By popular demand (okay, two people) I have decided to take this post of mine from the polls section (Paul Gilbert Vs Yngwie Malmsteen) and turn it into a new topic/thread. It really no longer has anything to do with polls but everything to do with the way a famous guitarist is perceived, both in the media and by other players. So here it is:
Yngwie seems to be maligned (by other "guitarists") much more so than any guitarist in history. Why? Why does this man deserve to be criticized continually and endlessly, especially by those writers and players who still remain unknown because they themselves seem to have nothing original to contribute to the art of music? Does it have anything at all to do with his talent or accomplishments? Well, let us take a look at the facts:
Since styles of guitar-playing cannot be patented we must look at the timeline of a style to determine it's originator. In the case of "shred guitar" the genealogy (supported by audio evidence) clearly goes back to Yngwie circa his 1980 demo tapes and stops there. Yngwie created a style, put his creation on tape and it stands today as proof of who really "invented" this genre of playing.
Secondly, let us suppose that the previous fact doesn't really matter, in other words let us assume (as some have) that someone else probably would have invented the genre of shred guitar sooner or later anyway. Then we must consider this: what was this nameless "someone else" waiting for? The answer of course is that they were waiting for a true original to do it first so that they would then have somebody to plagiarize. The simple and incontestable fact remains that nobody did it before Yngwie. A guitarist such as Paul Gilbert, for example, is no doubt a great player without question, but he cannot be credited with inventing a style, he took the work of others and extrapolated on it. Great, but not original. Faster at times, but not original. More technically precise at times, but still not original.
Third, it makes no difference whatsoever if Yngwie chooses to play the same style over and over (as so many guitarists are constantly complaining). The man INVENTED THE STYLE. The creator of any style of art is most certainly within his artistic rights if he chooses to perpetuate that style. What if Picasso had painted only one painting in his inimitable style (which became known as cubism) and then changed styles completely? The same goes for any other legendary artist in any field of art. Think about it. The question of "artistic growth" cannot have the same meaning when applied to the artist who is a true innovator in his field. The creation (and ultimate world-wide acceptance) of a totally new style itself becomes the greatest and most significant artistic growth an artist could hope for.
Finally, regarding Yngwie's "growth as a human" (as an excuse by so many for why his art should be dismissed): Let us not constantly judge the man's art by looking at his personal behavior. Let his work stand on it's own (and I think all would agree that it stands quite impressively). Give credit where credit is truly due. Yngwie created, all other "shred guitarists" copied him. History shows this statement to be fact. Thank you all for taking the time to read my thoughts on this seemingly meaningless (but actually quite historically significant) topic.
So, if you hate Yngwie what is your legitimate reason?
Yngwie seems to be maligned (by other "guitarists") much more so than any guitarist in history. Why? Why does this man deserve to be criticized continually and endlessly, especially by those writers and players who still remain unknown because they themselves seem to have nothing original to contribute to the art of music? Does it have anything at all to do with his talent or accomplishments? Well, let us take a look at the facts:
Since styles of guitar-playing cannot be patented we must look at the timeline of a style to determine it's originator. In the case of "shred guitar" the genealogy (supported by audio evidence) clearly goes back to Yngwie circa his 1980 demo tapes and stops there. Yngwie created a style, put his creation on tape and it stands today as proof of who really "invented" this genre of playing.
Secondly, let us suppose that the previous fact doesn't really matter, in other words let us assume (as some have) that someone else probably would have invented the genre of shred guitar sooner or later anyway. Then we must consider this: what was this nameless "someone else" waiting for? The answer of course is that they were waiting for a true original to do it first so that they would then have somebody to plagiarize. The simple and incontestable fact remains that nobody did it before Yngwie. A guitarist such as Paul Gilbert, for example, is no doubt a great player without question, but he cannot be credited with inventing a style, he took the work of others and extrapolated on it. Great, but not original. Faster at times, but not original. More technically precise at times, but still not original.
Third, it makes no difference whatsoever if Yngwie chooses to play the same style over and over (as so many guitarists are constantly complaining). The man INVENTED THE STYLE. The creator of any style of art is most certainly within his artistic rights if he chooses to perpetuate that style. What if Picasso had painted only one painting in his inimitable style (which became known as cubism) and then changed styles completely? The same goes for any other legendary artist in any field of art. Think about it. The question of "artistic growth" cannot have the same meaning when applied to the artist who is a true innovator in his field. The creation (and ultimate world-wide acceptance) of a totally new style itself becomes the greatest and most significant artistic growth an artist could hope for.
Finally, regarding Yngwie's "growth as a human" (as an excuse by so many for why his art should be dismissed): Let us not constantly judge the man's art by looking at his personal behavior. Let his work stand on it's own (and I think all would agree that it stands quite impressively). Give credit where credit is truly due. Yngwie created, all other "shred guitarists" copied him. History shows this statement to be fact. Thank you all for taking the time to read my thoughts on this seemingly meaningless (but actually quite historically significant) topic.
So, if you hate Yngwie what is your legitimate reason?
. Still I do not doubt his talent or the impact that he has created in guitar history.
