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They are great and successful. These musicans have been called geniuses, and their music still inspires hundreds of young musicians today. They prove that becoming a legendary musician takes determination, passion, and drive, along with sheer talent.
Their contribution to music can’t be counted, and today we share their words with musicians who dream of greatness, and try to reveal the secrets of these wonderful people’s success and charisma. These quotes about guitar music are sure to make you want to strum away all day.
So, catch your muse, play a guitar – and may inspiration be with you!
Who is the Top 10 Guitarists of All Time?
If you’re looking for inspiration to start playing the guitar, these famous guitarists’ names should help you remember that the world of music is where true legends are made:
- Jimi Hendrix
- Keith Richards
- Eddie Van Halen
- Ry Cooder
- Carlos Santana
- Jimmy Page
- Eric Clapton
- Chuck Berry
- Jeff Beck
Keep reading to learn what these famous guitarists have to say about life, love, and of course – playing the guitar! – in this post. But first, take a look at this video of even more quotes from famous guitarists:
What is a Good Quote About the Guitar?
Want to be a guitarist? Famous quotes about playing the guitar like these from some of the best legends should give you the inspiration you need to pick up a guitar and start jamming!
1. Jimi Hendrix
“Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.”
The point is, that Hendrix was not the best guitar player among his contemporaries. The fact is, he played more naturally. He was a creative person, and he personified the music he played: he was this music himself.
2. Keith Richards
“Music is a necessity. After food, air, water and warmth, music is the next necessity of life.”
There is a reason why people are ready to pay a lot to see Richards’ playing. He created many amazing and diverse songs and melodies. His guitar playing has always been innovative, and his use of constantly changing approaches has always been in at the heart of The Rolling Stones’ sound.
3. Eddie Van Halen
“If you want to be a rock star or just be famous, then run down the street naked, you’ll make the news or something. But if you want music to be your livelihood, then play, play, play and play! And eventually you’ll get to where you want to be.”
Van Halen’s skills come from the way he plays his guitar. He mastered the technique of tapping to perfection, and he even improved it. He is 60 now, and he continues to tour.
4. Robert Leroy Johnson
“When the train, it left the station, there was two lights on behind,
Well, the blue light was my baby, and the red light was my mind.”
There is a good reason why almost all articles about Robert Johnson have one and the same featured image of him: only two portraits of this blues musician are available today. Most of Johnson’s life was spent out of commercial success. Though he played in the streets, he is probably one of the key blues musicians in history.
5. Ry Cooder
“No second chances in the land of a thousand dances, the valley of ten million insanities.”
Ryland Peter Cooder is a charismatic, multifaceted and extraordinary musician best known for his starring role in Buena Vista Social Club. Ry started as a teenager and a promising blues musician, and he became famous for his slide guitar work.
6. Carlos Santana
“Most people are prisoners, thinking only about the future or living in the past. They are not in the present, and the present is where everything begins.”
The “glass” tone of Santana’s guitar playing is easy to recognize once it appears in a song. His characteristic fusion of Latin rhythms, blues and jazz has become almost a cult. One of the most famous Spanish guitarist legends out there, Santana’s 65-year-old career deservedly led him to ten Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammies.
7. Jimmy Page
“I believe every guitar player inherently has something unique about their playing. They just have to identify what makes them different and develop it.”
This Led Zeppelin guitarist has become one of the greatest players of all time. However, he is also one of the greatest composers and producers in the world of rock. Having such an extensive set of songs, solos and rhythms, Jimmy Page has easily become one of the titans in music industry.
8. Eric Clapton
“When all the original blues guys are gone, you start to realize that someone has to tend to the tradition. I recognize that I have some responsibility to keep the music alive, and it’s a pretty honorable position to be in.”
The only three-time winner of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Award, Clapton has revolutionized a guitar playing and become one of the most respected and influential musical figures in the era of rock. His style has changed over time, but he always held on to his blues roots.
9. Chuck Berry
“You don’t just go to the studio and say, ‘I’m going to write a hit.’ It becomes a hit when people like your compositions.”
Berry is best known for being one of the first rock and roll guitarists. As a result, he served as an inspiration for famous guitarists such as Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Chuck Berry was economical and clean as a guitarist, and he was bright and witty as a showman.
10. Jeff Beck
“I don’t understand why some people will only accept a guitar if it has an instantly recognizable guitar sound. Finding ways to use the same guitar people have been using for 50 years to make sounds that no one has heard before is truly what gets me off.”
As well as Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, Beck is one of the three famous guitarists who played with The Yardbirds. Thanks to them, he entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and entered it again as a solo guitarist. He produced some of the most exciting and dizzying guitar melodies in modern music history; and although Jeff Beck is not as commercially successful as many his contemporaries, his influence to the world of music can not be underestimated.
Quotes from Famous Black Guitarists
Here are some quotes on playing guitar from famous black guitarists:
- “The blues was bleeding the same blood as me.”- B.B. King
- Technically, I’m not a guitar player, all I play is truth and emotion.”– Jimi Hendrix.
- “The time I burned my guitar it was like a sacrifice. You sacrifice the things you love. I love my guitar”– Jimi Hendrix.
- “The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.” – B B King
- “Music is magic. Magic is Life.”– Jimi Hendrix.
- “I wanted to connect my guitar to human emotions.”- B. B King
- “Don’t use your brain to play it, let your feelings guide your fingers.” – Jimi Hendrix
- “For most entertainers, there is a single experience, one defining moment, when confidence replaces the self-doubt that most of us wrestle with.”– Charley Pride
- “You don’t just go to the studio and say, ‘I’m going to write a hit.’ It becomes a hit when people like your compositions.”– Chuck Berry
Quotes About Guitar from Famous Left Handed Guitarists
These famous guitarist quotes may not be all that extraordinary, but what is extraordinary is that these lines were spoken by truly talented left handed guitarists. That’s not something that’s easy to find!
- “I didn’t follow any rules at all. I made my own.” – Tony Iommi
- “I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.” – Kurt Cobain
- “Everything an artist does is scary, but we do it anyway. If someone tries to steer you off-course, push them outta the way and get back on course. Never giving up -that’s what I truly believe all the greatest bands have done.” – Zacky Vengeance
- “Music is like a psychiatrist. You can tell your guitar things that you can’t tell people. And it will answer you with things people can’t tell you.” – Paul McCartney
- ““It has always been my goal to believe in what I do and love what I do and be true to that.” – Tony Iommi
- “I used to think anyone doing anything weird was weird. Now I know that it is the people that call others weird that are weird.” – Paul McCartney.
- “Be cool and you’ll be alright. That’s rock & roll religion.” – Paul McCartney
- “Muffled lives explode in understatements.” – Paul Gray
- “If it’s illegal to rock and roll, throw my ass in jail.” – Kurt Cobain
- “The trouble with fame and riches is that you have more than one guitar.” – Paul McCartney
Playing Guitar Quotes from Famous Blues Guitarists
Here are more guitar quotes by famous guitarists – but this time, only those who were known for playing the blues.
- “I’d say that playing the blues is like having to be black twice.” – B.B. King
- “If you don’t know the blues…there’s no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any form of popular music.” – Keith Richards
- “Blues is a tonic for whatever ails you. I coldplay the blues and then not be blue anymore.” – B.B. King
- “When all the original blues guys are gone, you start to realize that someone has to tend to the tradition.” – Eric Clapton.
- “That’s the thing about the blues: It’s one thing to hit a note on a guitar. To make it matter is something else altogether.” – Joe Bonamassa
- “Just a Blues player can play 20 Blues songs in a row but find a way to make each one different….” – Joe Satriani
- “The blues tells a story. Every line of the blues has a meaning.”
Famous Jazz Guitarists and Their Sayings
Take a look at these inspiring quotes from famous guitarists in the jazz niche:
- “Jazz comes from our way of life, and because it’s our national art form, it helps us to understand who we are.” –Wynton Marsalis
- “If you removed all the limiting factors from music, it would sort of be like tennis without the net, court, and ball — just two guys standing in a field with rackets.” – Jim Hall
- “Players should force themselves to hear something and then play it, rather than just do whatever comes under the fingers.” – Jim Hall
- “I’m not saying a guy shouldn’t take lessons…but if you want to play like the artists, you have to go and get what they’re putting on records and take it from there.” – Grant Green
- “The instrument keeps me humble. Sometimes I pick it up and it seems to say, “No, you can’t play today.” I keep at it anyway, though.” – Jim Hall
Best Famous Female Guitarists’ Quotes
The ladies really know how to rock, too. Check out these great quotes.
- “I grew up in a world that told girls they couldn’t play rock ‘n’ roll.” – Joan Jett
- “In pop music, you say, you can do what you want to me.’ Rock ‘n’ roll says, ‘I’m gonna do what I want to you.”– Joan Jett
- “You’d always see a lady or a little girl sitting at a piano. I decided I wanted to play something more unexpected, so that’s when I got interested in learning to play the guitar.” – Barbara Lynn
- “A great work of art is made out of a combination of obedience and liberty.” – Nadia Boulanger
- “In the long run, you make your own luck – good, bad, or indifferent.” – Loretta Lynn
Playing Guitar Quotes from Famous Blues Guitarists
Bass guitarists deserve some love, too! Here are some of the best quotes.
- “Traditionally, the role of the bass player was just to keep things simple and solid, so it’s really a special thing when you can get a player that can actually bring in a lot of presence and also a visual presence, too.” – Robert Trujillo
- “None of us wanted to be the bass player. In our minds he was the fat guy who always played at the back.” – Paul McCartney
- “I’m the greatest bass player in the world.” – Jaco Pastorius
- “I always got great respect as a bass player.” – Bill Wyman
- “I can sing, but I consider myself a bass player. I’m, you know, a musician first.” – Michael Anthony
- “I wasn’t originally a bass player. I just found out I was needed, because everyone wants to play guitar.” – Tina Weymouth
- “The worst thing I could be thinking is how could I be a cool bass player.” – Mike Gordon
Famous Guitarist Quotes About Guitar
These guitar quotes by famous guitarists are sure to inspire you to start taking guitar lessons for yourself!
- “I started out playing guitar because Jimi Hendrix was my hero, so my roots were really based on Jimi Hendrix and his style of playing.” – Joe Satriani
- “If you really love guitar, you’re going to spend every waking hour stroking the thing.”– Frank Zappa
- “I call myself a blues singer, but you ain’t never heard me call myself a blues guitar man.” – B. B King
- “I’d think learning to play the guitar would be very confusing for sighted people.” – Doc Watson
- “I’m only myself when I have a guitar in my hands.” – George Harrison
- “My guitar is not a thing. It is an extension of myself. It is who I am.” – Joan Jett
- “I can communicate far better on a guitar than I can through my mouth.” – Jimmy Page.
- “Every time you pick up your guitar to play, play as if it’s the last time.” – Eric Clapton
- “Sometimes the nicest thing to do with a guitar is just look at it.” – Thom Yorke.
- “If we replaced guns with guitars, then the world would be a concert.”-Thomas Ian Nicholas
- “The guitar is a small orchestra…Every string is a different color, a different voice.”- Andres Segovia
- “I’ve always wanted to smash a guitar over someone’s head. You just can’t do that with a piano.” – Elton John
- “When I was growing up, there were two things that were unpopular in my house. One was me, and the other was my guitar.” – Bruce Springsteen
Funny Guitar Quotes
Playing the guitar isn’t just about strings and frets – it’s about living life to the fullest. The guitar is an instrument that can play countless genres of music and can evoke a myriad of emotions.
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, playing the guitar can bring immense joy and fulfillment.
Here are some of the funniest guitar quotes that are sure to put a smile on your face and make your day brighter.
- “The guitar is a miniature orchestra in itself.” – Ludwig van Beethoven
- “I can’t play guitar like George Benson, but I can get away with it.” – Wesley Willis
- “The guitar is just a wonderful instrument. It’s everything: a bartender, a psychiatrist, a housewife. It’s everything, but it’s elusive.” – Les Paul
- “A guitar is a very personal extension of the person playing it. You have to be emotionally and spiritually connected to your instrument. I’m very brutal on my instruments, but not all the time.” – Eddie Van Halen
- “Playing guitar is like telling the truth. You never have to worry about repeating the same lie if you told the truth. You don’t have to pretend or cover up. If someone asks you again, you don’t have to think about it or remember what you said. The truth is always the same.” – B.B. King
- “I play guitar because it lets me be a complete nerd in public.” – Tom Misch
- “When I die, I want people to play my music, go wild and freak out and do anything they want to do.” – Jimi Hendrix
- “Sometimes you want to give up the guitar, you’ll hate the guitar. But if you stick with it, you’re gonna be rewarded.” – Jimi Hendrix
A Few More Meaningful Guitar Quotes About Life
From legends of rock to folk music, guitar players have not only created timeless music but also an incredible array of profound quotes.
To close out this article, we’ve rounded up a few more of our favorite (and most meaningful) guitar quotes about life – and our interpretation.
“The guitar is the easiest instrument to play and the hardest to play well.” – Andres Segovia
It’s easy to pick up a guitar, but to truly master the instrument takes a lot of hard work, dedication and passion. This quote reminds us that in order to become a proficient musician, patience and practice are key.
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain” – Bob Marley
Music has the incredible ability to take away our worries and cure what ails us. It’s a beautiful escape to a magical place where anything is possible. This quote is a reminder that music is the cure to a huge range of problems in life.
“The only thing better than singing is more singing” – Ella Fitzgerald
There’s nothing like singing along to your favorite tune, letting go of all your inhibitions, and getting lost in the music while you strum your guitar. This quote reminds us that it’s never too late to sing along with life’s melody.
“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart” – Pablo Casals
Music is so much more than just notes on a page or how well you can play an instrument. Music is the language of love and healing, and can express even the most complex emotions that words cannot. This quote reminds us that music speaks to the heart and soul in a way that words simply can’t.
What Should a Good Guitarist Say?
If you’re a great guitarist, you don’t need to say anything at all – you just need to shred! Let your music do the talking.
But if you’re looking for inspiration to really rock out at your next practice session, these music and guitar quotes from famous guitarists should help you get in the mood to play.
So what are you waiting for? If you haven’t signed up for guitar lessons already, there’s no time like the present to do so.
Start playing – and start your own collection of famous rock guitarist quotes today!
About the author:
Lesley J. Vos is a private educator of French language for high school students. Her interests include writing, reading and music, and she is always open to something new and inspiring. Lesley is a blogger who is honored to write for popular educative blogs such as Edudemic, Bid4papers Blog, Student Advisor Blog, Getting Smart, and others. Lesley is writing her first e-book at the moment, and she hopes to publish it this year.
Megan L.