Rhythm guitar
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Rhythm guitar is the use of a guitar to provide rhythmic chordal accompaniment for a singer or other instruments in a musical ensemble. In ensembles or "bands" playing within the country, blues, rock or metal genres (among others), a guitarist playing the rhythm part of a composition supports the melodic lines and solos played on the lead instrument or instruments, be they string, brass, wind, keyboard or even percussion instruments, or simply the human voice.
In the most commercially available and consumed genres, electric guitars tend to dominate their acoustic cousins in both the recording studio and the live venue. However the acoustic guitar remains a popular choice in country, western and especially bluegrass music, and is used almost exclusively in folk music.
[edit] Role
In popular music, the role of the rhythm guitar is to provide the rhythm or "pulse" of a song, usually as a member of a rhythm section. A typical rock rhythm section consists of of a rhythm guitar, a bass guitar, a drum kit, and in some styles, a keyboard instrument. The guitarist "playing rhythm" plays a sequence of chords or arpeggios which embody the chord progression or "changes" that support the melodic lines performed by other instruments or voices. In contrast, the role of the lead guitar is to provide melodies, countermelodies, and solos.
In rock music, The most typical ways to perform the chords is to play triads (which consist of the root, third, and fifth note of the chord), or four-note chords (which add the sixth, seventh, or ninth note of the chord). In some cases, the chord progression is implied with a simplified sequence of two or three notes, sometimes called a "riff", that is repeated throughout the song. 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 rhythm guitarists from more technical bands often play riffs which may use complex lead guitar techniques.
In jazz or swing music, the rhythm guitarist may also integrate a walking bass line or a counter-melody, in addition to outlining the chord progression of a tune.
In bands with two or more guitarists, the guitarists may exchange or even duplicate roles for different songs or different sections within a song. In those with a single guitarist, the guitarist may play lead and rhythm parts at different times, or simultaneously by recording the rhythm chord progression or riff on a looping pedal and then playing a lead line over the backing parts. The rhythm guitarist may also sing backing vocals or lead vocals.
Since the 1980s, the role of the rhythm guitarist has changed somewhat, due to the addition of many new instruments to rock and pop rhythm sections, such as synthesizers, MIDI instruments, additional percussion instruments, turntables (for "DJ scratching"), and electronic drum machines. As well, since the 1990s, technological developments have given guitarists a range of new options, such as MIDI guitar pickups and synthesizer effect pedals. Whereas a 1970s-era rhythm guitarist might have spent most of their time playing chords and riffs, a 2000s-era rhythm guitarist may be asked use digital effects pedal to create sound effects along with a DJ, or use a MIDI pickup and a synthesizer to emulate the sounds of a wind instrument.
[edit] Equipment
Rhythm guitarists usually aim to generate a stronger rhythmic and chordal sound, in contrast to the lead guitarists' goal of producing a sustained, high-pitched melody line that can be heard over top of the band. As a result, rhythm and lead players may use different guitars and amplifiers.
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.
