have to think of Peter Townsend of the who :D
The very hardest guitar work you'll ever see is "chord-melody" type songs which simply defy classification as either rhythm or lead.
hmm. What would be some examples of this? I wanna check it out
The very hardest guitar work you'll ever see is "chord-melody" type songs which simply defy classification as either rhythm or lead.
hmm. What would be some examples of this? I wanna check it out
Just check out most of the Who's stuff :wink:
If you want to see some good rhythm-lead combos check out Jimi Hendrix with songs like Voodoo Chile. Like he'll play a chord then go into a lick then play another chord. A lot of jazz people play the chord melody stuff. I really like Tuck Andres'es style where he is playing the bass line and chords at the same time.
A hoopy frood knows where his towel is....
I'd recommend Creams DVD "Royal Albert Hall" Clapton is his own rhythm guitarist or vice versa.
GG
Joe Walsh and the James Gang comes to mind also :D
I have met and seen a lot of people who claim that they are learning to play 'lead guitar'.
Seriously they turn me off so bad that nither i can laugh on them nor cry.
Nither lead is easy nor rhythm...Try some country/bluegrass/nashville music and you will come to know very soon.
If you can ONLY play leads and not rhythm..i can bet your lead playing may suck as well.This is not directed towards the author of this thread (as i don't know how well you play ) but for those exclusive 'lead guitarists' to whom rhythm seems a piece of cake.
Take my advice and better start learning some rhythm ALONG with leads and scales.Your chances of being a good guitarist to those around you may go up by 400 %
Rahul
If you can ONLY play leads and not rhythm..i can bet your lead playing may suck as well.
I'm not sure that BB King (nor anyone who's seen him play) would agree with you.
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The very hardest guitar work you'll ever see is "chord-melody" type songs which simply defy classification as either rhythm or lead.
hmm. What would be some examples of this? I wanna check it out
Couple of examples listed on IBreathemusic's site. Amazing Grace http://www.ibreathemusic.com/article/179
And a Jazzy version of White Christmas. http://www.ibreathemusic.com/article/139 (I like this version, it's very nice)
As well as several good examples here. https://www.guitarnoise.com/article.php?id=349
Good rythmn can be harder at times than lead. Keeping the time correct yet working in all the little nuances that make it sound right. Want some tough rythmn work, try some funk, or gospel style blues, jazz, or as a previous poster said, some bluegrass.
If you can ONLY play leads and not rhythm..i can bet your lead playing may suck as well.
I'm not sure that BB King (nor anyone who's seen him play) would agree with you.
But B B king never says rhythms are a waste of time OR they are very easy :!:
WOW
how is anybody is sure B B cant play Rythm ??
btw .. the best example of rythm-lead combo is jimi hendrix playing " little wing " ... he plays licks and the backing rythm simultaneously unlike some other players who oscllate between playin rythm and lead !
hendrix wasnt the cleanest player around but he could certainly hold his own against any player ... B B included
i believe playing both rythm and lead simultaneously requires a deeper understanding of "getting around ur instrument " wich would enable u to do the aforementioned ' impromptu '
let me stop babbling ... listen to hendrix " little wing " .. and let the matter rest there ;-)
