Renesongs wrote
For me a great guitarist is one that is innovative. The danger with being innovative is that your music is not instantly recognizable and therefore not instantly popular. The guitarist that I don't care to listen to are those which contribute nothing new to guitar or music. I won't mention the guitarist that do not move me because some of them are idols of other forum members and to criticize another musicians mojo is to unleash a heap of negativity.
+ a gajillion
this thread has potential to become very...erm...emotionally charged ?
I also won't be saying who "grates" me as a player. However, I will say that I prefer faster, and more technically and harmonically advanced guitarists, as a lot of them seem to be the ones who are bringing something new to the table. unfortunately, those genres, from JazzRock fusion (Shawn Lane, Guthrie Govan, Greg Howe etc) to tech-death metal (Blotted Science, Cynic, Death, etc) and everything in between (Bumblefoot?) push the boundaries of what people are used to hearing - so like Rene said - it takes a while for people to get into it. another downside is that these genres often become exclusive/excluding and inaccessible to the average hobbiest. i used to be very disinterested in shred until i put in the hours and learned to actually play at faster tempos, and understand and hear more advanced melodic ideas.
i think before anyone starts dissing a musical genre or an artist they should try and understand where it/they are coming from and what is trying to be convey artistically, emotionally, etc. lots of blues players say shred has no emotion - then shredders will say that their music conveys fury, excitement or aggression. lots of shredders will say that blues is one-dimensional and boring - then blues players will say that blues is full of anguish or sorrow. besides keeping ones negative (and often uninformed) opinions to themselves, objectivity and respect is the key.
