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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 7:06 am
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BigJay wrote:
Ceri wrote:
Is there another instrument where we'd even ask the question?

"Are you a rhythm or lead keyboard player...?"

Cheers - C


You of all people on this board probably appreciate symphonies. Aren't there essentially "lead" players in various instruments within a classical symphony? Violin? French Horns?


Yup, thats where the term 'playing 2nd fiddle' comes from. Otherwise, R Geetarr!

CC

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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 7:24 am
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BigJay wrote:
Ceri wrote:
Is there another instrument where we'd even ask the question?

"Are you a rhythm or lead keyboard player...?"

Cheers - C


You of all people on this board probably appreciate symphonies. Aren't there essentially "lead" players in various instruments within a classical symphony? Violin? French Horns?


There are soloists in classical music. And an orchestra has section leaders. And some pianists specialise in being accompanists, in lieder for instance.

But I've never heard a violinist or a horn player describe themselves as a lead or rhythm player, like these are two fundamentally different things.

As if Murray Perihia - or Fats Waller for that matter - were to say; "You know what? I can only play the left-hand part. I'll leave the twiddly bits to someone else".

Or vice versa.

The solution to all this is for people to play in a band that only has one guitarist. Then you soon have to get over this lead/rhythm hang-up.

'S all I'm saying...

Cheers - C


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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 8:23 am
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BigJay wrote:
Whether or not they are called the "lead" or "first" or what ever jargon is appropriate to that genre is irrelevant. Its the same concept.


Haha - didn't really expect to be going into it in this detail... :lol:

But one example, from umpteen possible. Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman are both violin soloists of the first order. But they also both love playing chamber music, often together. When they do so it is perfectly obvious than either could play the "lead" part so they share the duties out in just the sort of way Martian was suggesting for guitarists several posts back.

In fact, Pinchas Zukerman sometimes moves over to viola - but that sure as heck is not because he defines himself as "mostly a rhythm player"...

Ask a flautist whether he is a lead flute player or a rhythm flute player. He'll reply; "...Er, excuse me?"

Or ask Jimi Hendrix, Brian Setzer - etc etc etc - whether they are naturally a lead or rhythm player. Most of 'em would answer that they play chords when that is required and take a lead line when it's time.

(Pete Townshend on the other hand would indeed say that he is essentially a rhythm player. Shame to think of it that way.)

Let's not put ourselves into restrictive pigeon holes, is what I'm getting at.

Cheers - C


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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 9:07 am
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Mandolin players can be either rythym or lead.In regard to guitar,I've played lead in every band I've been except in some 3 pce. bands where I had to mix it up,that's why I admire players like Clapton,Hendrix and Townshend.Eric,Jimi and Pete have been major influences on me as they are fabulous rhythm players and lead players and leave no empty spaces in their music when playing 3 pce.

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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:13 pm
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Well the whole objective is to be able to do both equally well. The first few years of playing I just wanted to play songs and play them with the correct voicings. Nothing bothers me as much as a rhythm player just strumming a rhythm part instead of learning to play it correct.

This also opens up your mind when you start writing your own songs. Though it might start out as just a strummed progression, you later on can change parts into riffs or arpeggiated pieces which really can make a song come alive. My brother used to have this album by Pete Ham the lead singer for Badfinger and it was out takes and home recordings. But there is a great demo of just him playing No Matter What on an acoustic. It sounds as if it was recorded in the bathroom and then to see what they did with it full band is a thing of beauty.

I hate to say it but I would definitely rather play lead if there was an option, though I like to play with guys who I can trade off with being first choice.


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Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:11 am
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I play mainly acoustic so it's rhythm for me. I don't have the chops to play lead unless it's a really easy song.


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Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:27 am
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I am usually rhythm/groove guy but the lead play is there often.


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Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 5:06 pm
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For myself I prefer the twin lead approach used by Glenn Tipton and KK Downing in Judas Priest. You get the best of both worlds :D

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Post subject: Re: Rhythm or Lead
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:52 pm
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airbornestrat wrote:
Ok, here we go guys, you are in a band you have 2 guitarists what do you prefer to play> Lead or Rhythm?

Me..I love playing Rhythm over lead...I think maybe 3 or 4 songs in a show I will play lead the rest I love to just rock out on rhythm...lets hear your preferences.


yeah im with you dude, rhythm. i dont know why but i like making up chord progressions than i do making up solos. I mean i like soloing sometimes but not all the time. Like John Mayer said "Just because I can do it doesn't I always have to"

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Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 8:42 am
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Celtic Cyclonus wrote:
airbornestrat wrote:
Celtic Cyclonus wrote:
Rhythm. I'm a huge Keef and Izzy fan. I actually do enjoy it more, the subtleties, the ripping etc, its kinda like you are conducting the rest of the band when done right.

CC


I love GnR and always felt that Izzy carried that band....IMO once he left they went flat...I love his style!!!
E


You really are my twin bro. He was the beating heart man. Best rhythm player ever, hands down, so different than Slash. His solo work is some of my favorite albums ever. Pure gold!

CC


i love izzy stradlin...his first solo album izzy stradlin and the juju hounds is one of my all time favorite albums. song for song i would put that album up against any great album.


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Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:05 am
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Even in bands where I was the "lead guitar" I spent by far the majority of every song playing rhythm parts. I couldn't imagine being a strictly lead player. Are you just gonna stand there and pick your nose while someone's singing?

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Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:18 pm
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captain eyeball wrote:
Celtic Cyclonus wrote:
airbornestrat wrote:
Celtic Cyclonus wrote:
Rhythm. I'm a huge Keef and Izzy fan. I actually do enjoy it more, the subtleties, the ripping etc, its kinda like you are conducting the rest of the band when done right.

CC


I love GnR and always felt that Izzy carried that band....IMO once he left they went flat...I love his style!!!
E


You really are my twin bro. He was the beating heart man. Best rhythm player ever, hands down, so different than Slash. His solo work is some of my favorite albums ever. Pure gold!

CC


i love izzy stradlin...his first solo album izzy stradlin and the juju hounds is one of my all time favorite albums. song for song i would put that album up against any great album.


Captain Eyeball, marry me, :lol: :lol: :lol:

Have you heard 117*, Fire or Concrete to name few? The guy is a workhorse and almighty. I'm always tryin to get forumites to give him a go but I think the GN'R thing puts many off even though it's SO DIFFERENT.

Glad you like him man, he is the reason I play.

CC

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