Playing the guitar, the difference between being good and being a genius....

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the differences between skilled and exceptional guitarists, exploring various performances, styles, and personal opinions on notable guitarists across genres. Participants share their admiration for both famous and lesser-known guitarists, discussing techniques, sound quality, and the emotional impact of their music.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express their personal experiences and feelings about their own guitar skills, with one considering themselves moderately good.
  • Several exceptional guitarists are mentioned, including Chet Atkins, George Harrison, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, with participants sharing their admiration for specific performances.
  • One participant highlights the importance of tone in guitar playing, suggesting that achieving a great tone is more about skill than equipment.
  • There is a discussion about the role of electronics in achieving sound quality, with differing opinions on whether this diminishes the artistry of guitar playing.
  • Participants mention various guitarists who are not as widely recognized but are considered talented, such as Gabriella Quevedo and Michael Hedges.
  • Some express a preference for guitarists who excel in backing roles, citing Eddie Van Halen as an example of a guitarist whose subtlety is often overlooked.
  • There is a mention of the emotional struggles faced by some musicians, with references to personal challenges of famous guitarists.
  • Participants share their favorite guitarists and performances, contributing to a growing list of notable names in the guitar community.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the existence of many exceptional guitarists, but there is no consensus on who should be considered the best or what qualities define a "genius" guitarist. Multiple competing views on the role of technique versus emotional expression in guitar playing remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the complexity of guitar techniques and the challenges of achieving a clean sound, indicating that personal experiences and preferences heavily influence opinions on guitarists.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in guitar playing, music performance, and the nuances of musical expression may find this discussion engaging and insightful.

  • #121
pinball1970 said:
Yes he had a very untimely and completely avoidable end.
A "like" seemed out of place here. But a lot of these artists had "untimely" ends. Be it accidents or suicide. :frown:
 
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  • #122
sbrothy said:
Oh they even referenced the herb!
For the record I didn't actually know it had that origin, I thought it was the U rated version of "Holy sh1t, Holy cr4p."
 
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  • #123
pinball1970 said:
For the record I didn't actually know it had that origin, I thought it was the U rated version of "Holy sh1t, Holy cr4p."
I was just as clueless if not more so! :woot:
 
  • #124
It is not always flying round the fretboard that makes a guitarist great or a guitar band great.
There were great guitarists in this band, they had sound, groove and soul.
I had a tape of "Free bird" and wore it out, this was at Knebworth. Two trips for me to this venue but I was too young for this.

 
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  • #125
pinball1970 said:
It is not always flying round the fretboard that makes a guitarist great or a guitar band great.
There were great guitarists in this band, they had sound, groove and soul.
I had a tape of "Free bird" and wore it out, this was at Knebworth. Two trips for me to this venue but I was too young for this.


I agree. I wouldn't neccessarily call Albert King a virtuoso but the man can play blues. In this jam session with Stevie Ray Vaughan I have a distinct feeling Stevie holds back. King even puts him in his place smoetimes along the lines of "Yeeah you may be fast on the guitar but at the cost of soul!" I also think Albert King play with the strings reversed as he was left-handed and apparently couldn't be bothered to restring his guitar.



OK. He starts out with a little comment about it but then goes on to say Stevie has both (techniue and soul). I have no doubt as to what he really means though. :smile:

EDIT: and hilariously, Stevie just have to sit and take it. What should he do? Educate the master?! :woot:

My fav is matchbox blues!

EDIT2:

King: You wanna play some blues?
Stevie: Sure.
King: Reluctantly... OK... Starts.
 
Last edited:
  • #126
This also why I hate when people show me some 12-year old kid who may by a technical blues virtuoso, but you simply can't play blues unless you've had your heart broken. So, in my world a 12 year old can't play blues. Period.
 

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