10 Greatest Guitar Players

When learning another language, experts recommend that you immerse yourself in the language. The same principle applies when learning how to play guitar. Listening to the "10 greatest guitar players can be a source of inspiration, can encourage you to keep practicing your guitar lessons, and give you a goal to work toward. The following are my pick for the 10 greatest guitar players, listed in no particular order:

Jimi Hendrix - At one point, Hendrix couldn’t get a break in Nashville, and he ended his backup days with Little Richard in a contract dispute. He quickly realized, however, the value of innovation in playing guitar, as well as in putting on a stage show that fans would remember. It was his innovation, and his ability to play the guitar in any position with any body part, that consistently places him as one of the 10 greatest guitar players ever.

Band:The Experience, A Band Of Gypsies


Eric Clapton - Clapton can not only brag that he’s considered one of the 10 greatest guitar players in rock music and one of the greatest blues guitarists, but also that he has drawn huge crowds for his classical guitar concerts. His playing style is smooth, yet precise, and the guitar chords almost seem to flow from his fingertips.

Band:The Yardbirds, Cream, Derek and the Dominoes, Blind Faith, Solo



Robert Johnson - Although modern guitar players will often complain that Robert Johnson was out of time, out of tune, and you cannot understand his vocals, style of playing guitar was unlike anything else at the time, and set the pace for future generations of blues players. Johnson is also the guitar player often accused of having made the deal at the crossroads, selling his soul to the devil in order to be able to play.



Eddie Van Halen - The lightning speed and innovative sounds of Eddie Van Halen’s guitar are easily recognizable. They are even more impressive when taking into consideration that he is completely self-taught, having never had any type of guitar lesson. It has often been said, that it is easy for Eddie to be creative in his guitar playing techniques because he was never told how he could or could not play.

Band: Van Halen



Stevie Ray Vaughan - Easily one of the most well known modern blues guitarists, Vaughan’s music seemed to be pulled from the depths of his soul at times. While his guitar playing was smooth, it was the sheer amount of emotion in every note that drew people to his music and makes him one of my picks for one of the 10 greatest guitar players.

Band:Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble

Tony Iommi - For many people, Iommi is considered the first real metal guitar player, using a lot of distortion but keeping it completely controlled. His fiery style is even more impressive because his fingering hand is missing the tips of two fingers, requiring him to use rubber prosthetics when playing guitar.

Band:Black Sabbath




Jeff Beck - Many guitar players consider Jeff Beck to be one of the most well rounded guitarists in the world, able to produce incredible tones with what appears to be very little effort. Despite his ability to create amazing sounds with a great depth of feeling, he is rarely given the credit he deserves. I'll rate him as one of the 10 greatest guitar players.

Band:The Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group



Jimmy Page - Formerly one of the hottest studio players in England, Page not only has the ability to write incredible guitar riffs, but he also has the ability to play them perfectly.

Band:Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds




Randy Rhoads - Rhoads was perfect and precise in every note of his guitar playing, but did so with a great depth of feeling. Not only could he play the music, but he could write it also.

Band:Ozzy Osbourne



Joe Satriani - Satriani may well be the next stage in the evolution of guitarists. He has the ability to play music when he is goofing off that many guitar players will never be able match, even after years of practicing their guitar lessons.

Band:Joe Satriani

While this is by no means the definitive list of the greatest guitar players, and some would disagree with my picks for the 10 Greatest Guitar Players, it is an excellent starting point. By listening to accomplished players, those who are learning how to play guitar can find their inspiration.