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The new millennium emerged with skilled guitarists carried over from the previous century and fresh players ready to take on the industry. Some of these new musicians would become some of the best guitarists of the 21st century.
The best guitarists of the 21st century are John Mayer, Matt Bellamy, Mark Tremonti, and Jack White. Synyster Gates, Billie Joe Armstrong, and John Frusciante also top the list. All these musicians are masters of their craft and demonstrate incredible technical ability and innovation.
From the bluesy sound of John Mayer to the hard rock vibe of Synyster Gates, the artists on this list each have a distinctive style. Their original sound, persona, and technique make them the best, along with their ability to captivate audiences.
1. John Mayer
In 2001, John Mayer unveiled his debut album, “Room For Squares,” which went five times platinum in the States. At first, many listeners considered him a commercial pop star, but it didn’t take long before Mayer showcased his true musical talents.
Mayer demonstrated an unusual knack for appealing to commercial audiences while playing Rock and Blues styles. That, combined with his smooth vocals and grunge looks, launched him right into the mainstream. Eventually, it led him to become one of the best guitarists of the 21st century.
His longevity, however, came from his talent. John Mayer knew music but thought beyond technical virtuosity. He incorporated techniques popularised by legendary musicians, including Jimi Hendrix. For example, he blended his chords with licks and fretted notes with his left thumb.
Watch John Mayer use his left thumb for fretting in his live rendition of “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty:
Mayer is also part of the American rock band Dead & Company, offering his guitar skills and vocals. When jamming with Dead & Company, Mayer’s emotion is palpable. There’s a noticeable energy shift compared to his performances as a solo artist.
One aspect that separates Mayer from his peers is that he maintains the perfect balance between technical sophistication and emotion. Even Eric Clapton hailed Mayer as a master guitarist.
2. Matt Bellamy
Best known for his work as a vocalist and guitarist for Muse, Matt Bellamy is renowned for his musical talent.
Bellamy is revered for his electric guitar playing, though not for his technical skills. His songs aren’t particularly complex; however, his way of playing helped him stand out. This unique style, together with his innovative techniques, allowed him to become one of the best guitarists of the 21st century.
His unmatched confidence, attitude, and fearlessness behind the guitar create compelling performances. Bellamy’s guitar becomes more than a musical instrument; it becomes a means of expression. He uses it to project his emotions to the audience in a way no artist can imitate.
Beyond this, Bellamy experimented with new techniques to create exciting sounds. He’s opened doors for future guitarists and songwriters to expand their musical approach using his styles.
Listen to Muse’s “The Dark Side” to hear Bellamy’s guitar playing in action:
Though many critics argue that Matt Bellamy’s guitar playing is “elementary” in technical aptitude, it’s asinine to judge based on this alone. He captivates the audience with his raw emotion, pure expressiveness, stage presence, and the connection he builds with listeners.
Bellamy would be just as capable of immersing the crowd in his music as the most technically-inclined guitar player — if not more.
Matt Bellamy, without a doubt, is a guitar legend that shows incredible versatility and an unparalleled ability to draw in his audience.
3. Mark Tremonti
Mark Tremonti rose to fame as guitarist and songwriter for Creed in the late 1990s and early 2000s. After Creed dissolved, he founded Alter Bridge, and they debuted their first album in 2004. In 2011, he founded another band, Tremonti.
The defining characteristic that distinguishes Mark Tremonti from his peers is his versatility. He’s written everything from fast, heavy rock pieces to slow, deep, emotional ballads. His talents land him on the list of the best guitarists of the 21st century.
Mark’s tenure with Creed demonstrates his earlier songwriting and guitar style. His interludes, such as the one heard on Creed’s “Torn,” is an excellent example of his skills during this time.
Watch Creed’s “Torn” on YouTube:
His guitar and songwriting talents continued to mature after his time with Creed. You can see this virtuosity in his solo work with Tremonti. The song “If Not For You” showcases his incredible technique and style evolution.
Watch Tremonti’s “If Not For You” on YouTube:
With his band, Tremonti, Mark uses alternate tunings which create unique, intense vibes, taking the hard rock genre to new heights.
4. Jack White
In the early 2000s, Jack White gained popularity as the guitarist and lead vocalist of The White Stripes. Musicians often cite him as a pivotal figure in the resurgence of garage rock bands during this time.
Although White was renowned for his guitar skills, he never aspired to be the most talented technical guitarist. His focus remained on creativity, songwriting, and the spirit of the music itself. This talent is what makes him stand out as one of the best guitarists of the 21st century and the most outstanding performers of the early 2000s.
Watching Jack White live on stage is an exhilarating experience. His passion for music is almost palpable, and there’s an undeniable connection when playing for his fans.
Despite not being a master of technical prowess, White’s electric guitar skills are still remarkable and amplify his stage presence. His versatility is unrivalled.
He can do everything from furious, howling solos to flawless slides. White is even capable of toned-down, subtle performances, as evidenced by “Will There Be Enough Water?” performed with his band, The Dead Weather.
Listen to “Will There Be Enough Water?” by The Dead Weather:
There is no arguing with Jack White’s talent or his well-deserved accolades.
5. Synyster Gates
Synyster Gates, or “Syn,” is best known as Avenged Sevenfold’s guitarist and background vocalist. In 2016 and 2017, Total Guitar listed Gates as the “Best Metal Guitarist in the World.”
Gates’s greatness as a guitarist comes down to several factors. He has a solid understanding of music theory and technical skills but incorporates creativity and emotion into his playing. Gates can sound melodic or “shreddy,” yet his sound always remains clean and passionate.
His solos feature an incomparable flair and flavour that make him stand out amongst his musical contemporaries. Gates’s work on Avenged Sevenfold’s “M.I.A.” excellently demonstrates his skills.
Listen to Avenged Sevenfold’s “M.I.A.” on YouTube:
After listening to him on the guitar, it’s evident that Avenged Sevenfold wouldn’t have been as renowned without Gates’s talents.
Although Gates plays music in many genres, he’s best known for rock. His work in this genre earns him the title of one of the best guitarists of the 21st century.
6. Billie Joe Armstrong
In 1987, Billie Joe Armstrong co-founded the band Green Day as the guitarist, lead vocalist, and chief songwriter. By 1994, the band reached international superstardom. Their sound continued to evolve, and they assumed a new level of fame in 2004 with the release of “American Idiot.”
Watch and listen to “American Idiot” by Green Day on YouTube:
Critics claim that Billie Joe Armstrong’s guitar-playing skills with Green Day are uncomplicated, even amateur. Because Green Day works with three-four chord songs, the style would appear simple. However, Armstrong has regularly showcased his talents through his unique playing style and phenomenal solos.
He is a master of palm muting and power chord riffing, and his stage presence is energetic, charismatic, and moving. Though you can listen to his incredible guitar skills in songs like “The Judge’s Daughter,” it’s no match to seeing him perform these shreds live.
Listen to Green Day’s “The Judge’s Daughter” on YouTube:
Renowned guitarist Paul Gilbert referred to Armstrong as one of the best guitarists in the world. Even Steve Vai aligned Armstrong with guitar master Allan Holdsworth. This accolade shows that Billie Joe Armstrong is one of the best guitarists of the 21st century.
7. John Frusciante
John Frusciante is the Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, though he also played for Mars Volta, Swahili Blonde, and Ataxia. His work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers was successful, but his solo career allowed him to shine.
Frusciante mastered technical techniques through formal training, which isn’t where he excelled. His ability to make the audience feel made him stand out. The raw emotion emitted without ever being flashy or overly confident was different from other guitarists.
He included enough nuances in his music to add layers of sound that elevated his guitar playing beyond other musicians.
Despite no commercial promotion, Frusciante maintained a strong cult following. There’s a reason that people flock to his music, and it’s his talent. Music flows through him with little effort.
Frusciante can play softly, like a feather brushing against the skin, making his audience feel at ease. Or, he can play furiously, strumming hard to evoke attitude and angst. To him, it’s not so much about the sound as it is about the feeling.
“Before The Beginning” is an excellent example of Frusciante’s guitar prowess, along with any of the songs on the album, Niandra LaDes and Usually Just a T-shirt.
Listen to “Before The Beginning” by John Frusciante:
Even Frusciante’s persona differs from the traditional “rock star” image. He’s low-key, quirky, and sheepish. His phenomenal guitar skills, distinctive appearance, and passion landed him on the list of the best guitarists of the 21st century.
Final Thoughts
There you have it. 7 of the best guitarists of the 21st Century. We are blessed to have so much musical talent to entertain us during uncertain times.