Matteo Mancuso is the best guitar player in the world... probably

[@billy2cold]

I’m 75 years old and I’ve heard a lot of guitar players, but Matteo IS THE NEXT LEVEL!!!!! He’s the best one to come along! You have a lot of players that have blazing chops forever, but it the FEEL, THE SOUL!! And Mancuso has all that and more!!!!!!

[@heavybrett-al4082]

What a humble young man....a amazing player....and I can't wait to see his career progress. Much respect and love to such an inspiring guy.

[@terrycolletti6793]

This guy is absolutely unbelievable. But in my opinion I still haven't seen anybody yet that continues to blow my mind every time I watch him play like Guthrie Govan.

[@kimmis15]

Yeah Guthrie Govan is still untouchable imo, this guy is still amazing tho

[@ChickenatorJr]

Everyone forgets Shawn Lane!

[@brians1793]

@@ChickenatorJrI was just about to mention him before I saw your comment.

[@levisalvini4110]

​@@ChickenatorJr Shawn Lane and Allan Holdsworth...

[@thatsamazin-]

@@JR-qb7qtJust remember, SRV used to play 10’s a lot on tour. No one heard a difference and no one cared. People don’t need to torture themselves to get a slightly better tone. It ain’t worth it. Lol

[@SLAYERSWINE1]

Jeff Beck was, is, & will always be my favorite guitarist. I saw him 15 times. When he died it hurt me as much as when my Mom died. I have been really depressed the last year since he passed away. Just discovered Matteo Mancuso recently. He has made me feel happy again. Thanks.😊

[@treystone1993]

Within his playing I really enjoy the rhythmic pathways he takes you down. His note and vocabulary choices express taste and maturity beyond his years. Unlike many younger players, he seems to pack in more quality within the quantity. Speedy but still smooth and somehow fitting. Barring some bizarre unforseen event, I believe this guy is going to keep popping up everywhere. He's really, really, really good and probably going to continue getting even better, which is mind blowing. He's already so damned good. Exceptional. Great choice for the interview! 🤘

[@Sku11zDude]

He is nuts! I cannot comprehend how his fingers work at all.

[@MatthewTopaGuitar]

damn man i never have even heard about this guy before. Gonna check his stuff out, guy rips

[@FC-cz6zd]

Check out his new release, The Journey.

[@CareBonezy]

Thank you so much Tyler for bringing Matteo and his IMPOSSIBLE new album to my attention. There are so many albums I stop short of trying to learn from because they are just beyond, and The Journey caps them off as the one I'll only ever listen to. But I'll listen to it again and again until at least some of the tastefulness of this otherworldly playing rubs off on me. And don't think I forgot about your upcoming album, I can't wait to listen to that again and again as well!

[@keep_walking_on_grass]

I haven't heard a better one yet. Matteo is an incredible musician in the first place. and not only a brain-dead speed robot like millions of others.

[@jazzhippie3878]

thanks for pointing out the difference

[@b-rain-massimocuffiani]

Matteo è un vero artista, grande musicista, ma è soprattutto grande nell'essere "normale" e a non fare, come diciamo noi in Italia, il "fenomeno". Matteo is a true artist, a great musician, but above all he is great at being "normal" and not being, as we say in Italy, a "phenomenon".

[@albertoazzola307]

Finally he’s getting what he deserves. Grande Matteo!!!

[@offaxisdude]

"finally" been about 6 months...poor guy

[@giulionardini]

Here in italy he’s a legend among the guitarists, so happy for him that he reached a good notoriety also in the Usa

[@rainscratch]

World attention now. Australia here

[@screamlate2]

Woah lucky you getting to chat with Matteo ! He is an absolutely riveting player, so tasteful but so technically brilliant at the same time. He is also a very articulate guy with a great personality as we see in this excellent interview. Great stuff !!

[@jdbroders64]

Great video and so informative. I had never heard of Matteo until I saw this and was blown away by how not only how amazing he is as a guitar player but with his humbleness as well. Thank you for introducing me to this incredible musical voice.

[@poppya54]

Non è il solito chitarrista sbruffone

[@MickLoud999]

I think you need to use the term humility here. Humbleness does not describe Mancuso. He is not lacking in pride at all. There is a fine line.

[@livingongrace3839]

Tyler, I agree with everything you said about Matteo. I have been checking out everything I can find about him on KZbin for the last few months. Amazing technique with speed and melodies abound, my jaw dropped when I saw Matteo play the first time...Well done Matteo! I have enjoyed playing guitar for over 50 years, but I think I may need to practice a bit more. LOL : ) Thanks Tyler, keep up the great content!

[@ivonsmith2024]

Been following Matteo for year - hes so musical at the same time as being technically incredible. And his composition is great - old school fusion but modern

[@iBoss818]

I only found out about this guy today and I already know he's gonna be on my top 5 favourite guitarists soon. Thanks for introducing him to me, Tyler!

[@dannfeltrin]

I always liked riffs better than solos, and Mateo's riffs are so good! They sound refreshing in a time where there's so much music coming out every day, that's definitely to tell he has that "extra sauce" music needs but hardly gets... great interview!! 🤘

[@aaroncasteel9628]

The reciprocating Hendrix posters is my 2nd favorite part of this video. Mateo is PHENOMENAL. Thank you for bringing him to our attention Tyler. Keep up the good work sir!

[@twangbarfly]

I particularly like the fact that both these guys have a pic of Hendrix on their wall behind them... As for Matteo, he's clearly off the charts. Great interview - thanks!

[@ersinbasaran]

I remember when I first watched Guthrie on KZbin. He blew my mind. But when I watched Matteo, he blew my entire existence away.

[@offaxisdude]

a week from now,they'll promote another "best in the world"

[@riosmauricio]

I've been following him for around three years now. He es definitely great. Great playing, great tone, great feeling, great sound, very creative, and most of all, humble. Keep it up, Matteo!

[@JoseRamirez-id9ne]

Thank for this, Matteo is a great unique player. Need to add that the drummer and bassist playing with him are very good as well. Great musicians playing together.

[@chrissommers805]

Matteo is such a sweet guy and so talented. I stumbled on his video playing "The Chicken" some years ago and was immediately enamored. I'm lumbering my way through his licks, chock-full of be-bop lines. You can hear the Wes Montgomery influence loud and clear. His debut album is a masterpiece. He's destined to become enshrined in guitar history. I can't wait to meet him at Via Academy 7.0 in January 2024.

[@gangoffour6690]

Same here ✌. U.S. here. Sorry about my government.

[@xanderdemos670]

He's such a scary talent. Humble to no end and totally inspirational. Great interview, Tyler! Thanks!

[@giovinodelante9658]

Probably? Everything about him is incredible…as an Italian, I was incredibly fortunate to see him live…and I can confirm he’s good beyond comprehension. My favourite guitarists already are Eric Johnson and Allan Holdsworth. He’s literally the perfect union of their styles.

[@DavidRFIT]

l'ho visto anche io a Sant'Elpidio a Mare un mesetto e mezzo fa... E sì, posso dire di aver visto live qualcosa di unico, probabilmente il miglior chitarrista attuale.

[@kranen1]

No, he’s not. He’s very good though, but that combo sounds more like Shawn Lane.

[@DavidRFIT]

@@kranen1 he is.

[@Kinger1625]

@@kranen1ok…Shawn was an amazing talent. Matteo, is beyond that…as he can literally play any style and imitate all those people, but this man has his own voice. The guy can play Brent Mason’s Hot Wired….as good as Brent Mason!!! We’re not comparing here…..because he is just THAT good!

[@kranen1]

@@Kinger1625 Matteo is great but no Shawn Lane. That man was not only unique as far as technique went but also had an unparalleled sense of melody. His phrasing, groupings and choice of notes was out of this world. His mind was something else. A genius like Holdsworth.

[@diverdown631]

I've always said the best musician is somebody you've never heard of, and the you tube Era has proven that time after time again. I've been following Matteo close to 5 years now and can't wait to catch him live. Matteo come to South West Florida Please.

[@steveglenister4939]

One of the absolute nicest guys in music. How can you not warm to someone like Matteo. Always a pleasure to listen to him talk or play. I was really lucky to see him play in London a few months back. Hopefully I'll get a chance to see him again soon. Great video. Very relaxed chat. Lovely to see.

[@rrdee8138]

I so agree. I just can't stop listening to him. He is incredibke

[@francescodardanello6066]

Such a skilled and complete player! I had the chance to see him live twice, discovering him in a jazz concert held in my university in Milano. We were immediately blown away

[@dailygiftsforever]

A complete player commands singing, songwriting and playing... I am never blown away by a guitar player alone, ever... except Hendrix and he did the aforementioned. It is the complete package that punches the ticket for me.... never a sell out person to the peanut gallery.

[@francescodardanello6066]

@@dailygiftsforever hahahahaha alright man, i suggest you hear a little bit more from him and come back after your homework

[@dailygiftsforever]

@@francescodardanello6066 I suggest you hear any of Jimi Hendrix and come back after you and your guitar hero eat an entire humble pie while listening. Cheers!

[@BUNKERJR53]

Phenomenal guitar player and he has disproved these videos lately about Yamaha Guitars. Videos were revolved around players not playing Yamaha. Matteo will soon become the spokes person for Yamaha Electric guitars. Both the RevStar and the Pacifica. He not only plays them he makes them sing.

[@danthegeetarman]

In this day and age with KZbin there’s a million players who can shred fast, but Matteo also has amazing phrasing too. So that’s when you really have the full package. I’ve been saying this for quite a while since he’s been on my radar so good to him getting the recognition he deserves. Props to him 🙌🙌

[@dmcpopo4027]

Well let’s see if the guitar world is still talking about MM in 10-20 years.

[@Hagstrom4ever]

That's the difference between a guitar player and a Musician.

[@danthegeetarman]

@@Hagstrom4ever 💯💯

[@arielmst]

Sorry for my english haha ;) Great interview!! I'm following Matteo for a while now and it's so good to see him getting more attention. Greetings from a Brazilian livng in Canada.

[@jremi]

What a great interview! Thank you Tyler! I am embarrassed to admit I did not know about Matteo. What a player! Being a fan of Alan Holdsworth, Eric Johnson and Greg Howe myself, I need to find out more and buy his “The journey” album.

[@brandondavidson2200]

So cool that his response to all the titans of guitar giving him praise was to practice more. So humble. ❤❤❤

[@paulmahfinger9101]

Thank you Tyler for bringing attention to Matteo Mancuso to your viewership. I was hoping someone with a large following would feature him. Beato apparently remains unaware. I discovered Matteo's videos about a month before his album was released, and became enamored with his inventive technique as well as his musicianship. Matteo not only is able to legitimately play at the upper level in so many genres (fusion, rock, bebop jazz, blues, country, classical, flamenco), but he also has covered and put his own stamp on tunes by Larry Carlton, Holdsworth, Pastorius, Metheny, Weather Report, Brent Mason, Guthrie Govan and more. His newly released The Journey album demonstrates his advanced compositional abilities and wonderful chord changes, voicings and note selection. Matteo is exceptional not only for his advanced musicianship, but also that he has developed his own approach to playing the guitar...one which lends itself to clean articulation, efficiency of movement, avoids the difficulty of string skipping with a pick, has the notes of the chords literally always at his fingertips, etc). I would hope that upcoming guitarists adopt was Matteo has pioneered and unlock more of their own potential.

[@Kinger1625]

EVH has always been a huge fav. Angus Young also….the man has a Black Ice poster on his wall, and I bought his album as you mentioned it’s release…as in mid video I bought his album. I will return to listen to this amazing young man. I need his music in my ears NOW! ❤️❤️❤️

[@michaelroach2401]

I think Matteo is the best in the world and will continue to be for a long time - hands down! There is nobody who can do the things that he does on the guitar.

[@GUIDESPERSPECTIVE]

I'd never heard of this guy, and now I can't stop watching him.

[@ClaudioBrogliato]

So nice of you Tyler. Matteo is very talented , big names have started talking about him yet his channel is 10 times smaller than yours. He deserves more love!!!

[@bemseller5515]

And the most modest. Italian pride. Ty for this interview 🎉🎉

[@DavidRFIT]

Thanks for introducing Matteo to your public. I really think he is the best guitar player in the world right now, and will be for a long time.

[@joeystratman]

I'm in awe of Mancuso, it's always a treat to watch his videos. His tone and fingerstyle technique is so good, and the notes are so clear even if he plays fast runs. Matteo and Josh Meader are my two favorites of the "Newer" generation of guitar players, and also Tim Henson of course. They inspire me to improve my oh so lazy, old school playing lol. Cheers!

[@poppya54]

Io credo che TIM Hanson è solo buono a farsi i tatuaggi

[@criomat]

@@poppya54 ahahahahah🤣

[@almightyguitarnerd]

Yeah, I came accross Mateo's music just recently. He is another level above another level. Spectacular musician

[@garrettbox1530]

The bass technique is really a flamenco technique called “Picado.” I’m trying to be able to do it like Matteo Mancuso, but I am so far away. Such an amazing guitar player.

[@rcruz262]

He uses 3 fingers at times not just flamenco type picados

[@rrdee8138]

And his bass player is pretty amazing also

[@poppya54]

Oliva

[@smackothy]

Besides his playing being absolutely fantastic, I think it’s also awesome how minimal he is. I think it kinda relates back to his point about social media guitarists with how flashy they can be. His whole band uses instruments from Yamaha, a giant everything brand. It gives the vibe of “Hey, you don’t need the bazillion dollar guitars to sound great”, which is awesome!!

[@jimmyfederico473]

I know. The technique is astounding alone. It a beautiful musical soul that makes him the guitar phenom of the day.

[@fredianacci8283]

Great interview Tyler. Much appreciated and I’m looking forward to seeing Matteo perform live!

[@pandinusimperator4974]

I totally agree. A buddy of mine sent me a link to one of his videos a few years ago, it was him jamming to Sunny along with Yannis Mitsios, and it was some of the greatest playing/phrasing I've ever heard..

[@brianmi40]

How rare and special that he DOES combine his new approach to fingerstyle, while being SO very musical.

[@bendersbrain]

Great interview !! any dates for Canada !! :) Love Music is Win !

[@schjonicus]

Literally just heard about him and looked him up. Watched like 30 seconds of him playing. Yeah he might be the best.

[@mihavodnik1146]

I’ve been watching this young master of a guitar and he is simply the best there is👌 his technique is unbelievable👏👏👏

[@didierpoidvin4721]

What a great interview man thanks!!!

[@jeremydoody]

I think he’s the GOAT, which is crazy to say. I’ve been listening a lot, and I am hip to jazzers, shredders, classical players, etc. I think he’s actually the GOAT 😮

[@davidcoolkid15]

I’ve been playing guitar and seeing so many guitarists since I was 13. I’m 30 now. 17 years of musical idols and I just discovered this guy Mateo. I was shocked because I actually think he’s thee GOAT!! Literally the best in the world. Best I’ve ever seen. What an Amazing player!

[@evreh74]

Matéo Mancuso, le guitariste à la technique aux doigts la plus incroyable que j'ai jamais vue. Un extraterrestre de la 6 cordes.

[@cowboy742]

Matteo is truly amazing. Have you ever heard of Max Ostro?

[@albomusicman85]

Great content and great interview!!! Grande Matteo!!!

[@tomloncaric6189]

Based on his videos, he really is one of the best guitarists in the world!

[@kellyp9438]

I like that he’s putting Yamaha on the map…they deserve the spotlight, they make great instruments

[@mpatmas]

He is awesome. I know of another guitarist this good too undiscovered and flying under the radar.

[@donbladsoe]

Metius Asato, Andy Wood

[@DiegoMoralesRoccuzzo]

thanks for the video Tyler. Tante gratzie Matteo. Un vero piaccere paisano siciliano. Io sonno di Monterosso Almo, nato alla America... Tu sei il massimo...

[@minimoogle3335]

Matteo has been one of the best I’ve seen on this era of modern players insane phrasing and his notes choice are very melodic.. He’s one of those player who pushes the boundaries of what the guitar can offer.. some of my other favorites are.. Stephen Taranto,Josh Meader,Bastian Martinez,Rick Graham,Owane Etc.

[@breitbartsimpson4940]

woof, meader is just absolutely elegant on the guitar. such a joy to listen to

[@minimoogle3335]

@@breitbartsimpson4940 the way he frets the strings is so fluid he make it seem effortless..

[@joshuaking4483]

Rick graham the goat

[@williamlosch]

I've been watching him for years. He deserves everything he has coming. Cannot wait until he comes to play in the US

[@mjmjersey]

This was a great video thank you for introducing me to this kid

[@MegaManX7]

I was at vai academy and he was there. He's a really nice guy and definitely knows his stuff.

[@joewilliams3919]

Beautiful player - I hope he can get some traction beyond us guitar players!

[@frmrchristian8488]

I like seeing musicians that have the control to vary the dynamics of their output, as well as having an effective technical prowess. Julian Lage come to mind.

[@RyneMurray23]

What a nice guy he is. I like him even more now

[@yveschevarie6830]

Belle découverte! Merci man!

[@marcelourbina454]

Gracias por el video. Me encantó la.entrevista. Creo que muchos de nosotros coincidimos en que matteo es sin lugar a duda alguien muy importante el presente y futuro de la música. Es como lo que decía Steve vai " el futuro de la guitarra está asegurado en manos de músicos como el". Un honor tener a un artista de este nivel en nuestro planeta. Que sean muchos años más que podamos tener con nosotros a Matteo mancuso. Ojala pueda venir a chile de gira algún día, sus fans lo estaremos esperando

[@gurumajuindonesia]

I would love to see Guitar Universe with Matteo, Thomas Dawson, Plini etc .. would be the best guitar experience ever!!

[@JimmyKSimmonsOfficial]

I was searching for a guitar a few years ago for a very specific application - narrowed it down to the Revstar - in the process found a vid of him performing in a village square setting and immediately knew this young man was very special - watched some of his other videos and came to the same conclusion as Steve - just wait a couple more years 🔥

[@thallmeister]

There are some crazy players out there, you should look at interviewing Bernth(Bernd Brodträger). He has been making a lot of videos with strange guitar modifications that still sound good. Matteo is pretty crazy, I haven't heard him before this but I'll have to go listen.

[@cffinch44]

Dude is an absolute monster. I stumbled across him on YT and have been completely enchanted since. If you love fusion, this guy will be your GOD. If you just like any guitar work, he will be your GOD. Lol! He has amazing music knowledge and he applies it magnificantly. He is fresh, not only because of his unique physical technique for playing electric guitar, but because of his approach in applying his knowledge in unique harmonies and melodies. He also has what makes the best players, and humans, to me, humility.

[@rainscratch]

Palpable excitement on both ends of the screen. Great intelligent interview.

[@BeachJazzMusic]

I'm 71 and have been playing for 61 years. I've seen a lot of great guitar players, many famous, even more that are not but I have to tell you all that Matteo is without doubt the best I've ever seen. Someone like this only comes around every 100 years or so.

[@DjNikGnashers]

Best you have ever seen ? PMSL I think you need to take those blinkers off.

[@BeachJazzMusic]

@@DjNikGnashers Name someone who''s better.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@BeachJazzMusic Better in what way sir ? I don't see the fastest shredder on an electric guitar as the ultimate in guitar playing talent. As a guitarist myself, I like music, and to me, the best living guitarist currently is probably somebody like Tommy Emmanuel. He plays more than 1 type of guitar, he plays so many different styles you could not imagine, and he is is musically incredible. His accuracy, timing, dynamics, and musicianship is in my opinion unrivalled at the moment, and he tours none stop to millions of listeners every year. He can 'shred' just as fast as this person, even when performing harmonics as well as notes, listen to his version of 'somewhere over the rainbow' for his waterfall harmonics it's incredible. He does all this on acoustic guitar which is much harder to play than an electric. As somebody who plays both, I am speaking from experience.

[@BeachJazzMusic]

​@@DjNikGnashers You obviously have never heard Matteo all that much. He plays county, jazz and classical guitar as well. He plays many different styles. I'm well aware of Tommy as he's a good friend of a good friend of mine's. He's definitely a great player but he's not better than Matteo. If you want to hear the best version of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow,' check out Ted Greene.' Even Tommy is in awe of him. Another great version is by Tuck Andress.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@BeachJazzMusic To say 'he's a great player but not better than Matteo' is just you're opinion, the same but different to my opinion. I think Tommy is better, in fact I think he's the best living guitarist. I have seen him play live and he is as good live as any recording. I also like Jon Gomm, and think he is incredibly talented, although he doesn't really play many different genres. I really like Josh Turner too (the young American lad, not the older Josh Turner), he plays lots of different instruments but is an excellent guitarist and singer. I like Richard Smith again amazing talent. Billy strings too. I could name 100 guitarists I like better than Matteo. Do you play guitar yourself ?

[@marcd1981]

Thank you for this video. It's the first of yours I've seen, and the reason I watched is because I just found out about Matteo yesterday (December 19, 2023) here on KZbin. For me, his playing is, as Steve Vai said, next level. And the main reason for me is not because you hear these melodic runs all over the neck, it is the fact he is doing them without a pick. I have not seen/heard anyone play even close to that while using a pick, nevermind without one.

[@andkemp]

Considering his unbelievable playing, his humbleness is even more unbelievable. Thx for sharing this interview with Matteo (and, as Italian, I'm so glad we can export such a genius)

[@Stumpy801]

i remember hearing about this guy years ago, hes def a virtuoso

[@Dave-nm3xc]

That right hand picking technique is out of this world! I've never seen anything like it. Wow!

[@77news97]

Agreed. I can't find anyone I like better, right now. There are guys who are faster, etc, but Matteo is fast, but TASTY! I love this kid.

[@alienguitarabduction]

There are a ton of great young guitarists, but Matteo is definitely up in the front of the pack!

[@magnumopus511]

Mateo is a generational talent, just like when Guthrie Govan came to the guitar scene more than a decade ago. But there's a lot of great known and unknown players in the world that I've seen who could match and even surpass Mateo, so I'll be slow in crowning him as the "best guitarist in the world". He's certainly in the top 7 in the moment by the way.

[@CyberDocUSA]

Sicilian! I love his humble nature even though he's a virtuoso. Long Live Matteo.

[@billmozart7288]

This is close enough to a return of Guitar Villains. This young man f-in tears it up

[@TheWorstManOnEarth]

Every once in a while, you get one single musician so great that all other musicians become commentators. That's crazy.

[@GeorgeMilkasIgore]

We Love Matteo ! Insane player !

[@yoitsadam2082]

Matteo is insane!!

[@randykalish7558]

He's sane 😃 Its the rest of us in question 🙏

[@HYUGE]

I love Max ostro. What an incredible kid and his musical sense is way beyond. Mancuso right hand fingers are extraordinary

[@markmaister5427]

Veder suonare Matteo è semplicemente pazzesco. Non si viene elogiati da musicisti del calibro di Vai e Bonamassa per caso, qui si vede tanto talento, dedizione e passione. Da italiani dobbiamo essere fieri di avere un chitarrista di questo calibro, ed è solo all'inizio della sua carriera come artista. Ci regalerà sicuramente un sacco di musica da ascoltare negli anni a venire. Siamo in buone mani!

[@consulentecomunicazionestr3072]

D'accordo al 100%

[@ErFoxy71]

E Al Di Meola che lo ha anche invitato a suonare con lui sul palco

[@t264385]

Great interview man! Thanks.

[@Schmiddsche]

Watched his "The Chicken" 6 years ago. So impressive and groovy.

[@FC-cz6zd]

That's the video I saw that introduced me to him. Was blown away.

[@stevensrp2music985]

WOW! Thanks for the heads up on this Monster! He sounds like he really has some Jimmy Herring in him.

[@giovannigenovese8206]

He's absolutely awesome and He's CASTIDDAZZISI!!!❤ Mancuso

[@whatsyours6059]

I was blown away by Matteo a couple years ago. Since then I've been blown away by several others, the latest being Igor Paspalj. Matteo is only 26 and has only been playing for 16 years. It will be interesting to see where he takes it. I can't imagine improving on what he does but I bet he can.

[@Datimdavis2900]

That young man is well grounded and a hellova player. At 62, I can’t wait to see him live!

[@markcatron8996]

Tyler, Matteo is a superb player. However, don't see yourself short, You are a superb player as well. and what you stated at the start of the video is what guitar playing is about. Having a big bag of tricks and knowing when and how to apply those tricks.

[@TedlinksChannel]

Him and Tommy Emmanuel on the same bill would be guitar overload. Awesome. I love the song The Journey too, so tasteful and emotional. Excited to hear more over the coming years.