A countdown of the top 10 fastest guitar players of all time. Featuring Paul Gilbert, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, John Petrucci, Buckethead and many others! Please subscribe @GuitarGodzUnleashed More guitar videos coming soon
At a certain point, speed for speed’s sake becomes a parody of itself and is more of a stunt than musically serving the song. It can be impressive and absolutely artless at the same time.
Whenever I read a comment about shredding, such as the one above, I make an educated guess and say that the person making the comment can’t do what the shredders do. I can’t. I was never even close. Secondly, don’t you think that these guys can perform blues or jazz or classical? I’ve seen several of these guys play a classical guitar and they sound fantastic. None of these guys are one trick ponies.
@@davidpavlich8939most of these guys can do anything on a guitar. I mean Steve Vai played with Zappa and Whitesnake and David Lee Roth, Paul Gilbert is just a master and a world renowned teacher. I could go on and on
@@davidpavlich8939and more important, this is My take, whats SO wrong about extremely demanding guitar skills not being musical to anyones taste? If guitar feels like a sport, then so be it every now and then. I currently hate that ass pull of an excuse that guitar should serve the song instead of being great for the sake of it, if it's fun to the players and their listeners, then phucking don't listen! I'm not even close to be a shredder, i'm talking the real deal, not a wannabe, i can play a solo or two from trilogy era Malmsteen songs (liar, queen is in love), but im a riff crafter, especially adding chords to it and none of that make a singable song but it's amazing, i'm far from being that talented at shredding, but ppl who can do the quirky, fast, and intrincate, they're as great as a slow hand with great vibrato or emotional players like Duane Allman. My point is, guitar is about expressiveness first, then it's about music, especially if you're a composer, but the fact that theres players who don't compose but plays the shit out off a guitar it's valid, from a players feeling, and it can be great to listen or amusing to behold, as well as if it's not your cup of tea. But forcing guitar players to be musical while they're freaking good at thing you're not it's being jealous, a kill joy and arrogant on top off it. Period. Nitpickers can PHUCK off. Players; find your voice and have fun, no matter how many Guiness records You have to break to attain that.
@@cmills4bamaShawn wasn’t just a shredder, he made some very soulful music as well, I recommend listening to The Hurt, The Joy, and Song for Diane (World,keeps spinning), I think it will change your opinion about him
What I like about Malmsteen, Gilbert, and Impellitteri is I can tell which notes they are hitting even when they play super fast, instead of sounding like wind shield wipers or Pacman sound effects. Their playing is enjoyable and pleasant to the ears. I'm not going to give names but just can't stand shredders who play some blurry chromatic runs.
They have perfect articulation…And the rhythmic content within their fast playing is also varied and interesting even at high speeds as well as the melodic note choices of course…I’ve heard some people play really really super fast but it’s quite often just a mush of notes or something.
Shawn Layne was so accomplished on guitar that he actually got bored and stopped practicing later in life and mostly focused on the piano. Not much known about him but I remember that from an interview eons ago.
Must have got bored of repetitiveness of the muscle memory that lacks complexity of harmonic compositions. While all of these are playing really fast, how many in the audience can even process those notes (which are really the scales) at those speeds that almost sound like buzzing of loud crickets. The fastest guitarist or a pianist is not the best musician.
That is exactly what I was thinking. It is great to be fast but it is a waste of a beautiful instrument. There are six string and you can play more than one at a time. It's called chords which you can use to make actual music. What I want to see when I go to a concert is how well all the musicians can play together not everyone standing around watching one guy
I agree with you about Shawn. I used to shred so much that I used it in most songs we played onstage. Idiot! I thought I was the Dog’s balls! Nowadays, I have switched to harmonica. Even Eddie took up the synthesiser at one point. Sheer talent! Much to the annoyance of Diamond Dave!
I've been missing Michael Romeo and Allan Holdsworth on this list, but all in all, I'm happy with Shawn Lane and his abnormal technique in the first place.
Allan Holdsworth is insane. My favorite musician ever. I’m not much of a “speed” guy anymore, but Allan was more than just amazing speed and technique, he also was maybe the greatest improviser ever in guitar and had such a beautiful and unique way of approaching the instrument. Plus, he was playing crazy fast lines on guitar while doing inhuman stretches with his fingers. Truly the GOAT in my opinion
Guys some sad news for you ))) See Anton Oparin. It's damn guitar monster) unreal ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HUXWgdqIGaU.htmlsi=SxgZG6TFD_D7bX_P
That hand flipping serves no musical purpose and I hate it. If you notice he's not playing anything musical, just 1 or 2 notes and picking fast. It's just showboating like when a drummer twirls their sticks or throws them in the air, or when a guitarist plays behind their back. I'm old school. Stop showing off and just play music. What next, playing while standing of your head?
Out of all of these, Paul Gilbert is the cleanest playing. He very rarely misses a note... everything he does is on purpose and intentional. No empty holes, no unnecessary pick slides, no noise to fill the gaps where notes supposedly cant be found. He finds them. He is a songwriter, shredder, drummer and a vocalist.
Amen. Many of their solos are so full of feel and so melodic they make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. I'd listen to their solos ahead of most of the guys on this list to be honest. Speed has its time and it's place and when done right can make you gasp in delight, but all too often it's non melodic speed for speeds sake. The Maiden boys went with melody first.
Those guys are awesome and Maiden is my 2nd favorite band behind UFO - but they do not belong on any shredders list and I bet they'd be the first to agree with me.
Dave Murray is one the fastest legato players in the world, one of my favorites and Adrian might not be super fast, but the phrasing in his solos is so amazing.
Completely agree. Shawn was the ultimate guitarist. Measured speed but additional complete skills. Much like a weight lifter vs a body builder. A one-trick pony.
@@JagoAlessi. I loved Shawn Lane but taste is a personal thing...anyway this post is about shredding... and this guy is ultimate guitar player on that! Cheers from Argentina my friend...
I seen Michael angelo in my local music store when I was 13 in 1990s he had mind blowing alternate picking speed perfect clarity even on clear channel he and paco de Lucia influenced me to know it could be done on my classical guitar journey...great video
I always mention those two plus Jerry Reid. I'm from the UK and was lucky enough to see Glenn Campbell live although quite late in his life, still amazing to see.
Maybe, but never the less: all the guys posted here don't only play blastering fast on electrics. Paul Gilbert's "Flamingo" for example and Michael Angelo Batio's "A New Day" are such great examples of how shredding masters also master classical styles; For me: I would love to see both of them doing their version of "Malagueña"!
You are right, but this bullshit is not music, it is called "shred guitar" ! They are so stupid and ridiculous doing their circus show. Poor guys really, poor guys.
You just don't get him. BH is in a league of his own and on a different level than most. You have to listen to his outstanding pikes to understand his genius...God bless Brian Patrick Carol
If you want amazing speed/shredding but done properly and with loads of talent then look no further than Gary Moore, check out his early 80's shredding in particular. Unfortunately I never got a chance to see him live here in Canada but did see Paul Gilbert (Mr Big) Malmsteen, Jake Lee (Badlands) and Vinnie Vincent back in the 80's in Toronto, Great memories. For the roots of speed though check out really old stuff like ALVIN LEE of Ten Years After or JIM MCCARTY of Cactus and NEAL SCHON with Santana and early Journey (pre Perry). Honorable mention to Jan Akkerman of Focus. Overall ALVIN LEE may have been the original shredder going all the way back to 1967.
Yes I believe the I'm going home performance at Woodstock was the foundation of shred guitar. Noone ever played like that before. Even the main riff itself is super thrashy/speedy
There are many great and fast guitar players but man SHAWN LANE ,JASON BECKER AND JOHN PETRUCCI are just from another dimension! They have no limit,you cant guess their next note,and they are rare players that can make you cry while playing lighting fast
Ok cool I think I’ve seen bits of the show on YT but not the intro. I used to have the 1984 Bark at the Moon show on VHS which was filmed at Salt Lake City I think it was. 🎸🤘
It's funny the entire video I was like Shawn Lane and Rusty Cooley better be on here, and at number 3 I thought I was gonna be disappointed and they were the last two.
Listen to just shredders and you come away needing a quiet weekend getaway at a meditation camp. If you listen to an hour of David Gilmore you come away saying Wow, that was meditation.
But you kinda right about Gambale though. Gambale was definitely faster and more technical sweep picker than Jason Becker. Although his playing isn't really my cup of tea
Actually a handful. Roy Marchbank, Takayoshi Ohmura, Yo Onityan, Kang Maomao, Yas Nomura, Joe.G, Jason Richardson, Chris Impellitteri, John Taylor, etc
@@Fartsnack ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SgYAEVdB_f4.html I've never seen a footage where Shawn alt picking over 19 notes per second but go ahead if you could prove me wrong ;)
@@KyleLee-ov2lg nah...man, 'Stand in Line' solo is not as fast as this of Chris himself, check this song from 1987 Impellitteri EP, no solo is ever as fast as this in picking every single note, this is insanely and brutally fast shredding ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0oOW8ut-d3s.htmlsi=oiAsvU-1ORExljTV
Not only can he play right and left handed, but with his quad neck guitar, he can play both at the same time, then spin the guitar and do it all again. MAB is a freak of nature. There are not many guitar players in this world that are equally proficient right or left.... but to do both at the same time and have your brain not only keep up with your fingers, but be able to structure a solo on the fly at the same time. ARE YOU KIDDING ME BRO?!? MAB IS THE GOAT! 🤪🎸🎶🎵💯
@@p0kerp1aya dont forget! Hes left handed and he learned as right handed at the beginning. Its easily for him so to play left handed at second time. He's a 🐐 , not a GOAT lol. MAB = Monkey abilities thats all, what about his carrier and music? Just a robotic clown show for guitar newbies😂 . Check out theDooo, him is a freak of Nature, coz him can play music and 2 🎸 at the same time with musicality where MAB don't...Lets be honest 😉
All of them are Killer. It's so sad that Shawn Lane crossed over the side of the Veil especially at such a young age of 40. Shawn played on 80+ albums. Amazing!! Rest in peace Me Dear Friend. Your time was short, but your talent is unlimited... Jason Becker's story is so tragic. Hopefully the med beds will be out soon and he will be able to be healed once again giving the world his beautiful music. Thank you for putting this together!! God Bless Y'all Jimmy in NC.... Prayers for Jason & Family and all the others in this video!!
The king, no doubt. First time I heard something by him was in late 90's, I think it was that duel guitar/drums. No video, audio only. I truly believed it was some kind of delay because it was simply unbelieveble a human being play that insanely fast, until I could see in a video. Jaw dropping absolutely. But he was an amazing composer as well, and he had slow songs that were so beautiful. Try "Illusions" or "Rules of the game" gorgeous songs!
You might want to check out Igor Paspalj ... His timing and control of the beast right hand perfectly corresponding with his left and all along creating melodic sinc. . Probably the best out there today ... But has almost no following in well over ten years of youtube .
Will look him up, cheers for that. That’s the problem today, fast unknown players are a dime a dozen everywhere on RU-vid and Instagram. 30/40 years ago it could have been a different story.
Check out his various styles he's "mastered", and put special attention to his mastery of his pick and also his interactions with his ring and little finger on his right hand . And there is a difference between trapeze techniques and a comprehensive control and correlation between the two hands . I think you might want to check out his channel . :) Everyone's just too ... Whatever . lol @@plethoraofknowledge607
He's excellent guitarist, but this dude considers mostly only original styled guitarists since the 80s because new guitarists are hardly creative and mostly learn from youtube.
I agree with the comment that the older I get, the more ridiculous shredding becomes to me. Yeah, I got enveloped in it--never became that good--but nowadays, unless you play in a throwback band....And how many gigs want that style of music??? Yeah, it's nice to have that skill set in my pocket, but it pretty much ALWAYS stays in my pocket. It's like my Miami Vice attire: I still got it, but I don't wear it--to save my life....
Yes at least thoose top 4, ugly playing styles, impossible to listen to, no special tone or vibrato at all , just squid fingers moving fast, ugly picking technique as well!
Yes, as it should be. It was an 80's thing and was popular as it was the "new thing", but mindless shredding nowadays sounds ridiculous, only people with their brain stuck in the 80's are drooling over it still
I don't think playing a million miles an hour makes you a great guitar player...it makes you a fast guitar player. Some of these guys I've never even heard of but I'll bet everyone has heard of Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads eh'
Yeah. You gotta admire the technical ability, but then how long can you listen before you get fatigued from it. Don't get me wrong, I am impressed by shred, but as other folks have said, there has to be a musicality to it too.
My Top 10 list: 1. Michael Angelo Batio 2. Yngwie J. Malmsteen 3. Chris Immpellitteri 4. The Late Shawn Lane 5. Jason Becker 6. Rusty Cooley 7. Paul Gilbert 8. John Petrucci 9. Buckethead 10. Guthrie Govan
And who denied it? It ever has an ass hole with a coment like this, this is the problem with internet! You don't like shred, but it has who likes, just respect, look for your gang!
I might be wrong here, but i highly favors the great late Shawn Lee for his off cord playing although many not in favor of his playing. Man, he was unique and the great thing is that no matter what critic's says...he obviously inspired a lot including me though I'd never ever be like him.
@@MrClassicmetal Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake and Palmer did a solo Live album and Gary played guitar for the show. It's not pure, unadulterated Gary Moore, but he does put his stamp on the show.
@@robertcalef4242 Yes, I have that album! The one from 1981, right? I prefer the rock fusion and hard rock era Gary Moore myself. He was _awesome_ then! Moore was Ozzy's first pick to join his band. Randy Rhoads got the gig because it didn't work out between Moore and Ozzy.
@@MrClassicmetal Corridors of Power is still one my "Top Ten". The sheer, raw power of his guitar, and how he kept it under control, was mesmerizing. I saw him at a place called the Living Room when he was supporting "Murder in the Skies". Mid 80's I believe. I had the forsight to get a T-shirt and still have it. Doesn't fit, but I still have it.
Vai has shred licks but he is technically not a shredder. There are many fast shredders.Guthrie Govan, Andy James, Rick Graham, Jason Richardson, Brandon Ellis, Gambale, Kiko Loureiro, Teemu Mantysaari, etc to name a few.
Not being a big fan of the shredding guitar playing, I watched this with an open mind. I am still not convinced that shredding is as musical as a Ritchie or Angus solo, but it is obviously popular enough to get its own top ten.
These guys are all incredible. The only thing I personally don't care for is a guitarist putting out albums that are nothing but instrumentals. I am and have always been there for that tremendous guitar solo usually following the 2nd chorus of the song and then another near the end. That is my idea of a guitar guru truly making the besr possible song/solos for me. Once again, just my personal opinion.
@RobertSmith-lg7jp My comment *is* based off a performance...the one in this video. Problem? Before you try to get high and mighty, I am aware of ALL of his work.
Batio is unreal. Thousands and thousands of hours of practice. His sweeping is simply unreal. He doesn’t always play ungodly fast, and he almost never gets the musical credit he’s due because he is known for his speed, but he is always super clean, even at quadruple speed.
These musicians only play fast/shred when the song calls for it, or when they take a solo during a show. It's important to mention that nine these guitarists really play tastelessly fast: they construct creative music, with the "shredding" being an occasional flourish
I thought Shawn Lane wasn't in the list, but you ranked him No.1 and you're absolutely right!🤘🏻 P.S. He shreds on piano as well😉. RIP Shawn. You're a legend.
