Rhythm Guitarist

[iceshaft07]

I play with a rhythm guitarist. I have read plenty on how the bass keeps the rhythm and groove of a song, and even gives it soul, while the guitar plays the melody.

I haven't quite figured out how I am supposed to relate to the rhythm guitarist. I mean, if he is playing the rhythm, then what am I doing? It seems redundant to me, so could someone please enlighten me in my ignorance?

[BullHorn]

rhythm does not equal groove.

You can keep rhythm and hit every note in the exact proper moment, but that doesn't mean you're grooving.

Nobody can be told what groove is.

[funkalicious101]

i find it redundant aswell, i would rather have a keyboard player than a rhythm guitarist

[Rattman]

Oh.. we also have a competent rhythm guitarist, but it is an easy fix for us.. while he is playing the melody and even back-picking the notes of each chord, the bass is usually playing a counter-melody or "pause time". Even when playing the roots, it can still be double-time root or root-octave as to NOT be in lock step with the melody. Thats how we keep the variety in the sound and the blend of the various instruments without being too predictable or boring for us.

[lemur821]

You're providing the low end.

[iceshaft07]

Not to bring up an old topic, but I finally understand what the rhythm guitarist does!

I was playing a song, and my rhythm guitarist started playing a lead. I kept saying that it didn't feel right, and it felt like too hard of a change, and like it felt empty.

So, he played a rhythm, and it was perfect; but the lead was necessary too.

So that is what they do (at least, one of the things they do). They get that empty feeling out of a chord to notes only change.