Top 10 Guitarists Who Play with the Most Feeling
David Jon Gilmour is an English singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He joined the progressive rock band Pink Floyd as guitarist and co-lead vocalist in 1968. David Gilmour never waste notes. Some guitarists will zoom up and down the fretboard, attacking you with a blistering frenzy of notes. Then there's Gilmour, who prefers to split the atmosphere of a stadium with piercing notes, sustaining screams, howls, and swirling cries that cut straight to the listener's bones. That's not to say he's a slow player or an easy player to emulate. His masterful, highly-dynamic, and precise picking technique and his instinctually perfect, massive string bends define his emotive style and soaring sound. Who would've though telepathy was possible using simple technology, available since the late 1960s? All Gilmour needs to do it is an old Fender Stratocaster, a collection of massive Hiwatt amps, and a few effects pedals here and there.
Gilmour will admit he would never win an award for playing fast, but for us fans, that has been an absolute blessing. Gilmour's own unique playing style was born on his first record with Pink Floyd, A Saucerful of Secrets. A master of bending notes. He somehow pulls emotion out of every note he plays.
While anyone who knows of David Gilmour is obviously familiar with his Pink Floyd work, but many people aren't aware of his solo albums and his work as an anonymous live band member for Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry, Paul Rogers, Tom Jones and Jeff Beck among others. Hunt around on YouTube and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Look for his performances with BB King and also Mica Paris.
David Gilmour -- The moment I say or think about him... There is an automatic soulful melody/solo going on in my head. To me that's all that matters.
I don't think you can make an absolute "BEST GUITARISTS" list... EVER. That' s simply ridiculous. But try listening to gilmour solos or better still try to learn one on a guitar and you heart would smile for that blissful period of time. He can and does say a lot with a single note! His minimalistic music is what lends his music beauty. If you can create universally accepted "good" music, I really don't see a point why one has to shred like a machine!
David has great feeling in his playing, he's definitely not the fastest, but he combines several techniques perfectly together - for example, I never have seen more beautiful bendings than he did. His focus on tone is awesome, he has a great idea when to play which notes and he only plays those notes and not a single note more. This minimalism, compared with everything else, with his tone and his techniques - that is the reason why Gilmour is the best.
Robert William Gary Moore was a Northern Irish musician, most widely recognised as a singer, songwriter, and virtuoso rock and blues guitarist. In this day and age with the internet and YouTube we have access to some phenomenal players. If you take the time and listen to his playing you will be staggered by his virtuosity but also the emotion and feeling with which he played. He had amazing technique speed and tone and covered wide range of styles. His covers of Hendricks, Roy Buchanan are incredible. Without being disrespectful the Edge and Slash are not even in the same league as Gary Moore.
I was astonished when I didn't find his name here. I see a list of great guitarists but for me he is definitely no. 1 here due to his ability to make the guitar "cry" and the fact that much of his songs are extremely emotional. "Empty Rooms" live in 87, Still Got the Blues For You and countless others.
Gary Moore, a prodigy of the great Peter Green (Why is Peter Green not on here? ), and an inspiration to John Sykes (Why is John Sykes not on here? ). Listen to The Loner, Parisienne Walkways, Still Got The Blues, Separate Ways (no, not Journey's Separate Ways... Oh ya, Why is Neil Schon not on here? )
In my opinion an all rounder. So much feeling and emotion in his playing. Gary could play any style and bring you to tears with his playing. Underrated and a cut above most guitarists. Rock In Peace Gary Windfingers Moore.
Mark Freuder Knopfler is a British singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer and film score composer. He is best known for being the frontman of the British band Dire Straits. As time moves on and this pandemic and I get older, I find myself looking back on the world I got to experience before 9/11 and dreaming of the world my parents got to experience growing up amidst the dawn of rock n' roll, when things were simpler, life was easier, and we had fewer things the be sad about. How would you capture complex emotions like this and share them with someone else, without even speaking a word? Well, Mark Knopfler would do it with a guitar, interspersed with beautifully poetic, yet ruggedly honest lyrics, like a Romantic-yet-unapologetically-Geordie Bob Dylan or an Extra-Fancy Bruce Springsteen. Fingerstyle guitar playing gives the guitarist the most direct, personal connection to the strings possible. A good fingerstyle player can use nuanced dynamics, harmonics, and subtle rhythmic picking as tools to convey emotion, almost as effectively as the notes themselves. And Mark Knopfler is a damn good fingerstyle player. Listen to "Tunnel of Love," "Telegraph Road," ...more
Mark Knopfler solos are well structured, simple and memorable at the same time. Any moderate songwriter would know that this a challenging task, and is very much needed. Also, a reasonably experienced guitarist would agree that guitar playing is neither about how fast he/she plays the instrument, nor about how many techniques he/she knows to play. A good song is the one which will be remembered for a long time, by music enthusiasts (not everybody). Mark gets full marks in this aspect. So does Dave Gilmour.
Listen to Sultans of Swing (Live Alchemy), Tunnel of Love (studio version, from Making Movies) and Telegraph Road (studio version, from Love Over Gold). These solos will explain you everything about Mark Knopfler, and you'll understand why he is "the guitarist with the most feeling".
The master of every silence between two notes. And yet, a guitar technique above everyone. From early songs with dexterity, speed riffs and technique he evolved as a true master of feeling, emotion and powerful songs.
James Patrick Page is an English musician, songwriter, and record producer who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin. Jimmy Page had both feel and skill! Just for pure emotion, David Gilmour is the best no doubt, but he lacked skill and then shillwise Hendrix and Eddie Van Heln were superb, but they lacked emotion. But Page had both skill (Dazed and Confused, Heartbreaker) and Feel/ Emotion (Stairway to Heaven, Since I've been loving you) and true combination was Achilles Last Stand! That's why he is No. 1 of all time
Just watch Led Zeppelin live for the Song Remains the Same tour. Watch "Stairway to Heaven," & I can ensure you that you will be blown away.
His playing is strikingly emotional... "Since I've Been Loving You" has one of the most heartfelt solos in rock history in my opinion
Best ever. Read his history and you will understand why he is the best.
Jimi Hendrix (born November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970) was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music". Hendrix is consistently ranked on lists of musicians who died too soon. In my opinion, the key to Hendrix's virtuosity is the way he expressed his feelings in guitar playing. The emotion in his playing is why he is considered the greatest electric guitarist ever by many. That in a nutshell is why I think Jimi Hendrix is the guitarist with most feeling, not even Page, Slash or SRV can beat him...
People talk about the greatness of guys like page and Gilmour and Clapton, but they are just missing something in my eyes. There is nothing like a solo from Jimi.
He's the best. Period.
Richard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, best known for his work in the hard rock/metal bands Deep Purple and Rainbow. He was ranked number 16 on Guitar World's "100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time" in 2004, and number 50 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" in 2011. In 2016 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of original members of Deep Purple. He is a very technical player and usually people pay attention to only this side of his playing but his trademark is to be technical and soulful guitarist at the same time. What can be better? In addition to his well known hard and heavy songs, try these soft instrumentals and be convinced: Rainbow - Anybody there, Maybe next time, Snowman.
Just listen to his beautiful songs like smoke on the water, soldier of fortune
and highway star. You will understand his talent.
Just like David gilmour and Jimmy page.
He just made many more hits than any other guys... Should be among the top 3 or 5...
Smoke on the water, Child in time, Burn, Man on the silver mountain...
Eric Patrick Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He has also been a member of Derek and the Dominos. I love Eric's music, but he uses a Stratocaster these days, which in my opinion doesn't suit the music he currently plays. It's too plummy and lacks the top and bottom that blues should have. He would be better-off sticking to a Les Paul, it has more bite. But leaving that aside, Eric has an undoubted gift for melody and timing.
Dealt with depression, loss, heartbreak, addiction, and many other emotions. And all of it shines through his hands.
Many can play the guitar, but few can make it cry like Clapton does.
Very soulful player. My opinion he's no.1
Carlos Santana is a Mexican and American musician who first became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered a fusion of rock and Latin American jazz. It's ridiculous that Slash is this far above Santana. Slash is a bit overrated, and Carlos is the definition of soul! Europa? Black Magic Woman? Come on people
Come on, Synyster Gates is above Santana? I mean, Santana is the most emotional guitarist ever! (Gotta take off my hat to Jimmy Page and Buckethead though)
Santana once again... and where is Guthrie Govan? He is god at guitar! Yeah GOD!
This guy really feels what he is playing. A legend.
Stephen "Stevie" Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. In spite of a short-lived mainstream career spanning seven years, he is widely considered one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of music, and one of the most important figures in the revival of blues in the 1980s. Stevie Ray Vaughn puts his soul in his music, not to mention the quintessential rags to riches story behind a great talent. His songs tell a story of his victory over the pain of addiction He used his platform to testify about his recovery. Stevie Rays' earlier music came from the deep pain of the soul that blues is famous for but few people reach. Don't forget "If The House is rocking became a pop culture by phrase.The guitar duets with brother Jimmy are legendary.
Watch the Live at El Mocambo video... Texas Flood, So Excited, all of them. Amazing tone and feeling throughout. His face contortions translate onto the strings and out comes...
He belongs on this list, just like Gary Moore- incredible! And of course Gilmore.
Ridiculously thick tone and a burning style to match.
John Anthony Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, producer and composer.He is best known for his time with the Funk Rock California based band the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He was also part of the Mars Volta, Swahili Blonde, Ataxia and more. Just watch his own emotions as he plays, besides feeling it you can really see it, I haven't seen many guitarists play were raw emotion oozes from them! Such an underrated overall musician, but I would think that's the way he would want it!
Every John Frusciante songs have different meanings in my life. His music is so pure and it is not complicated. When you listen John Frusciante, you don't only listen to notes. You feel them.
More than just a guitarist, or even a musician, John is a true artist that creates as a way of communicating his own thoughts and feelings and doesn't care if anyone else listens.
He makes you feel like there is somebody sharing his experiences and telling you, hey dude, its alright. Art is comunication, and john is the true god of feelings.
Riley B. "B.B." King was an American blues singer, electric guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. The king of blues?! Never a technical genius but each note counts! BB can play a one note solo better than most guitarists can with the whole guitar. How he wasn't here is beyond me.
BB King, unlike the typical guitarist, uses very few notes, and in the process packs immense amounts of feeling into each one.
Brian Patrick Carroll, known professionally as Buckethead, is an American guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who has worked within many genres of music. Buckethead's playing is really untouched territory. He graces his skills in many different styles and exceeds in everyone of them. He is the Baytoven of this time, constantly putting out new music (he's released 38 albums from March 2013-January 2014 and counting) and they are all unique and diverse. In fact, he dedicated an whole album to his father who has been very ill as of late, even going as far as having the cover of the album be a picture of his father hugging him as a teenager (first time to have a picture without the mask released to the public). I recommed people visiting his Buckethead pikes website, or YouTube as many of the albums are posted (but support the artist guys) and listen to some of his new stuff as his style is more mature and heartfelt then ever before.
Buckethead is a very emotional guitarist. I feel like when people see the mask and the bucket they take him as a joke or literally judging a book by its cover and calling him a bad guitarist, without even listening to a song. And in some cases I love how Buckethead does that. Its like he's for people who really understand. He dresses the way he does, moves the way he does talks with a puppet, and creates the most beautiful music I've ever heard in my life. Such as Aunt Suzie, Antler Hill from Pike 72, Padamsana, Angel Monster, I love my parents, Electric tears, Hills of eternity, Whitewash, Earth heals herself, Soothsayer, Sail on Soothsayer, Claymation Courtyard from Pike 51, Kansas Storm, Big D's Touch, and many many more. Why tf is Slash above Bucket? Or even on this list?
I think a lot of people are put off by Buckethead's stage persona. However, anyone who looks past the mask and robot dancing will know that he is one of the most emotive players to grace the planet. Solos such as Soothsayer, Look up there and Padmasana are simply beautiful, and fully heartfelt. I don't think Buckethead should necessarily be number 1, but the ability to make the top 10 fastest guitarists of all time and still show the most emotion of any shredder I've heard is worth some recognition
Made more mellow emotional albums than all the others combined...He is in tune with what ever he wants to play...Go into any head shop you will hear Padmasana, Mother earth Heals herself, they play his stuff for a reason...You can listen to it all day long without getting tired of it...One million head shops can't be wrong...just saying...
Joseph Satriani (born July 15, 1956) is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. Early in his career, Satriani worked as a guitar instructor, with many of his former students achieving fame, such as Steve Vai, Larry LaLonde, Rick Hunolt, Kirk Hammett, Andy Timmons, Charlie Hunter, Kevin Cadogan, and Alex Skolnick; he then went on to have a successful solo music career. He is a 15-time Grammy Award nominee and has sold over 10 million albums, making him the biggest-selling instrumental rock guitarist of all time ...read more. Simply the best!
Saul Hudson, known professionally as Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Slash! The Best thing Guns N' Roses ever had... His solos in November Rain, Civil War, Estrang'd stunned me... He brings emotion to his which no one can do better than him...
For me, the best emotional guitarist! He can translate simple riffs to a different emotions if you know what I mean...
November Rain, Sweet Child O Mine, Don't Cry, Estranged... I hope you have some time because you'll be here all year.
All around greatest. Blues rock metal he does it all and exceptionally well. Than you have his solos. And that's when I say enough said
Joe Bonamassa is an American blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. When he was only 12 years old, Bonamassa opened for B.B. King. He was born 8th May 1977. He is known to be one of the greatest blues guitarists ever. An absolute phenom. Tone, style and voice. Joe has it all.
Freddie King was an American blues guitarist and singer. He has been described as one of the "Three Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Albert King and B.B. King.
David Howell Evans, better known by his stage name the Edge, is an Irish musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist of the rock band U2.
Lindsey Adams Buckingham is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and producer, best known as lead guitarist and one of the vocalists of the musical group Fleetwood Mac from 1975 to 1987, and then 1997 to the present day. Should be in the top 10
Randall William "Randy" Rhoads was an American heavy metal guitarist who played with Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot. He was killed in a plane crash.
Glenn Raymond Tipton is an English Grammy Award-winning guitar player and songwriter. He is most commonly known as the lead guitarist for English heavy metal band Judas Priest. Just give a listen to "Beyond the Realms of Death" by Judas Priest (the first solo).
Brian Elwin Haner, Jr., better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn, is an American musician, best known for being the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the band Avenged Sevenfold. Listen to Sieze the day, I wont see you tonight (Part 1, 2), Second Heartbeat, Bat country, Critical acclaim, God Hates Us, AFTERLIFE!... Those guitar solos alone are the proof of syn to be the topper of this list!..
Syn plays amazingly and you can tell live he gives it his all, he puts his heart and soul into creating the masterpieces he does and he blows the minds away from anyone who listens
Angus McKinnon Young is an Australian guitarist of Scottish origin, best known as the co-founder, lead guitarist, songwriter and sole constant member of the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. When performing live he does his own version of Chuck Berry's "duck walk" and has also spun on his side while still playing songs accurately. Feel the non-afraid spirit, bravery heart with:
Highway to hell, back in black, TNT, Thunderstruck, Hells Bells, if you want blood (you've got it)
& the rock n' roll domination with:
For those about to rock, let there be rock, whole lotta rosie, rock n' roll train, it's a long way to the top
John Peter Petrucci is an American guitarist, composer and producer. He is best known as a founding member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. Compared to his level of skill, John Petrucci is relatively unknown in the modern music industry. Oh please... There is no other guitarist with so much feel... Just listen to Glasgow kiss and you'll know... The entire song is a solo full of feel... He maybe the only one who combines speed with emotion... The arpeggios aren't "just arpeggios"... They are emotions from his head into the music man and flowing out through his mark V... Exceptional tone as well... BEAT THAT!
BUT... Only next to Gilmour hands down...
By far the most soulful and melodic guitarist. He can turn speed into power and emotion. Just listen to lines in the sand. Glasgow kiss best of times, paradigm shift, universal mind, overature 1928 etc.
Hollow Years live at Budokan... Check out the solo! Petrucci's finest performance in my humble opinion
Probably the best guitarist around today.
Howard Duane Allman was an American guitarist, session musician, and co-founder and leader of the Allman Brothers Band until his death in a motorcycle crash in 1971, when he was 24 years old. Eric tried to recruit him, pioneered a genre of music, session player for the greats. His slide work is untouchable (Derek Trucks comes close though, why isn't Derek on here? )
Michael Amott is a British-born Swedish guitarist, songwriter, founding member of the bands Arch Enemy, Spiritual Beggars, and Carnage, as well as a former member of the grindcore band Carcass.