So I am sat here with my newly polished white guitar on my lap, and pondering I simple question.
…Would I be considered good or not?
I know this seems like it may be sentimental but it is a genuine feeling I have. I used to think technique was the pinochle to success, but over the years I have realised it is far more complicated than that. Furthermore, it is noted in every guitarist media outlet that Jimi Hendrix is the greatest guitarist of all time.
Ok… To be clear I love Hendrix, but he is definitely not the most technical guitarist we have seen today, but he is rated as the greatest. So, what is it that makes him so great? In my attempt to rationalise this question I conducted extensive research what ranks you as the top guitar player in the world.
I found that there was SEVEN factors people are talking about. This criteria includes, technique, complexity of playing, accuracy of playing, song writing ability (this includes transitions and flow), quality of riffs, quality of lead, emotional level, Influence, originality, creativity and character.
| Attribute | Description |
| Technique | The way of carrying out a particular skills |
| Complexity of playing | The level of playing |
| Song writing ability | How will is a song written and transitions between sections |
| Quality of riffs | How good are the riffs to the human ear |
| Quality of leads | How good are the leads to the human ear |
| Flair | Stylishness and originality |
| Influence | How many guitarists follow their flair |
In no particular order…
#1 Paul Gilbert
- Technique: 10
- Complexity of playing: 10
- Accuracy of playing: 10
- Song writing ability: 7
- Quality of riffs: 8
- Emotional level: 8
- Originality: 7
- Flair: 10
Total Score: 70
#2 Steve Via
- Technique: 10
- Complexity of playing: 10
- Accuracy of playing: 10
- Song writing ability: 8
- Quality of riffs: 6
- Emotional level: 7
- Originality: 9
- Flair: 8
Total Score: 68
#3 Yngvie Malmsteem
- Technique: 10
- Complexity of playing: 10
- Accuracy of playing: 10
- Song writing ability: 7
- Quality of riffs: 7
- Emotional level: 7
- Originality: 10
- Flair: 8
Total Score: 69
#4 Alexi Lahaio
- Technique: 7
- Complexity of playing: 10
- Accuracy of playing: 7
- Song writing ability: 10
- Quality of riffs: 10
- Emotional level: 9
- Originality: 7
- Flair: 8
Total Score: 68
#5 John Petrucci
- Technique: 10
- Complexity of playing: 10
- Accuracy of playing: 10
- Song writing ability: 9
- Quality of riffs: 7
- Emotional level: 6
- Originality: 6
- Flair: 5
Total Score: 63
#6 Buckethead
- Technique: 10
- Complexity of playing: 10
- Accuracy of playing: 10
- Song writing ability: 4
- Quality of riffs: 5
- Emotional level: 7
- Originality: 8
- Flair: 8
Total Score: 62
#7 Dimebag
- Technique: 6
- Complexity of playing: 7
- Accuracy of playing: 7
- Song writing ability: 4
- Quality of riffs: 10
- Emotional level: 9
- Originality: 7
- Flair: 10
Total Score: 60
#8 Jason Becker
- Technique: 10
- Complexity of playing: 10
- Accuracy of playing: 10
- Song writing ability: 6
- Quality of riffs: 6
- Emotional level: 8
- Originality: 6
- Flair: 8
Total Score: 64
#9 Jimi Hendrix
- Technique: 5
- complexity of playing: 5
- accuracy of playing: 5
- song writing ability: 7
- Quality of riffs: 8
- Emotional level: 10
- Originality: 10
- Flair: 10
Total Score: 60
#10 Jango Rainheart
- Technique: 5
- complexity of playing: 5
- accuracy of playing: 5
- song writing ability: 7
- Quality of riffs: 7
- Emotional level: 10
- Originality: 10
- Flair: 10
Total Score: 59
#11 Micheal Angelo Batio
- Technique: 10
- Complexity of playing: 10
- Accuracy of playing: 10
- Song writing ability: 5
- Quality of riffs: 7
- Emotional level: 4
- Originality: 6
- Flair: 3
Total Score: 55
Conclusion
This is just the beginning of my list. But, if you disagree with the measures and the score I have given, please comment your thoughts in the comments section with good justification, and then I will make changes accordingly.