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 (11–20)
Moonlight Sonata on One GuitarMarcin
Marcin Patrzałek is a guitarist from Poland who plays the acoustic guitar using a distinctive technique.
He won a Polish talent show in 2015 and gradually became known around the world.
His notable features include rapid fingerstyle playing reminiscent of classical guitar, paired with percussive guitar techniques that make it stand out, and a strong influence from folk music such as flamenco.
Perhaps because he incorporates percussive methods, even his fast passages give the impression that rhythm is treated with great importance.
Impulse VoicesPlini
Prini is a guitarist from Sydney, Australia, active in the worlds of progressive metal and instrumental music.
He’s particularly striking for his use of a uniquely shaped headless guitar, the Strandberg.
His playing style reflects a deep understanding of various genres centered on progressive metal, embedding precise technique within his speed.
The way he structures developments within guitar instrumentals is also notable; the technical and dramatic progressions showcase his high level of skill as a composer.
Down the DrainJared James Nichols
Jared James Nichols is a blues rock guitarist from the United States.
In “Down the Drain,” the highlights are his trademark single-pickup Epiphone Les Paul Custom and his pickless playing.
His technique really stands out in the solo section; even without a pick, he produces a powerful sound in both chords and single-note lines.
You can feel a strong hard rock influence—an energetic performance with a straight, thick core running through its speed.
Playing GodTim Henson
Tim Henson is the lead guitarist of the instrumental progressive band Polyphia.
He often uses a classical guitar fitted with pickups, and his playing technique features complex classical-style fingerpicking.
It’s striking how he ventures into a variety of musical genres, and even his fast passages reflect influences ranging from metal to funk.
He’s a remarkable guitarist whose unique blend of warm tone, broad musicality, and sense of speed creates a distinctive technique and artistic vision.
Impressive, really.Mori Hiroto
Hiroto Mori is an artist drawing attention as a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Rausu, on the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido.
He also has the distinction of winning an electric guitar world championship held in London in 2019, and that technique is firmly embedded in his music.
You can hear not just speed but expressive mastery throughout: quick phrases that pop like accents amid light, crisp comping, melodic and powerful guitar solos, and more.
He’s an artist who not only lets the vocals shine but also clearly showcases his prowess as a guitarist, demonstrating a keen sense of balance in his performances.
hijouni kireina JYOCHOdaijirō
Daijiro is the guitarist of the progressive rock band JYOCHO and formerly the guitarist of Uchuu Konbini.
He’s a guitarist known for his technical tapping, and the way his left and right hands move intricately can make it feel like he’s playing an instrument other than the guitar.
Because it’s tapping, each note is gentle, and while the phrases are quick, they also create a distinctive sense of weightlessness.
In the band, the bass and flute also play complex phrases, and as the overall balancer he firmly conveys a unique worldview.
Fast-Picking Guitarists of the World (21–30)
Black MasqueradeRitchie Blackmore
Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple left the band and formed a new group, Rainbow.
They released songs that fuse baroque music with a hard rock base, creating a distinctive atmosphere.
His guitar playing can be described as an orthodox hard rock style, but the catchy phrases are easy on the ears and captivate many fans.
This track, too, is a number where you can fully enjoy Ritchie’s excellent playing.