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When a guitar is used to provide rhythmic and harmonic accompaniment for a singer or for other instruments in an ensemble, it is referred to as rhythm guitar. The rhythm guitar is commonly used to provide a rhythmic complement for the lead guitar, although the actual instruments are interchangeable, and the distinction between the two is fluid.

Purpose

The role of rhythm guitar is to provide the pulse or rhythm for a song, and to provide harmony that supports the other instruments or voices, in contrast to the lead guitar, which provides melody. A guitar part can thus be classified as a rhythm guitar part whenever its function is primarily rhythmic or harmonic rather than melodic. The rhythm guitarist, bass guitarist, and drummer usually constitute the rhythm section in a rock band. A strict distinction between rhythm and lead guitar cannot be made, however, as good rhythm guitar players often incorporate melodic elements into their playing, and lead guitarists are seldom ignorant of rhythm playing, and may use chords or strong rhythmic playing in their solos. A rhythm guitarist supplies the layer of rhythm on top of which the melody is either played using another instrument or sung by a person.

In rock music, the rhythm guitarist is typically expected to play a sequence of chords, called a chord progression, around which the song is constructed. Often this chordal accompaniment is simplified to a cluster of two or three notes, sometimes called a "riff", that is repeated. In metal music, this is typically extended to more complex sequences consisting of a combination of chords, single notes and palm muted parts, while the more technical bands often play riffs which may use lead guitar techniques. In jazz or swing music, the rhythm guitarist is also expected to integrate a moving bass or counter-melody in his or her playing.

There is no defining line between a rhythm guitarist and lead guitarist, and if there is only one guitarist in the band, or if the songs require it, the guitarist may have to play lead and rhythm at different times. Thus, the guitarist can play both rhythm and lead — it just depends on the parts played in each song, and the capability of that guitarist.

Trends

Rhythm guitarists usually aim to generate a stronger tone as the harmonics of the band, in contrast to the lead guitarists' goal of producing a cutting melody that can be heard through the sound of the rest of the band. As a result, rhythm and lead players may use different guitars.

Rhythm guitarists may employ an electric acoustic guitar or a humbucker-equipped electric guitar for a richer and fatter output. Also, rhythm guitarists may use strings of a larger gauge than those used by lead guitarists. However, while these may be practices, they are not necessarily the rule and is subject to the style of the song and the preference of the individual guitarist.

Notable English rhythm guitarist Rick Parfitt plays a Fender Telecaster with particularly heavy gauge strings.

In many bands, the Rhythm guitarist may also play other parts, such as backing vocals or lead vocals.

See also

• Rhythm
• Guitar
• List of rhythm guitarists
• Lead guitar
• Bass guitar
• Flamenco guitar

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