Who is the World's Greatest Guitarist? ~ PART 2

[oilkills]

A) Who is Shawn Lane?

[halvi5450]

Lenny Breau all the way

[bearsbugs]

The answer to the question "Who changed the world of guitar music the most?" would be far easier to give, that would have to be Les Paul with the invention of the solid body electric guitar.

[joelplutchak]

@bearsbugs According to wikipedia, the first solid body electric guitars were made in the early 1930s. Les Paul in my opinion was probably more influential in his playing and recording techniques.

[bearsbugs]

@joelplutchak

OK, He (Les Paul) had been experimenting with various pick-up designs throughout the 30s and built his "Log" solid body in 1941, in Epiphone's workshop. I hadn't heard of any playable examples from anyone else prior to that, but then, contrary to what some seem think, I don't know everything. And yes, it was a case like the telephone and the jet engine, where more than one person was working on the same idea at the same time. But who were they?

[bearsbugs]

I think it is too subjective a subject to ever be given a definitive answer. The same qualities that may make one person say this artist is the greatest guitarist ever may be the very thing that makes another person say that artist shouldn't even be on a list of the to 1000. My own favorite guitarist is John Lee Hooker simply because of the way his music made me feel, and I would be the first to admit that there are and have been very many more talented guitarists than he was.

[behnkenj]

 A few of my own favorites:

Jazz : John McLaughlin, Flamenco: Paco DeLucia, Prog Rock: either Steve Hackett or John Goodsall. I'm tempted to say McLaughlin is the best because he could really do it all - and exceedingly well.

[behnkenj]

Doesn't make sense to me to go beyond 'recorded history' when dealing with this subject. I think you also need to take into consideration the style of guitar playing. I'd expect much different things from a Jazz guitarist than I would from a folk guitarist. Both could have incredible skill, but the music and technique is so different that it really prevents comparison. On the whole, however, I find the subject fascinating and am interested in the results.

[guitarvangelist]

I absolutely loved your book! And yes, this is a stupid question!!! But since you asked it is Paco De Lucia.

[jmsbk12345]

In all seriousness this question can't be answered. It is subjective and if you were asking me which guitarists lift my spirit the most and make a tingle run down your spine or make you laugh out loud in joy or have depth of soul, passion and feel then I would say: Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt, Danny Gatton, Paco de Lucia, Lenny Breau, Segovia and Jeff Beck just for starters. I love the naturally gifted players that don't know so much of the technical side of music.

[jmsbk12345]

JIMI HENDRIX!

[wmanser]

It is quantifiable though I doubt most could define a taxonomy for guitar playing and be adequately knowledgeable to make the argument. For example, facility on guitar seems to be a commonality in your artist list (though I personally believe that criteria would be pointless). I would rather base it on who changed guitar the most... how it is expressed or how conceptually it stretched due to that person. The problem... there was no "Bird" of guitar... so much work is required :)

[walterncool]

This is a piece that most players spend multiple years adding to their repertoire. Paco did it in a couple of months, even though he is not a sightreader of music notation. He composes and plays in multiple genres (classical, jazz, flamenco, and various fusions) and has those "up from the mean streets" credentials. I'm sure you've heard "Zyriab" by Paco, with Chick Corea. I rest my case . . .

[walterncool]

Tim, students need heroes as we grow. I've listened to vast gigabytes of music as a player and fan. But I had no hero until I heard Paco de Lucia play the Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo, with the Orchesta de Cadaques. I nominate him for greatest MUSICIAN ever. The best player, playing the most difficul guitar piece ever (there's consensus on THAT.)

[PaulGilbertIsGod2]

The best in the metal genre is Kiko Loureiro. His guitar work is legendary. He mixes jazz, classical, latin, into a whole new type of rythem and lead guitar playing.

[ciaputa]

what a noob. i'm sorry but this is such daft subject because YOU WILL NEVER FIND AN ANSWER BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS!!!

[CRMcAuliffe]

@ciaputa I Think its the opinions he wants for his next book! He wants to know what makes a guitarist seem good to you but your right impossible to answer

[SemiTall]

No. Stop this right now. You should be doing something else.

[canonmj]

This is a hard question to answer, as there is no OBJECTIVE way of comparing guitarists. Playing guitar is not only about speed and accuracy, which is the only objective aspects of playing a musical instrument. Musicality, expression, and I think historical impact on the instrument should be taken into account. This will add some subjectivity. The level of guitar proficiency has improved so much that it is impossible to pick one guitarist who can play all styles at the highest level.

[samuelshepard]

it shouldn't be musicianship, it should just be 'how well can you play the instrument'. cuz see, take rock n roll. i think jimmy page was the best musican in rock n roll, but he was sloppy on his instrument. and musicianship simply has to do with taste.

[lordofdudes]

mark knopfler all the way

[orthoman1000]

When the day begins, the greatest guitarist in history is Tommy Emmanuel. When the day ends, the greatest guitarist in history is still Tommy Emmanuel.

[nickfromdtown1992]

i think the best was

ted greene

rest his soul

because of his death i think the best alive is

allan holdsworth

[weirdo206]

it is a great question but is impossible to answer, the greatest guitarist who ever lived is a matter of opinion and if you truly believe that someone is the greatest guitarist who ever lived then no matter what someone publishes in a book or magazine or anything should make a difference to you and, one person or group of people cant decide who the greatest guitarist is

[fuzzyshan]

one of the things that i think really put him ahead of the crowd is that he has played many different genres and has developed his own style while doing so. He has played metal, bluegrass, ambient acoustic music, avant-garde music, funk,

[fuzzyshan]

i dont know if it is possible to answer he question. On a personal level i find buckethead to be my favourite guitarist. in my opinion he has all a great guitarist should have:

He is incredibly technical proficient and is among the elites of technical playing.

He doesnt solely focus on technical playing and makes a lot of very simple emotional music in many of his albums.

[commando7144]

the piss war is great for competion but music as an art has no best imo. i think its more of the feeling in which the musician is portraying when playing his/her music that captures peoples feelings and emotions.

[yardism]

Its a moot question as far as finding a valid answer, but it is fun to discuss. I think, first, you'd have to be able to define "great" as it relates to the question. Greatest? Most technically proficient? Most commercially successful? Most critically acclaimed? Most emotionally accessible(people can get into the playing)? Obviously one person can't cover all of those bases. I think one has to be able to use their playing to genuinely connect with the listener. Lots accomplish that feat...

[youaergay]

it depends what age you aer and what music you like. and for that reason i think joe satriani is.because my gran has his cd and so does my friend, who is into heavy metal like me. and joe knows is his thery

[uptownavondale]

phew... what a load of waffle. I enjoyed your book apart from the grammar mistakes but you aren't half a boring talker...

[linnintek]

I think i have an answer to your question, IT'S ME! im a legend

[youaergay]

do not get you hopes up. iv only been playing 5 mounths and am a leval 6 and theres only 8 sow f*** off because i am going to be best and there will be no whats or buts i will be the best ever.

[IANSPA]

whoa thought i saw a cheeky testicle for a second there tim. Cross your legs again HA HA

[parkerflyer99]

It's such a loaded question. Musicians, such as myself, have favorites, which would differ from what the general public, or average Joe would deem "The World's Greatest". I would rate the greatest guitarist based on how well rounded they are musically. Those who fit this prototype, for me, tend to be more from the Progressive genre of rock music. I even have a hard time picking that one guitarist from just that genre alone. A great question here, but quite difficult one to answer.

[Starrynite79]

one interesting note is that these "greatest" or "best" lists are generational in their bias. the best guitarist of his generation might be an apt category...but then the research would be biased based on the media coverage of the individual. was django really the best or were their other gypsy players who never made it to the big city...was les paul really better than the others in the fifties, or was it just because he had better PR saavy? this question is impossible but it is fun to debate.

[twangbarking]

Music is not a competition !

[Vitotesta]

You were right when you said..."or not!"

[DRFFF67]

I got a better question, where the fuck did u get those shorts from? cos they are fucking hideous u gay peedo

[BShakey63]

It's so blindingly simple, Tim. The best guitar player in the world is the one who's having the most fun!

Just finished your book, btw, and really enjoyed it. Not sure I quite agree that rock music is the blues' "thick-necked, adolescent cousin" but it made me smile anyway. I found your video here by accident - I was hoping to see the guitar you had built in action.

Good luck with the new book, if ya do it that is.

[stratomaster136]

That's what Hendrix thought...

[axisboldas]

Theres also the large factor of musician's having an ego, asking questions like that can as you say "cut the performance at the knees." I honestly think there are too many factors to make any kind of judgement like that, and I don't think anyone anywhere will ever be able to give a definate answer.

[RogerTiger]

If you said - Who is the most technical? The person who express his feelings a lot? Who has better tone? Better sound?

[ritzieboy]

Yes, too many variables. But if I had to choose and being an ascoustic guitarist, I would choose ...Leo Kottke.  He has written a wealth of beautiful tunes!!!

[SoloGuitaristNet]

No! It's pointless. Too many variables.

I would rather see you "jumping up and down and getting your hair messy." as you say.

[iced696]

First view, first comment, keep it going. This is one of the best posts on youtube concerning this subject.