Rythm guitarist?

Question

This may sound like a really stupid question, and I think I somewhat know the answer...I'm just not completely sure...so...ya...
Can someone PLEASE tell me... What EXACTLY is the difference between a rythm guitarist and a regular guitarist...like, in a rock band? I think I may know, but I'm not sure, so I want someone to please tell me, to clarify. So I may sound stupid...but I really do want to know...so...help me...please...

Answer 1

Cool question. They're both guitarists, same guitars and all, just one focuses more on providing and reinforcing the rhythmic and harmonic fooundation, toghether with the bassist, drummer and perhaps percussionist. That guy, a rhythm guitarist, generally plays chords or so-called power chords. The lead guitarist (the proper name/title), on the other hand, plays fillers and melodic lines, generally faster that the rhythm guitarist. That distinction is really not very clear, guys usually swap roles and do both jobs from song to song.

Answer 2

i was rythm guitarist in my friends band for a while, you usually just hold the main beat of the song while the lead guitar hits the solo.

or the rythm guitar could play the same notes as the lead just in different places on the fretboard to get a cool sound

hope that helps!

Answer 3

You make it sound like they are two different instruments. Any band with a guitar player has a rhythm guitarist. The band might only have one guitar player, but all that means is that the one guitar player is covering rhythm and lead. If you mean is it necessary to have two guitarist then the answer is no. When you are the only guitarist in a band (like you) and call yourself the "lead" guitarist you sound like a total noob.

Answer 4

The rhythm guitarist handles the chordal structure of the songs -- he might be just as good as the lead player, but is employed to hold the rhythm section together. The object of the excercise is to get paid, so it really doesn't matter which you play -- but you should be equally adept at both if you want to be a pro.

Answer 5

There is a lead guitarist and a rhythm guitarist. Lead plays main guitar stuff, rhythm's kind of in the background.

Answer 6

nothing exept one playes the rythem and one plays lead. a good guitarist can play both they both learn the same way. look at zakk wylde the lead guitar player for ozzy, he's the only guitar player in the band and covers it all.

Answer 7

rythym does like chords when lead still does chords but takes care of the solos or does certain things to make the song better. Hope i helped