Rhythm or lead guitar – what’s the difference?
A beginner who knows very little or practically nothing about guitars may conclude that rhythm and lead guitars are the same because they are somewhat similar. But in reality, there is a clear difference between these two.
Lead Guitar
A lead guitar is played using moderate to heavy distortion. The most common techniques for creating lead parts are slides, vibrato, and bending. These allow for greater expression in the melody and a basic medium for emphasizing notes. Most of the time, lead guitarist employs sweeping pickups to add depth to a song.
Rhythm guitar
Unlike lead guitars, rhythm guitars are subtle and mild and can easily be played on acoustic and electric guitars. Playing a lead guitar is more about chord voicing and choosing a chord that enriches the overall sound.
Rhythm guitar genres explained
Rhythm guitars played an important role in the development of Jazz, rock, blues, bebop, and reggae. The guitar took over the role of the banjo to provide superior rhythmic chordal accomplishment. Jazz guitar legends like Freddie Green emphasized the quality of the instrument.
In funk bands, rhythm guitars are used to play in a percussive style using the wah-wah sound effects to create a percussive sound. It is used in reggae to play the chords beats two and four, which is also known as the bang or skank. It can also be used to play off beats.
Price tag
See, you don’t have to spend a small fortune on a premium quality rhythm guitar like the Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster or the Ibanez RG Series RG7421PB especially if you are a beginner. The obvious reason for this is that it may be too advanced for you to play. It is wise you opt for budget-friendly models like the Schecter OMEN-6 as they are can make beautiful sounds and are durable and can withstand constant use.
Going for a low-quality rhythm guitar just to save a few bucks is not really a smart move especially if you are a professional player looking to taking your skill to the next level. It is best you opt for top-notch rhythm guitars like the Epiphone Les Paul-100 or the Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster.
Features to consider while buying the perfect rhythm guitar
There are a couple of important features that we recommend looking out for when choosing a rhythm guitar. Every rhythm guitar on the market has a unique feature or function that set it apart from others on the market with some offering better sound quality or some unique features. However, though you may be met with the challenge of choosing between the many rhythms guitars on the market. To narrow down the one that will suit your needs, there are some important features you must consider. Below are a few of them;
Pickups
Pickups are the pieces of plastic or metal beneath the strings in an electric guitar. They are designed to pick up the vibrations from the strings and send them to the amplifier. Simply put, they are responsible for the tone of a guitar. This means that a guitar with a faulty or damaged pickup will have very poor sound quality. Below are the two most common types of pickups.
Humbuckers are mostly found in Gibson-based guitars like the Epiphone Les Paul-100 and are often used for thicker and warmer tones.
This is usually found in fender-styled guitars, like the Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster. They are known for their twangy and bright sound.
Scale length
As you probably guessed, the scale length is the length of the string and is measured from bridge to nut. A shorter scale length offers a warmer tone and facilitates easier string control or bending. It also offers less tension. A longer scale length, on the other hand, offers a tighter feel in string tension, with a well-defined low end and brighter shimmer.
Most Gibson based guitars like the Epiphone Les Paul-100 use a 24.75-inch scale length. Some fender based guitars like the Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster use a scale length of 25.5. Also, most PRS guitars like the Ibanez RG Series RG7421PB use a 25-inch scale length.
Neck and fretboard
The neck of a guitar includes the headstock and the fretboards on which the tuners are carefully mounted. It contains a tough metal truss rod that prevents twisting and neck bowing and can be adjusted to increase stability and maintain a consistent pitch.
The fretboard is commonly made from a thin layer of ebony or rosewood. Some guitar models with maple necks have a fretboard that is made of the exact same wood as the neck. Most fretboards have special dots or markers clearly inlaid in the fretboard. Some models have unique markers on the edge of the fretboard offering users easy visibility.
Body feel
There are 3 main body types – semi-hollow body, hollow body, and solid body. What sets them apart is the way they are constructed and the amount of resonance they produce. If you are into metal or punk, or any style of fast or heavy music, then it should be solid body all the way.
Semi-hollow and hollow bodied guitars are perfect for players who prefer jazz, soft rock, country, pop and other softer styles that offer a lot of resonant sounds with bass.
If you are a beginner, it wise you stick to solid bodied guitars like the Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster or the Ibanez RG Series RG7421PB that are easy to handle.
Tonewood type
A greenhorn guitarist may conclude that the sound quality of a guitar has nothing to do with the wood it is made from. But that is far from the truth because the wood a guitar is made from can determine how long the strings will vibrate and the shape of their motion. Even more, it allows the pick to move without hindrance.
Below are some common tone wood types;
Mahogany
Mahogany is strong, dense and can be used to manufacture every part of a guitar except bridges and fretboards which requires a much harder wood. The Epiphone Les Paul-100 and the Ibanez RG Series RG7421PB are made from this wood type.
Maple
This is a common wood that is usually used in guitar necks. It is dense, hard and often has eye-catching detailed grain patterns. Due to its tonal characteristics, maple is mostly used for making super expensive guitars.
Ebony
Ebony is a dense wood that is usually used on fretboards of expensive guitars.
Alder
Alder has special tonal characteristics that are somewhat similar to ash but is less expensive. It is one of the most commonly used top-notch electric guitars. The body of the Fender Classic Series ’50s Stratocaster is made from this wood type.
Bridge
The bridge is a very important component of an electric guitar that influences playability and tone. It is usually mounted to the lower part of the guitar body. Bridges are specifically designed to compensate for varying metals, string lengths, and gauges to ensure that the strings remain in perfect tune with each other.
Some bridges allow users to introduce vibrato into their performance of a whammy bar or a vibrato arm that moves the bridge up and down. Bridges with this function are commonly known as tremolos. A tremolo system allows players to move the bridge back and forth with relative ease.
Accessories
Regardless of the rhythm guitar model you are going for, it is wise you check if it comes with accessories like an amp, a cord, a carrying case and so on before making a purchase. Buying an electric guitar that doesn’t come with accessories means that you will have to buy them separately. So, if you are on a budget, it is smart to opt for a guitar that comes with important accessories you need to play. This will save you from splashing extra cash on accessories.
Warranty
This is a very important feature you must give thoughts when buying a rhythm guitar. Some manufacturers offer aftercare and warranties after you have made a purchase. Do well to check the terms of each supplier before making a final decision. Buying a rhythm guitar that has no warranty is not really a smart move because if something happens to it while you are using it the way it was meant to, you will bear the cost of repairing it. Thankfully, the rhythm guitars reviewed in this article are warranty protected.
Rhythm guitar playing tips
To become an expert rhythm guitar player, you have to be hardworking, consistent, patient, and have a burning desire to do whatever it takes to reach your goal. In your journey to becoming a good player, you are inevitably going to face some challenges, to scale through them; you have to be consistent in your efforts.
Below are some tips that may come in handy in your journey to becoming a better guitarist:
Become a studious student of music
To become a good rhythm guitar player, you need to have a great ear and understand everything that is happening with each and every instrument in the band both melodically and rhythmically. To do that, you have to banish your distractions and listen to everything you can.
Play along with the rhythm guitar legends
Playing alongside famous rhythm guitar legends like James Hetfield, Malcolm Young, Chuck Berry and many more will not only strengthen your foundation but will also help you understand how they blend their notes and rhythms perfectly.
Timing
To become a top-notch rhythm guitarist, your timing needs to be on point. To do this, you have to be ready to practice for long hours every day. If you are able to do this consistently, in the long run, you will have a precise and solid sense of rhythm.
