Question about Neal Schon

[Don]

I debate on other forums (and on more topics than just music), and on one such occasion, I was pitted against an individual by the username of Alpha Centauri, narcissist extraordinaire. The subject was "your favorite guitarist" and I posted some clips and some facts about Neal Schon. The long and short of it is that this guy and myself end up in a sixty page argument on the talent of Neal Schon. His argument was that "greatness" equates to skill; that Jimi Hendrix, being the greatest guitarist of all time, can do things with a guitar that Neal Schon never could. And so on and so forth for Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and so forth. Because Neal Schon is not a household name, there are countless guitarists who are better than he is in every way.

Now, this debate long since ended, as Alpha Centauri has a lot more stamina for arguing than even myself. But I was just thinking and wondering how talented Neal Schon really is.

Say, for example, "Eruption." Does Neal Schon lack the physical capability (e.g. speed, dexterity, what have you) to play "Eruption"? (AC masturbated over that one).

Note this is not a question about subjective talents, i.e. sense of melody or the singing guitar, but purely about technical skills.

I cant’ do comparisons like saying "Hendricks is better than Prince who is better than Neal." And I cannot speak technically, like, "Neal can or cannot play Eruption," because I am not a skilled musician or a music connoisseur. I just like what I like when it moves me.

So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time because, well first of all HE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND I CAN'T!

Seriously, two reaons: Passion and Recognition.

Recognition. Within the structure of Journey, Neal held his own with solos and great guitar work that made the Journey guitar sound, for me, recognizable. And he was very fast and his sound, I can actually tell Neal’s playing by the way his fingers caressed the neck of his guitar! If I did not hear Neal’s guitar in Journey it was not Journey. It’s like knowing the difference between a Claude Monet painting and an Edouard Manet painting, you just know based on their wonderful and consistent work.

Passion. Neal is passionate when he plays like Eddie Van Halen. God, I used to love watching Eddie in videos! They both played with such wild abandonment! Neal’s facial expressions and the way he moves with his guitar, well it looks like he is communicating not just to his audience, but to his instrument, guitar that is. The way he communicates makes me, a fan, feel like I am getting the best of both worlds: a prolific artist and a passionate man. Neal shows how much he loves what he does. BTW, for most women, watching a man express himself with wonderful unabashed abandonment is like magic. At least for me it is. Never mind that he is not the one-name wonder like Hendricks, Clapton, Van Halen or Santana, I believe Neal Schon IS talented and should be considered one of the greatest guitarists around.

Good enough for me. Probably the best answer yet.

Your not gonna quote that for your argument are you? i'd probably leave out the nappy assed, big boobie part (even though, it's true).

[Gideon]

I debate on other forums (and on more topics than just music), and on one such occasion, I was pitted against an individual by the username of Alpha Centauri, narcissist extraordinaire. The subject was "your favorite guitarist" and I posted some clips and some facts about Neal Schon. The long and short of it is that this guy and myself end up in a sixty page argument on the talent of Neal Schon. His argument was that "greatness" equates to skill; that Jimi Hendrix, being the greatest guitarist of all time, can do things with a guitar that Neal Schon never could. And so on and so forth for Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and so forth. Because Neal Schon is not a household name, there are countless guitarists who are better than he is in every way.

Now, this debate long since ended, as Alpha Centauri has a lot more stamina for arguing than even myself. But I was just thinking and wondering how talented Neal Schon really is.

Say, for example, "Eruption." Does Neal Schon lack the physical capability (e.g. speed, dexterity, what have you) to play "Eruption"? (AC masturbated over that one).

Note this is not a question about subjective talents, i.e. sense of melody or the singing guitar, but purely about technical skills.

I cant’ do comparisons like saying "Hendricks is better than Prince who is better than Neal." And I cannot speak technically, like, "Neal can or cannot play Eruption," because I am not a skilled musician or a music connoisseur. I just like what I like when it moves me.

So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time because, well first of all HE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND I CAN'T!

Seriously, two reaons: Passion and Recognition.

Recognition. Within the structure of Journey, Neal held his own with solos and great guitar work that made the Journey guitar sound, for me, recognizable. And he was very fast and his sound, I can actually tell Neal’s playing by the way his fingers caressed the neck of his guitar! If I did not hear Neal’s guitar in Journey it was not Journey. It’s like knowing the difference between a Claude Monet painting and an Edouard Manet painting, you just know based on their wonderful and consistent work.

Passion. Neal is passionate when he plays like Eddie Van Halen. God, I used to love watching Eddie in videos! They both played with such wild abandonment! Neal’s facial expressions and the way he moves with his guitar, well it looks like he is communicating not just to his audience, but to his instrument, guitar that is. The way he communicates makes me, a fan, feel like I am getting the best of both worlds: a prolific artist and a passionate man. Neal shows how much he loves what he does. BTW, for most women, watching a man express himself with wonderful unabashed abandonment is like magic. At least for me it is. Never mind that he is not the one-name wonder like Hendricks, Clapton, Van Halen or Santana, I believe Neal Schon IS talented and should be considered one of the greatest guitarists around.

[b]Ooops, I just read that part. Oh well, just skip my part if you can't bare the ramblings of a crazy, dyslexic woman![/b]

Don't worry. I condemn you to the lowest pits of hell just yet.

[Gideon]

I debate on other forums (and on more topics than just music), and on one such occasion, I was pitted against an individual by the username of Alpha Centauri, narcissist extraordinaire. The subject was "your favorite guitarist" and I posted some clips and some facts about Neal Schon. The long and short of it is that this guy and myself end up in a sixty page argument on the talent of Neal Schon. His argument was that "greatness" equates to skill; that Jimi Hendrix, being the greatest guitarist of all time, can do things with a guitar that Neal Schon never could. And so on and so forth for Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and so forth. Because Neal Schon is not a household name, there are countless guitarists who are better than he is in every way.

Now, this debate long since ended, as Alpha Centauri has a lot more stamina for arguing than even myself. But I was just thinking and wondering how talented Neal Schon really is.

Say, for example, "Eruption." Does Neal Schon lack the physical capability (e.g. speed, dexterity, what have you) to play "Eruption"? (AC masturbated over that one).

Note this is not a question about subjective talents, i.e. sense of melody or the singing guitar, but purely about technical skills.

I cant’ do comparisons like saying "Hendricks is better than Prince who is better than Neal." And I cannot speak technically, like, "Neal can or cannot play Eruption," because I am not a skilled musician or a music connoisseur. I just like what I like when it moves me.

So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time because, well first of all HE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND I CAN'T!

Seriously, two reaons: Passion and Recognition.

Recognition. Within the structure of Journey, Neal held his own with solos and great guitar work that made the Journey guitar sound, for me, recognizable. And he was very fast and his sound, I can actually tell Neal’s playing by the way his fingers caressed the neck of his guitar! If I did not hear Neal’s guitar in Journey it was not Journey. It’s like knowing the difference between a Claude Monet painting and an Edouard Manet painting, you just know based on their wonderful and consistent work.

Passion. Neal is passionate when he plays like Eddie Van Halen. God, I used to love watching Eddie in videos! They both played with such wild abandonment! Neal’s facial expressions and the way he moves with his guitar, well it looks like he is communicating not just to his audience, but to his instrument, guitar that is. The way he communicates makes me, a fan, feel like I am getting the best of both worlds: a prolific artist and a passionate man. Neal shows how much he loves what he does. BTW, for most women, watching a man express himself with wonderful unabashed abandonment is like magic. At least for me it is. Never mind that he is not the one-name wonder like Hendricks, Clapton, Van Halen or Santana, I believe Neal Schon IS talented and should be considered one of the greatest guitarists around.

Good enough for me. Probably the best answer yet.

Your not gonna quote that for your argument are you? i'd probably leave out the nappy assed, big boobie part (even though, it's true).

Hell no. And I'll tell you why.

I've debated for years on various forums on various subjects. Politics to music to movies to television to You Get the Idea. This guy, Alpha Centauri, is the most obstinate, stubborn person I have ever encountered. Ever. EVER. He'd talk a Plokker into worshipping Augeri, a Loon into worshipping Arnel, and make Deano love Neal Schon again. Not because he's persuasive, but because he's tenacious. Relentless. His stamina for running his mouth and posturing is simply far greater than my own.

[MBPL]

I debate on other forums (and on more topics than just music), and on one such occasion, I was pitted against an individual by the username of Alpha Centauri, narcissist extraordinaire. The subject was "your favorite guitarist" and I posted some clips and some facts about Neal Schon. The long and short of it is that this guy and myself end up in a sixty page argument on the talent of Neal Schon. His argument was that "greatness" equates to skill; that Jimi Hendrix, being the greatest guitarist of all time, can do things with a guitar that Neal Schon never could. And so on and so forth for Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and so forth. Because Neal Schon is not a household name, there are countless guitarists who are better than he is in every way.

Now, this debate long since ended, as Alpha Centauri has a lot more stamina for arguing than even myself. But I was just thinking and wondering how talented Neal Schon really is.

Say, for example, "Eruption." Does Neal Schon lack the physical capability (e.g. speed, dexterity, what have you) to play "Eruption"? (AC masturbated over that one).

Note this is not a question about subjective talents, i.e. sense of melody or the singing guitar, but purely about technical skills.

I cant’ do comparisons like saying "Hendricks is better than Prince who is better than Neal." And I cannot speak technically, like, "Neal can or cannot play Eruption," because I am not a skilled musician or a music connoisseur. I just like what I like when it moves me.

So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time because, well first of all HE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND I CAN'T!

Seriously, two reaons: Passion and Recognition.

Recognition. Within the structure of Journey, Neal held his own with solos and great guitar work that made the Journey guitar sound, for me, recognizable. And he was very fast and his sound, I can actually tell Neal’s playing by the way his fingers caressed the neck of his guitar! If I did not hear Neal’s guitar in Journey it was not Journey. It’s like knowing the difference between a Claude Monet painting and an Edouard Manet painting, you just know based on their wonderful and consistent work.

Passion. Neal is passionate when he plays like Eddie Van Halen. God, I used to love watching Eddie in videos! They both played with such wild abandonment! Neal’s facial expressions and the way he moves with his guitar, well it looks like he is communicating not just to his audience, but to his instrument, guitar that is. The way he communicates makes me, a fan, feel like I am getting the best of both worlds: a prolific artist and a passionate man. Neal shows how much he loves what he does. BTW, for most women, watching a man express himself with wonderful unabashed abandonment is like magic. At least for me it is. Never mind that he is not the one-name wonder like Hendricks, Clapton, Van Halen or Santana, I believe Neal Schon IS talented and should be considered one of the greatest guitarists around.

Good enough for me. Probably the best answer yet.

Your not gonna quote that for your argument are you? i'd probably leave out the nappy assed, big boobie part (even though, it's true).

LOLOL I think I WILL quote that part! Actually, I had to add another post because I neglected to read the part about TECHNICAL stuff only, so. My bad.

[steveo777]

I debate on other forums (and on more topics than just music), and on one such occasion, I was pitted against an individual by the username of Alpha Centauri, narcissist extraordinaire. The subject was "your favorite guitarist" and I posted some clips and some facts about Neal Schon. The long and short of it is that this guy and myself end up in a sixty page argument on the talent of Neal Schon. His argument was that "greatness" equates to skill; that Jimi Hendrix, being the greatest guitarist of all time, can do things with a guitar that Neal Schon never could. And so on and so forth for Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and so forth. Because Neal Schon is not a household name, there are countless guitarists who are better than he is in every way.

Now, this debate long since ended, as Alpha Centauri has a lot more stamina for arguing than even myself. But I was just thinking and wondering how talented Neal Schon really is.

Say, for example, "Eruption." Does Neal Schon lack the physical capability (e.g. speed, dexterity, what have you) to play "Eruption"? (AC masturbated over that one).

Note this is not a question about subjective talents, i.e. sense of melody or the singing guitar, but purely about technical skills.

I cant’ do comparisons like saying "Hendricks is better than Prince who is better than Neal." And I cannot speak technically, like, "Neal can or cannot play Eruption," because I am not a skilled musician or a music connoisseur. I just like what I like when it moves me.

So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time because, well first of all HE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND I CAN'T!

Seriously, two reaons: Passion and Recognition.

Recognition. Within the structure of Journey, Neal held his own with solos and great guitar work that made the Journey guitar sound, for me, recognizable. And he was very fast and his sound, I can actually tell Neal’s playing by the way his fingers caressed the neck of his guitar! If I did not hear Neal’s guitar in Journey it was not Journey. It’s like knowing the difference between a Claude Monet painting and an Edouard Manet painting, you just know based on their wonderful and consistent work.

Passion. Neal is passionate when he plays like Eddie Van Halen. God, I used to love watching Eddie in videos! They both played with such wild abandonment! Neal’s facial expressions and the way he moves with his guitar, well it looks like he is communicating not just to his audience, but to his instrument, guitar that is. The way he communicates makes me, a fan, feel like I am getting the best of both worlds: a prolific artist and a passionate man. Neal shows how much he loves what he does. BTW, for most women, watching a man express himself with wonderful unabashed abandonment is like magic. At least for me it is. Never mind that he is not the one-name wonder like Hendricks, Clapton, Van Halen or Santana, I believe Neal Schon IS talented and should be considered one of the greatest guitarists around.

Neal passionate? Hell, even I get turned on when he has one of his guitargasms!

I swear he looks like he's gonna cum.

[Jana]

I debate on other forums (and on more topics than just music), and on one such occasion, I was pitted against an individual by the username of Alpha Centauri, narcissist extraordinaire. The subject was "your favorite guitarist" and I posted some clips and some facts about Neal Schon. The long and short of it is that this guy and myself end up in a sixty page argument on the talent of Neal Schon. His argument was that "greatness" equates to skill; that Jimi Hendrix, being the greatest guitarist of all time, can do things with a guitar that Neal Schon never could. And so on and so forth for Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and so forth. Because Neal Schon is not a household name, there are countless guitarists who are better than he is in every way.

Now, this debate long since ended, as Alpha Centauri has a lot more stamina for arguing than even myself. But I was just thinking and wondering how talented Neal Schon really is.

Say, for example, "Eruption." Does Neal Schon lack the physical capability (e.g. speed, dexterity, what have you) to play "Eruption"? (AC masturbated over that one).

Note this is not a question about subjective talents, i.e. sense of melody or the singing guitar, but purely about technical skills.

I cant’ do comparisons like saying "Hendricks is better than Prince who is better than Neal." And I cannot speak technically, like, "Neal can or cannot play Eruption," because I am not a skilled musician or a music connoisseur. I just like what I like when it moves me.

So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time because, well first of all HE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND I CAN'T!

Seriously, two reaons: Passion and Recognition.

Recognition. Within the structure of Journey, Neal held his own with solos and great guitar work that made the Journey guitar sound, for me, recognizable. And he was very fast and his sound, I can actually tell Neal’s playing by the way his fingers caressed the neck of his guitar! If I did not hear Neal’s guitar in Journey it was not Journey. It’s like knowing the difference between a Claude Monet painting and an Edouard Manet painting, you just know based on their wonderful and consistent work.

Passion. Neal is passionate when he plays like Eddie Van Halen. God, I used to love watching Eddie in videos! They both played with such wild abandonment! Neal’s facial expressions and the way he moves with his guitar, well it looks like he is communicating not just to his audience, but to his instrument, guitar that is. The way he communicates makes me, a fan, feel like I am getting the best of both worlds: a prolific artist and a passionate man. Neal shows how much he loves what he does. BTW, for most women, watching a man express himself with wonderful unabashed abandonment is like magic. At least for me it is. Never mind that he is not the one-name wonder like Hendricks, Clapton, Van Halen or Santana, I believe Neal Schon IS talented and should be considered one of the greatest guitarists around.

Good enough for me. Probably the best answer yet.

Your not gonna quote that for your argument are you? i'd probably leave out the nappy assed, big boobie part (even though, it's true).

LOLOL I think I WILL quote that part! Actually, I had to add another post because I neglected to read the part about TECHNICAL stuff only, so. My bad.

MBPL, you should have this as your signature. It's priceless.

"So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time."

[Don]

I debate on other forums (and on more topics than just music), and on one such occasion, I was pitted against an individual by the username of Alpha Centauri, narcissist extraordinaire. The subject was "your favorite guitarist" and I posted some clips and some facts about Neal Schon. The long and short of it is that this guy and myself end up in a sixty page argument on the talent of Neal Schon. His argument was that "greatness" equates to skill; that Jimi Hendrix, being the greatest guitarist of all time, can do things with a guitar that Neal Schon never could. And so on and so forth for Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and so forth. Because Neal Schon is not a household name, there are countless guitarists who are better than he is in every way.

Now, this debate long since ended, as Alpha Centauri has a lot more stamina for arguing than even myself. But I was just thinking and wondering how talented Neal Schon really is.

Say, for example, "Eruption." Does Neal Schon lack the physical capability (e.g. speed, dexterity, what have you) to play "Eruption"? (AC masturbated over that one).

Note this is not a question about subjective talents, i.e. sense of melody or the singing guitar, but purely about technical skills.

I cant’ do comparisons like saying "Hendricks is better than Prince who is better than Neal." And I cannot speak technically, like, "Neal can or cannot play Eruption," because I am not a skilled musician or a music connoisseur. I just like what I like when it moves me.

So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time because, well first of all HE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND I CAN'T!

Seriously, two reaons: Passion and Recognition.

Recognition. Within the structure of Journey, Neal held his own with solos and great guitar work that made the Journey guitar sound, for me, recognizable. And he was very fast and his sound, I can actually tell Neal’s playing by the way his fingers caressed the neck of his guitar! If I did not hear Neal’s guitar in Journey it was not Journey. It’s like knowing the difference between a Claude Monet painting and an Edouard Manet painting, you just know based on their wonderful and consistent work.

Passion. Neal is passionate when he plays like Eddie Van Halen. God, I used to love watching Eddie in videos! They both played with such wild abandonment! Neal’s facial expressions and the way he moves with his guitar, well it looks like he is communicating not just to his audience, but to his instrument, guitar that is. The way he communicates makes me, a fan, feel like I am getting the best of both worlds: a prolific artist and a passionate man. Neal shows how much he loves what he does. BTW, for most women, watching a man express himself with wonderful unabashed abandonment is like magic. At least for me it is. Never mind that he is not the one-name wonder like Hendricks, Clapton, Van Halen or Santana, I believe Neal Schon IS talented and should be considered one of the greatest guitarists around.

Good enough for me. Probably the best answer yet.

Your not gonna quote that for your argument are you? i'd probably leave out the nappy assed, big boobie part (even though, it's true).

LOLOL I think I WILL quote that part! Actually, I had to add another post because I neglected to read the part about TECHNICAL stuff only, so. My bad.

MBPL, you should have this as your signature. It's priceless.

"So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time."

And put the photo of her with JSS right under that signature.

[Ehwmatt]

Neal can definitely play Eruption with ease. Eruption, AT THE TIME IT CAME OUT, was pretty daunting because hardly any one knew that Eddie was tapping those arpeggios. Today, Eruption is still cool, but an insurmountable technical tour de force? Definitely not.

Technically speaking, Neal buttfucks Hendrix too. And Neal's not even the most technical of guitar players. Hendrix was innovative, soulful, and a great player in his own right, but I don't think he could play a lot of the shit Neal's played over the years. The one thing that stands out about Neal and possibly limits him is that he mostly sticks to using his index, middle, and ring fingers. I rarely, if ever see him use his pinky and that might hold him back from pulling off some real shred gymnastics, like crazy sweeps, but hey, he still can play some great fast runs and his overall style is great as is. If I want to hear someone more technical, I'll go throw Dream Theater or whoever on.

Jimi died at 28; who knows what he'd have been able to do with 30 more years of practice ...

Something you definitely have to consider, no doubt. But, along those lines, most guitarists with a signature style like that aren't going to break out of the box and just be completely different. Look at Clapton or Santana, prime examples. But yes, who knows, Jimi might have turned into a shredder.

[MBPL]

I debate on other forums (and on more topics than just music), and on one such occasion, I was pitted against an individual by the username of Alpha Centauri, narcissist extraordinaire. The subject was "your favorite guitarist" and I posted some clips and some facts about Neal Schon. The long and short of it is that this guy and myself end up in a sixty page argument on the talent of Neal Schon. His argument was that "greatness" equates to skill; that Jimi Hendrix, being the greatest guitarist of all time, can do things with a guitar that Neal Schon never could. And so on and so forth for Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and so forth. Because Neal Schon is not a household name, there are countless guitarists who are better than he is in every way.

Now, this debate long since ended, as Alpha Centauri has a lot more stamina for arguing than even myself. But I was just thinking and wondering how talented Neal Schon really is.

Say, for example, "Eruption." Does Neal Schon lack the physical capability (e.g. speed, dexterity, what have you) to play "Eruption"? (AC masturbated over that one).

Note this is not a question about subjective talents, i.e. sense of melody or the singing guitar, but purely about technical skills.

I cant’ do comparisons like saying "Hendricks is better than Prince who is better than Neal." And I cannot speak technically, like, "Neal can or cannot play Eruption," because I am not a skilled musician or a music connoisseur. I just like what I like when it moves me.

So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time because, well first of all HE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND I CAN'T!

Seriously, two reaons: Passion and Recognition.

Recognition. Within the structure of Journey, Neal held his own with solos and great guitar work that made the Journey guitar sound, for me, recognizable. And he was very fast and his sound, I can actually tell Neal’s playing by the way his fingers caressed the neck of his guitar! If I did not hear Neal’s guitar in Journey it was not Journey. It’s like knowing the difference between a Claude Monet painting and an Edouard Manet painting, you just know based on their wonderful and consistent work.

Passion. Neal is passionate when he plays like Eddie Van Halen. God, I used to love watching Eddie in videos! They both played with such wild abandonment! Neal’s facial expressions and the way he moves with his guitar, well it looks like he is communicating not just to his audience, but to his instrument, guitar that is. The way he communicates makes me, a fan, feel like I am getting the best of both worlds: a prolific artist and a passionate man. Neal shows how much he loves what he does. BTW, for most women, watching a man express himself with wonderful unabashed abandonment is like magic. At least for me it is. Never mind that he is not the one-name wonder like Hendricks, Clapton, Van Halen or Santana, I believe Neal Schon IS talented and should be considered one of the greatest guitarists around.

Good enough for me. Probably the best answer yet.

Thank you for that, my dear. Passion works for me, what can I say?

[MBPL]

I debate on other forums (and on more topics than just music), and on one such occasion, I was pitted against an individual by the username of Alpha Centauri, narcissist extraordinaire. The subject was "your favorite guitarist" and I posted some clips and some facts about Neal Schon. The long and short of it is that this guy and myself end up in a sixty page argument on the talent of Neal Schon. His argument was that "greatness" equates to skill; that Jimi Hendrix, being the greatest guitarist of all time, can do things with a guitar that Neal Schon never could. And so on and so forth for Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and so forth. Because Neal Schon is not a household name, there are countless guitarists who are better than he is in every way.

Now, this debate long since ended, as Alpha Centauri has a lot more stamina for arguing than even myself. But I was just thinking and wondering how talented Neal Schon really is.

Say, for example, "Eruption." Does Neal Schon lack the physical capability (e.g. speed, dexterity, what have you) to play "Eruption"? (AC masturbated over that one).

Note this is not a question about subjective talents, i.e. sense of melody or the singing guitar, but purely about technical skills.

I cant’ do comparisons like saying "Hendricks is better than Prince who is better than Neal." And I cannot speak technically, like, "Neal can or cannot play Eruption," because I am not a skilled musician or a music connoisseur. I just like what I like when it moves me.

So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time because, well first of all HE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND I CAN'T!

Seriously, two reaons: Passion and Recognition.

Recognition. Within the structure of Journey, Neal held his own with solos and great guitar work that made the Journey guitar sound, for me, recognizable. And he was very fast and his sound, I can actually tell Neal’s playing by the way his fingers caressed the neck of his guitar! If I did not hear Neal’s guitar in Journey it was not Journey. It’s like knowing the difference between a Claude Monet painting and an Edouard Manet painting, you just know based on their wonderful and consistent work.

Passion. Neal is passionate when he plays like Eddie Van Halen. God, I used to love watching Eddie in videos! They both played with such wild abandonment! Neal’s facial expressions and the way he moves with his guitar, well it looks like he is communicating not just to his audience, but to his instrument, guitar that is. The way he communicates makes me, a fan, feel like I am getting the best of both worlds: a prolific artist and a passionate man. Neal shows how much he loves what he does. BTW, for most women, watching a man express himself with wonderful unabashed abandonment is like magic. At least for me it is. Never mind that he is not the one-name wonder like Hendricks, Clapton, Van Halen or Santana, I believe Neal Schon IS talented and should be considered one of the greatest guitarists around.

Good enough for me. Probably the best answer yet.

Your not gonna quote that for your argument are you? i'd probably leave out the nappy assed, big boobie part (even though, it's true).

LOLOL I think I WILL quote that part! Actually, I had to add another post because I neglected to read the part about TECHNICAL stuff only, so. My bad.

MBPL, you should have this as your signature. It's priceless.

"So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time."

LOL I had to take out the "but," Lord I cannot spell or form a sentence even WHEN I check myself a zillion times! But, thank you I just might do that.

[cyndy!]

if one listens to a guitar passage for just the technical ability, the speed & accuracy, i don't think it's even considered listening to music anymore. soul & emotion are the ingredients in the secret sauce that transform notes into music.

[MBPL]

I debate on other forums (and on more topics than just music), and on one such occasion, I was pitted against an individual by the username of Alpha Centauri, narcissist extraordinaire. The subject was "your favorite guitarist" and I posted some clips and some facts about Neal Schon. The long and short of it is that this guy and myself end up in a sixty page argument on the talent of Neal Schon. His argument was that "greatness" equates to skill; that Jimi Hendrix, being the greatest guitarist of all time, can do things with a guitar that Neal Schon never could. And so on and so forth for Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and so forth. Because Neal Schon is not a household name, there are countless guitarists who are better than he is in every way.

Now, this debate long since ended, as Alpha Centauri has a lot more stamina for arguing than even myself. But I was just thinking and wondering how talented Neal Schon really is.

Say, for example, "Eruption." Does Neal Schon lack the physical capability (e.g. speed, dexterity, what have you) to play "Eruption"? (AC masturbated over that one).

Note this is not a question about subjective talents, i.e. sense of melody or the singing guitar, but purely about technical skills.

I cant’ do comparisons like saying "Hendricks is better than Prince who is better than Neal." And I cannot speak technically, like, "Neal can or cannot play Eruption," because I am not a skilled musician or a music connoisseur. I just like what I like when it moves me.

So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time because, well first of all HE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND I CAN'T!

Seriously, two reaons: Passion and Recognition.

Recognition. Within the structure of Journey, Neal held his own with solos and great guitar work that made the Journey guitar sound, for me, recognizable. And he was very fast and his sound, I can actually tell Neal’s playing by the way his fingers caressed the neck of his guitar! If I did not hear Neal’s guitar in Journey it was not Journey. It’s like knowing the difference between a Claude Monet painting and an Edouard Manet painting, you just know based on their wonderful and consistent work.

Passion. Neal is passionate when he plays like Eddie Van Halen. God, I used to love watching Eddie in videos! They both played with such wild abandonment! Neal’s facial expressions and the way he moves with his guitar, well it looks like he is communicating not just to his audience, but to his instrument, guitar that is. The way he communicates makes me, a fan, feel like I am getting the best of both worlds: a prolific artist and a passionate man. Neal shows how much he loves what he does. BTW, for most women, watching a man express himself with wonderful unabashed abandonment is like magic. At least for me it is. Never mind that he is not the one-name wonder like Hendricks, Clapton, Van Halen or Santana, I believe Neal Schon IS talented and should be considered one of the greatest guitarists around.

Good enough for me. Probably the best answer yet.

Your not gonna quote that for your argument are you? i'd probably leave out the nappy assed, big boobie part (even though, it's true).

LOLOL I think I WILL quote that part! Actually, I had to add another post because I neglected to read the part about TECHNICAL stuff only, so. My bad.

MBPL, you should have this as your signature. It's priceless.

"So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time."

And put the photo of her with JSS right under that signature.

I never thought about that! Okay, I'll do that when I get home from work tonight. Hey Dan, how's it going, dear! Have a great weekend!

[MBPL]

I debate on other forums (and on more topics than just music), and on one such occasion, I was pitted against an individual by the username of Alpha Centauri, narcissist extraordinaire. The subject was "your favorite guitarist" and I posted some clips and some facts about Neal Schon. The long and short of it is that this guy and myself end up in a sixty page argument on the talent of Neal Schon. His argument was that "greatness" equates to skill; that Jimi Hendrix, being the greatest guitarist of all time, can do things with a guitar that Neal Schon never could. And so on and so forth for Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and so forth. Because Neal Schon is not a household name, there are countless guitarists who are better than he is in every way.

Now, this debate long since ended, as Alpha Centauri has a lot more stamina for arguing than even myself. But I was just thinking and wondering how talented Neal Schon really is.

Say, for example, "Eruption." Does Neal Schon lack the physical capability (e.g. speed, dexterity, what have you) to play "Eruption"? (AC masturbated over that one).

Note this is not a question about subjective talents, i.e. sense of melody or the singing guitar, but purely about technical skills.

I cant’ do comparisons like saying "Hendricks is better than Prince who is better than Neal." And I cannot speak technically, like, "Neal can or cannot play Eruption," because I am not a skilled musician or a music connoisseur. I just like what I like when it moves me.

So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time because, well first of all HE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND I CAN'T!

Seriously, two reaons: Passion and Recognition.

Recognition. Within the structure of Journey, Neal held his own with solos and great guitar work that made the Journey guitar sound, for me, recognizable. And he was very fast and his sound, I can actually tell Neal’s playing by the way his fingers caressed the neck of his guitar! If I did not hear Neal’s guitar in Journey it was not Journey. It’s like knowing the difference between a Claude Monet painting and an Edouard Manet painting, you just know based on their wonderful and consistent work.

Passion. Neal is passionate when he plays like Eddie Van Halen. God, I used to love watching Eddie in videos! They both played with such wild abandonment! Neal’s facial expressions and the way he moves with his guitar, well it looks like he is communicating not just to his audience, but to his instrument, guitar that is. The way he communicates makes me, a fan, feel like I am getting the best of both worlds: a prolific artist and a passionate man. Neal shows how much he loves what he does. BTW, for most women, watching a man express himself with wonderful unabashed abandonment is like magic. At least for me it is. Never mind that he is not the one-name wonder like Hendricks, Clapton, Van Halen or Santana, I believe Neal Schon IS talented and should be considered one of the greatest guitarists around.

Neal passionate? Hell, even I get turned on when he has one of his guitargasms!

I swear he looks like he's gonna cum.

"guitargasms" - Yeap, gotta love THAT!

[MBPL]

if one listens to a guitar passage for just the technical ability, the speed & accuracy, i don't think it's even considered listening to music anymore. soul & emotion are the ingredients in the secret sauce that transform notes into music.

God, so true. Simply put at best.

[San Diego Gary]

I come from a musical family, and used to play several different instruments myself. I say used to, because I was not that good. But I DO have some understanding of what it takes. The electric guitar was always my favorite, and Eric, Jimmy, Jimi and Stevie Ray were my heros. Stevie Ray is the only one I didn't see live.
I never knew who Neal was, but right from the start, I knew I liked the guitar work in Journey. It took me many years to learn the whole story of Journey, and I never saw them live until SA joined the band. I've seen them MANY times since though, and I don't really care who's singing, I could just sit and watch Neal play all night.
It was the night of the Styx, REO, and Journey concert, when I was sitting in the crowd pondering this very question of what makes a guitar player great. As I watched the guys in Styx and REO wailing away, I thought, "these boys can play! It probably doesn't really get a whole lot better than this." Then Neal came out, and with the very first note, I thought "Oh yes it does!" From the moment he started playing, you knew you were witnessing a master. They just have total command, and make it look effortless, as if the guitar, and the resulting music, is a part of their body.
A lot of people can learn to play their music, but it takes a real artist to create it and give it life.

[Michigan Girl]

The argument doesn't make sense to me. I think NS is one of the best guitarists in the world, but I know people that can't stand him or Journey. Doesn't make me or them right or wrong. I will admit that I like his stuff pre-Arrival better, as I believe it was more skillful and complete. I've heard EVH sound like shit, just like I've heard Neal on some bad nights. It's an argument I would never attempt to win (not saying you were trying to 'win' it Gideon).

Oh, but he was.....

I concur w/OS. I don't know that I have a fav, but NS comes close!!!

[MrsPerry]

I debate on other forums (and on more topics than just music), and on one such occasion, I was pitted against an individual by the username of Alpha Centauri, narcissist extraordinaire. The subject was "your favorite guitarist" and I posted some clips and some facts about Neal Schon. The long and short of it is that this guy and myself end up in a sixty page argument on the talent of Neal Schon. His argument was that "greatness" equates to skill; that Jimi Hendrix, being the greatest guitarist of all time, can do things with a guitar that Neal Schon never could. And so on and so forth for Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and so forth. Because Neal Schon is not a household name, there are countless guitarists who are better than he is in every way.

Now, this debate long since ended, as Alpha Centauri has a lot more stamina for arguing than even myself. But I was just thinking and wondering how talented Neal Schon really is.

Say, for example, "Eruption." Does Neal Schon lack the physical capability (e.g. speed, dexterity, what have you) to play "Eruption"? (AC masturbated over that one).

Note this is not a question about subjective talents, i.e. sense of melody or the singing guitar, but purely about technical skills.

I cant’ do comparisons like saying "Hendricks is better than Prince who is better than Neal." And I cannot speak technically, like, "Neal can or cannot play Eruption," because I am not a skilled musician or a music connoisseur. I just like what I like when it moves me.

So, in my nappy-ass, big boobied opinion, but I think Neal Schon is talented and should be considered one of the great guitar players of all time because, well first of all HE CAN PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND I CAN'T!

Seriously, two reaons: Passion and Recognition.

Recognition. Within the structure of Journey, Neal held his own with solos and great guitar work that made the Journey guitar sound, for me, recognizable. And he was very fast and his sound, I can actually tell Neal’s playing by the way his fingers caressed the neck of his guitar! If I did not hear Neal’s guitar in Journey it was not Journey. It’s like knowing the difference between a Claude Monet painting and an Edouard Manet painting, you just know based on their wonderful and consistent work.

Passion. Neal is passionate when he plays like Eddie Van Halen. God, I used to love watching Eddie in videos! They both played with such wild abandonment! Neal’s facial expressions and the way he moves with his guitar, well it looks like he is communicating not just to his audience, but to his instrument, guitar that is. The way he communicates makes me, a fan, feel like I am getting the best of both worlds: a prolific artist and a passionate man. Neal shows how much he loves what he does. BTW, for most women, watching a man express himself with wonderful unabashed abandonment is like magic. At least for me it is. Never mind that he is not the one-name wonder like Hendricks, Clapton, Van Halen or Santana, I believe Neal Schon IS talented and should be considered one of the greatest guitarists around.

Neal passionate? Hell, even I get turned on when he has one of his guitargasms!

I swear he looks like he's gonna cum.

that is THE MAIN REASON I like neal darling.

[Gideon]

The argument doesn't make sense to me. I think NS is one of the best guitarists in the world, but I know people that can't stand him or Journey. Doesn't make me or them right or wrong. I will admit that I like his stuff pre-Arrival better, as I believe it was more skillful and complete. I've heard EVH sound like shit, just like I've heard Neal on some bad nights. It's an argument I would never attempt to win (not saying you were trying to 'win' it Gideon).

Oh, but he was..... :P

I concur w/OS. I don't know that I have a fav, but NS comes close!!!

No lie. It's what I do (or attempt to, anyway).

[Ehwmatt]

if one listens to a guitar passage for just the technical ability, the speed & accuracy, i don't think it's even considered listening to music anymore. soul & emotion are the ingredients in the secret sauce that transform notes into music.

God, so true. Simply put at best.

True, but also be careful, because all of these qualities are not mutually exclusive. Plenty of fantastic guitar players combine them all.

[Red13JoePa]

I don't question Neal.
Definately not after the dirty, crunchy rythm axe on Where Did I Lose Your Love, what a nasty riff.

[JrnySuxBalls]

Eddie didn't create Eruption either....it was sniped from Ace Frehley. At least that's what I've been hearing since highschool....

That's like saying Michael Jackson stole the Moonwalk from Flip Wilson.

[Deacon]

Eddie didn't create Eruption either....it was sniped from Ace Frehley. At least that's what I've been hearing since highschool....

That's like saying Michael Jackson stole the Moonwalk from Flip Wilson.

I'm just wondering, how many people on this forum have flamed you for your name?

[Saint John]

Plenty of fantastic guitar players combine them all.

Schon being one of them. While the Perry Loons will claim that "Perry is Journey" (even though the lazy fucker hasn't toured with them in over 20 years), Schon's guitar skills were a casualty of Perry's perception. Steve Perry and his "feminineness" made it "uncool" to like Journey, and as a result of that Schon was never lumped with his proper peers. It goes without saying that I think that perception of Journey was total bullshit, but Perry was never the most mascualine guy in the world and Neal suffered because of it. Personally, I think it's garbage. The man can play...who gives a fuck if the lead singer looked like a chick for awhile.

[Don]

Plenty of fantastic guitar players combine them all.

Schon being one of them. While the Perry Loons will claim that "Perry is Journey" (even though the lazy fucker hasn't toured with them in over 20 years), Schon's guitar skills were a casualty of Perry's perception. Steve Perry and his feminineness made it "uncool" to like Journey, and as a result of that Schon was never lumped with his proper peers. It goes without saying that I think that perception of Journey was total bullshit, but Perry was never the most mascualine guy in the world and Neal suffered because of it. Personally, I think it's bullshit. The man can play...who gives a fuck if the lead singer looked like a chick for awhile.

Open Arms has been a bit of an albatross around Neal's neck in this regard.

[Jana]

I come from a musical family, and used to play several different instruments myself. I say used to, because I was not that good. But I DO have some understanding of what it takes. The electric guitar was always my favorite, and Eric, Jimmy, Jimi and Stevie Ray were my heros. Stevie Ray is the only one I didn't see live.
I never knew who Neal was, but right from the start, I knew I liked the guitar work in Journey. It took me many years to learn the whole story of Journey, and I never saw them live until SA joined the band. I've seen them MANY times since though, and I don't really care who's singing, I could just sit and watch Neal play all night.
It was the night of the Styx, REO, and Journey concert, when I was sitting in the crowd pondering this very question of what makes a guitar player great. As I watched the guys in Styx and REO wailing away, I thought, "these boys can play! It probably doesn't really get a whole lot better than this." Then Neal came out, and with the very first note, I thought "Oh yes it does!" From the moment he started playing, you knew you were witnessing a master. They just have total command, and make it look effortless, as if the guitar, and the resulting music, is a part of their body.
A lot of people can learn to play their music, but it takes a real artist to create it and give it life.

That is so true about Neal.

[JrnySuxBalls]

Eddie didn't create Eruption either....it was sniped from Ace Frehley. At least that's what I've been hearing since highschool....

That's like saying Michael Jackson stole the Moonwalk from Flip Wilson.

I'm just wondering, how many people on this forum have flamed you for your name?

No one has so far. Feel free though. I changed it when they fired JSS by proxy,
and haven't found a reason to change it back.

[Deacon]

Eddie didn't create Eruption either....it was sniped from Ace Frehley. At least that's what I've been hearing since highschool....

That's like saying Michael Jackson stole the Moonwalk from Flip Wilson.

I'm just wondering, how many people on this forum have flamed you for your name?

No one has so far. Feel free though. I changed it when they fired JSS by proxy,
and haven't found a reason to change it back.

Don't worry: You're entitled to your opinion.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S WRONG!!!1!11!1!!

[just joking!!!]

[steveo777]

Eddie didn't create Eruption either....it was sniped from Ace Frehley. At least that's what I've been hearing since highschool....

That's like saying Michael Jackson stole the Moonwalk from Flip Wilson.

I'm just wondering, how many people on this forum have flamed you for your name?

No one has so far. Feel free though. I changed it when they fired JSS by proxy,
and haven't found a reason to change it back.

Did that happen because they were having an affair with Arnel?

Nope! Just checked and the dates don't coincide.

[JrnySuxBalls]

Eddie didn't create Eruption either....it was sniped from Ace Frehley. At least that's what I've been hearing since highschool....

That's like saying Michael Jackson stole the Moonwalk from Flip Wilson.

I'm just wondering, how many people on this forum have flamed you for your name?

No one has so far. Feel free though. I changed it when they fired JSS by proxy,
and haven't found a reason to change it back.

Don't worry: You're entitled to your opinion.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S WRONG!!!1!11!1!!

[just joking!!!]

[journel]

Neal can definitely play Eruption with ease. Eruption, AT THE TIME IT CAME OUT, was pretty daunting because hardly any one knew that Eddie was tapping those arpeggios. Today, Eruption is still cool, but an insurmountable technical tour de force? Definitely not.

Technically speaking, Neal buttfucks Hendrix too. And Neal's not even the most technical of guitar players. Hendrix was innovative, soulful, and a great player in his own right, but I don't think he could play a lot of the shit Neal's played over the years. The one thing that stands out about Neal and possibly limits him is that he mostly sticks to using his index, middle, and ring fingers. I rarely, if ever see him use his pinky and that might hold him back from pulling off some real shred gymnastics, like crazy sweeps, but hey, he still can play some great fast runs and his overall style is great as is. If I want to hear someone more technical, I'll go throw Dream Theater or whoever on.

agreed...mostly...but john petrucci...neal can own this guy if he chooses to. remember, neal joined santana when he was just 15, so technically he can play anything from blues, rock to metal and maybe a little bit of jazz, since this is on the other side of the spectrum (pat metheny, john maclaughlin, john abercrombie, terje rypdal, ralph towner...) "BELIEVE IN NEAL"