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Yngwie Malmsteen
Yngwie is one of my top 5 favorite guitar players to listen to. Every time I watch him play, I learn something new. His intense style is infectious; he rarely plays slow and that is one of his trademarks that I love. Yngwie’s mix of classical influence with rock elements gives him a very unique sound and attack on the electric guitar. He truly is from another planet.
Crucify
Yngwie’s leads are always awesome but this song contains my favorite rhythm parts. There is some sort of keyboard effect in the song that gives it a very doomy viking like aura.
Blitzkrieg
This song is a wonderful melodic assault of the guitar by Yngwie. The intensity of his pick attack amazing and the main riff is very musical, one of his classics for sure.
click here to listen
Trilogy Suite Op: 5
This is Yngwie’s best song and was written many years ago. All shred guitar schools should use this song as inspiration and a source of learning. Listen as Yngwie throws in some great three string patterns, speed picking solos, slide bends and classical acoustic work.
click here to listen
John Petrucci
John is the guitarist for Dream Theater and also plays solo. He is one of my top 5 favorites and is the most versatile guitar player. John is very creative and an elaborate songwriter, a trait that makes him stand out among other technically advanced guitarists. I recommend watching and listening to Petrucci as much as possible if you are guitarist because there is so much to learn by his example.
Glasgow Kiss
This song is from John’s solo album and the video is from the G3 tour, which features other great guitar players. If you’ve never been to a G3 concert, check the internet and buy some tickets, you will be in for an evening of guitar heaven. I really enjoy the way the song evolves and John throws in a great counterbalance of high versus low notes.
Damage Control
Another song from John’s solo album and on the G3 tour. Another prime example of John at his best playing melodic rock lead guitar.
Dark Eternal Night
When I first heard this track from Dream Theater’s new album, I thought to myself, man John has done it again with this great rhythm track. If you listen to his guitar playing from the older Dream Theater records in the early 90’s till today, you can see how he continously improves and this song is a great display of his current mastery of speed picking, lightning arpeggios and elaborate fast melodies.
As I am
This Dream Theater song contains a lightning solo from John that just jumps out at you and you realize how far he has come. This album Train of Thought is the most aggressive display of axe mastery from John and is definitely worth buying for all guitar lovers.
click here to listen
The Glass Prison
My favorite Dream Theater song, after the first couple of minutes of the song John throws down an aggressive fast picking melody that is a feast for the ears. The rhythm is great throughout and towards the last few minutes of the song are his wonderful melodic lead parts that alternate with the keyboardist.
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Steve Vai
Vai is an innovator and a truly unique guitarist. If you ever get a chance, go see him play live, especially if it’s with G3. You will have motivation that lasts for several days to improve your chops. I think where Steve excells and other guitarist fall short is the the ability to fill a song with interesting guitar sounds, riffs and every combination thereof. He really is inspired.
Blue Powder
A very melodic guitar song. This album Passion and Warfare is a must have. If you don’t already own it, look on the right hand side of this website and buy it now, it should be in your collection, period!
Erotic Nightmares
Probably my favorite Vai song, it is an aggressive display of speed picking, slides and sounds from another planet. The way he phrases the notes along with the tremolo bar are just so uniquely Steve. Also check out the song The Animal, another super track from the album.
Paul Gilbert
Paul is known for his guitar work in the band Racer X. Two things come to mind when I think of his style: speed and speed, yes he is fast.
Scarified
This song is a great combination of Paul’s neoclassical and blues style of lead guitar. I like the way he adds some fast picking arpeggios near the end.
Joe Satriani
Joe is a great guitar player that has written some of the best lead guitar rhythms in the past 20 years. If you get a chance to see him live, it is definitely worth it because he consistently plays all the hits that you expect.
Flying in a Blue Dream
This is a beautiful song and also sounds great live. Joe’s use of tone, delay and legato are exceptional. He has the ability to write a guitar riff that will stay in your head, you know the kind that you hum several days later without even realizing it.
Tony Macalpine
Tony is a virtuoso guitarist pianist and I just had to put this video in here because this melody is so impressive. Listen to the way he throws in arpeggios and pick harmonics at just the right time, it is very musical.
More than a lot/enough
I found this song on Youtube by accident and I enjoy the way that Tony controls his speed and alternates between strings to mix all of his tricks into one great song.
