When you are first beginning to learn guitar, you will encounter two terms regarding your instruments – lead guitar vs rhythm guitar. But what is the difference? You may be confused at first about what the terms mean and whether you need to select a special instrument based on your preference.
Do lead or rhythm guitar players need to buy different instruments? Which style of playing is easier for a beginner to learn? What roles does each type of player play in a band? What is the difference between lead and rhythm guitar styles of playing?
Although guitar players of experience are likely to be very familiar with each style of playing, a beginner can easily get confused. But the answers to your questions aren’t all that complicated or hard to grasp.
Below we will talk you through everything you need to know about the difference between lead and rhythm guitar. We’ll look at their roles in bands and what skills and strengths are required for each style. Read on to discover everything you need to know about lead vs rhythm guitar.
What is Rhythm Guitar?
Initially, many beginner players decide they want to play lead guitar, it can seem like the most glamorous and attention-grabbing style of play. However, rhythm guitar players play an essential role in music performances and have a lot of fun, creative excitement, and room for innovation within their guitar playing style.
The role of the rhythm guitarist is to support a band with its rhythm, and sense of timing and to help to propel the beat and melody of the music forward. In doing this they help to give a song character and a sense of dynamic progression.
A rhythm guitarist will need to utilize the following skills:
- A sense of timing, which will make sure that the pacing of the song remains consistent.
- Expert knowledge of chord progressions to understand which chord choices are best for each song.
- Different strumming techniques to help create different dynamics and atmospheres in songs.
Rhythm guitar players are part of the rhythm section of a band and will work with bass players, drummers, and keyboardists to provide the beat and tempo of the song. Musicians will play rhythm guitar that slows down and speeds up depending on the song.
Playing with the other instruments in the rhythm section, rhythm guitar players will use their strumming techniques to provide the melody of the song, keeping to the beat laid out by the bassist and drummer.
What is Lead Guitar?
The difference between lead and rhythm guitar is that while a rhythm guitarist is focused on beat, chord, and melody, those playing lead will play riffs and solos on top or alongside the music the rhythm section is creating. Lead guitar players will be responsible for creating:
- Guitar solos and lead parts which add interest, drama, and peak moments in a song.
- Riffs which will be played repeatedly throughout to create an overall sound along with bass and drums. These guitar riffs can sometimes echo and repeat the melody or vocals in a piece of music, highlighting certain parts.
- Guitar fills which will fill in the space and silence between chords to provide a fuller and more complex overall sound.
Sometimes a guitar player will play both lead and rhythm guitar, playing chords, riffs and solos.
Lead and rhythm guitarists both need to be dynamic, creative and with their own strengths and talents. You may find that as you learn guitar you naturally gravitate to one style of playing over the other.
Which is easier to play – lead vs rhythm guitar?
When you are first starting to learn to play the guitar you may find that learning to play rhythm guitar is a great way to start. You’ll be able to learn the ropes and learn how to join in with your fellow guitarists in jam sessions. It will also help to give you a strong guitar foundation if you decide you want to move on to play lead guitar.
Learning rhythm guitar will allow you to build your chord knowledge, strengthen your sense of timing and discover which notes go well when played together.
Which is easier to play, lead guitar vs rhythm guitar has no easy answer. How easily you will find each style of play to master will depend upon your musical strength and stylistic preferences.
Rhythm guitar players can strum, simpler chords or use their strumming techniques and knowledge of chord progressions to produce challenging and tricky chord patterns.
A lead player can also move from playing simpler solos to creating complicated and technically difficult standout fretwork that is innovative and challenging.
The ultimate answer to this question will depend upon how passionate you feel about each style of guitar playing and how much practice you are willing to devote to your chosen style.
The Different Band Makeups of Lead Vs Rhythm Guitar
Different bands utilize the roles of lead guitarist vs rhythm guitarist in different ways.
One Guitar Player Playing Both Lead and Rhythm Guitar
Although there is a difference between lead and rhythm guitar, some bands have one guitarist who plays both styles within a band. Famous examples of these types of players include Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame and Kurt Cobain.
Two Guitar Players Playing Lead Guitar vs Rhythm Guitar
Other bands prefer to have two different guitar players who fulfill the separate roles of lead and rhythm guitarists. The rhythm guitarist will produce rhythmic strumming in time with the bass and drums, while the lead guitarist will add embellishments with riffs and solos.
Examples of these types of partnerships include John Lennon and George Harrison of the Beatles and James Hetfield and Kirk Hammet of Metallica.
Guitarists Who Share the Duties of Lead vs Rhythm Guitar
Some other bands include two guitar players who take turns fulfilling the lead guitar vs rhythm guitar duties.
Examples of these types of guitar pairings include Kerry King and Jeff Hannemann of Slayer and Phil Collen and Steve Clark of Def Leppard.
Some Examples of Each Type of Guitar Player to Check Out
If you are having trouble deciding which type of guitar style you want to pursue, it might be helpful to head to YouTube and check out some videos of some of the most legendary players of each style.
Some of the Most Legendary Rhythm Guitarists
- John Lennon
- James Hetfield
- Dave Mustaine
- Johnny Marr
- Malcolm Young
- Izzy Stradlin.
Some of the Most Legendary Lead Guitar Players
- Jimi Hendrix
- Slash
- Eddie van Halen
- Jimmy Page
- Billy Gibbons
- Brian May
Summary: Lead Vs Rhythm Guitar – What’s the Difference?
When it comes to the difference between lead and rhythm guitarists, the difference is the role within a band, contribution to a song, and style of playing. Many beginner guitarists find that learning to play rhythm guitar is the best first step. Once you have got the basics down you can choose to progress your chord knowledge as a rhythm guitarist or branch out to lead guitar playing.