Why I mislike lead guitarists...

I'm a bassist. Second to that I'm a rhythm guitarist. Not a guitarist, a rhythm guitarist. There's a huge difference. Why? Because, as a bassist I play one note at the time, meaning I play one string and hold it down at one point. As a rhythm guitarist I play a chord, holding down several strings to create a note. Why am I telling you this? Simple:

I'm learning the Spanish guitar. Actually, the rhythm guitar. I mislike playing lead. I can do it, I just find the rhythm guitar much more satisfying and fun. And you could argue that as a bassist I'm basically playing a lead but slower. *EEH!* Thank you for playing, but that is WROOOOOOONG! As a bassist I keep the beat of the song, the underbelly as it is sometimes called. As a lead you add all the fiddly bits. Beat of the song but no fiddly bits = okay-sounding kinda cool rhythm. Lead but no beat = what the fuck is the timing on this song?

Back on track: As I'm learning the Spanish guitar, flamenco rumba, that load of stuff, I keep finding the lead guitars. And they're good, yes, and I can't do them. Not that I feel a pressing need other than to occasionally have a go at them to rest my hand from strumming. I can't find the effing strumming patterns or chords. Which is a problem. Cause, personally, I'm happy to be the guy in the background rocking it out for himself rather than be the fingers-fast-as-lightning-awesomeness going mental up and down the guitar neck in up front and center. In fact, this is the reason my main instrument is the bass; you only recognise a good bassist when you can't hear the bass. Now, I want strumming patterns for Spanish guitars! They are nothing like western or folk patterns, and they sound marvelous. Ah well, end of rant. I'm done with "Cancion del Mariachi", the song from Desperado, and are gonna try my hand at something else. Might pick Paco de Lucia or something else. Or have a go at the lead for "Siente mi Amour". Yes, a lead. But it's a quiet, soft, slow lead, and those can sound nice by themselves. Take "Dust in the Wind", for example.

In other news, I got a parcel from Thailand today with a few new bracelets. Gotta love eBay. I think I'll trust it a bit more from now on.