Do you guys prefer playing lead or rhythm? When I'm jamming with someone I definitely prefer to sit back, lay down some rhythm, and watch what they do differently than I would have
Rhythm. I think rhythm adds more depth and dimension to a song than a solo. I enjoy soloing but i have to remember to hold myself back and give purpose to each note and build a melody. A lot of times i get caught up in the whole "LOOK AT ALL THE SCALES I CAN PLAY AND HOW FAST I PLAY THEM" mentality when soloing. Rhythm is a lot more rewarding to me. Adding subtle hammer ons and slides feels better than finger fucking the fretboard. Rhythm is also a better discipline to have if you want to be/are a singer/songwriter. Also rhythm transfers better between electic and acoustic, whereas soloing on acoustic is a completely different game from soloing on electric.
rhythm is much more fun, unless your one of those dudes who can solo over anything. that would be sick because you can switch back and forth basically
I love doing both, for me lead is a tad bit more fun, and yea it leaves you more vulnerable in situations with certain rhythm and harmony you may not be comfortable with, like if you ask me to play over some swinging gypsy jazz and it's in some weird time sig and the chords are a 2,6,5,1 with weird embellishments, I am going to be very uncomfortable vs something simple to me like a 1,4,5 in A minor with some straight 4/4 hard rock rhythm. But yea adding leads to me just makes a song colorful and if there is good phrasing along the personality of the player and the song really shine through.
I love both, but in order to be a great lead guitar player I think you need to be an excellent rhythm player IMO. I like to mix the two a la Hendrix or SRV. Rhythm helps you keep timing, so I like to hit a chord and throw in a short phrase before getting right back into rhythm. Like mentioned above, it's very easy to fall into the trap of playing scales fast when soloing.
i agree with you on this. its seems the best guitarists are capable of doing both. i.e. guitarists like johnny marr can make a blend of both lead and rhythm. imo that is my favorite style of guitar playing because it requires both fluidity and technicality. [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH18_dZIYOE[/media]
I think a good band features every player eventually Into the melody and everyone else works together for harmony until its time for their voice to be heard. -yuri
I have the ability to do both, and even recorded a few of my own instrumental pieces. When playing with friends, I usually end up playing rhythm because I am just more skilled at it than them, however whenever I see my friends covering a song I don't know I will just improvise a lead to go along with it just for fun. Never fails to impress.
I'd prefer to be grooving away on my bass over rhythm or lead any day. Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Grasscity Forum mobile app
Depends if I'm high but generally both, swapping back & forth is sick! Learning other people's styles & bouncing off each other makes for best times, especially when they come up with ideas you never even thought you'd ever hear, then BAM! "oh dude that sounds rad." Too much lead when high causes me to become a wank-fest solo artist who needs to step off the pedals hahaha
I love playing with people you really vibe with. Thus trading of and jamming out on harmonized duel leads can be fun... Being tight in the ryhthym section when your all in the pocket is justvas awesome though
When I first started out, the flashy solos and guitar licks appealed to me. Though as I've gotten older I've found that I enjoy playing rhythm much much more (lots of heavy metal). The "chug chug" rhythms are so fun, and challenging in a different way from lead work. And I'd rather sacrifice my lead skill to have better rhythm technique, because it makes up the majority of the song.