Famous guitarists like Hendrix, Robert Johnson, Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Django Reinhardt, Slash, Jimmy Page, and B.B. King are no strangers to any guitar enthusiast. Their music isn’t just played – it’s felt. These legends shaped the music industry with masterpieces that continue to inspire. Decades later, their riffs and songs are still practised, covered, and loved by many generations, even today.

The guitar has always carried a kind of magic. From soulful blues riffs to electrifying rock anthems, the sound of six strings has defined genres, powered legendary bands, and created unforgettable albums. We’re sure that many of us have our favourite albums that hooked our hearts with a single guitar riff. You have one too, right?

While thousands of skilled guitar players have left their mark, a select group of famous guitar players stands out as true icons. They didn’t just play notes – they told stories, created revolutions, and inspired countless others to pick up a guitar for the very first time, similar to yourself. 

This article won’t cover every famous guitarist–that’d take more articles. Instead, we will take a closer look at the legends, their most iconic songs, the revolutions they created and how they shaped the way we listen to music today.

Man Playing Guitar While Standing Near Microphone.
Icons who reshaped sound and left a lasting mark on generations. Photo by Sebastiaan Stam on Pexels.
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Who are Some of the Greatest Guitar Players?

We've surveyed about one century of musical history to come up with this list of the top 10 guitarists that the world has produced up until now.

Remember that these rankings are subjective => So leave behind your preconceived ideas on the guitar before reading this article!

Jimi Hendrix

Whether you’re after emotion or technique, Jimi Hendrix is considered the uncontested master of the guitar today.

Artwork of Jimi Hendrix
A revolutionary artist whose innovations redefined sound and stage presence.

Self-taught genius, experimenter, incredible soloist and melodist, he pretty much invented and reinvented the world of rock n’ roll and bluesy styles, still inspiring both big names and beginner musicians today, all of whom will have covered “Voodoo Child” at one point or another.

He also opened the doors for left-handed string players by showing them that they, too, can master a musical instrument and make something unforgettable from it. In the same way that a “southpaw” boxer like Manny Pacquiao achieved unbelievable things in the ring, the gifted left-handed player Jimi Hendrix pushed guitar playing to its highest level.

What made him truly special was that, unlike other players of his time who stuck to one style of performance, Jimi combined styles and used strumming alongside licks and other additions to create a fuller and more organic tone. Amazingly, he also used his thumb to do a moving baseline whilst he was strumming chords - he wanted to do what no other guitarists were doing, or were able to do, and he succeeded. The way he dressed his chords with so many different tones and rhythms truly reflects how naturally talented a guitarist Jimi Hendrix was. His instrument was an extension of his body, a part of his left hand that had no boundaries.

Eric Clapton

Modestly known as “God” by fans, Eric Clapton is one of the most famous rock and blues guitarists, still actively performing for almost 50 years today.

This British musician pushed the boundaries of rock n’ roll and bluesy styles.

He’s a masterful soloist and iconic melodist who quite simply knows how to perform everything.

Photo of Eric Clapton playing the guitar
Clapton: An influential figure known for his expressive tone and lasting legacy.

Also nicknamed “Slow Hand,” Clapton handles the fretboard with virtuosity.

Big titles such as “Cocaine” or “I Shot the Sheriff” brought him the global success that secured him a definite place in the canon of guitar heroes.

His talent is expressed in solos (we are thinking of the MTV album “Unplugged”) as well as through heartfelt collaborations with artists such as Phil Collins or Mick Jones and gigs in groups similar to The Yardbirds and The Cream.

One of the most evident talents of Eric Clapton as a player is his fluidity. A singer and a musician, the star hears the tracks he performs from both perspectives, but weaves them together so smoothly to make them one. This is one artist who really has a fire in his belly and can turn up the heat as and when he wishes.

Now in his seventies, Clapton is still performing on stage and is showing little sign of slowing down or not reaching the benchmark he set out for himself during his early solo career, along with his stint in the band Cream.

Discover some of Slowhand’s classics along with other famous tracks that will charm and wow any crowd!

Jimmy Page

One of the founding and leading members of Led Zeppelin is naturally third on our list of the top 10 guitar virtuosos on the planet.

Known as “The Wizard,” Page is a six-string virtuoso like no other, performing with a violin bow on his famous Gibson, alternating bluesy styles and rock n’ roll with joy and passion.

Jimmy Page playing double-necked guitar. Photo via Visual Hunt.
Page: The visionary behind some of the most enduring riffs in history. Photo by Visual Hunt.

He wrote several music pieces with Robert Plant that have entered rock mythology, such as “Stairway to Heaven” (what player has not tempted at least once to perform the famous intro or final solo?), “Black Dog,” “Whole Lotta Love”, and “Since I’ve been Lovin’ you.”

The art that Jimmy Page made was able to transport you so that you got lost in what he was performing. His solos were show-stopping and so innovative when it came to guitar-playing technique at the time. He set himself the challenge of breaking the preconceptions of what a guitar can do, so his style evolved over time. But he was always one of the greats, even when experimenting!

Robert Johnson

In less than 29 songs, this blues genius has had a major impact on this musical genre as well as rock.

Even though there remains little written by him, the young Robert Johnson, aka “The Genius”, revolutionised the world of blues and earned worldwide recognition.

Chuck Berry

He is one of the pioneers of rock’n’roll.

At once a six-string artist, singer, and songwriter, he has been a veritable source of inspiration for other iconic artists such as Elvis “The King” Presley.

Chuck Berry on stage via Visual Hunt.
Chuck Berry: Often called the architect of modern rhythm-driven performance. Photo by Visual Hunt.

And thus rock was born – all you need to do is listen to his famous track “Johnny B. Goode.”

He is the pioneer of music as we know it today, and as such, he absolutely earns his place in our top 10 guitarists on the planet.

Carlos Santana

World music precursor, the Mexican-born Santana has inspired numerous artists around the world.

Named "The Pope" of rock with Latino vibes, he’s a genius string player who discovered the magic formula by skillfully merging rock, blues, samba, and percussion, along with other guitar styles.

Carlos Santana with guitar onstage
Carlos Santana: Blending Latin roots with unmatched flair, he forged a style all his own.

An expert in making the instrument strings ring, he’s a performer who mastered his art while always experimenting. Indeed, instead of performing the same old songs, Santana prefers to collaborate with other artists to enrich and rethink his music.

His success is also due to the messages he communicates through his songs with notions of peace, compassion, understanding, and joy.

Listen to “Europa” or “Smooth” and you will recognise his typical lyrical technique, and its characteristic warm and saturated tone.

With his exceptional talent, it seems that everyone wants to collaborate with Santana. What's more, when he does join hands with another artist, it seems that his raw and authentic tone always shines through, taking the limelight. That is not to say that his tracks aren't all different and uniquely masterful in their own way! There are so many manipulations that he has found and continues to find with the Latin rhythm.

For all the different performance styles across genres, each player develops a unique sound that’s instantly recognisable – similar to Santana. If you’re curious, check out our article on guitar genres to explore more.

Muddy Waters

His presence among the top 10 may come as a surprise, but he, who is named “The Lord of the Blues”, is an unparalleled guitarist who popularised the bottleneck technique.

Artwork of Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters: Bridging regional roots with global influence, his style resonated far and wide.

His complete mastery of this accessory and his blues virtuosity allowed him to write the great blues titles that are considered classics today, such as “Hoochie Coochie Man” or “Rollin' Stone.”

He’s often considered one of the legendary blues artists of all time, along with Willie Dixon, Johnny Lee Hooker or BB King.

BB King

BB (for Blues Boys) King is the master of New Orleans blues. He’s a true legend of guitar history!

Although certainly less technical than Stevie Ray Vaughan, he wrote numerous classics of the genre (“Sweet Little Angel,” “Sweet Sixteen”), rounding out his tracks with a rich voice full of emotions and his characteristic vibrato.

A picture of BB King performing on stage.
BB King: A legend whose emotional depth inspired generations of performers. Photo by The New York Times.

Thanks to his inimitable touch that gives real personality to the instrument, BB King has influenced the guitar biggies such as Clapton and Hendrix.

Working from one sole note, he is capable of telling a story that touches the deepest depths of the human soul.

Keith Richards

One of the leading members of the famous The Rolling Stones, along with Mick Jagger, he is still one of the most talented rock guitarists today.

Known for being a captivating performer!

Called The Human Riff, he’s appreciated less for his virtuosity than for his extreme simplicity.

Let’s Rock’n’Roll with Keith Richards in his room. Photo via Visual Hunt.
Keith Richards: With unmistakable riffs, he shaped the sound of an era. Photo by Visual Hunt.

His obsession with sound and his personal playing technique (thanks to his 5-string instrument with open tuning in G) rank him as one of the legendary rhythmic players of all time. Though not necessarily one of the technical greats, his chord-playing conveys so much emotion it's as if the instrument is singing the notes.

He has written and composed rock classics such as “Jumpin' Jack Flash,” “Satisfaction”, and “Paint it black.”

Eddie Van Halen

For many musicians, there is a before and after Van Halen.

Why? The way the instrument is now performed changed all because of a measly one minute and 42 seconds, or the duration it takes to play his infamous “Eruption.”

Eddie Van Halen on stage in 1978. Photo via Visual Hunt.
Eddie Van Halen on stage in 1978. Photo via Visual Hunt.

If you want to learn the electric guitar, Eddie Van Halen is the model to follow.

How is it possible that a single man can perform as though a group of guitarists is on stage? Whereas there is only him, his ten fingers and his incredible touch of the guitar neck!

Nicknamed “Superman,” every guitar fan is awed after hearing his music and his mastery of the instrument.

The artists mentioned above are living proof of the incredible impact guitar playing can have. 

How to Define the Greatest Guitarists?

Comparing the greatest players across styles – from fingerstyle acoustic to rock and jazz – shows that technical skill alone doesn’t define mastery. Discover why the instrument is more than simply an instrument in our in-depth article.

A Band Performing on a Rooftop
Practical skills and approaches to help you find your own voice. Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.

So, What Makes Famous Guitarists?

With all of this in mind, how can we begin to rank players and pick out the finest amongst so many diverse artists?

The overriding consensus is that a very good player, before all else, is a musician who performs uniquely; this is different from assessing a top athlete (even though there are similarities between the two, in terms of preparation and training) whose worth depends on technical feats and on meeting or exceeding previously set out expectations.

Our choice for the top 10 artists is based on the musicality of the guitarist, that is to say, on the art of arranging tones in the right order, at the right moment and length, in order to express an emotion or idea.

To be considered an excellent musician, one must be able to create emotion and energy from one’s music and give the listener chills. The legendary guitar masters, in turn, inspire guitar instructors who give guitar lessons.

With all of the guitar icons gracing our lineup having been connected to the world of music for several years, if not decades, we are quite confident that these successful musicians are, in fact, deeply rooted in the music, in spite of their obvious fame. Even if you are doing a job simply to please people and to make money, it can be hard to keep up the pretence for thirty-odd years, with cameras following you around 24/7!

This is also why it’s important to know how to turn your skills into income. Check out our article on how to earn money as a guitarist to explore the opportunities available.

This is yet another reason why we think these are the guitar legends in the world. Not only are they attuned to producing art that their fans love, but they have also touched audiences with their personalities, characters or stage personas, which have clearly helped to propel their music forward.

Honourable Mentions for the Top 100 Guitarists, by You!

Thank you! A fantastic number of you have responded with your own comments and opinions after the publication of this article. While we can't provide a lineup as long as 100, as a bonus, we’ve followed your suggestions to expand our presentation of the finest guitarists in the world.

From Robert Plant and Jeff Beck to Elvis: who are the legendary string virtuosos, according to you?

Do you agree with Rolling Stone’s ranking of the 100 finest six-string players?

Buddy Guy

This guitarist had a decisive influence on Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Buddy Guy: From Blues rock to Funk: an electric guitarist!
Buddy Guy: From Blues rock to Funk, a dynamic performer whose expressive style influenced generations of artists.

He was a member of Muddy Waters’ band who signed his first contract with Chess Records.

His artistry gave off a flamboyant modernism while staying true to his native Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

He especially impressed fans with his thunderous funk in “Howlin' Wolf,” “Killing Floor”, and “Wang Dang Doodle.”

Kirk Hammett

Kirk Lee Hammett has been a six-string player and songwriter in the iconic heavy metal group Metallica since 1983.

Metallica on stage Photo via Visual Hunt.
Metallica was a precursor group of thrash metal. Photo by Visual Hunt.

In 2003, Hammett was ranked 11th in the Rolling Stone lineup of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

And in 2009, Hammett was ranked number 15 in Joel McIver’s book on the 100 greatest Metal guitarists.

Gary Moore

Born in Northern Ireland, Gary moved to Dublin, where he met his personal mentor, Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac. In the years that followed, he joined the band Skid Row, then Thin Lizzy in 1974, and Colosseum II, with whom he performed until about 1978.

Since 1979, Gary has led a solo career, during which time he released a number of very successful albums, such as the fan favourite “Still Got The Blues” (1990). He was very active up until his premature death in February 2011.

Gary Moore has a powerful technique that every guitarist should study, regardless of the musical genre they play.

It’s exactly as @Fabrice explains:

It’s the perfect union between emotion, musicality, melody, and technical skill, from how he holds notes, and the variety of big and rapid sounds. But it’s rarely just a pure demonstration of technique and speed, as it’s his underlying reserve of power that is the most impressive. Music and Melody always have priority.

Slash

For you music fanatics, Saul Hudson, aka Slash, is one of the most talented guitarists of his generation and a leading member of the group Guns N’ Roses. And if you don’t know it yet, it’s something you’ll learn soon enough in a guitar lesson!

For us common mortals, he’s known as the artist who accompanied Michael Jackson on stage to songs such as “Give In To Me,” “Black or White,” and “Beat It,” playing his live solos that could wake up the dead.

Some of these solos went on for a bit too long, at least in the eyes of the King of Pop! Ok, this is a slight exaggeration, but like all the artists of his generation, he is successful simply because he does what he loves.

Considered by some to be the finest soloist of all time, Slash is known for his style, incredible technique and his ability to transmit his emotions to the public.

David Gilmour

How could we not mention the fabulous soloist David Gilmore, who was part of the psychedelic band Pink Floyd? Lovers of the drug-induced melodies of this British band would not be able to argue with that.

Here’s a small quiz for his true fans: was Gilmour an original member of the group? Well? 

The answer is no! Pink Floyd was created in 1965, and we had to wait until 1968 for the guitarist-singer to join up with Roger Waters, Richard White, Nick Mason and Roger Syd Barrett! A true asset for the group, as it was after the arrival of the 14th finest guitarist of all time (according to Rolling Stone in 2011) that Floyd flew to new heights.

In fact, they produced the third highest-selling album (many even consider it the finest album in history): The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), which stayed in the Billboard 200 for 17 years and 6 months. This major recording in the history of rock and alternative style included tunes like the famous “Money”!

Gilmour is recognised for a great many contributions. And the great rock classics we mentioned above are not all.

He’s also a magnificent singer and a genius soloist, whose craft goes directly to your core (the solos “Hey You, Wish You Were Here” and “Comfortably Numb”, for example), with such perfect notes never before coming out of a Fender.

Speaking of Fenders, David Jon Gilmour has also been considered one of the finest Fender guitar players ever, alongside other legends such as Hendrix and Clapton. Enough said.

Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa is both a guitarist and a singer. Born in Utica, New York, in 1977, Bonamassa is a pure bluesman. Non-believers need only to listen to the sounds of his group, Black Country Communion, to get the picture.

A rare instinct developed from the age of four and honed through high-quality musical training, notably based around the sounds of BB King. Even BB King has paid homage to Joe’s talents! And there’s no disputing the master…

Today, Bonamassa is THE reference for American blues rock. Although rough and sometimes rustic, his style is always melodious and powerful. Six-string players worldwide especially recognise his incredible technique, which is both fast and seemingly limitless.

But to appreciate Bonamassa’s talent (and the rock voice), we recommend watching a live version of “Just Got Paid”! Trust us, you won’t be sorry!

Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck has it all. Not only is he a renowned technical guitarist, able to play with a vocalist rather than alongside them, but he also stands out as an all-around nice guy.

He has a way about him that makes you stop and listen, but he isn't in your face. His tones are exceptionally melodic, perfectly matching the vocals while asserting his own presence in every track.. Bright, confident and edgy, he is a serious guitar player and he has no intentions of holding back! People often say that he carries humour in his music, which is quite a clever characteristic to portray with this piece of equipment.

Jack White

Despite often being considered a purist of vintage blues, Jack White is not one to show off technical effects. In fact, you may be shocked to see him in this category. But it’s largely thanks to his guitar talent that his group, The White Stripes, has made a name for itself in blues rock (You heard that right!).

Jack White on stage holding microphone
Both a pianist and drummer, Jack White is an unparalleled artist. Photo by Visual Hunt.

Oh yes, The White Stripes is a blues group. By covering the songs “Stop Breaking Down” by Robert Johnson or even “St. James Infirmary Blues” with his classical guitar on their first album, his listeners are able to revisit the history of blues performance.

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Techniques to Become an Exceptional Guitarist Yourself

It attracts people, calms nerves, and unites humankind, making it the ultimate performing instrument. You can strum, caress, pluck, or even hit its body to produce sounds that make people laugh, dance, or even cry – and science even backs many of these benefits.

  • Is guitar-playing talent something innate?
  • Must you have a certain state of mind to learn the guitar?
  • Where should one look to begin guitar instruction?

So take your instrument out of its case, tune it up and plug in your amp: we’re going to discover a few techniques to improve your guitar performances.

A man playing an acoustic guitar
The six-string instrument is the European version of similar instruments such as the bouzouki, lute, and ukulele. Photo by Visual Hunt.

Solfège

Solfège may just be the initial challenge that has prevented so many music lovers from jumping freely into acoustic guitar training.

Obviously, it’s preferable to have a good understanding of solfège if one wants to launch a guitar career, but it isn’t indispensable.

The important thing for every beginner today is to first learn to read a chord chart. As such, you’ll know where to place your fingers on the strings to play your chords.

The Guitar

Finding an acoustic guitar is another important step towards mastering the instrument!

It may seem like finding your instrument is a bit similar to Indiana Jones’ quest for the Holy Grail, so it’s better to take a moment to reflect before making the purchase. Like your spouse, with whom you’ll have to live under the same roof, you are going to spend many long hours with your guitar.

For this reason, it’s imperative to choose the one that suits you, with strings and wood that produce the sounds you.

Musical culture

We sometimes forget that it’s important to have a good sense of music history and culture, although it’s the cornerstone of playing any instrument!

Reinforcing your musical knowledge, by way of listening to solos by the great guitarists, will train your ear and improve your sense of rhythm to win over every audience.

Play guitar and sing

We love listening to singing pianists such as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, and Nina Simone. The same goes for artists who wear the double label of singer and guitarist, such as Prince or Mark Knopfler. But this is a rare talent!

Singing demands a supplemental investment of great intensity. This makes it impossible to drown your thoughts in your instrument; when you sing, it’s a question of lifting your head and facing the public, breaking out of your musical bubble.

To become a good guitarist, you must practice, and guitar lessons will help you develop quickly. Your hands should be on the strings like a pastry chef handles dough nonstop or an athlete has his eyes on the ball. And if you want to become a really good player, you must learn to lift your head, look at the audience, and share your emotions.

Your concentration must be at once focused on your notes and on communicating your feelings to the public. The guitar has its fair share of myths and misconceptions. We’ve broken them down in this article – check it out!

The Evolution of Guitar Legends

When we talk about famous guitarists, it’s not only about individual talent – it’s about how each generation of players reshaped music. Yes, each era redefined the guitar in its own way, only to be challenged and transformed by the musicians in the next generation. It’s undeniable that every six-string virtuoso who made history worked hard to break boundaries, and that’s why we still look up to these legends and listen to their work, even today. 

From early blues and early rock rhythms to the modern sounds of today, the evolution of guitar playing shows why this instrument remains timeless and loved by many, including today’s generations. 

1950s – The Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll

The 1950s introduced the guitar as the heartbeat of modern music. Famous artists like Chuck Berry and John Lee Hooker brought raw energy to the stage. John Lee Hooker was one of the early pioneers of electric blues, which involved amplifying the guitar. His style later developed into the influential Detroit blues.

Berry’s infectious riffs and electrifying techniques, especially in songs like Johnny B. Goode, laid the foundation for rock ' n ' roll culture and inspired generations of every band that followed. 

Though it was Alan Freed who played a significant role in popularising the rock genre by giving it its name and promoting rhythm and blues music to a wider audience, the musicians like Hooker and Berry played a much more significant role in making it famous.  

1960s – The Golden Age

The 1960s marked a revolution in the guitarists' time. Yes, musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Pete Townshend changed music with new sounds, bold techniques, and by blending styles such as blues, folk, and rock.

Jimi used feedback, distortion, and his stage presence to completely reshape how the instrument was played and forever changed rock’s soundscape. At the same time, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck took the blues to new places with bands like John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Meanwhile, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones added raw energy and attitude, earning a spot on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the top 10 performers of all time.

1970s – Innovation and Fusion

By the 1970s, artists were stretching the instrument’s limits. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin blended folk, blues, and hard rock, earning a spot among the finest guitarists of all time. Eddie Van Halen brought finger-tapping and explosive solos into the spotlight, while David Gilmour of Pink Floyd was known for his soulful, melodic, blues-driven style. Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band was the master of slide guitar, and Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple blended baroque influences with heavy rock. Honestly, that’s just scratching the surface. 

These musicians and many others shaped new rhythms and tones that opened audiences’ ears to new sounds they’d never heard before.

1980s – Spotlight on Technical Brilliance

The 1980s spotlighted technical brilliance and put technical guitar playing front and centre. Eddie Van Halen redefined electric guitar playing with his pioneering two-handed tapping technique, shown best in his legendary solo Eruption. Stevie Ray Vaughan brought a fresh edge to blues by mixing it with rock, while Randy Rhoads stood out for blending classical music with heavy metal, especially with his solos on Ozzy Osbourne’s albums, and his influence, particularly in neoclassical metal. Around the same time, Slash of Guns N’ Roses emerged as a global icon, giving us unforgettable songs such as Sweet Child O’ Mine that are still etched in rock ’n’ roll history today.

1990s – Raw and Experimental

The 1990s shifted toward rawness and authenticity.  Kurt Cobain of Nirvana defined the grunge era with his distorted, fuzzy sound and unpolished energy.  On a very different front, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine reinvented guitar sounds with his experimental effects, while Billy Corgan, who created a unique sound for The Smashing Pumpkins through his heavy distortion and songwriting style. 

At the same time, Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth pushed the boundaries of noise rock with their fearless experimentation, and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers shaped the sound of alternative rock with his funk-driven playing. Together, these famous guitar players proved just how far creativity could stretch the instrument.

2000s to Today – Continue pushing New Boundaries

In the modern era, the instrument continues to evolve. John Mayer blends blues, pop, and soul with a unique guitar style and songwriting, while Jack White brings his raw energy back to garage rock with his fuzz-soaked riffs. On the heavier side, Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders push progressive metal guitar playing into uncharted territory. 

Even though legends such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Les Paul belong to earlier generations, their influence still guides players today, proving that the legacy of the greatest players never fades.

From the smoky blues clubs of New York City to today’s global stages, the famous artists across the decades have kept the instrument at the heart of rock n roll history. Every era introduced new heroes, great techniques and unforgettable tracks, showing that the story of the instrument is still being written and there’s no end to it. 

Woman Playing Black Acoustic Guitar
Trailblazers who redefined what it meant to command the stage. Photo by Rido Alwarno on Pexels.

Women Guitar Players Who Shaped Guitar History

Women have always been at the heart of guitar innovation. Their talent, creativity, and groundbreaking contributions have shaped the course of music and continue to inspire generations of guitarists.

Here is the list of female players who made a revolution in the world of the six-string instrument, along with their male colleagues:

Artists

Genre/Era

Famous songs/albums

Highlights in Guitar Playing

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Gospel / Early rock ' n ' roll (1930s–40s)

Rock Me, That's All, My Man and I, and The Lonesome Road

Called the godmother of rock ' n ' roll, she influenced Elvis, the Rolling Stones, and countless famous guitarists.

Bonnie Raitt

Blues playing solo (1970s–present)

Thing Called Love, I Can’t Make You Love Me, Something to Talk About, Nick of Time

Master of slide guitar; emotional depth made her one of the best guitarists of her era.

Joan Jett

Punk/rock ' n ' roll (1970s–present)

I Love Rock ’n’ Roll, I Hate Myself for Loving You, Bad Reputation

An iconic solo artist who proved women could dominate the famous guitar player songs album history.

St. Vincent (Annie Clark)Experimental / Indie (2000s–present)

Digital Witness, Los Ageless, New York, Birth in Reverse, Los Ageless

Known for pushing boundaries, designed a signature Les Paul-inspired guitar.

Nita Strauss

Metal / hard rock (2010s–present)

Dead Inside, Victorious, The Wolf You Feed

First female Ibanez signature guitarist; toured with Alice Cooper.

Orianthi

Rock Roll / Pop Rock (2000s–present)

According to you, Shut Up & Kiss Me, Courage

Famous for her technical skill, she combined blues, pop, and hard rock styles.

By highlighting these trailblazers, we’re reminded that women have always been part of guitar history. Of course, we didn’t cover all the amazing artists out there because this article will never reach an end in that case. However, we covered some of the famous female players of all time to show you that, regardless of gender, anyone can play this instrument. Well, they did, so you can do. 

Orianthi performing with her electric guitar.
Orianthi: A modern virtuoso recognised for both power and finesse on stage. Photo by Guitar World.

Where to find qualified guitar tutors in Singapore?

Now your next question will be: “Where can I find a tutor to become as good as these famous players?” That’s where Superprof steps in.

With 22,842 verified guitar tutors in Singapore alone, you’ll never run out of choices. The interesting part? You don’t need to leave your home – just register for free on our website, browse through profiles, and connect with the tutor who matches your style and goals.

At Superprof, you’re not just scrolling through a lineup of names. You get real insight into each tutor’s experience, teaching style, and background, so you can make an informed choice. Want to know more before committing? Simply send a message – most tutors reply within a few hours (check out our average reply time). 

Many tutors offer their first class for FREE. That means you can test the waters, experience their teaching, and decide if it’s the right fit – all with zero risk. 

Whether you’re looking for a tutor who specialises in modern techniques or even want to learn how to perform in the style of your favourite artists, Superprof and our talented tutors make it possible.

So why wait? Start your guitar journey today. Sign up with Superprof and take your first step toward becoming the guitarist you’ve always dreamed of.

The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you. ― B.B. King

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Mohana M