The keyboard is my go-to
instrument now, but the guitar will always have a very special place in my
heart. It’s the first instrument I
learned how to play, and, as an amateur musician, I had spent years being
primarily engrossed in the instrument, playing it, and – most importantly –
listening to talented musicians who wield the guitar. From the many guitarists I’ve listened to, I
developed my own personal taste on guitar musicality – what styles or philosophies
can produce the most pleasurable and rousing music from the guitar. Of course, this “personal taste on guitar
musicality” is not at all dependent on an actual definitive, objective
standard, but merely on the preference that grew on me during my exposure to
different guitarists.
My “personal taste on guitar
musicality” is reflected from my picks for this top 10 list of guitarists. These guys aren’t picked by being the
fastest, the most skilful, the most successful, the most technically savvy, or
even the most awesome. They are picked
for being the ones that I am fond of listening, whose music has enthralled me,
and had made an effect on my own thinking regarding how to play guitar.
Honorable Mentions: Prince, Paul
Gilbert (Mr. Big), Steve Vai, Carlos Santana, John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili
Peppers), Brian May (Queen), Steve Lukather (Toto), Matthias Jabs (Scorpions)
9.) & 10.) DON FELDER &
JOE WALSH (Eagles)
There are many better guitarists
than these Eagles duo, but they have earned spots in my most favorite
guitarists list for being the ones behind the greatest guitar duet ever in “Hotel
California.” Individually, both of them
are capable of some slick guitar solos.
But they are truly special when their guitars respond to each other,
like in the two versions (original and acoustic) of “Hotel California.” They also did a swell job in “Life in a Fast
Lane.”
8.) NUNO BETTENCOURT (Extreme)
My first encounter with his guitar
talent was with Extreme’s famous acoustic ballad, “More Than Words.” I found Nuno’s guitar work throughout the
song very unique, catchy, and complementary in expressing the meaning of the
song. I was already impressed. Then it got to the last part, and the
shredding blew me away. As I got to
listen to more of his solos – with the electric
guitar – I learned that there is more to his talent than “More Than
Words.” I’m not really an Extreme fan. Aside from “More Than Words”, no Extreme song
really stuck with my playlists. But I’ve
always enjoyed Nuno. He is a phenomenal
guitarist; his solos consistently retain musical definition while being done through
extremely (pun intended) fast, rousing shredding.
7.) SLASH (Guns & Roses)
It was with Slash where I got my
first understanding of what a lead guitarist is. I was auditorily mesmerized (if that’s a
term) by “Sweet Child O’ Mine” back then. Guitar playing in hard rock is often
associated with distortion-heavy noise.
But as the lead guitarist of a legendary hard rock band, Slash is
different. There is elegance in his
riffs – there is a real sense of priority for making comprehendible scales
(listen to “November Rain”) over cathartic hard rock expression. Thus, Slash, for some time, was my definitive
guitarist.
6.) JOHN MAYER
He’s not exactly the most liked
musician out there with his reputation as a big jerk. But with regards to his talent, after
watching his “Where the Light Is?” live album, nobody can deny that John Mayer is
an extremely versatile player of both acoustic and electric guitars. I’m awed by how he can sing and execute complex
guitar riffs at the same time without losing a step.
5.) JIMI HENDRIX
Hendrix is considered by many
guitar enthusiasts and critics as the greatest guitarist in history. Personally, he’s not my most favorite
guitarist, but I nonetheless acknowledge his musical genius. His riffs are natural, versatile, and melodically
flawless. He revolutionized guitar
playing, giving us an idea – if not completely showing us – what more can be
done with the guitar. Every guitarist
should listen to him for he will definitely find something to learn.
4.) JIMMY PAGE (Led Zeppelin)
4.) JIMMY PAGE (Led Zeppelin)
Jimmy is a legendary guitar
player, but I don’t really consider him as the most, er, “efficient.” Nonetheless, the most awesome thing about him
is how he’s always totally in control in every musical situation. There is always an innate awareness in him on
what needs to be done with his guitar. He
wobbles a bit, but his guitar playing is just oozing with charisma and smart melodic
choices. And that’s probably why many
consider the guitar solo in “Stairway to Heaven” as the greatest ever.
3.) ERIC CLAPTON
He doesn’t do fast, flashy
shredding or complicated sequences. His
style is simple but unforgettable and delightful. He effortlessly knows what notes to utilize,
and executes them with beautiful musical clarity. It’s with listening to Clapton that taught me
that guitar playing doesn’t need to be fancy, fast, and complicated. What’s most important is producing good,
pleasurable music – and simplicity and good musical taste can accomplish
that.
2.) RICHIE SAMBORA (Bon Jovi)
Back in my early teens, I found
myself getting to really, really like Bon Jovi.
And, understandably, I developed an affinity to Richie Sambora’s guitar
playing. Since then, I’ve always
believed that Sambora is underrated and underappreciated as a guitarist. He is extensively “fluent” in the different
guitar styles and genres. He also did
the most stirring solos I’ve ever heard.
Just listen to “Livin’ on a Prayer”, “Keep the Faith”, “Always”, “Wanted
Dead or Alive”, etc., and let them do the talking regarding Sambora’s
awesomeness.
1.) NIGEL HENDROFF (Hillsong)
Nigel Hendroff is my most
favorite guitarist ever since I learned how to play guitar. This is, of course, primarily because of my
Christian preferences. Music is a terrific
avenue in giving glory to God, and I appreciate and admire musicians who choose
to dedicate their talents for the Lord.
The ‘Droff is a lead guitar and musical director for Hillsong, the largest
producer of Christian Contemporary Music today, and is probably completely
unknown outside Christian music circles.
He is nonetheless a gifted musician – proven to be impressive in playing
both the acoustic and electric guitar.
He has proficient technical know-how in using effects to produce
distinctive, more sophisticated guitar sounds – just like U2’s The Edge. But unlike The Edge, who primarily relies on
effects to hide his lack of depth and mediocre skill, the ‘Droff possesses a legitimate
well-rounded skill-set.
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