Many of those who are just starting to master the guitar cannot figure out what is the difference between rhythm guitar and solo guitar, are there any differences in construction and sound, and, if so, which option is preferable.
In fact, the constructive differences between lead guitar and rhythm guitar are a myth. How it arose, it is no longer possible to determine, but quite often you can hear the words pronounced “competently” that rhythm and solo are two separate types of guitars. In fact, the only difference lies in what playing technique is used by the guitarist. There are no external differences between these tools. Moreover, you can play rhythm and solo on the same guitar.
Guitar solo
As the name suggests, the lead guitar is used to perform solo parts. Its function is to set melodic lines. The solo part (popularly - "losses") is often included in songs at the very beginning or in the interval between the second and third verses. This gives special expressiveness and clearly demonstrates the skill of the musician. The lead guitar sounds very nice even with a modern arrangement of classical pieces.
In addition to individual inserts in the composition, the lead guitar can lead the melody, making the performance brighter and harder. This technique is popular with metalheads. Another option for giving the music beauty and grace is playing out the variations of the main melody during the performance. This is also what the lead guitar does. The main task of this instrument is to give expressiveness and showiness to a piece of music.
Rhythm guitar
Good quality rhythm guitar work is a very important element of a piece of music. If the lead guitarist (who often has great playing skills and professionalism in performance) can afford some liberties or improvisation, the rhythm guitarist creates a kind of musical "skeleton" that must be very clear and correct. Rhythm guitar is used in almost all genres - from hard rock to pop music.
The main rhythm of the composition is set by a certain sequence of chords, it structures the work and (together with percussion instruments) creates a "beat" - the main rhythmic component, while remaining just a background. Rhythm guitar is the main element in the formation of the general motive of a musical work.
Rhythm and lead guitar do not differ in technical characteristics, although, depending on the need to play the rhythm or lead part, the musician can change the strings according to his preferences (which is also optional). One and the same guitar can perform in one or the other role.
