Would you rather be a great player or famous?

guitarjack66

The only way I could make money out of playing guitar is to charge people to make it stop.

elstoof

Im already famous enough, give me the stuff that Vai got from Old Scratch in Crossroads 

Litterick

Who are the guitarists who are famous but not great? Every one we might name would have supporters. A guitarist does not need to be good to be great in the eyes of his fans.

jdgm

At this stage of my life I'd take either.....

RocknRollDave

Assuming that being a great player meant that I could still be out and about playing live, I’d rather be a great player than a below-average-but-famous one.

Playing guitar, when it goes well, I mean…it’s like having magic in your fingers*, isn’t it? 

*or in your tonewood/ pickups/ thin-gauge strings/ fat-gauge strings/ choice of plectrum/ valve amp…etc

BillDL

Here's what I would love to be skilled and versatile enough to do. Not playing directly to an audience, but acknowledged by those in the know.

Kurtis

I think I'm happy enough playing guitar for my own enjoyment. If I had to do it to pay the bills it would possibly lose much of its appeal. 

fretmeister

I’d prefer to be an unknown virtuoso.

I hear so many things I’d love to be able to play just for my own pleasure.

Unknown virtuosos can also get jobs doing the anonymous music roles. Orchestra pits, backing band on The Voice, The guys under the stage at a dancing pop star gig.

That would be cool.

SPECTRUM001

Reckon there is another very common category -

Mediocre players who are lucky enough to hook up with the talent. Guaranteed anonymity and tons of fun if you want it, plus the chance to learn and develop.

High stakes of eventually being sacked though…

Grumpyrocker

Oh famous. Fuck being any good. I want to have some fun. If that means bitter musos on forums hate me, then I don't care.

I'll be dating supermodels and drinking champagne on my yacht while sad old wankers are moaning about me and probably Rob Chapman.

I want to make a Song Remains the Same type movie, walk the red carpet at the oscars, and play the Superbowl half time show.

And if I'm still a crap guitarist? I'm already one now. So everything else is a bonus. 

stickyfiddle

OilCityPickups said:

I just wanted to entertain people ... I don't actually think you have to be 'brilliant' to that ... just know what will get folk's motors running. 
This is the reason I'm about to go out live again after quite a few years, the addiction to folks jumping up and down, or dancing or just shouting or singing along is the best drug in the world. 

Bingo.

I'd far rather play massive shows to thousands of people having the time of their lives than be considered academically excellent by nerds on forums

Grumpyrocker

It's not even like much of that most popular music in the world requires virtuosity anyway.

Kurtis

Grumpyrocker said:

...sad old wankers... 

Say what you mean mate 

Rocker

Rich. That is what I would prefer to famous or a great guitar player. Every day of the week. 

Kurtis

You know, I think I generally have more respect for the guys that can make good music without any great technical ability.


Virtuosos generally come across as tosspots 

Funkfingers

HarrySeven said:

Neither.

I aspire to be mediocre and unrecognised. 

I qualify for a bus pass. So, I make that forty five years of unqualified success.  

Yorkie

d like to be successful without being famous. Regrettably, they seem to go hand in hand.

darius

Do I get to play Wembley Stadium 7 sold out nights in a row?
if yes then B. 

Vintage65

darthed1981 said:

• If I was rich and famous, I'd hire someone to keep sending flowers and gifts to Dua Lipa until she decided she wanted a rich and famous, lousy musician, great songwriter boyfriend.

Rich and famous with a restraining order would be quite an interesting situation to be in  

G4pei

At the age of 12, using a tennis racket as a guitar I’d have given anything to be a famous rock guitarist. Now in my 60’s and still wrestling with several real and expensive guitars I’d much rather be great player!