How do you define a good guitarist?

Thought this is an interesting thing to think, expecially considering the many genres of music these days

Originally Posted by: Andie_IbanezThought this is an interesting thing to think, expecially considering the many genres of music these days

By height? No wait, that's something different. :D

Seriously though, I think you define a good guitarist by how he plays. Some people play minimal notes but they can make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Others shred with such speed and precision that it's almost frightening to watch. Overall, a "good" guitarist is the one who can make the music come alive no matter how he/she chooses to play.

Originally Posted by: hunter60 Overall, a "good" guitarist is the one who can make the music come alive no matter how he/she chooses to play.

that is the best definition of a "good" guitarist I could ever imaging. well put

1. someone who learns the theory and just doesnt download tabs and learn riffs.

2. "oh, you suck. I can play that awesome on guitar hero :cool: "

There is a difference between a musician and an artist. I have meat a lot of musicians and not so many artist. What I mean by this is that there are plenty of people who are great/proficient (yes I know their are a lot of "sort of" gutiar players, but I do not include these people because they are not full developed) at playing their instrument, but the people who are really admire are the songwriters. To me the product is more valuable then what is actually behind the prodcut. Why I love most of the guitarist I love (Eric Clapton, Hendrix, Paige, Raitte, ect) is because before I played guitar their songs transfixed me. Only later would I learn the value of their skill.
When I go to a party/jam session what I enjoy is people who break out their own songs. Not those who try to fumble and remember some covers or rip out some boring etude. I've learned that rock/folk/current stuff is where my ear is at not archaic music written for a simpler generation and different times. I can admire classical and appreciate the depths and technique behind it. Songs are what music is, technique is not.
Mehg I contradict myself all the time. My point essentially is that I love songs that sound good to me, so a good guitarist is someone who writes good songs. You know if a=b and b=c then a must equal c.

Originally Posted by: ajt1781. someone who learns the theory and just doesnt download tabs and learn riffs."

I repectively disagree with this statement. Theory isn't needed to become a great guitarist...

It's all opinion based, if you like a guitarist playing or style, then you just like 'em...If you don't, then you don't....can't put it anymore simplier than that..

Originally Posted by: HDJI repectively disagree with this statement. Theory isn't needed to become a great guitarist...

It's all opinion based, if you like a guitarist playing or style, then you just like 'em...If you don't, then you don't....can't put it anymore simplier than that..

I am not speaking of how someone sounds. anyone can pick up a guitar and read a tab, it takes a guitarist to pick up a guitar and not use a tab. thats what i am getting at. and in that respect, I do not consider myself a guitarist yet. I am working on it though.

I hear what your saying...I personally learned guitar by reading tabs and learning songs, that's how I developed my style. I tried learning theory, but it never clicked with me.

I didn't make that statement b/c I don't know theory, but after 20 years of playing, learning from tabs, etc...I can pretty much just pick up a guitar and play or jam with anyone, no matter what style it is. Not saying I consider myself a great guitarist or anything, I'm a very sloppy player, but I do have a good ear, which is what it boils down to for me....Someone who has a good ear for music are the ones I like the best, not the ones that can shred through scales at 240bpm.

thats what i mean, someone who can pick up a guitar, improvise, see patterns on the board, jam, and figure stuff out.

That's cool...I misunderstood your first post....I was thinking you meant that anyone that doesn't know theory is not or will never be a great guitarist...

It's all good....

Originally Posted by: HDJThat's cool...I misunderstood your first post....I was thinking you meant that anyone that doesn't know theory is not or will never be a great guitarist...

It's all good....

No problem, I can see how it looks that way. You don't need to learn classical music structure to kick ass. :cool: I know how to read music, but to apply it instantly to a guitar board, i have a rough time. As for what I said about tabs, I use tabs, But there are alot out there who learn a tab for a riff and consider themselves a guitarist, totally undermining people who actually put the effort in to learn how to wail on a guitar. you know? its like if you play guitar hero you know how to play guitar :D

Ability to take a guitar in any messed up tuning or effects loop, and make music.

Originally Posted by: ajt178As for what I said about tabs, I use tabs, But there are alot out there who learn a tab for a riff and consider themselves a guitarist, totally undermining people who actually put the effort in to learn how to wail on a guitar. you know? its like if you play guitar hero you know how to play guitar :D

Yep, that's the difference between a guitarist and a guitar player in my opinion...
A guitarist makes and creates music....
A guitar player just plays othes people riffs but can't improvise or write their own music....

Everyone starts out as a guitar player and in time they become a guitarist...

My definition of a good guitarist is someone who has the ability to play what they want exactly the way they would like to hear it played. Doesnt matter if they get there by knowing a load of theory and the names of a load of modes or whether they use their ear, or feel or by memorising patterns. It's the end result that counts. If it sounds good and its well executed then its from a good player, slow, fast, technical or basic. Although I think the guy who can inject feeling into fast and slow music is the superior player.

Somebody who gives you the shivers when you listen to them.