great guitarist, what makes one?

[elyod138]

Art= something with a point, or that conveys a feeling, that says something

Music= A form of art

Guitar= An instrument used to make music

Good guitar playing= skillful creation of something that conveys feeling or has a meaning

Rating a guitarist in terms of technical expertise= fundamenally missing the point of playing guitar, which is to create music, which is an artform, which is supposed to make you think and feel

If you rate guitar players on their technical expertise, you are treating guitar playing as sport rather than music. You're not even in the right forum.

this wins

 

[Blind Freddy]

Skill, can string the right notes together, tone, mood, timing, good use of effects, uniqueness, some variety, makes good music, can help create or write good music, doesn't have a mullet, and is not a C0ckhead and involved in overly wankerish music.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

If you rate guitar players on their technical expertise, you are treating guitar playing as sport rather than music. You're not even in the right forum.

You cannot even be considered great if you dont have atleast the 'technical expertise'. Anyone can make music or play the guitar, that's why some learn more complex techniques to distingusih between average and great, and to better themselves.

Complex guitar is another form of making music. Its appeal is to another group of people who love the sounds of quick finger picking.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Skill, can string the right notes together, tone, mood, timing, good use of effects, uniqueness, some variety, makes good music, can help create or write good music, doesn't have a mullet, and is not a C0ckhead and involved in overly wankerish music.

That rules Tim Rogers out then....

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Art= something with a point, or that conveys a feeling, that says something

Music= A form of art

Guitar= An instrument used to make music

Good guitar playing= skillful creation of something that conveys feeling or has a meaning

Rating a guitarist in terms of technical expertise= fundamenally missing the point of playing guitar, which is to create music, which is an artform, which is supposed to make you think and feel

Complex lead guitar is just another form of art, it has feeling.

And if this form of music didn't make 'you think and feel' then why continue to influence millions? it's obviously conveying meaning to these people.

 

[miniHINDY]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=N6S3ixYyqFQ

Perfect imho

 

[HevyDevy]

Art= something with a point, or that conveys a feeling, that says something

Music= A form of art

Guitar= An instrument used to make music

Good guitar playing= skillful creation of something that conveys feeling or has a meaning

Rating a guitarist in terms of technical expertise= fundamenally missing the point of playing guitar, which is to create music, which is an artform, which is supposed to make you think and feel

Which is why it should incorporate BOTH.

I certainly don't need the guitarists I listen to to be as technically efficient as Vai, but as long as they're decent that's all good.

One of the greatest examples of feeling AND talent combined is Jerry Cantrell.

 

[sydraider]

Technical Prowess and feel, there was only one who could truly boast both and that was Dimebag. He made that damn Dean of his sing, truly awesome.

 

[Eelementary]

Interested to see what people say on this...

I define a great guitarist by someone that displays obvious complexity and a repitore of skills in his playing ( not just assumed it is or has because of who they are) distinctive ( totally unique sound to others) and extremely influential who brought something new to the instrument.

I just see many people state that such and such is a great guitarist but give pathetic reasoning like 'but he has feeling' or he was charismatic lol if that same rationale was applied to singers then David Lee Roth and Peter Garret are the greatest singers the world has ever seen:lol:

Anyone what about everyone else? why do you think such and such is such a great guitarist?

I don't play any instruments, so I'm not as technically sound as some of you. I'm just a music lover. But to me, a great guitarrist can play a riff - even a simple one - and just make you want to instantly get up and start playing.

I think Eric Clapton is a great example - his opening riff for Layla may be simplem, but every time I hear it, I want to start playing. Also, DragonForce play at a million miles an hour and duel between themselves - it sounds awesome and makes me want to playa 5 minute solo.

Also it has to sound good.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Simplistic but effective riffs are extremely hard to do, totally agree. Slash comes to mind as does Richie Sambora....

 

[Eelementary]

There you go - I'm not the world's biggest G'n'R fan, but some of thre riffs were very addictive.

I think most popular music these days goes down one of two paths: (1) boring, overly simplistic riffs; or (2) overly complex, useless riffs. Truly great guitarrists find a happy medium, imo.

 

[carcharias]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=N6S3ixYyqFQ

Perfect imho

I have played that song in bands since it first came out and it always gets a great reception.

How could any Australian not relate to it?

 

[Trollhammaren]

WRITE INTERESTING RIFFS!

That's it for me. I appreciate shredding but give me Iommi or M. Young over Van Halen or Malmsteen any day.

When it comes to lead work, whatever David Gilmour does, he does it right.

One of my favourite guitarists is Kai Hansen (Helloween, Gamma Ray). Man that guy can play a metal riff; plus shred it up a bit.

 

[HevyDevy]

When has EVH ever shredded?

Actually Trollhammeren, give me Abbath - the master riff writer!

"Tragedies blow on Horizons"

 

[CC_Eagle]

Malsteen is overrated tbh. The guy puts me to sleep.

Eric Johnson was a much better participant of G3, the guy has character compared to that overzealous wanker.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

LOL what's your facination with Eric Johnson? hell he wouldn't be able to do a tenth of what Malmstein does on the guitar. And i see you go for character rather then ability....why? it isn't an ability.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Eric Johnson = Different to Robert Johnson. Toured with Vai and Satch in G3 in 97 I think.

It's only a magazine, but -

"One of the most respected guitar virtuosos on the planet."

http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/eric-johnson/Aug-06/22108

Has alot more character and talent than some prick with fuzzy hair, black leather pants who shreds like every other 80's guitarist - "'cause im f*cking metal! \m/"

When I say character, I guess the ability to channel ones emotions through the neck of a guitar in a variety of ways. Sadness, joy and depression etc. A guy who is a fantastic blues guitarist who can also don the leather pants and shred, nosedive and whatever those show ponies do, is a better all round guitarist and musician than some stooge who snuffs his nose at Harrison/Lennon because they aren't metal ( \m/!!!!!).

I have a ton of respect for guys like Malmstein, EVH, Rhodes and so on, but as overall guitarists and musicians, they put me to sleep.

IMO a great guitarist is someone who can convey their emotions through music in a way that makes cocaine look like sherbert. Absolute ecstasy mixed with an unbeatable addiction that just keeps getting better, but who also stands out from the crowd in their own unique way.

Bah, effort...rant over.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Eric Johnson = Different to Robert Johnson. Toured with Vai and Satch in G3 in 97 I think.

It's only a magazine, but -

"One of the most respected guitar virtuosos on the planet."

http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/eric-johnson/Aug-06/22108

Has alot more character and talent than some prick with fuzzy hair, black leather pants who shreds like every other 80's guitarist - "'cause im f*cking metal! \m/"

When I say character, I guess the ability to channel ones emotions through the neck of a guitar in a variety of ways. Sadness, joy and depression etc. A guy who is a fantastic blues guitarist who can also don the leather pants and shred, nosedive and whatever those show ponies do, is a better all round guitarist and musician than some stooge who snuffs his nose at Harrison/Lennon because they aren't metal ( \m/!!!!!).

I have a ton of respect for guys like Malmstein, EVH, Rhodes and so on, but as overall guitarists and musicians, they put me to sleep.

IMO a great guitarist is someone who can convey their emotions through music in a way that makes cocaine look like sherbert. Absolute ecstasy mixed with an unbeatable addiction that just keeps getting better, but who also stands out from the crowd in their own unique way.

Bah, effort...rant over.

Dude, evh needed a hip replacement ffs because of showing too much emotion on the guitar. The tapping sequence to Eruption is the most beautiful, flowing sequence i've ever heard on the guitar, find me a better flowing, sounding then that solo, you may not think it but millions of others did;-)

ability should be appreciated first and foremost, we do the same in league, why is the guitar different?

 

[CC_Eagle]

Because league doesn't rely on emotive creativity to produce it's outcome.

Music does.

Bottom line guys, they're all better than any nuffy bassist!

 

[carcharias]

Hey Dev are you familiar with Karpatheon ...dunno the spelling .

I heard them on JJJ yesterday.
Aussie heavy duty stuff...actually wasn't too bad.
Shame the singer did the standard cookie monster impersonation though.
The music was good though.