Randy Rhoads

[LittleBoyBlue]

Why doesn't hand size matter ? Isn't it easier to reach spots ? I once saw a documentary on VH1 classic and they were saying how Hendrix was a freak of nature because he had hands of a 7 foot tall man.

To me... someone who plays... it doesnt make sense.

If I study and practice something long enough. I can play anything. At any speed.

The guitar neck is obviously not that wide and any notes that you would stretch for could obviously be had on string beneath it if you wanted to hit that note.

I guess it is at best debateable. Sounds like a non issue or advantage to me. Actually if your hands were too big it could actually be an issue.

 

[vta]

I will respectfully disagree.

Rhoads' body of work is not that much... but it is the quality of what he left behind. He did not just bring classical to rock/metal. IMO he is the best composer of the guitarists mentioned in this thread.

I like Randy and I'm not disparaging his obvious talent.
Too bad for us he died and couldn't realize how he would have changed the face of guitar playing on a larger scale.

 

[vta]

Music is dead. Does anyone play an instrument anymore ??:bang2:

Satriani and Vai are good, but what songs do they have ?? Hendrix just doesn't have enough longevity IMO to be considered the best, kinda like saying Morrison is the best vocalist ever. Might have been, but isn't.

I like Vai and Satch, but they're a bit much with the guitar masturbation.
I saw Vai about six months ago and it was too much after a while of listening him go off on tangents at every opportunity. It's self indulgent and over board.

Hendrix was innovative, but has since been surpassed. That's the nature of things, until you get to recent generations, where it seems popular music has no interest in raw talent, and cares more about image.

I know everyone loves U2, but man they are so devoid of musical talent, I just don't care much beyond 2 or 3 songs; but then, I'm a musician and care about such things.

I want a balance of talent and just good songs. I hear more talent from Indies that never get air play, than I do on the radio.

 

[vta]

To me... someone who plays... it doesnt make sense.

If I study and practice something long enough. I can play anything. At any speed.

The guitar neck is obviously not that wide and any notes that you would stretch for could obviously be had on string beneath it if you wanted to hit that note.

I guess it is at best debateable. Sounds like a non issue or advantage to me. Actually if your hands were too big it could actually be an issue.

Did you ever play an Ibanez Universe? Vai's 7 string? It's like playing a plank. Very odd and uncomfortable.

 

[CowboyWay]

With all due respect to all of those guys mentioned above, lets not forget some of the true innovators of music. You probably wouldn't have ever heard of any of them had it not been for the old bluesmen.

Here's my favorite. I am in awe of his stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-GN-BP_Qlk&feature=related

 

[CowboyWay]

Its cool. We all have our favorites and lord knows we all have our opinions LOL

But quite honestly... if you put Hendrix ahead of Rhoads you are showing that you dont play. You could argue that Rhoads and Eddie are alternating 1-2 in that list... but not Hendrix.

Hand size has very little to do with playing guitar. Its akin to thinking that a bodybuilder could hit a golf ball further... when Michele Wie could hit farther than alot of men.

Good debate. Thats partially why I started the thread.

I respectively disagree with EVH and Rhoads being 1-2. And I would put Hendrix before both of them. Not just because of the riffs, but c'mon, was there ever quite an innovator like him? He was out of this world.

And your forgetting some of the all time greats.
Robert Johnson?????
Eric Clapton?????
Duane Allman?????

Rhoads and EVH don't belong in the same sentence as Allman and Clapton.

This is going to be a great thread.

 

[CowboyWay]

Why doesn't hand size matter ? Isn't it easier to reach spots ? I once saw a documentary on VH1 classic and they were saying how Hendrix was a freak of nature because he had hands of a 7 foot tall man.

I think it matters alot. I'm not saying you can't overcome something because your hands are small, but I'd kill to have long narrow fingers. I fingers just won't make an F chord to save thier life.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I think it matters alot. I'm not saying you can't overcome something because your hands are small, but I'd kill to have long narrow fingers. I fingers just won't make an F chord to save thier life.

Work on your thumb posture.
It is easy to get lazy with your posture. I know I started off that way.

Drop the thumb more towards the center of the neck. It will allow your fingers to arc better (like a Pianist).

Hold your guitar neck and look in the mirror. You should see that much of your thumb.

Hope that helps.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I respectively disagree with EVH and Rhoads being 1-2. And I would put Hendrix before both of them. Not just because of the riffs, but c'mon, was there ever quite an innovator like him? He was out of this world.

And your forgetting some of the all time greats.
Robert Johnson?????
Eric Clapton?????
Duane Allman?????

Rhoads and EVH don't belong in the same sentence as Allman and Clapton.

This is going to be a great thread.

Well I think all time great is of course debateable. I had a certain genre of guitarist in mind when starting this thread.

Opinions are great ... yes yours too. :

 

[Nors]

The Duo of Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson (8 finger) are up there.

Especially live -

 

[vta]

I respectively disagree with EVH and Rhoads being 1-2. And I would put Hendrix before both of them. Not just because of the riffs, but c'mon, was there ever quite an innovator like him? He was out of this world.

And your forgetting some of the all time greats.
Robert Johnson?????
Eric Clapton?????
Duane Allman?????

Rhoads and EVH don't belong in the same sentence as Allman and Clapton.

This is going to be a great thread.

Of course they do belong when mentioning the greats. In their respectve genre's they were most certainly innovators. If you're going to compare on an overall scale, then the none of them have anything on the greats like Beethoven and Mozart, in terms of pure talent and musical genius. But these are different area's of music, and they're not compared on that level.

Rhodes was very talented, and so is EVH. People changed the way they played after Van Halen came on the scene. His music is different than what Hendrix was playing, who also had the same influential effect, but it was no less profound and real. Clapton is great, but he didn't send everyone back to the drawing board like Hendrix and Van Halen did, who both redefined playing, with sound and technique.

Hurt's incredible and Blind Blake is probably my favorite blues guitarist.
As for Robert Johnson, he's talented, but he bores me. Like Joe Satch is talented, but it's all about showing off that talent and less about telling a story with the music.

 

[vta]

The Duo of Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson (8 finger) are up there.

Especially live -

Night Ranger!
:laugh2:

Yeah, I remember that stuff. Jeff Watson and the 8 finger tap... what ever happened to that guy? I remember Gillis filling in for Rhodes after he died, but I never heard of Watson again.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Rhodes was very talented, and so is EVH. People changed the way they played after Van Halen came on the scene.

Like Joe Satch is talented, but it's all about showing off that talent and less about telling a story with the music.[/quote]


I think EVH led to onslaught of speed finger tapping no direction guitar players. Just play it fast and blur the audience with noise.

Rhoads led to.... telling the story with his music. To that degree Rhoads is better than all mentioned. The melody's are unique and he didnt always play them at 100 mph.

 

[Nors]

Night Ranger!
:laugh2:

Yeah, I remember that stuff. Jeff Watson and the 8 finger tap... what ever happened to that guy? I remember Gillis filling in for Rhodes after he died, but I never heard of Watson again.

Yes - Gillis was guitarist for Ozzy after Rhodes. But Night Ranger was breaking popular 1983 era and he left. Jeff Watson went off and did some Mother Army Albums with Joe Lynn Turner and Bob Daisley.

Night Ranger has been touring and recording a few albums past decade. Great live concert if you ever get the chance - It will blow you away -

And why 25 years later they are still touring.

 

[vta]

I think EVH led to onslaught of speed finger tapping no direction guitar players. Just play it fast and blur the audience with noise.

Rhoads led to.... telling the story with his music. To that degree Rhoads is better than all mentioned. The melody's are unique and he didnt always play them at 100 mph.

I didn't say the people he influenced were great, ( :laugh1: ) but Eddie's effect on the guitar rock genre is undeniable. He is a great rock star and showman with a lot of talent.

Whether or not Rhodes is better is something else. I took Rhodes' playing more serious and VH's for pure fun. I'm sure Eddie is just as capable a musician if he were inclined to write that kind of music, considering he is a classically trained pianist who converted to guitar, because it was much cooler. Just in doing that tells you where his priorities are: having fun and impressing chicks.

 

[irvin88]

Rhodes was very talented, and so is EVH. People changed the way they played after Van Halen came on the scene.

Like Joe Satch is talented, but it's all about showing off that talent and less about telling a story with the music.[/quote]


I think EVH led to onslaught of speed finger tapping no direction guitar players. Just play it fast and blur the audience with noise.
Rhoads led to.... telling the story with his music. To that degree Rhoads is better than all mentioned. The melody's are unique and he didnt always play them at 100 mph.

Oh come on now. R U saying Eddie influenced some of that Slayer type rubbish ?:bang2:

 

[irvin88]

I like Vai and Satch, but they're a bit much with the guitar masturbation.
I saw Vai about six months ago and it was too much after a while of listening him go off on tangents at every opportunity. It's self indulgent and over board.

Hendrix was innovative, but has since been surpassed. That's the nature of things, until you get to recent generations, where it seems popular music has no interest in raw talent, and cares more about image.

I know everyone loves U2, but man they are so devoid of musical talent, I just don't care much beyond 2 or 3 songs; but then, I'm a musician and care about such things.
I want a balance of talent and just good songs. I hear more talent from Indies that never get air play, than I do on the radio.

The Edge is very similar to Andy Summers of the Police-easy to play, but riffs are very catchy so you get good tunes (Desire, Pride, Angel of Harlem,I Will Follow etc.).

I disagree with you a tad. Larry Mullen is an awesome drummer.

 

[irvin88]

I respectively disagree with EVH and Rhoads being 1-2. And I would put Hendrix before both of them. Not just because of the riffs, but c'mon, was there ever quite an innovator like him? He was out of this world.

And your forgetting some of the all time greats.
Robert Johnson?????
Eric Clapton?????Duane Allman?????

Rhoads and EVH don't belong in the same sentence as Allman and Clapton.

This is going to be a great thread.

Besides "Layla" and "Cocaine", what songs does Clapton have that are exactly kick #ss guitar songs ? I can't think of any.

 

[vta]

The Edge is very similar to Andy Summers of the Police-easy to play, but riffs are very catchy so you get good tunes (Desire, Pride, Angel of Harlem,I Will Follow etc.).

I disagree with you a tad. Larry Mullen is an awesome drummer.

You know, I love New Years Day. When I first heard that in the early 80's, I thought that was really great. Creative guitar, good bass line, all around good groove. Outside of that, I haven't really been impressed with them musically. The Edge sounds the way a child scribbling with a crayon would sound, if it had sound; quick back and forth scrubbing on the strings.

Aside from Sunday, Bloody Sunday, I haven't even given the drums much notice. It's funny you mention the Police; Stuart Copeland is a great drummer. Neil Pert's another. Hearing them makes me want to buy a set.

 

[irvin88]

You know, I love New Years Day. When I first heard that in the early 80's, I thought that was really great. Creative guitar, good bass line, all around good groove. Outside of that, I haven't really been impressed with them musically. The Edge sounds the way a child scribbling with a crayon would sound, if it had sound; quick back and forth scrubbing on the strings.

Aside from Sunday, Bloody Sunday, I haven't even given the drums much notice. It's funny you mention the Police; Stuart Copeland is a great drummer. Neil Pert's another. Hearing them makes me want to buy a set.

I guess it's all taste as far as Edge goes. "Pride (In the name of Love)" has some great drumming in it.

Copeland is very underrated. Doesn't get mentioned enough.