Hard rock is a form of loud, aggressive rock music. The electric guitar is often emphasised, used with distortion and other effects, both as a rhythm instrument using repetitive riffs with a varying degree of complexity, and as a solo lead instrument. Drumming characteristically focuses on driving rhythms, strong bass drum and a backbeat on snare, sometimes using cymbals for emphasis. The bass guitar works in conjunction with the drums, occasionally playing riffs, but usually providing a backing for the rhythm and lead guitars. Vocals are often growling, raspy, or involve screaming or wailing, sometimes in a high range, or even falsetto voice.
What instrument is usually at the center of a hard rock sound? Rhythm guitar in hard rock usually plays what? In hard rock, an electric guitar can also be used for what? What carries the backbeat in hard rock drumming? What instrument works in tandem with the drums to provide hard rock rhythms?