Personally I don't believe in the concept that Joe Blo is the rhythm player and John Doe is the lead player. They both need to know how to play rhythm and they both need to know how to play lead. And they both need to know how to play rhythm WELL so they can properly support each other as they swap roles. Their lead chops are less important as far as I care because that part is more about personal expression and everyone is unique that way. Rhythm is about providing texture and feel. It's the fundamental of the song. Lead is about melody. If the two guitarists are stuck in a rut about their so called title or role in the band, if they never ever deviate from that desigantion and that works for them then I guess they're entitled but I sure as hell wouldn't be in a band like that. It would mean the two guitarists are mismatched and the band is out of balance. I realize most bands are structured that way but I also think most bands are shortsighted for that very reason.

That's my 2¢

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

I remember a buddy of mine, who was a hard core Rush fanatic, felt a band didn't need more than one drummer, one bass player and one guitar player and that was it. He used to say that any band that he would ever join would only have this makeup, of course, making him the only guitar player. As I look back, I realize how utterly arrogant this was on his part.

The band I am in right now currently has nine of us:

One rythm guitar (me on acoustic)
One lead guitar
One bass player
One keyboard player
One drummer
Four singers (one playes flute)

I gotta say that, there are certain songs we do that would just sound hokey without the rythm guitar. In my opinion, you can always live without a lead guitar but, you can't do music without a rythm section.

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Calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant is like calling a drug dealer an undocumented pharmicist.

Well Riley my question to myself is always "would I regret doing this or not doing this?" I personally would try it out for a couple of gigs or practice sessions and see how it goes. You may get together with the band and love it and love the people you're playing with or it may feel awkward and you'll know right away.

Pat Smear was there touring rythmist and backing vocalist, to tke off the pressure kurt got. He wasn't there studio rythmist.

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riley

I know he wasn't a member but thats not my point. He was there touring to fatten the songs out and play any extra parts Kurt had recorded.

Kurt multi tracked his guitars, there are way more than one on every album.

CC

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The only difference between a lead and rhythm guitarist is about 60-90 seconds, or however long the solo is...I mean seriously, Kirk Hammett and Angus Young are "lead" guitarists, but unless they are soloing, they are playing rhythm probably 90-95% of the time...Take any opportunity you can to play shows featuring music and bands you like...gain exposure to other musicians who are into the same stuff so you can eventually start your own band cause "you were tired of being the rhythm guitarist" in this other band... Also, you never know, they may want you to be the new "rhythm guy" but something can change, and you may be the new lead guy. Happened to some dude name David Gilmour and some band called Pink Floyd...David was just supposed to back up Syd Barrett, but eventually he was out, and David was the lead guy.

Besides, being a good rhythm guitar player is underrated, after years of playing with other guitarists, there is nothing worse than playing with a guitarist who can play leads like crazy, but cannot keep consistent time with a chord progression or riff...I don't care if you can can solo like crazy. If you're having to ride my coattails rhythmically to get to the solo, you'll be needing to find another rhythm guitarist who lays a foundation for you to build on, because I'm not pulling you through the song just to get you to your solo. Share the load, pull your weight, then wank all you want...otherwise, you'll just be wanking by yourself...but thats just my opinion from my experiences.

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RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

First off i say give it a try you might like it after a few practice sessions.
Now as for the make up of a band. Any live band without a rhythm section is just a solo act that has no following. Rhythm is what keeps the music flowing and makes the other parts of the band mesh into a great thing. This is why i choose to play rhythm and i believe other rhythm players would agree. If you are good enough most people wouldn't be able to tell which part you're playing anyways.

Bottom line is how much do you want to play in a band? If it's a priority and this is the only opportunity than why not try it?

Personally, there is no member of a band less important than any other. If someone is really less important than they probably aren't needed. As a bass player I'm def not the "spotlight" player like the guitarist or the singer, but the whole thing won't rock if I don't do my part on the groove or singing the parts I do.

Even if you try and it's not right, experience is ALWAYS a good thing. Hey, I'm a huge rock fan/KISS fan and I sat in a gig with a country band last year to help out a friend. I hated alot of the music but playing is always fun and I like to think I learned a couple things I would have never tried when I was learning those songs.

Just be up front with the other people on how you feel about the group, it's going good or not. And don't make commitments you can't follow through on.

Might as well take the job and gain the exposure. If playing rythmm isn't for you at least it might open doors for a lead gig. The more people that hear you play the better your chances of getting asked by another band.

So smile, play your heart out, and pretend to enjoy yourself. Most chicks don't care if you play lead or rythmm. Most nonplayers don't even know the difference. They just see you on stage playing.

On a side note - I can't think of ANY band I like well enough to just play their music. Or go out and listen to someone else cover their tunes - I'd be out the door before the next set started. Guess I just don't get this whole "cover band" concept at all. To me it is like going to see an Elvis impersonator. I might have gone to catch the real King in concert, but wouldn't go listen to someone pretend to be him. Not saying it has to be all original music, although all bands should have at least one, just mix it up a little. Call it Top 40, Pop, or whatever but is still better than playing nothing but The Doors or Queen or someone all night every night.

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