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

CC

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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

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

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

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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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.

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.

I am usually rhythm/groove guy but the lead play is there often.

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

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

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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I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk...

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.

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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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Captain Eyeball, marry me,

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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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
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Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
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Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5