A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as acoustic guitars, electric guitars, classical guitars and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.

Versatility

The guitarist controls an extremely versatile instrument. By using techniques such as bending and vibrato, the guitarist can make the guitar express a near vocal quality.

While with an ensemble, a guitarist can take the role of rhythm (playing with bass in the ensemble) or lead (playing on top of the bass in the ensemble) guitar.

A guitarist can also play along with a harmonica as a second instrument. Famous examples include Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

Techniques

The guitarist has several ways of playing the guitar including the guitar pick, fingernail, and/or fingertip (see Fingerstyle guitar).

Art

The guitarist has long been a popular subject for artists. One of the more famous examples is the painting by Edgar Degas showing the guitarist Lorenzo Pagans playing the guitar, with his elderly father Auguste de Gas in the background. Painted somewhere between 1869-72, the painting is currently owned by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

See also

• List of guitarists
• List of bass guitarists
• List of lead guitarists
• List of rhythm guitarists
• List of slide guitarists
• :Category:Lists of guitarists

References

1. http://www.harmonicalessons.com/guitar.html
2. http://www.mangore.com/classical_guitar_fingernails.html
3. http://www.davidrumsey.com/amico/amico1335159-19270.html