| When learning another language, experts | | | | easy for Eddie to be creative in his playing |
| recommend that you immerse yourself in the | | | | techniques because he was never told how he |
| language. The same principle applies when learning | | | | could or could not play. |
| how to play guitar. Listening to great guitar | | | | 5. Stevie Ray Vaughan - Born on October 3 1954 |
| players can be a source of inspiration, can | | | | , in the Oak Cliff Section of Dallas Texas. Easily |
| encourage you to keep practicing, and give you a | | | | one of the most well known modern blues |
| goal to work toward. The following are the top | | | | guitarists, Vaughan's music seemed to be pulled |
| ten greatest guitar players, listed in no particular | | | | from the depths of his soul at times. While his |
| order: | | | | playing was smooth, it was the sheer amount of |
| 1. Jimi Hendrix - At one point, Hendrix couldn't get | | | | emotion in every note that drew people to his |
| a break in Nashville, and he ended his backup days | | | | music. |
| with Little Richard in a contract dispute. He quickly | | | | 6. Tony Iommi - For many people, Iommi is |
| realized, however, the value of innovation in | | | | considered the first real metal guitar player, using |
| playing, as well as in putting on a stage show that | | | | a lot of distortion but keeping it completely |
| fans would remember. Many fans claim he was | | | | controlled. His fiery style is even more impressive |
| the greatest guitarist ever to pick up the | | | | because his fingering hand is missing the tips of |
| instrument. At the very least his creative drive, | | | | two fingers, requiring him to use rubber |
| technical ability and such effects as wah-wah and | | | | prosthetics when playing. |
| distortion forever transformed the sound of rock | | | | 7. Jeff Beck - Many guitar players consider Jeff |
| and roll. It was his innovation, and his ability to play | | | | Beck to be one of the most well rounded |
| his guitar in any position with any body part, that | | | | guitarists in the world, able to produce incredible |
| consistently places him as one of the top rated | | | | tones with what appears to be very little effort. |
| guitarists ever. | | | | Despite his ability to create amazing sounds with a |
| 2. Eric Clapton - Clapton can not only brag that | | | | great depth of feeling, he is rarely given the credit |
| he's considered one of the greatest rock | | | | he deserves. |
| guitarists and one of the greatest blues guitarists, | | | | 8. Jimmy Page - Formerly one of the hottest |
| but also that he has drawn huge crowds for his | | | | studio players in England, Page not only has the |
| classical guitar concerts. His playing style is | | | | ability to write incredible guitar riffs, but he also |
| smooth, yet precise, and chords almost seem to | | | | has the ability to play them perfectly. |
| flow from his fingertips. | | | | 9. Randy Rhoads - Was an American heavy metal |
| 3. Robert Johnson - Recorded his songs for the | | | | guitarist who is best known for playing with Ozzy |
| first time on November 23, 1936 in San Antonio, | | | | Osbourne. Rhoads was perfect and precise in |
| Texas. Although modern guitar players will often | | | | every note, but did so with a great depth of |
| complain that Robert Johnson was out of time, | | | | feeling. Not only could he play the music, but he |
| out of tune, and you cannot understand his | | | | could write it also. |
| vocals, style of playing was unlike anything else at | | | | 10. Joe Satriani - Satriani may well be the next |
| the time, and set the pace for future generations | | | | stage in the evolution of guitarists. He has the |
| of blues players. Johnson is also the guitar player | | | | ability to play music when he is goofing off that |
| often accused of having made the deal at the | | | | many guitar players will never be able match, |
| crossroads, selling his soul to the devil in order to | | | | even after years of practice. |
| be able to play. | | | | While this is by no means the definitive list of the |
| 4. Eddie Van Halen - The lightning speed and | | | | greatest guitar players, and some would disagree |
| innovative sounds of Eddie Van Halen's guitar are | | | | with the names on the list, it is an excellent |
| easily recognizable. They are even more | | | | starting point. By listening to accomplished players, |
| impressive when taking into consideration that he | | | | those who are learning to play guitar can find their |
| is completely self-taught, having never had any | | | | inspiration. |
| type of lesson. It has often been said, that it is | | | | |