Fast-picking guitarists of the world
Among guitarists, isn’t fast playing often a hot topic? If you actually play guitar yourself, you’ve probably admired it at least once.
And even if you’re not a guitarist, there are likely many people who love fast guitar playing in certain genres.
In this article, we’ll introduce a bunch of guitarists famous for their speed! You’ll be blown away by their performances as showcased in real songs.
From world-renowned legends to Japan’s premier players, this is a must-read for fans of fast playing!
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World’s Fastest Guitarists (61–70)
insane soloFrank Gambale
Frank Gambale is an Italian guitarist born in 1958.
Active since around 1982, he is closer to jazz fusion than heavy metal.
Known for his speed picking, he astonished the public with a style in which, unlike the usual approach of picking upward when moving to higher strings, he picks downward when moving up and upward when moving down the strings.
Tornado Of SoulsChris Broderick
A guitarist who made his name with the power metal band JAG PANZER and the thrash metal band Megadeth, and is currently active in Act of Defiance.
His tapping technique is outstanding, and his eight-finger tapping is a sight to behold.
The featured track showcases his mastery of the seven-string guitar, and the fast-paced solo is another highlight.
Greg Howe Jammin’ on SunnyGreg Howe
Greg Howe is a guitarist from the United States, born in 1963, who became famous for his precise sweep picking.
Many guitar instruction books feature techniques in half-step down tuning, and they often incorporate Greg Howe’s playing.
He is a guitarist known for his fast tapping and clean-tone performance.
Outworld – WarcryRusty Cooley
Rusty Cooley, the guitarist for the intense band Outworld—think power metal—plays with a style that’s raw yet highly technical.
He’s constantly shredding, so listening for a long time can get a bit exhausting, but his technique, effortlessly handling 7- and 8-string guitars, is a must-see.
This track, too, is a high-octane, hard-hitting number with the power turned all the way up.
Play for YouŌta Katsu
This is another Japanese guitarist who shows a strong influence from Yngwie: Katsu Ota.
As you might expect, his playing centers on fast, classically inspired runs, but his tone is exceptionally beautiful.
Above all, pay attention to his left hand during the fast passages—his elegant fingering is, in my opinion, among the best in the shred world.
Jerrys BreakdownJohn 5
He is a guitarist who joined the rock band Marilyn Manson in 1998 and performed with them until 2003, becoming famous and gaining worldwide recognition.
His playing across various rock-based styles is all top-tier, and he handles technical passages with ease.
The featured track is a cover of an instrumental piece by country singer Jerry Reed.
Incredible K.K. Downing SoloK. K. Downing
K.
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Downing is a British guitarist born in 1951 who has been active since around 1970.
He was the guitarist for the world-famous Judas Priest and remained with the band until 2011.
Many guitarists have been influenced by him, and his popularity has not waned even after he ceased his activities.