So you’ve picked up a guitar, or maybe you’re thinking about it. You’re excited, but also a little overwhelmed—where do you even start? Scales? Chords? YouTube tutorials? The truth is, all of that matters… eventually. But there’s something even more important that will decide whether you’re still playing a year from now or whether your guitar ends up collecting dust in the corner.
Here’s the blunt truth: the litmus test for whether you’ll actually stick with guitar long-term is this—do you have a favourite guitar player? If the answer’s no, the odds aren’t in your favour. If you don’t have a favourite player to draw inspiration from, your days are numbered.
So before you read any further, take one minute to write down as many famous guitar players as you can. If you can name 5–10, you’re probably going to be alright. If you can only get 2–5, there’s room for improvement—but at least you’ve got something. Hopefully you’ve got at least one name written down. But if you can’t name a single guitarist? You need to either find one fast… or find a new hobby.
Inspiration Gets You In, And Keeps You In
Nobody picks up a guitar thinking, “I’d love to sit in my room practicing scales for ten years straight.” Something sparks it. For me, it was Eddie Van Halen. I’d always loved Van Halen ever since I saw the Power Rangers movie as a kid. But as a teenager I heard Eruption for the first time—and something just clicked. From that moment, I had to figure out how to do that. That spark was enough to send me down the rabbit hole, and it’s the same for every guitarist who makes it past the beginner stage. Inspiration gets you in, and it’s what keeps you in when the hard bits show up.
A Favourite Player Is Your Blueprint
Your favourite player is basically your practice plan in disguise. You copy their riffs, chase their tone, and try to capture that thing that makes them sound like them. It’s the blueprint that turns random noodling into focused practice. Without one, you’re just wandering around, and wandering doesn’t get you anywhere worth going.
You’ll Find New Ones As You Go
The guitarist who gets you hooked might not be the one who keeps you hooked. Over time, your favourites evolve. I went from loving guys like Eddie, Slash, and Angus Young, to chasing the shred gods—Satch, Vai, and Malmsteen—then got obsessed with the fusion monsters like Holdsworth, Gambale, and Henderson. Eventually I found myself circling back to Eddie, Slash, and Angus again—hearing things in their playing I’d completely missed or underappreciated as a teenager. That cycle of discovering, moving on, and rediscovering is the whole point. Each new phase teaches you something different, and it all ends up in your playing.
If You Don’t Have One… That’s A Problem
Harsh but fair: if you don’t have a favourite guitarist, it usually means either you don’t listen to much music, or you’re not invested enough to take the hobby seriously. Guitar isn’t just about moving your fingers up and down the fretboard—it’s about connecting with music. If nobody excites you enough to call them a favourite, then you’re not plugged into the real point of the instrument.
The Consolation Prize
That said, your entry point doesn’t have to be a guitarist. Maybe you’re obsessed with a singer, or a band. That’s fine—follow the thread. Every great band has someone holding the guitar down, and once you dig deeper, you’ll find the player behind the sound you already love.
The Bottom Line
Having a favourite guitar player isn’t optional—it’s essential. They give you the reason to start, the roadmap to follow, and the inspiration to keep going when it gets tough. For me, it was Eddie. For you, it could be Slash, Hendrix, Hetfield, Mayer—whoever makes you stop what you’re doing and say, “I want to play like that.” Find your favourite, and you’ll find your fuel.
About the Author
Michael Gumley is the founder of Melbourne Guitar Academy and the creator of the Guitar Ninjas curriculum. A guitarist, teacher, and author of 14 books, Michael has helped hundreds of students unlock their potential on the instrument. He’s passionate about making guitar fun, structured, and inspiring—because he knows firsthand how one favourite player can change everything. If you’re looking for Guitar Lessons In Melbourne look no further than lessons with Michael