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I like his playing, He dose things that I may never be able to do. But as far as someone I would prefer in a sence of playing style is STEVE VAI. Speed is cool, but I love the creativity with sound and skill. I have never acheived annything like eather but I love it so I will never stop. If you like speed crip check out the tow guys in the band dragon force on youtube. I would put the link up if I new how, Just like my playing im a little slow.

I used to like Yngwie Malmsteen. But eventually I just became bored of it myself. It does just look and sound like exercises to me too.

If I'm gonna listen to some shredding, I want it to be more creative and colorful.

Sure this is cool:

http://www.youtube.com/user/yjmalmsteen85

It does show a lot of skill. I won't deny that.



But this is more for my taste:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IrWyZ0KZuk

It's just more creative to me.

To me, it is what it is. I don't mind it, strictly from an innovative point of view. If Malmsteen hadn't done it, someone would have. My personal preference would be to sandwich something of his on a mix cd between some Pete Fountain dixieland and something with a punk flavor. Variety is what it's all about.

WARNING: INFLAMMATORY STATEMENT AHEAD!!

I would not pay to see a virtuoso. Not Malmsteen, not Vai, not Hendrix. I love music (live for it), but there has to be a balance. Maybe I take for granted all of the fantastic guitarists in the world, but I just can't deal with three hours of guitar techniques...I want a show, dammit! And by that, I don't mean an endless run of 30 minute guitar solos...

I saw Malmsteen a few years back with Satriani, Satch made him look like a hack. Joe actually puts on a show with his guitar hero stuff, he doesn't just do six-string calisthenics.

I appreciate his skills on the guitar, and have a few albums er cds, but I dont listen very often cause I find this style of playing boring.

No offense Crip, I like Rhoads and Van Halen more and I like Page and Slash even more than that. But for really basic playing I prefer Angus over all of them.

I like players that put all they have emotionally and physically into their playing, whether they can play an arppegio or not doesnt matter to me. Give me some kind of substance.

Still I give big props to shredders who have that gunslinger mentality.

I like they guy. I think that this is the first time every hearing him. On the first video, he gave me the feeling that he had some classical background. I could easily hear an orchestra in my head on the first video. Then saw and heard the second video. I liked the interaction he had with maestro. The 2 pieces I hear sound incredible. But how far does his talent go? At the same time, I know a lot of classical musicians who are totally lost without the page. That does not make them any less proficient in their fileds. However, you have whetted my appetite and I would like to learn more about him. He already looks like Beethoven and his name is unpronounceable...he must be good

I would like to add that I do not hear shredding when he plays. To me when someone shredds, the music is not discernable. He plays with melodic discernment . It seems like he knows the notes before they come outta his ax. Which is something that you should be able to do even if you are improvising. The fact that he fought his way back to the ability to play is also a notable feat in itself. If someone loves their craft, I would expect nothing less.

he was in his early 20's when he first made it, way back then I was reading an interview where he said when he listens to records to learn songs he only listens and learns from classical music. I think the reason why some people don't like him and get bored with him is because they don't like classical music and I don't mean to sound like I am putting people down for not liking classical music that's o,k, that is your personal preference. I was classically trained on violin from the time I was 11 till the age of 17 and as a result I love classical music. This guy was so good at such an early age I have always been pretty enamored with his playing. I had gotten so frustrated trying to learn his stuff back in the day,
but it did make my chops a lot better just trying to play like him. I have always said set your goals high and if you don't make an A+ that's o,k, an A- ain't so bad!!!

If you like Yngwie, you should pick up some some Jason Becker/Marty Friedman stuff from their Cacophany album. Nothing short of amazing. Jason Becker is kind of a tragic story. I check his site every now and again for updates on his condition / what he's doing.

For some reason, I've turned my affection to the more sedated Blues style playing. I still like shred music, but prefer it as a garnish not a main meal

I saw Malmsteen a few years back with Satriani, Satch made him look like a hack. Joe actually puts on a show with his guitar hero stuff, he doesn't just do six-string calisthenics.

I never did latch on to Satriani's style. He's a great musician, but something about the notes he picks... I just haven't found anything he's done that makes me want to listen to it again.

I imagine most guitarists would think this guy is some sort of god on guitar. I really don't think much of him. I'd rather listen to Freddie King, or Vaughan, or Buddy Guy. To me Mahlmsteen is pure technical wizzardry and little in the way of soulful playing. Not really my cup of tea, that's all...

I would not pay to see a virtuoso. Not Malmsteen, not Vai, not Hendrix. I love music (live for it), but there has to be a balance. Maybe I take for granted all of the fantastic guitarists in the world, but I just can't deal with three hours of guitar techniques...I want a show, dammit! And by that, I don't mean an endless run of 30 minute guitar solos...

Not even this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkX541I1 ... 1&index=42

That was the opening act for Vai last year.

Just to let you know. Even though there is a lot of guitar playing in Vai's set, there's also a lot of humor and more of a show than you might think. You have to remember, he did play for Frank Zappa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWGHxRsl4t8

Another thing I found to be really cool about Vai's show is his band consists of young up-and comers. I don't think any of them were over 25-years old. Gentry should hit him up some day once he finishes his solo stuff.

he was in his early 20's when he first made it, way back then I was reading an interview where he said when he listens to records to learn songs he only listens and learns from classical music. I think the reason why some people don't like him and get bored with him is because they don't like classical music and I don't mean to sound like I am putting people down for not liking classical music that's o,k, that is your personal preference. I was classically trained on violin from the time I was 11 till the age of 17 and as a result I love classical music. This guy was so good at such an early age I have always been pretty enamored with his playing. I had gotten so frustrated trying to learn his stuff back in the day,
but it did make my chops a lot better just trying to play like him. I have always said set your goals high and if you don't make an A+ that's o,k, an A- ain't so bad!!!

That is probably why I like him. He reminds me more of a classical musician than a rock/jazz etc. musician. But I like each style for its own glory and don't dislike one style over another. It's all inspirational in its own right.

Shredd,
I didn't know Taylor Swift could play like that! (Oooh, bad joke).

That was sweet...I WISH I could play like that! Vocals were decent, too.

I hear the emotion in a lot of what malmsteen has done. I don't buy what the blues based guitar people usually have to say about him.. that theres no feel, no emotion or anything. I hear plenty of it.
I think more than anything its the classical style that turns people off. And the little copycat race that he started of classical style played as fast as you can.

Having said all of that -- Satriani is probably my fav of all the 'experts'. He has the most mainstream style. Most rock n roll.
Vai's 'For the Love of God' is probably my favorite guitar instrumental though.
And at the end of the day... if I wanted to unwind and just zone out on some lead guitar I would pick David Gilmour.
Here he is fighting a 2000 year old fender strat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W6hBI1SAL4