Some of my favorite players, and therefore some of my influences, are not technically very good!! There, I’ve said it.

They are not technically proficient so they compensate for lack of technique by being CREATIVE. And that’s my kind of player.

For example, I’m a big fan of Marc Bolan. Now, nobody would put him up there with all the great guitar gods, but just check out tracks like “Elemental Child” or “Mambo Sun”. Really great guitar music.

Marc Bolan

And what about some of the old blues players we look up to? Many of them had no formal training and were not particularly proficient players. So what made them GREAT players? I think it was “feel”. They didn’t need to play a flurry of notes in order to make a statement. If 2 notes did the trick, that was good enough for those guys.

And in the field of folk music, often “simple” is best.

On the other hand, I’ve seen players who are unbelievably fast, have all the music theory, know all the tough chords etc, who leave me cold because there’s no passion in their playing.

What do you think? What is it about your favorite guitarist that sends a shiver down your spine? Let us know.