I read a topic earlier about some guy named val and his apparent unappreciation for Prince's skills on guitar, got me to thinking if Prince is just decent then what makes one great. Some of the solo's and riffs I've seen prince do I've never heard before and blow away 90% of the wah wah wah I hear on most rock songs. What is the true lithmus test?

The ability to keep the thing in tune and also to transmit the vibrations of their soul through the strings.

Technique wise? Well to me, it's all about soul really, but a good left hand (if you're playing right-handed, of course) is always helpful. If you're just good at 16th notes on your right hand and have trouble with your left you're best suited to punk rock...but if you can get both hands in sync, have a nice attack with your pick and can bend your strings correctly (and with some vibrato if you want it), then chances are you're gonna sound pretty good. But you'll never sound GREAT unless you have some soul...which is what a good 70% of guitarists don't have, I reckon.

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[This message was edited Sat Feb 14 15:35:25 PST 2004 by mrdespues]

Usually, a hit, exposure.

I've heard some wonderful cats in guitar shops or at gospel concerts and such. They're not celebrated on a Rolling Stone Top 100 list or seen strumming their unplugged guitars in a video, but they're out there. Usually, they have a nice balance of technical skill and, like MrDespues said, the ability to convey emotion through their playing.

To this day, I still believe contemporary Christian artist Phil Keaggy is one of the most talented, versatile, soulful and inspiring guitarists I've ever heard. He combines that aforementioned balance. But, outside of Christian and guitarist circles, most people wouldn't know Phil if he tripped over their feet.

have you asked this man here..?




i hear that he knows a thing or two about playing the guitar...

EllisDee said:

lefthanded or righthanded, it don't matter to Ernie. The man's a monster.

ThreadBare said:

no doubt, one of the 10 greatest guitar players the world has ever known... ...