10 Greatest Neoclassical Guitarists

[@FreakWorldOfficial]

Randy Rhoads clip was so short because every bit of footage of him is copyrighted and in content ID. Even the live footage. it was great seeing Jason Becker in this. Listen to Go Off for some Becker & Friedman magic

[@davenotstaine5646]

I'm mad they didn't put randy higher

[@JohnSmith_1280]

@@davenotstaine5646 same here! It has to be because he died at 25. There’s no way he’s #7. My top 4 would be Ritchie Blackmore, Randy Rhoads, Yngwie,, and Jason Becker. Too tough to put them in order, 1-4.

[@unacuentadeyoutube13]

What was randy playing in that clip? It sounds like tocatta and fugue, but I think it isn't the original classic one

[@NoUse4AName2004]

@@davenotstaine5646 me too. He should have been number 2 Yngwie malmsteen supposedly invented neoclassical matal in 1984, but people seem to forget that Randy was doing it way back in the 70s

[@davenotstaine5646]

@@JohnSmith_1280 I have the same list, but Friedman instead of Ritchie

[@mostlyirishcarguy8955]

am I the only one who thinks the uli jon roth solo sounded kind of bad?

[@jessepinkeye2339]

Python570 because his tone is bad, too much gain, no noise gate and slopped a bit I guess, but notes are pretty good

[@mostlyirishcarguy8955]

yeah but I also don't like the really high notes that he slides up to

[@HeartCalcos]

UJR is an amazing player but that was a bad display

[@43captrexkramer]

because of 27 fret guitar, by the way where is David T. Chastain. Alex Skolnick also but he is heavily jazz influenced, but still ABSOLUTELY SICK.

[@eemilhilden4202]

Me toi

[@maksudulislamtonu2876]

where's lil wayne??

[@nmlss]

In a cell probably.

[@Marta1Buck]

this isnt guitar blend, people here dont chill.

[@jamessullivan9574]

Maksudul Islam Tonu Are you trying to be revelent.... Do you play the guitar?

[@franceshelton5809]

Lmao

[@jamessullivan9574]

The Comeback Kid Don't Make a comment.. Because you are an idiot.....Grow up. maybe in the next millinium you might have a clue. Too many great guitar players not on this list. .... So shut the fuck up.

[@mikhailardhito1024]

These people made me pick up the guitar

[@PhyrigianFlame]

fino ardhito Paul Gilbert did it for me. Almost 10 years later and I'm still nowhere near him. I'd say I'm decent though

[@calebbliss8626]

Metal Dude I was honestly quiet the opposite. I was first inspired by simple alt metal guitarist like Head and Munky from Korn but I have learned to love technical playing and guys like Buckethead, Tosin Abasi, Paul Gilbert, Michael Keene, Jason Richardson, Steve Vai, etc. inspire me to play very technical stuff. Although my all time favorite guitarist (Dimebag) was definitely not the most technical shredder even though he definetly had some pretty fast solos.

[@striveforsuccessstudysmart3509]

Paul Gilbert, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, and the Yngwie

[@TheOnlyHollywood1]

Randy Rhoads is my guitar hero

[@nrggvrn5576]

My hands usually do that

[@CoolspyGaming]

Paul Gilbert should be higher on the list... And where in the hell is Michael Angelo Batio?

[@EDsavant]

If it was a top ten list I would agree but it is no particular order.

[@nickwaters1701]

MAB doesn't deserve to be on the list.

[@marinooliveira4204]

ReZanimate Shred doesn't mean neoclassical

[@heavymetalvegan6564]

Where the hell exactly.

[@striveforsuccessstudysmart3509]

@@marinooliveira4204 *cough* *cough* a new day *cough* *cough*

[@vincentboismenu-gagnon5597]

at least, Blackmore is getting his due here. Unbelieveble how often he is snobbed...

[@martijnstuart95]

Vincent Boismenu-Gagnon Amen brother

[@Stefan-]

Yep, hes one of the originators of neoclassical guitar and an extremely obvious inspiration for Malmsteen.

[@ohinek007]

Ritchie blackmore is maybe god damn slob, but I thing he definetely should be in top 5 guitarists ever. Malmsteen is fuckhead focusing on stuff in which is concerned maybe ten people on this planet

[@adriandiaz4010]

ohinek007 omg! just shut the fuck up with your "virtuoso" term

[@mikedal7803]

Agreed! Blackmore's influence set the standard for this genre.

[@andystow]

You missed out Tony MacAlpine... but yes, Yngwie is the master of the genre.

[@Anesthesia90]

So glad to see Jason Becker on this list

[@roies7756]

so glad you included Michael romeo, he is such an underrated guitarist

[@dalelangley5251]

I agree wholeheartedly ! 👍🤘

[@lucienl2241]

Why wasn't Marty "Megadeth/Cacophony/Solo"?

[@israelpenaloza1788]

Lucien L true! Marty's work in Cacophony is memorable

[@undergroundmoto8287]

loudwire is stupid

[@ydin9]

This. All of this.

[@Dgiulian]

what are youtalking about? he's number 2 of the list.

[@keremaltun2622]

He s talking about why they didnt include cacophony in the bands he played

[@TrueMetalWarlord]

Yngwie the long standing god of neoclassical!

[@fabriziobianchi6940]

Luca Turilli better be here

[@valland9075]

unfortunately he's not

[@ArielGTAcS]

Came here to see him. :(

[@nickwaters1701]

Luca Turilli's a great songwriter and guitarist, but his guitar tone isn't my cup of tea. His music is great though.

[@BeeFizzle]

SYU from galneryus too....

[@thewwemegafan]

Jason Becker would've been 2 in my list. Malmsteen totally deserves 1 though. Anyone who plays metal guitar knows him.

[@Trainens107]

Same here Yngwie Malmsteen #1 Jason Becker #2 Paul Gilbert #3

[@akidk1499]

@@Trainens107 No Marty Friedman has deserved it because of the work he has done over the years and not just Cacophony

[@jessethealien4885]

Honestly I agree but for me it would be a toss up between malmsteem and John peturrici

[@nordicshredder4128]

idk ive seen jeff loomis rip on a line 6 spider 4 and thats not easy to do since its a terrible amp

[@SuzanneKowalski]

Paul Gilbert and Malmsteen are my favourites.

[@CakeJerry]

He's sort of obscure but I would definitely include Syu from Galneryus

[@jeppyjep]

Yesss Syu is underrated

[@CakeJerry]

@@jeppyjep Funny that you just now responded with this because I just now finished a paper for a music class where I analyzed a song from Syu's instrumental album You Play Hard. Syu is amazing

[@jeppyjep]

@@CakeJerry yess that album is good. My favs are Spearhead and Hold Your Tongue

[@CakeJerry]

@@jeppyjep Mine from the album are probably Spearhead, Blind Obedience, and his instrumental covers of Chain of Distress and Endless Story (I covered Chain of Distress in the paper)

[@jeppyjep]

@@CakeJerry Endless Story is good too. I prefer the original Galneryus version.

[@axernot]

Jeff Loomis is a beast His phrasing is just so unique,aggressive and melodic I can only dream of playing Miles of Machines

[@alecstone4637]

I agree, he screams such a giant Jason Becker fan and I’m glad he gets recognized for his technical playing

[@trasibleon]

Alexi Laiho 5 and Michael Romeo 6? HAHA!

[@bananabiscut5174]

what song was Alexi playing

[@bananabiscut5174]

@jasper426 would you recommend this band

[@bananabiscut5174]

@jasper426 ok ill give it a shot thanks man

[@Trubel2146]

@@bananabiscut5174 Sea of lies by Symphony X is their masterpiece and Children of bodom have their own Masterpiece called Kissing the Shadows

[@tfbytslols8426]

I am a die hard Alexi Laiho fan, he made me pick up the guitar and in his prime around 2001 he was an amazing guitarist both technically and compositionally (sadly because of arm injuries his technique took a big downfall and right now he is nowhere near as good as he was back then). That being said, he is NOT as good as Romeo when it comes down to technique, not by a longshot, his technique is perfect and he is a legend in the neoclassical world, while Alexi is often sloppy. I still personally prefer Alexi's style a lot more than Romeo's, but honestly Alexi shouldn't have been number 5 (I'd say he´s more of an honorable mention,) while Romeo should have taken that number 5 spot, maybe even higher.

[@mimimishima]

Great to see Alexi Laiho in this list.

[@JStan96]

Glad to see Uli Jon Roth on the list. Definitely one of the most overlooked guitarists ever. The guy was doing neoclassical runs by 1976, when he was only 21, and years before neoclassical was even a thing. Sadly, he never quite made it to the spotlight because of Eddie Van Halen, but still, one of the best guitarists from the 70s.

[@coobanez777]

This list needs more Muhammed Suicmez.

[@nickwaters1701]

His music is boring.

[@necrophagististhebestbando2048]

Was searching for that comment

[@valdante7136]

Necrophagist is the best band of the world Damn

[@brayanchojolan6609]

Michael Romeo is God.

[@ethanmichael7940]

You are a sinner

[@thelastdaybreathinginetern1385]

I was just looking for Children of bodom. Randy is amazing as well.

[@donh90]

Really surprised Joe Stump didn't make the list. That guy is incredible

[@ChimeraeBF]

I always wonder why Malmsteen gets so much hate. Rising is a solid fucking album; that dude is insane on the guitar!

[@Onahillingradludi]

ChimeraeBF hes nowhere as good nowadays. He has more amps than audience members

[@varzat6416]

hes an even bigger dipshit than dave mustaine

[@khnarry7938]

He plays the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again and again …………….thats why….

[@clt3mpro]

Rhodes at #7??? He started this shit and was a classical gtr student for years... C'mon Loudwire...

[@jacobbarnes1453]

Exactly.

[@mikej9619]

I was sad to see this...come on!

[@ibanezprestige5964]

1.Yngwie Malmsteen 2.Vinnie Mooer 3.Jason Becker 4.Paul Gilbert 5.Greg Howe 6.Chris Impelliteri 7.Michael Angelo Batio 8.Tony Mcalpine 9.Kiko Loureiro 10.Michael Romeo

[@Headbanger9000]

hell Id even add Luca Turilli as well, another underrated Neo classical shred master

[@sander6931]

If Marty Friedman isn't on here I'll be mad

[@sander6931]

I'm not mad

[@darianglendenning1252]

Good

[@var1410]

What song was he playing tho?

[@Trubel2146]

RIP Alexi Laiho

[@g.o.a.t5975]

Glad to see Jason Becker in this list , I honestly didn't expected him because his career was too short compared to others.

[@brightbite]

Randy Rhoads... only at #7?? Puhlease!

[@4572dk]

brightbite I know he was neoclassical but i think he was way more well known for his insane pentatonics

[@jayrodm643]

brightbite What if, Randy Rhoads wasn't actually that great of a guitarist

[@PaulFJarnes]

OH NO U DIDN'T!!!!

[@jacobwestminster2810]

He was great but their have been much better.

[@juliussw9153]

brightbite he is one of the greatest guitarists ever but not the greatest neoclassical

[@austinwang4828]

Uli Jon Roth in #9? He is the one that started the whole neoclassical music! He is a monster! Check out sky overture! He can easy be in top 3 neoclassical player

[@43captrexkramer]

Agreed, after 30 years got to see him live and it was awe inspiring. Also Tony Macalpine and David T. Chastain should be on this list.

[@zinoliopas]

Ritchie Blackmore started it already in 1969. Then Tom Scholz followed in Ritchie's footsteps...

[@hsgoodgamer353]

Muhammad Suiçmez could be here

[@Headbanger9000]

Hs Goodgamer He should be on here imo. Not all of these players are strictly neo classical, like Paul Gilbert. I mean if youre gonna put him on this list, might as well put Steve Vai on here as well since he plays neo classical licks too

[@matthewwhite9732]

R.I.P. Alexi 🤘🤘🤘 A well-deserved place on this list

[@simonedangelosericola5742]

They should make a "20 greatest...", anyway, Yngwie will always be the N° I!!! Once the king, always the king... greetings from Italy!!! 😉

[@MetalMaestro]

No Luca Turilli?! Jari Mäenpää?!

[@joo-fy4xo]

Timo Tolkki?

[@AllistarDreemurr]

Aww, no Vinnie Moore?

[@Renekor]

And tony macalpine? 🤔

[@Renekor]

And tony macalpine? 🤔

[@fura21]

And Timo Tolkki???

[@crankypest2617]

Randy should be higher, he and Ritchie really brought this style to the for front!

[@mikedal7803]

Spot On! Definitely my top two.

[@nordicshredder4128]

yeah randy literally invented the genre so why isnt he number one

[@216Numbskull]

@@nordicshredder4128 No he didn't. Randy Rhoads is my favorite guitarist the short time we had him. But let's keep it a buck? Richie Blackmore & Uli Jon Roth, are the 2 guitarists who pioneered neoclassical guitar playing. If you wanna get technical about it "Jon Lord'" is really the one who started it all? Jon had the initial idea in combining the 2 music genres together. No doubt about it!

[@nordicshredder4128]

@@216Numbskull idk bro randy was way better due to his classical backround and it says in his wikipedia pager that randy was the inventor of the genre that and richie and uli would have been smoked by randy due to his knowledge of theory

[@zinoliopas]

​@@nordicshredder4128Ritchie already blew Randy off stage many times in terms of soloing. Ritchie and Jon Lord invented it all! Ritchie has a better understanding of music theory than Randy. Maybe you should take a deeper dive into Ritchie's music! RAINBOW, DEEP PURPLE (80S AND 90S DEEP PURPLE), BLACKMORE'S NIGHT!!!

[@KevinGsWK]

nice to see alexi in the top 5 😎👌👌👌

[@jyotiradityaguleria907]

Micheal Romeo should've been higher

[@jimmysarva7864]

Where is Vinnie Moore or Tony MacAlpine??

[@Renekor]

This top is sh🤬

[@JLTS76]

Ok, where the fuck is Timo Tolkki

[@ohinek007]

ritchie blackmore is godfather to all of these other guys, same as jimi hendrix with jimmy page, slash or agnus young, so first place is his.

[@benhogg5488]

ohinek007 yes, he pioneered neoclassical guitar playing

[@dominikweber4305]

Agnus young like agnus dei😂 cos he's jesus

[@Chuckloris84]

Really cool to see that Jason Becker is on the list

[@philcollins5683]

Good to see Jeff Loomis and Michael Romeo getting recognition. Wolf hoffman and Jeff Waters are classically trained as well. Timo tolkki.

[@ericricg8708]

Glad to see Alexi on here

[@luiscarlosgonzalez7450]

Completely agree with your top 3

[@Thepoltergiest101]

How about Wolf Hoffmann? His solos on Restless and Wild and other albums like Russian Roulette are jaw dropping and are a good showcase for his classical style.

[@carloscortez-hv2oh]

you don't know shit.. those solos have nothing to do with this topic.

[@wearenotundone]

michael romeo is the proof you can be neoclassical without copying yngwie

[@CVFGuitars_]

2:42 a wild Ron Jarzombek appears

[@eyeonthesky650]

I love Malmsteen till death....also Alexi Laiho is my favorite !!

[@FrankieAmadeian.]

Does anyone at all have the name of the song Friedman was playing?

[@FrankieAmadeian.]

@AlmaMusic Thank you so much.

[@TheLuca2210]

Randy rhoads is a fucking beast!!

[@albertorockmaster1836]

this list is weird, top could be 1. Yngwie Malmsteen 2.Jason Becker 3. Marty Friedman, 4.Jeff Loomis 5.Stephan Forte 6. Michael Romeo 7.Paul Gilbert 8.RItchie Blackmore 9. Alexi Laiho, 10. Rhandy Roads

[@lucasacosta2104]

Muhammed Suiçmez from Necrophagist

[@necrophagististhebestbando2048]

Damn right

[@lucasacosta2104]

@@necrophagististhebestbando2048 haha nice name

[@Law-Enduring-Citizen]

Paul Gilbert should've been higher up on the list

[@RitchieRosson]

Randy Rhoads for me topped the group by far for his groove and melody.

[@JAYCEETAYLOR]

Finally, Livewire made a list that I can't argue with, they go this one right

[@KongBobbyK]

great stuff. I wish Jason Becker was on the first place.

[@nuissance8600]

Numbers 1-10: Yngwie Malmsteen

[@rollthelosingdice]

MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO??????

[@andrez2862]

NEOCLASICO

[@ethanmichael7940]

@@oyc7946 you haven't listened to his solo albums then

[@tonyrobertsguitar]

Great list! I might swap-out Romeo or Laiho for TONY MacALPINE...imho🤘✌

[@Renekor]

And vinnie moore?

[@tonyrobertsguitar]

@@Renekor Tough call..but if Laiho ever made an instrumental album, I would choose that over Vinnie. Vinnie over Romeo though!

[@josephv7899]

Ima need all the recommendations you guys can give for neo classical metal 🤘🏽 .

[@FrankieAmadeian.]

Vengeance - Yngwie Malmsteen

[@Happylink75]

Mr crowley - Ozzy Osbourne

[@andrewlabit]

Technical Difficulties - Racer X Arpeggios from Hell - Yngwie Play with Me - Extreme Hangar 18 - Megadeth Over the Wall (The solo has a classical pattern) - Testament

[@andrewlabit]

Oh also "The Fool" by Fleshgod Apocalypse

[@Renekor]

Vinnie moore and tony macalpine?

[@donovanrobinson5811]

Paul Gilbert and Jason Becker will always be the number one guitarists in my books

[@davidamaya9574]

A Ritchie Blackmore con el sólo Spotlight, hubiera quedado bien representado si se refiere a un sonido neoclásico ! buen vídeo Saludos!

[@davidamaya9574]

spotlight kid **

[@neotdv1821]

Someone maby know what is the name of marty friedman part ?

[@7RIS7O]

Extremes play with me live solo should be at least number 3. Plus (trilogy suite opus 5 should be the Yngwie solo. It's great) 👍🏼

[@oceantempleton5136]

I think jeff loomis is better and more diverse than most the dudes on this list. Not only can he write a beautiful and complex solo, but he also writes those crazy heavy nevermore riffs

[@medardoarce9361]

They all are superb guitar players and sure there are a lot of people missing the list but no doubt YJM is the king of neoclassical metal

[@ellistheshredlord8077]

Christian Müzner from obscura and eternity 's end and Greg Burgess from Allegaeon are two of my favorite neoclassical guitarists

[@alanriot2099]

It's good to see Jeff Loomis and Michael Romeo here! 🫶🏻❤️‍🔥🎸🎶

[@theSacredAtheist]

[@donaldzuramp4807]

Loudwire really made a top 10 neoclassical guitarist without even adding Syu

[@chrisg4570]

Name of Marty Friedman song?

[@RavencoreLZR]

Paul Gilbert and Michael Romeo clearly deserves a higher placing!

[@COBfan1996]

i don't know. i'd say that jari mäenpää and luca turilli should have been here.

[@eliallday532]

I would of love to see Luca turilli of rhapsody, room tolkki ex stratovarius, and Erik Martin of dark moor in this list.

[@erkutacar]

i feel so sad about becker.. what a remarkable talent!

[@bodomwireofficial2283]

RIP Randy and Alexi

[@israelpenaloza1788]

You know this list is gonna be good when Paul Gilbert is #10!

[@metalheadlazz]

metalhead izzy too bad it wasn't

[@DaWalkie]

Michael angelo batio?????

[@zjetman]

He is just a good shredder.

[@Brewed.tea.]

zjetman he is neoclassical too

[@dantecasalla3174]

No thanks

[@impulse__tbg7488]

Neoclassical is the best type of shredding

[@quidiferprestige9234]

Randy is number one

[@the_lespauley_studio6450]

Neoclassical Top without Vinnie Moore and Tony Macalpine ??? are you kidding me ???

[@Renekor]

😔

[@dolbik7277]

Randy number one

[@kai_unkindled]

Hizaki ? Teru ? Syu ? oh yes it's the most *famous* Neoclassical Guitarists

[@bernardfilip9803]

10 greatest neoclassical guitarists without Vinnie Moore and Macalpine??

[@Renekor]

😑

[@carmichaelvillamater6843]

Nice Video 🎸.. #1. Yngwie Malmsteen you're the Greatest Neoclassical Guitarist

[@christopherjones6987]

where's Vinnie Moore and Tony MacAlpine?!??!?!?!?!?!??!

[@Renekor]

😔

[@markusnyman6897]

ALEXI

[@silverqumera]

Okay, what about Vinnie Moore? Not classical enough?

[@YamDelgado]

Walter Giardino from Argentina should be on that list

[@Anton_the_Vampire]

There are, in my humble opinion, 3 glaring omissions here: Chris Impellitteri, Joe Stump, & Vinnie Moore. They are, I feel, more neo-classical in style than players such as Marty Friedman or Alexi Laiho. That's not to disrespect ANYONE'S playing. It is just a comment on the harmonic & melodic language & vocabulary they employ.

[@rainreigns]

I can't watch this without wishing I could play guitar like that.

[@idk9637]

id have put jason number 1 since i feel his compositions are the best out of everyone in neoclassical metal but im fine with yngwie being number 1 since he created the genre pretty much. yngwie is up there with evh or jimi in terms of influence on guitar playing. after yngwie came out EVERYONE was learning sweep picking and harmonic minor. he changed the game

[@richardray2303]

Maybe, maybe Ritchie Blackmore was better than Randy Rhodes but noone on this list holds a candle to the total talent of Randy. There are great guitarists on this list but to have Randy at 7 is like trying to say Winger was a metal band.

[@justdirt]

Where's Hizaki at... ik Jmetal is almost as niche so

[@hectorguzman8435]

Alexi Laiho RIP 😢love his music