What is the difference between a rhythm guitar and lead guitar?

The rhythm guitar is the instrument that provides the harmonic foundation and rhythmic structure of a piece of music. The primary role of the rhythm guitarist is to accompany the lead guitarist, bassist, drummer, and vocalist by strumming chords on either an acoustic or electric guitar. Rhythm guitarists often use strumming, muting, picking, palm muting, and harmonics to create their parts.

The lead guitar is the instrument that plays the memorable, often melodic, passages, riffs, and solos in a piece of music. Lead guitarists typically use single-note lines, double-stops, bends, hammer-ons, pull-offs, vibrato, slides, licks, scales, and arpeggios to craft their solos. While lead guitarists occasionally provide rhythm-driven sections, as in a "call and response" section, much of their focus is on the lead lines while the rhythm sections support.

Here is a summary of the differences between rhythm and lead guitar:

Rhythm Guitar

* Provides harmonic foundation and rhythmic structure

* Primarily plays chords via strumming or plucking

* Uses a variety of strumming and damping techniques

* Often supports the singer or lead guitarist

Lead Guitar

* Plays distinctive memorable lead melodies

* Primarily plays single notes lines or "licks" via note picking and fingering

* Uses various note playing, bending, vibratos, hammer-ons and pull-offs

* May occasionally provide additional supporting rhythms