I have a question about what i should practice, right now im really struggling to motivate myself to play songs that are just simple open chords with some strumming pattern. Im currently in grade 2 module 10 and i really love playing riffs and licks. I have a electric guitar and most songs i love are lead guitar focused with riffs and such, not really strumming chords. So my question is, is it okay to focus more on that side of guitar? I can still play all the chords from memory and i can comfortably play the F chord. How important are chords for me if im only interested in lead guitar?
Hi Brent - You can of course do whatever you want, and there are a few guitarists who really didn’t play chords much - BB King springs to mind.
However you’ll be denying yourself a huge side of lead guitar playing - many riffs and licks are based on chords and chord shapes - take a look at Hendrix or Frusciante for example.
There’s a really fun space between traditional rhythm guitar (strumming chords) and pure lead (single notes lines) and many of the great guitarists spend a lot of time there.
I’d encourage you to continue working on chords and strumming as it will improve your rhythm and help your lead playing further down the line. However if you’re not enjoying it much, then by all means focus on the things you like - this is supposed to be fun after all - but I’d suggest you don’t drop the chords/strumming completely!
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Have look at some Santana songs in the future as most will be in the intermediate arena, Black Magic Woman is a mix of lead and rhythm, as is Samba Pa Ti you can mix it up and do some of each.
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@BrentVedder welcome to the community.
Keep in mind that BB had a complete band behind him to keep playing while he sang, and he often said that he regretted not learning chords and rhythm better.
The lead parts of many songs occupy a very small portion of the piece. What do you plan to do in a song when you’re not playing riffs and licks? Just stop playing and sing, ala BB? Most guitarists, whether they’re “lead” or not, spend most of the time playing rhythm.
As Griff Hamlin says, the difference between lead guitar and rhythm guitar is where you stand on the stage.
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I get where you are coming from completely. You want to rip it up. You can, but you also want to be able to play those chords, patterns and the stuff in the back ground well. Not just because you play it in between licks and solos but also for the huge purpose of knowing what licks and solos to play on top of them chords.
If you want it to sound killer you play solos, riffs and licks over the chords of the song. You want to know them well.
Just my opinion. Its the natural progression. You will be a better player knowing the whole of it.
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Can you do both? Spend time following Justin’s course to keep developing the basics, but also have a bit of time where you learn your favourite licks and riffs?
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Chords are the centre of it all.
If you’re more into lead playing, start looking at triads. They will provide the link between rhythm and lead.