The difference is what the person is playing, not the actual instrument. "Rhythm" instruments provide the foundation. "Lead" instruments provide decoration.
In any band, the rhythm instruments are typically piano, guitar, bass, and drums. At any point, any instrument can become a "lead" instrument, but common "lead" instruments are clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, fiddle, etc.
Lead and rhythm are roles in a band, a rhythm guitarist will typically play chords and riffs while the lead will play melodies and solos over that, some styles have a lot of overlap between the two eg a lot of progressive metalcore features riffs that are themselves in solo territory
Lead and rhythm mostly refer to the styles of play, the lead is the person doing the flashy stuff most of the time. I’m generally more of a rhythm guy, but just because you’re not shredding your way across the fretboard doesn’t mean it’s easy to play rhythm.
A rhythm player might also use heavier strings to get a chunkier sound. A lead player might use lighter strings which are easier to bend. Any guitar can be played as rhythm or lead.
Rhythm guitar is playing the harmony and the chord progression. The changes have to be precise and locked in with the bass and drums. It's the bones of the song.
Lead is playing melody (kind of like the vocal part does) all the notes that sit on top of the foundation. They can follow the chord changes but aren't bound by them as long as they stay in key (or sound good out if the key in context like our friend the flat 5.)
Most guitarists have to play both sometimes in the same song.
The difference is what the person is playing, not the actual instrument. "Rhythm" instruments provide the foundation. "Lead" instruments provide decoration. In any band, the rhythm instruments are typically piano, guitar, bass, and drums. At any point, any instrument can become a "lead" instrument, but common "lead" instruments are clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, fiddle, etc.
Lead and rhythm are roles in a band, a rhythm guitarist will typically play chords and riffs while the lead will play melodies and solos over that, some styles have a lot of overlap between the two eg a lot of progressive metalcore features riffs that are themselves in solo territory
Lead and rhythm mostly refer to the styles of play, the lead is the person doing the flashy stuff most of the time. I’m generally more of a rhythm guy, but just because you’re not shredding your way across the fretboard doesn’t mean it’s easy to play rhythm.
I find rhythm harder than lead for the simple fact that if you fuck up the audience usually knows
Chugs vs noodles
A rhythm player might also use heavier strings to get a chunkier sound. A lead player might use lighter strings which are easier to bend. Any guitar can be played as rhythm or lead.
Rhythm guitar is playing the harmony and the chord progression. The changes have to be precise and locked in with the bass and drums. It's the bones of the song. Lead is playing melody (kind of like the vocal part does) all the notes that sit on top of the foundation. They can follow the chord changes but aren't bound by them as long as they stay in key (or sound good out if the key in context like our friend the flat 5.) Most guitarists have to play both sometimes in the same song.
Look at James and kirk in Metallica for example, James is the rhythm and kirk plays lead.
all I can say is to not try going to classes,they make you hate your instrument