guitarist
Fretboard finger picker
A guitarist is a person who plays the guitar.
The term applies across styles and skill levels—from bedroom strummers to concert virtuosos.
The lead guitarist launched into a solo.
She's been a guitarist in local bands for years.
Regular common people
- fingerstylePlucking strings directly
- unpluggedDisconnected from power
- classicalOf ancient Greece/Rome
- flamencoRhythmic Spanish dance style
fingerpicking · picking · capo · slide · resonator · dreadnought · parlor · luthier
Sweeping across guitar strings
- pickingAct of selecting
- pluckingRemoving by tugging
- fingerstylePlucking strings directly
- flatpickingIndividual notes via pick
tapping · hammer-on · pull-off · bending · vibrato · slide · downstroke · upstroke
Dense metal, symbol Pb
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
- sessionScheduled time for activity
- sidemanSupporting band member
- frontmanLead performer of group
accompanist · bandmate · touring · studio · backup · soloist · performer · composer
Signal strength increaser
- distortionTwisting from original state
- pickupSmall open-bed truck
- pedalboardMounted effects pedal array
- overdriveEfficiency mode at speed
fuzz · humbucker · whammy · feedback · shredding · tapping · riff · lick
Repeated musical phrase
- soloPerformance by one
- shreddingCutting into thin pieces
- headbangerDevotee of loud rock
- gigShort-term paid work
metal · grunge · punk · band · stage · concert · festival · jamming
Gifted youth with rare talent
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
- shredderDevice destroying documents
- soloistUnaccompanied performer
- geniusPerson of rare brilliance
phenomenon · master · innovator · technician · wizard · speed · dexterity · precision
folk
Regular common people
- fingerstylePlucking strings directly
- unpluggedDisconnected from power
- classicalOf ancient Greece/Rome
flamenco · fingerpicking · picking · capo · slide · resonator · dreadnought · parlor · luthier · busker
strumming
Sweeping across guitar strings
- pickingAct of selecting
- pluckingRemoving by tugging
- fingerstylePlucking strings directly
flatpicking · tapping · hammer-on · pull-off · bending · vibrato · slide · downstroke · upstroke · arpeggio
lead
Dense metal, symbol Pb
frontman · accompanist · bandmate · touring · studio · backup · soloist · performer · composer · arranger
amp
Signal strength increaser
- distortionTwisting from original state
- pickupSmall open-bed truck
- pedalboardMounted effects pedal array
overdrive · fuzz · humbucker · whammy · feedback · shredding · tapping · riff · lick · solo
riff
Repeated musical phrase
- soloPerformance by one
- shreddingCutting into thin pieces
- headbangerDevotee of loud rock
gig · metal · grunge · punk · band · stage · concert · festival · jamming · frontman
prodigy
Gifted youth with rare talent
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
- shredderDevice destroying documents
- soloistUnaccompanied performer
genius · phenomenon · master · innovator · technician · wizard · speed · dexterity · precision · showmanship
improvisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
comping · standards · voicings · modal · archtop · scat · licks · turnaround · substitution · reharmonization
- entertainerssingers, actor, dancers, actress, musicians
- entertainmentmovie, movies, films, band, television
- creativesartist, artists, painter, painters, illustrators
- music jobsmusician, singer, composer, songwriter, producer
- music makerssinger, songwriter, composer, musician, vocalist
- musicianspianist, bassist, vocalist, singer-songwriter, drummer
guitaristbassist
Deep-string instrumentalist
drummer · keyboardist · pianist · vocalist · percussionist
- classical guitaristMusician playing fingerstyle acoustic repertoire
- heavy metal guitaristLoud rock instrumentalist
- lead guitaristBand's primary soloist
- rock guitaristElectric player in bands
- electric guitaristMusician playing amplified strings
- air guitaristMimes playing rock instrument