It's the basis of the song and keeps it going and drives it forward. Good rhythm players are highly underrated it seems.A couple rhythm guitarists of note(in my book) are Malcolm Young, Dave Mustaine, James Hetfield and EVH(I prefer his rhythm to his lead!) So what players do you guys like? And do you go out of your way to practice rhythm playing?

Dude, Dave Mustaine for hella sure. My favorite rhythm player, and most definitely one of my favorite song writers. Spider chords and whatnot, simply amazing. Eddie is damn good, and I don't listen to Metallica much, but I would bet it's safe to say James is a nifty rhythm player. Also, Randy had some great rhythm chops of his own. Crazy Train's verse is a rhythmic nightmare for beginners everywhere, speaking from my own experience with the song way back in the day when I was first learning it. But yeah, I'd add Randy to the list fo sho.

Dave Mustaine is easily at the top of the list as a rythm payer, some of his rythms are as good as somebodies lead playing. Another favourite rythm player of mine is Jake E. Lee, Bark At The Moon has one of my favourite rythm sections in a song ever. He's also underrated as a lead guitarist too i think, he's easily the second best guitarist Ozzy has ever had, i don't understand why anyone would actually like Zakk 'pinch harmonic' Wylde that much. Ozzy must have been drunk when he picked him.

It's an art form in itself and I suppose that I am one who neglects it in favour of burning. Not good/ :(

Me too, i never practice rythm or chords. All together i know 9 chords.

No way!!!!??? 9???? Ya gotta brush up on them a bit mate. :)

Yea i know, but chords are just so boring to learn.

True. But how are you gonna get to all those flashy solos without being able to get through the rhythm section. You should devote 30 mins per day on learning chords. Even if you only learn 1 or 2 a day it'll soon add up. This is rich coming from me I suppose. I haven't practiced rhythm in months :lol:

I think they both compliment each to such a degree, that in order to be a good lead player you need to study rhythm and in order to be a good rhythm player you need to study lead.

Dave Mustaine and Muhammed Suicmez, although Suicmez is more of a shredder. His rhythm playing is just as good as his lead playing, though.

Yeah, Sucimez is one of my favourite players.

I joined the jazz band at my school, and that forced me to learn a lot of chords (7s, m7s, M7s, 11s, 9s etc). I think Eddie and James are awesome, but Dave just blows them away. He basically writes everything good, and honestly I don't know how he still pumps out tonnes of good riffs.

Holy hell, how could I forget the almighty Chuck himself. Schuldiner was also one hell of a rhythm player.

Rhythm is definately underrated but extremely important if you want to become a well rounded musician.

If your chordal knowlege is limited so will be your understanding of how to solo over chords.

The jazz guitarist Joe Pass is actually renound for his chordal solos - definately worth a listen IMO.

Crap, Acousolysis!!! You stole my answer (even though you said it 2 weeks before me :rolleyes: ) !!! Chuck Schuldiner's rhythms are awesome. As, are Dave Mustaine's (as many others have said).

I actually prefer playing rhythm over soloing. I remember sitting with a Mel Bay chord book (my favorite book until my dad stole it from me <_< ) and picking a random chord... just any chord. When you play it, there's a good chance it'll sound like crap... The fun part, now, is making a riff, progression, etc that will make this dissonant chord come to life!!

For being a metal guitarist, I don't use many power chords.

Ah, I forgot some other players that deserve a mention! Jimi Hendrix was a great rhythm player. I can't say the same about his lead playing, but he had a great rhythm style, ya know lots of little embellishments here and there. Jimmy Page would have to be another, except his lead playing was a little better. I still can't listen to the Whole Lotta Love solo though lol

Scot Ian from Anthrax is another great rhythm player. His playing on 'Among the living' is a thrash rhythm masterclass.

Alex Skolnick is also a very good rhythm player in addition to his soloing.

Lol i agree... buti need to work on them