Fast-picking guitarists of the world

groove or dieAndy Timmons

Groove or Die

Andy Timmons, the former guitarist of Danger Danger.

I’ve selected a video here that focuses on his speed picking, but his true appeal lies in his emotional playing—so expressive it’s said he “sings through the guitar”—and his exquisitely rich tone.

Personally, he’s my favorite among the guitarists introduced this time.

Flight of the BumblebeeTiago Della Vega

Tiago Della Vega – Fastest Guitar Player In the World

Thiago Della Vega is a former guitarist of Burning in Hell, a Brazilian melodic speed metal band, and has been active as a solo artist since leaving the band.

While the techniques he uses—such as sweeping and tapping—are typical of fast-playing guitarists, his speed is said to be the fastest in the world, with the ability to accurately play 38 notes per second.

He actually holds a Guinness World Record for guitar speed, and his extreme high-speed playing is so extraordinary that during rapid passages you can hear the notes clearly even though his right-hand picking appears motionless, and his left-hand fingering barely seems to move.

He is a player renowned for this unprecedented level of shred.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Death Guitar RiffsChuck Schuldiner

Chuck Schuldiner – Death Guitar Riffs

Chuck Schuldiner was an American guitarist born in 1967.

He was the vocalist and guitarist of Death, a band formed in 1983.

He passed away from a brain tumor in 2001, ending his life at the age of 34.

He worked in styles such as technical death metal and progressive death metal, and was a guitarist who also wrote lyrics and composed music.

flamenco a go goSteve Stevens

steve stevens – flamenco a go go

He rose to fame as Billy Idol’s support guitarist and made waves by collaborating with artists across many genres.

Not only is he active as a session guitarist, he also leads his own band and works in a wide range of settings.

This track is a cool number that takes on flamenco with an acoustic guitar.

MeltdownVinnie Moore

Vinnie Moore – Meltdown

Vinnie Moore excels at arpeggios using sweep picking.

He’s a guitarist who also drew attention for performing with Alice Cooper.

Despite his flashy stage moves, his carefully and cleanly played phrases are melodic and expressive.

His guitar tone also falls into the standard category for this genre, making it easy to listen to.

Promises feat. Todd Michael HallTimo Tolkki

Timo Tolkki’s Avalon – “Promises” feat. Todd Michael Hall (Official Music Video)

Timo Tolkki is a guitarist who became world-famous as the guitarist for the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, and after leaving the band, he has continued to be active in numerous projects.

Influenced by many fast-playing guitarists who emerged in the 1980s, that influence is evident in his playing style.

In his songs, he would flawlessly perform unison fast passages together with the keyboard—an instrument whose layout yields different note patterns—demonstrating a precise, classical approach that helped shape a pillar of European symphonic metal.

In 2004, he suffered a nervous breakdown due to band member departures and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but after rehabilitation he returned and has continued to work energetically.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Tengakumachiya

[Wagakki Band] Tengaku [VOCALOID]

Machiya is a guitarist whose name became widely known through his activities with Wagakki Band.

While he doesn’t always push flashy playing to the forefront within the band, he is a guitarist with extraordinary technique.

He has also uploaded several “I tried playing” performance videos on YouTube, where you can experience the essence of his musicianship.