https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:19:17 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158893 Sun, 12 Feb 2006 22:53:06 +0000
Peace]]> Opinions and Polls David Hodge https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158893 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158890 Sun, 12 Feb 2006 22:48:17 +0000
but i think that if you REALLLLY wanted to create a reasonable list of "who's the best," that strength in numbers route is the only way to go. you'd have to poll anyone and everyone, guitarist or not, and go with that. this is highly subjective, so to base such a poll on skill or to rate guitarists on skill would be pointless. but the reality is it's impossible to do such a poll. and there will be people who dont agree, and have some sort of egocentric push to bring everyone to their side.

a true discussion is when someone recognizes the other person's opinions as a valid point. once you label that person's opinion as wrong, then you've basically screwed up the whole system. i dont see a true discussion in this thread.]]> Opinions and Polls U2Bono269 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158890 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158885 Sun, 12 Feb 2006 22:41:03 +0000
It seems that there are many conflicting reasons for even starting topics like this - quite often, at the heart, is a need to either build up or confirm something "I" like or to just snipe at something that others like. Either way, it rarely comes from a genuine desire to converse (and if you don't believe that, start reading this thread again).

But sometimes something magical happens and conversations do take place and people's interests are piqued and music is listened to in a new light. Pick any thread such as this one and read it carefully from start to finish and you'll see this happen from time to time.

The more one learns about music, the more one finds things to appreciate in any song. That doesn't mean that every song is a treasure (I think I may be the only one in the universe who thinks that way), but it does mean that if you want to learn something, even if it's what not to do in certain situations, you always can. If you don't, then you won't.

Quantifying a guitarist, however you want to do it, will still be subjective. Art is supposed to be objective. I think that Kurt Vonnegut puts it pretty well with this statement from graphic artist Saul Steinberg:

"What you respond to in any work of art is the artist's struggle against his or her limitations."

Since every musician has different abilities (or "limitations" if you care to think of them in that way), we can easily enjoy one's speed, another's soul, and another's sense of rhythm. And still find others in the same modes that leave us cold for some reason.

The coolest part about this, as I mentioned before, is how our own criteria change as we grow as musicians. You couldn't pay me to listen to a Beach Boys album when I was younger but today Brain Wilson's Smile is, to me obviously, as fine an example of both songwriting and arranging that I could hope to palely imitate.

Anyway, enough rambling. My thanks to those here who've given me new music to listen to!

Peace





Peace]]> Opinions and Polls David Hodge https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158885 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158873 Sun, 12 Feb 2006 22:21:24 +0000 Opinions and Polls Musenfreund https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158873 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158863 Sun, 12 Feb 2006 22:09:41 +0000 Opinions and Polls Nick Torres https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158863 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158860 Sun, 12 Feb 2006 22:04:58 +0000
For example, I like the song Van Halen - I Can't Stop Loving You, but in that song, the drumming stands out more to me than the guitar.]]> Opinions and Polls Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158860 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158788 Sun, 12 Feb 2006 16:49:04 +0000
How about trying to quantify the better guitarist?

Should it be a popularity contest? Album sales? Respect of the guitar playing community? Speed?

That would be an interesting test.

Maybe a 1-5 star rating per category.


Then again, is there even a point? If you don't like the guitarist you vote with your wallet and don't by their CDs.

Why is it we need to convince others that one is better than the other?]]> Opinions and Polls Nick Torres https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/5/#post-158788 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/4/#post-158662 Sun, 12 Feb 2006 03:13:47 +0000
Even still, none of these guys every played anything that has moved me whatsoever. I do like a few Van Halen solos.

But even if I had the ability these players have, I really don't see myself playing this type of style. I have always liked slower players that play with melody and feel. I would rather listen to David Gilmore anytime than any of these guys.

Everybody is entitled to their own opinions. That is a good thing. I really think the world would be very boring if we all thought alike and agreed on everything.

And guitar would be boring if everybody was a shredder. No, we need some Country twang, some slow Blues, some acoustic strum and fingerpicking, Bluegrass, Reggae, Jazz.....

All music is good. Play the music you like. I respect all musicians regardless of style.]]> Opinions and Polls Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/4/#post-158662 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/4/#post-158602 Sat, 11 Feb 2006 21:16:41 +0000
Thanks.
Tim]]> Opinions and Polls Musenfreund https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/4/#post-158602 https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/4/#post-158594 Sat, 11 Feb 2006 20:38:24 +0000

...and yes I saw both sides. I wasn't refering just to you but to all posters.



Everybody keep this in mind though, an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.]]> Opinions and Polls Nick Torres https://guitarnoise.forum/opinions-and-polls/dispelling-a-myth/paged/4/#post-158594