Good at rhythm playing but can't play leads?

[NatG]

I'm a fairly compentent rhythm player but when it comes to leads I'm no better than somebody who has never touched a guitar in their entire life. I understand what goes into composing and playing a lead, just have no desire and no skill to do so. Is anyone else's playing like this?

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Nope, just you.

I have the desire. Some of the skill. I'm not really phenomenally technical, but I usually get an idea for a lead and then practice it until I can pull it off smoothly.

But, if you don't care about lead, then don't play it. The world has enough boring uninspired lead guitarists.

[Grandturk]

The world has enough boring uninspired lead guitarists.

I call that my style!

[potatohead]

I am kind of in the same boat. I try to learn a solo here and there but I kind of suck at it until I really break it down and work hard at it, which can take hours upon hours to learn a pretty basic solo. If I tried something more complex my mind would just explode . I keep working on it because it's something I'd like to do better, but I'm not going to dedicate most of my free time to it either.

[VitaminG]

The world has enough boring uninspired lead guitarists.

you rang?

[Musician78]

I used to be that way. For about 10 or 11 years. I was more intimidated than anything. Then I broke down the Fade to Black solo. It took me awhile, although I can't remember how long. But it just got easier from there. Now I don't like playing rhythm unless it is a complex one.

[Devotee]

you rang?

Hey buddy, get in line

My lead playing is sloppy as hell but i'm working on it.

[Twitch]

I used to be that way. For about 10 or 11 years. I was more intimidated than anything. Then I broke down the Fade to Black solo. It took me awhile, although I can't remember how long. But it just got easier from there. Now I don't like playing rhythm unless it is a complex one.

+1 Though, I write solos to fit my bands original music. I have no desire to play someone elses solos. The more complex the rhythm, the better.

[Spiderman]

I'm a fairly compentent rhythm player but when it comes to leads I'm no better than somebody who has never touched a guitar in their entire life. I understand what goes into composing and playing a lead, just have no desire and no skill to do so. Is anyone else's playing like this?

James Hetfield?
Scott Ian?

Seriously - it's actually rather common. Lots of people are simply rhythm players - and there's nothing wrong with that. Biggest part of playing, is playing what you enjoy. If playing lead isn't your thing - nothing wrong with that.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

A buddy of mine often says "There's no money above the 12th fret."

Well, Yngwie Malmsteen would probably disagree (in between banging supermodels and crashing Ferraris) but for the most part he's right. Most people don't give a shit about the lead guitar, except the other guitar players, and 9 out of 10 times even if you nail it they'll still remain "unimpressed."

[Musician78]

+1 Though, I write solos to fit my bands original music. I have no desire to play someone elses solos. The more complex the rhythm, the better.

I do like playing other people's leads now. In fact, I think it helps me to become a better player than only trying to play my own because learning other people's stuff often forces me to learn something new to throw into my arsonal, whether it is (for examples) an improved technique, or some weird way of tapping that I never would have thought of that I might be able to incorporate into something later on.

[Trem]

A buddy of mine often says "There's no money above the 12th fret."

Haha, that's an excellent line.

Imo the most challenging and worthwhile skill is to be able to write a good song.
I mean a good song. One that makes people go, "that's a good song" or want to listen to it over and over again, and if your lucky it makes you some money.

If you can write a whole albums worth of good songs your gonna be much better off than being "Michael Angelo" shred master. It's not easy and that's why so many huge "artists" actually enlist really good songwriters to help them sell albums. Bon Jovi, Kiss, Aerosmith ... just as examples.

Even in extreme music the song still applies.
For the most part the guys that have made any crumb of money write good songs first and usually the leads are second or... not exactly "great".
Slayer for example They have sold millions of albums while pretty much never learning to play leads. I joke, i like their leads wouldn't have it any other way but, you get the point.

[Twitch]

I do like playing other people's leads now. In fact, I think it helps me to become a better player than only trying to play my own because learning other people's stuff often forces me to learn something new to throw into my arsonal, whether it is (for examples) an improved technique, or some weird way of tapping that I never would have thought of that I might be able to incorporate into something later on.

Ive considered that aspect, but Im lazy and my learning curve catches up eventully.

[RacerX]

You guys SAY you suck, but can you prove it?

I challenge thee:

Kudos to you if you can get through the whole clip of me mangling Locomotive Breath at my October gig:

[Grandturk]

You guys SAY you suck, but can you prove it?

I challenge thee:

Kudos to you if you can get through the whole clip of me mangling Locomotive Breath at my October gig:

Not bad - but watch me aimlessly wander around in E minor!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUH-fkQ3we4&feature=youtube_gdata_player