{"id":24946,"date":"2022-05-02T12:37:36","date_gmt":"2022-05-02T12:37:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.roadiemusic.com\/?post_type=blog&p=24946"},"modified":"2025-11-21T09:16:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T09:16:16","slug":"5-famous-guitarists-that-are-self-taught","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.roadiemusic.com\/blog\/5-famous-guitarists-that-are-self-taught\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Famous Guitarists That Are Self-Taught"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today we look at 5 famous guitarists that are self-taught. All of them are certified legends in music and have influenced scores of musicians everywhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides being incredible guitarists, all of these players were able to learn and develop their techniques on their own. With a heavy dose of <\/span>practice<\/span><\/a> and self-discipline, these guitar players achieved incredible prowess and ability on their instruments and styles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, there are many tools that these guitar heroes did not have. One of them is Roadie Coach.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coach <\/span><\/a>can be a partner in your musical growth. It allows you to record your performances, so you can focus on trouble spots as well as document your progress. This tool stores and organizes all recordings automatically, and you can also use them to receive personalized feedback on your <\/span>practice sessions<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

It comes with an <\/span>interactive app<\/span><\/a> and a library with songs that can be learned at different speeds so you can work at your own pace and improve. Simply said, Coach is a great tool to have if you are serious about making progress as a guitarist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without further ado, here are the 5 Famous Guitarists That Are Self Taught<\/span><\/p>\n

Jimi Hendrix<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

Nobody has had more impact on the electric guitar than Jimi Hendrix. He pushed the limitations of the instrument with the extensive use of guitar pedals, distortion, wah-wah, and stereophonic phasing. And he was arguably the only one doing this at the time and with that level of musicality. Jimi Hendrix was mostly self-taught and developed a lot of his chops while on military service.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though widely emulated, his vocabulary, blues feel and overall ferocity as a player remain unparalleled. He recorded masterpieces such as <\/span>Are You Experienced<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Axis: Bold as Love<\/span><\/i> and<\/span> Electric Ladyland<\/span><\/i>. Legions of guitar players have been heavily influenced by Hendrix, and rightly so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eddie Van Halen<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

Inspired by his brother Alex and his interest in the drums, Eddie Van Halen picked up the guitar and relentlessly pursued excellence on the instrument.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Listening to Van Halen will inspire you to practice hard and become better. Or\u2026 outright demoralize you. Not since Hendrix had a player sounded so explosive and in control at the same time. Eddie Van Halen\u2019s use of double hand tapping, harmonics, and just sheer technical prowess and musicality are a thing to marvel at.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Legend has it that Van Halen would practice during the night, while his older brother Alex was out partying. Alex would come back at 5 am to find Eddie still on the same spot of the bed, playing scales and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out <\/span>Van Halen<\/span><\/i>. It features \u201cEruption\u201d, considered one of the greatest guitar solos of all time.<\/span><\/p>\n

B.B. King<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

B.B. King grew up very poor and picked cotton on the fields to survive. He experienced the suffering that much of Blues music is based on and was able to translate it into his guitar playing.<\/span><\/p>\n

B.B King’s playing is based on authenticity and feel, more than technical pyrotechnics. He developed his skills mostly from listening to other blues players and playing from an early age.<\/span><\/p>\n

The King of the Blues could make one note reach the bleachers in any arena, as no other player could. B.B. King\u2019s feel and touch remain widely revered to this day. He had a remarkable career that lasted over 60 years. His vibrato and bending are legendary and heavily imitated today. With almost 50 albums released, he was one of the most prolific guitar players ever. Check out the album <\/span>B.B. King Live in Cook County Jail<\/span><\/i> for some of the best blues playing you\u2019ll ever hear.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eric Clapton<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

One of the most amazing blues players to emerge from England. Eric Clapton claims to be mostly self-taught. He picked up most of his guitar know-how from other blues players in England in the late fifties and early sixties.<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides a prolific and incredibly successful solo career, Eric Clapton was also part of the mythical band The Yardbirds and the leading power trio: Cream. Aside from being a fantastic guitar player, Clapton is also famous for his songwriting ability and output. He is also the only person to be inducted three different times into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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