Statues of the Beatles in their hometown of Liverpool, England. Though lead guitarists tend to be more popular, both jobs are crucial for any classic rock band, and are both essential for any aspiring player to learn. Lead guitarists, meanwhile, provide solo licks in between the vocal melody and take any solos on a track. The rhythm guitarist in any classic rock band must hold down a straightforward groove without too many embellishments. Though some famous classic rockers - Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton spring to mind - rose to fame playing in power trios as the only guitarist, the vast majority of classic rock bands employ both a rhythm and lead guitarist. The overall drive levels are also lower than more aggressive styles - the moderate overdrive sound has even become known as the “classic rock crunch.”Ĭlassic rock is also credited with creating a strict division between lead and rhythm guitar players. Unlike heavy metal and alternative rock, which generally use pedals (especially multiple stacked units) for their distortion, it’s more common in classic rock to obtain overdrive by simply cranking a tube amp. Most classic rock players employ a distinctive overdriven lead guitar sound, with a slightly cleaner tone for the rhythm guitar. Some classic rock bands, like The Grateful Dead and Phish, specialize in an improvisation-centered subgenre called “ jam rock.” Solos generally occur in the middle to end of a song, and may range from 30 seconds to over a minute in length classic rock generally eschews the longer, involved improvisations in blues, psychedelic, and progressive rock. Guitar solos are standard for classic rockers. Despite the genre’s blues heritage, the vast majority of classic rock songs don’t follow a traditional 12-bar blues structure. Though many classic rock guitarists employ different sounds, a few particular characteristics are shared by the vast majority of classic rock players.Ĭlassic rock songs generally employ a traditional verse-chorus-verse structure, sometimes with one bridge towards the end of the song. The label encompasses more blues-focused styles along with some elements of pop, country, and hard rock - meaning many players with different playing styles may fall under the same “classic rock” umbrella. 1 Characteristics of Classic Rock GuitarĪt its heart, the term “classic rock” refers to a pantheon of established rock players, songs, and techniques.
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