[Music_Appreciation]

Is it true that in order to play lead you must know about rhythm guitar to?

[allthumbs]

I would say yes. Your lead playing has to be in context with what is going on with the underlying chords and rhythm. I knew a guy who had played in bands for years. We were jamming in a music store after hours. Doc played a funk bass groove. The lead player tried to just play straight pent noodling with no thought to the rhythm of the tune. It was hideous. He went from a great player to an armature in seconds.

When you follow the rhythm and chord progression closely, it is called playing in the pocket.
You may not need to play rhythm but, you need to be able to follow it.

[Music_Appreciation]

so do u think that i should study up rhythm stuff as well?

[Noodler]

Depends a lot on what style you play. If you play jazz/ country or rockabilly, then yes, yes, yes. The melodies are based around the chords. You need to know what notes make up the chords you are playing over. You'll tend to end phrases on these notes.

For a lot of rock/blues it is less important. But you still would need to build up a "library of licks" (100 or so) and some scales. That way, when you improvise, you can string licks together that you know work already.

[Plutonic]

I am trying rhythm first, I think lead would be harder.

[dejankuki]

In order to play solos and lead guitar you must learn rhythm first.
Not only for chord progression... in lead or solo playing you must go in time and signature so you must learn to have good feelng for rhythm and timing.
When you are good in back guitar lead guitar will be more easyer to learn and play.
In some tunes you got to cross from back playing to a solo part, if you aren't good maybe you will find yourself in situation that your solo isn't in right momment or you are out of sinc with other bad member.
Rhythm guitar is very important.

[geitenvla]

Sometimes when I play with some friends, I'll play lead. In my opinion it really comes in handy when you already know the rhythm of the songs you're playing... the more you know, the more there is room to improvise - in my opinion.

I recommend to learn rhythm first and later on pick up on the lead. Next stage is combining these two on one guitar.

[Lcjones]

Originally Posted by Music_Appreciation

so do u think that i should study up rhythm stuff as well?

Yes.

Every single song has a rhythm. A beat. 4/4, 3/4, 6/8 and many more. Each song has a unique rhythm pattern inside itself. Melodic timing. If you can't keep rhythm you can't play lead.

A lead guitarist must have a significant knowledge of rhythm in order to play their notes in the proper place or "time" of a song. A drummer keeps the "rhythm" of a song rock steady. A rhythm guitarist works in concert with the drummer by placing emphasis on certain chords to create the melodic rhythm of the tune. In many cases that rhythm guitar is syncopated to the drums, giving any particular song it's bounce. A lead guitarist works in concert with both the drummer and the rhythm guitarist. It is essential a lead guitarist understand the rhythm of a melody and work in harmony with the rhythm guitarist.


**
LC

[Stratrat]

In addition to all the above - if you aren't familiar with the chord structure of the song and don't know what chords the rhythm guitarist is playing, your lead playing will be random noodling at best.....to say nothing of the fact that it will sound even worse if you can't keep time. It's almost like a drummer asking if you need to be able to keep a good beat in order to be able to play good drum solos. Just going "wheedlywheedlywheedly" at high speed isn't going to impress anybody if it doesn't mesh with the rest of the band.

[scotty_b]

Unless you plan on being Joe Satriani or Steve Vai , you are going to need to play rhythm at some point (not that they are not excellent rhythm guitarists as well). It is essential to being a well-rounded player.
I am fortunate enough to get a lot of gigs where I get to play a lot of solos - but I have also done a lot of gigs where I haven't played any, and the singer just wants me to back them up with whatever they are doing.
As the other guys have said, knowing what you are playing over and what notes makes up what chords is important for building good solos too.

[solidwalnut]

Originally Posted by Music_Appreciation

so do u think that i should study up rhythm stuff as well?

It's already been said. But a guitarist who noodles without being in the groove of the song won't even be considered a musician in many people's eyes. Rhythm is just as much a part of music as melody or other notes played. They are forever linked.

The well rounded guitarist can play excellent rhythms and move seemlessly into playing riffs in the same song. Lead guitar means not that they only play the lead or melody or solo, but that they can lead the tune by cementing the solo within the rhythm of the song.

Steve

[redrider37]

Originally Posted by Music_Appreciation

Is it true that in order to play lead you must know about rhythm guitar to?

Hi Guys,

Looking at this thread, I am fed up because I have been to lessons and most of our time was spent learning songs with little time spent on timing or strumming/rhythm

Looking at your answers I have been right to ask about rhythm, I have stopped lessons now but I want to start again but this time I am going to ask about rhythm. we don't all want to be Jimi Hendrix or Clapton do we!!

[Stratrat]

Originally Posted by redrider37

...we don't all want to be Jimi Hendrix or Clapton do we!!

IIRC, both of them were able to play more than a little bit of rhythm guitar also.....

[allthumbs]

Understatement of the year strat LOL.

[redrider37]

Originally Posted by Stratrat

IIRC, both of them were able to play more than a little bit of rhythm guitar also.....

I know what you mean, I did'nt mean to disrespect anyone, hope you know what I meant