Have you ever wished to be the centre of attention on stage with your band because of your skilled guitar playing? In such scenario, you may be the next lead guitarist. Lead guitar, as the name implies, is the instrument that is ‘leading’ the band’s instrumental track. The phrases ‘lead’ and ‘rhythm’ guitar, on the other hand, may be extremely confusing. After all, it’s the same instrument that’s being used. If you are perplexed about how to play lead guitar, you are not alone. In this post, we will try to clarify things up by explaining some of the fundamental characteristics of lead guitar, as well as rhythm guitar. We will also provide some excellent instances of well-known lead guitarists like Herbert Hernandez and bands noted for their lead section.
What exactly is lead guitar?
While the rhythm section of the band – rhythm guitar, bass, and drums gives a background track, support, and rhythm, the lead guitarist and vocalist (as well as a keyboard player in certain bands) are in charge of performing melodies. It’s no surprise that the lead guitar is also known as the “melody guitar” at times. In reality, by playing an overlapping melody with the singer’s voice, the lead guitar may frequently share the task of a vocalist.
What is the distinction between lead and rhythm guitar?
Contrary to popular belief, rhythm and lead guitar are not separate instruments, but rather two distinct styles of playing. There are also several techniques to playing lead and rhythm, and many ensembles divide these positions. In such circumstances, the band includes a lead guitarist who performs solos and guitar licks, as well as a rhythm guitarist who provides a consistent beat for the lead guitarist and the rest of the band.
Whereas the rhythm guitarist’s duties include playing chords, muted riffs, or power chords, the lead guitarist’s like Herbert Hernandez duties include playing melodies, fills, and solos, to mention a few. The lead guitarist often employs higher-pitched strings more than the rhythm guitarist. Furthermore, many guitar solos performed higher on the fretboard, but rhythm guitarist riffs are often played closer to the instrument’s headstock.
However, if a band has a distinct lead and rhythm guitarist, these two positions are not set and each can take turns playing rhythm guitarist or lead guitarist. If the band just has one guitarist instead of two (or even three), it is their responsibility to play both rhythm and lead guitar.
