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.
 
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  • #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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  • Wow
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  • #127
Reminds me of the Bonzo's, "can blue men sing the whites?"
 
  • #128
sbrothy said:
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.

MaituoGuitar - "Hi guys, this is my guitar channel, first of all, let me introduce myself, my name is: Maituo / Chinese name: Lv Junxi, I was born on March 8, 2015, I am from Guiyang, Guizhou, China, in 2020 I started to learn classical guitar. In January 2021, I started to learn electric guitar. "

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/nine-year-old-guitarist-maituo-clean-sweep-arpeggios

instagram.com/maituoguitarlujunxi/reel/DEXiRAEplYn/
-funny comment: "Bro's 11 but going through his second divorce"

(2024) Maituo said that when playing blues improvisation, he always thinks of BBking


(2024) When music meets English


(2026) Blues #jam #guitar #kid #maituo


(2026) Jack Gardiner&Maituo Jam at Guangzhou China

- facebook.com/jackgardinerguitar/videos/china-no-words-for-how-insane-this-has-been-yesterday-night-was-a-particular-hig/1869187720446480/
"China 🇨🇳- No words for how insane this has been! 🥺💙 Yesterday night was a particular highlight for me here in Guangzhou. I’ve been following @maituoguitarlujunxi for quite a while now and yesterday, I got to finally hear him play in person. At 11 years old, Maituo has the phrasing, the time feel, the technique and an insane charisma! It’s incredibly inspiring to watch and jam with this young man - the full package! 🤯 Maituo - you little LEGEND! 💙 Thanks for blessing us with your playing!"

(June 2026) improvisation by blues men - I think his dad is in the band.


More Maituo on PF
 
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  • #129
#128,
though haven't tried to view-listen to any of those videos, no matter the culture where a person learns something from outside his, if he has genuine interest, he goes forth with the other's music to learn and enjoy.
 
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  • #130
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.



(June 2026) Jamming in Guiyang with my bro @maituoguitarlujunxi Couldn’t be happier! justincaterina






 
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  • #131
sbrothy said:
As I said, this thread is hard to keep up with. This one reminds me of the "roaring twenties". :smile:
Almost that far back - and well worthy of mention - the one and only Django. Mostly playing with 2 left fingers. Were guitar solos even a thing before Django Reinhardt?
 

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