Spend five minutes scrolling guitar videos online and one thing becomes obvious: the technical standard in 2026 is absurdly high. Licks that once seemed superhuman are now dispatched daily by legions of players online.
But for Uli Jon Roth, that explosion of virtuosity comes with a downside: Too many guitarists, he says, are starting to sound like “typewriters.”
Speaking recently to North Coast Music Beat, he was asked the age-old question of how younger, less experienced players should approach developing their craft. His answer was illuminating.
“Nowadays there’s a lot of talent out there,” he says. “However, I find the journey at the moment is maybe a little bit too much in pursuit of technical brilliance, and the personal sound and personal touch and expression are wanting.”
The older I get, the more I aim for just the most meaningful notes. It doesn't matter how fast you can hold a speech to someone; it matters what you're actually saying.”
— Uli Jon Roth
The guitarist — who played on four albums with Scorpions before embarking on a solo career and turning heads with his otherworldly Sky guitar — is known for his speed. But Roth has always balanced flash with melody. To borrow an English phrase (one Roth happens to enjoy), shredding without melody is all fur coat and no knickers; it looks classy, but the substance isn’t there.
“Too many players start sounding like typewriters,” he says. “And I’m not saying that derogatorily — there are amazing people around. But I would say, for a young player who wants to be different and stand out, do the opposite: don’t play all the fast notes. Play the notes that go straight to the heart.
“I still [play fast] sometimes,” he adds. “But the older I get, the more I aim for just the most meaningful notes. It doesn't matter how fast you can hold a speech to someone; it matters what you're actually saying.”
Pay attention to fast talkers, he continues, extending the analogy, and you’ll often find “they're not saying anything.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by many great players. Leslie West once told a young Joe Bonamassa that he’d be his favorite guitarist if he played half as many notes. Meanwhile, Al Di Meola has long argued that players should focus on where the drama lies in the music.
You only have to listen to the slow, thoughtful phrasing of David Gilmour to understand that guitar playing isn’t about breaking the speed limit.
There is a caveat to Roth’s advice, however — and here he aligns more with the school of Cory Wong than that of Stevie Ray Vaughan.
“Learn the craft,” Roth says. “Become a really good craftsman. You should know music — not just scales and arpeggios. Understand the harmonies, understand the rhythms, and understand music from deep within. Connect with it on the deepest level you possibly can. And then get inspired. The rest will come.”
Elsewhere, Tom Morello has spoken about the power of simplicity, while Tommy Henriksen — one of Alice Cooper’s most trusted players — recently shared the life lesson that helped him land the gig.
The point is simple: it’s not always about how many notes you can play. The electric guitar is far more nuanced than that.
