I'm a guitar player, and I love guitar flatpicking, and I can tell you right now it's not easy it takes practice, dedication and passion! Every person on this list has their own styles and techniques, in my opinion everyone on these lists I've watched the other videos as well! Are amazing musicians with amazing talent! I hope to pick like these players one day! Thank you for your videos! 😊
@@ToondeCorte I see you have a banjo in your picture! Banjo players are unique, because I've tried playing it a few times 🤣 its like playing the fiddle (I say this because I can play a few tunes on the fiddle, but to me it sounds horrible, lol not an easy instrument to play) but I love hearing others play! Lol same with the banjo just wasn't for me, but I love her hearing other people play it! If you haven't posted any videos of yourself playing I would love to hear you play a few tunes! Cheers from Nova Scotia! 😊
@@ToondeCorte Thank you that would be fantastic! I can't wait to hear you play! Cheers from Nova Scotia, PS I hope your doing well and safe where you are!
Nobody beats Tommy for technique plus pure musical passion. He played here recently, all the local musicians present, and we all sat there with our mouths hanging open. It’s not about speed or accuracy, it’s about expression.
Carl Miner wipes the floor with Tommy. Tommy doesn't even really play bluegrass. He's a great entertainer and a great writer, but not even close to being the best guitarist as far as technique.
Tommy Mizzone (guitar,shown shortly at the beginning)and his brothers Robby(fiddle) and Jonny(banjo) from New Jersey started in 2011 as The Sleepy Man Banjo Boys in high Speed playing of traditional Bluegrass. Up to 2014 they Concordes the US as Sleepy Man as well and got famous at the David Letterman Show, when Jonny was nine.
I'm new to the art of flat picking and I have to say much respect to all of these guys awesome guitar playing to everyone out there this is a whole other level of guitar playing to all in this video very well done and much respect
I have had the great pleasure of playing with both Brad Davis and Tim May. Great guys and great players! The one guy that is missing from here is Robert Bowlin. Fantastic fiddle player, just as good on the guitar.
Clarence White was the greatest multitalented bluegrass flat picker and B-string bending Telecaster player, and he was just warming up when we lost him in 1973.
Spelling is Carl Miner. Glad you added Carl from first video! I am harmonica player but, opened twice for Doc & Merle in the 1970's, played Florida Bluegrass Circuit in 1970's, invited many times by Chubby Anthony and others to perform with them on their sets at festivals. Carl Miner and I played in my band when he was 17/18 so I have seen him play close up....has a gift.
Thanks for your efforts putting these videos together, really nice to have all these people playing in one spot. Maybe someone can take the time to put the timestamps on the song list so it's easy to skip ahead and find each person.
I’m pumped to see this John Moore solo again. I saw it on TV in the ‘80s and thought, “Who the f*** is this guy?” I later learned, of course. Then I after about 30 years, I saw it on someone’s UA-cam channel, but it’s no longer there. Great to see it again.
You have pretty much left the realm of bluegrass with several of the performers on this one. All good players, yes, but a few really can't be classed as bluegrass. Great bunch of players never the less.
Doesn't flatpicking refer to technique playing the guitar rather than a style of music? I remember opening for doc and Merle back in the 70s and they played a few Cool blues tunes also! I believe doc was still flatpicking though 😊
I am a harmonica player so not claiming to be an expert on the guitar, but I have played in bluegrass bands, country bands, big band jazz and swing as well as blues.
This is so great, love to see Glenn Campbell in there asche was absolutely amazing on guitar and I feel didn’t get the recognition he should have. I started playing guitar back in the early 60s after listening to Glenns 12 string guitar album! He was a studio musician at the time and didn’t have any vocals.
Robert Montgomery, Audie Blaylock, Josh Miller, Jim Hurst, Jimmy Haley, Alan Bibey, David Parmley, Stuart Duncan, Jeff Autry, Josh Hixon, Jeff Deaton, Matt Jones, Chris Miller, Lou Reid, & Chris Eldridge just to name a few worthy to be on the list.
I remember seeing a lot of the younger pickers and also many of these famous pickers as instructors , as they came and went at Steve Kaufman's camp in the mid to late 90's , and the late night gatherings, amazing how the art has flourished since then. Thanks for the composite
@@johnryan527 I played with him at The Fiddle And Pick. He owns and does some teaching and clinics. I taught there a short time and Tim was always ready to pick.
One name comes to mind that doesn't get the recognition he deserves is Jr. Blankenship. He's played with Dr Ralph, Ralph2 and Nathan Stanley, Bernie Thacker and numerous local bands. There are countless local bands that have fine musicians but never got their big break, but seem happy doing family reunion's etc.
... these examples, is all just warm ups & stretching out. Begin slowly, & cut your speed in half whenever you get tangled up in blue, & go on from there. Flight of the Bumble Bee, played slowly, is a good exersise & is gr8 fun... good luck, everyone. Your love is only ever equal to your humility and gratitude for the confidence and the prowess that stabilizes your love ...
Oh please. I can appreciate what he does but a lot of his stuff reminds me of dentist office music. Of course if you want to know if he is the best alive, just ask him. He'll tell ya.
Jim Fish, formerly with Byron Berline Band, is a great flatpicker. I would compare his approach with that of Clarence White. So much variety and originality!
One that I see is missing is Grant Gordy. He played with the Grisman Quintet and Brother Sun among others. One of the best young guitarists out there. I will add my vote for Tyler Grant also.
While pursuing the elusive art of flatpicking at a late age when speed is a thing of the past, I constantly hear advise of the "correct" way to go about it. After watching this, there is no correct way, rather what works best for you. Some use their wrist for motion, others its all arm movement. Many other differences, tossing the "correct" way out the window.
All these are great pickers. all though each should try to render the melody in a recognizable form even with personal variations. Some do it better than others.
@Bluesdog 77 You should really try to expand your vocabulary. Render the melody means to produce or deliver the melody. The word render has more meaning than just to refine fat while preparing lard. It is regrettable that our schools have not seen fit to produce graduates with a vocabulary above the seventh or eighth grade level. I will in the future try to use simpler vocabulary.
If we're getting picky here then there are allot of super great blue Grass pickers missing on this list doc Watson Ricky skaggs Tony rice Gerald Strickland Dan crary ....I can think of probably 20 more great ones
Tommy and Gabrela G Classical gas.Not blue grass, but i love six strings, twelve strings..Gabriela swedish girl has her own way.But i bet she could learn blue grass on her Taylors.
Great guitarists but is it just me because when you've heard one you've heard them all with very slight difference in technique. I guess that's the style but there was a few in this that have gone way beyond bluegrass and country . Like Tommy E and Glen C
I wouldn't classify Tommy Emanuel as a Bluegrass picker, although I'm sure he could stand toe to toe with the best of them. That title is much too limiting for what Tommy is capable of doing with a guitar. List is not complete without Tony Rice, Clarence White, Norman Blake, Pat Flynn, Mark O'Conner, Doc Watson and Ricky Skaggs. A couple "youngins' " you might want to add to the list are Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings.
@@stephenuptain9592 Not sure what your point is. Am I not allowed to have an opinion that a compilation of ad hoc breaks with nothing to tie them together or any other framework doesn't do it for me.
Glad to see John Moore on here. This clip doesn't even come close to featuring what a freak he can be on the guitar. Tommy Emmanuel, Glen Campbell and Roy Clark were not bluegrass pickers. Tsk, tsk...
I joke that the Bluegrass Pickers Union doesn’t allow players to smile. Find the Cayamo 2019 video where Molly is playing White Freightliner w Tommy E. That is mandatory guitar watching. She is grinning big time.
How about crediting Bryan Sutton who absolutely smokes on the clip that you have of Michael Daves. Bryan is clearly one of the greatest flat pickers of all time - maybe that just goes without sayin'?
It was great to see Glen Campbell on the list. But it brought back memories of my Ovation guitar, literally the worst acoustic guitar EVER built for the price, and sound in my opinion.
The best what? He was of the best all ‘round pickers of all time, among the very most versatile, but to the question of this video, he was not the best bluegrass flatpicker.
Well, i like to be reminded what great flatpickers are out there , they are all great... ok , maybe some greater, but at still impossible to put in absolute numbers. i can’t these rankings in any way seriously, sorry, .... more like a grocery list as a reminder ....
I'm a guitar player, and I love guitar flatpicking, and I can tell you right now it's not easy it takes practice, dedication and passion! Every person on this list has their own styles and techniques, in my opinion everyone on these lists I've watched the other videos as well! Are amazing musicians with amazing talent! I hope to pick like these players one day! Thank you for your videos! 😊
Thank you...
@@ToondeCorte I see you have a banjo in your picture! Banjo players are unique, because I've tried playing it a few times 🤣 its like playing the fiddle (I say this because I can play a few tunes on the fiddle, but to me it sounds horrible, lol not an easy instrument to play) but I love hearing others play! Lol same with the banjo just wasn't for me, but I love her hearing other people play it! If you haven't posted any videos of yourself playing I would love to hear you play a few tunes! Cheers from Nova Scotia! 😊
Will do that for you...
@@ToondeCorte Thank you that would be fantastic! I can't wait to hear you play! Cheers from Nova Scotia, PS I hope your doing well and safe where you are!
Nice place Nova Scotia, are you Canadian?
Nobody beats Tommy for technique plus pure musical passion. He played here recently, all the local musicians present, and we all sat there with our mouths hanging open. It’s not about speed or accuracy, it’s about expression.
Carl Miner wipes the floor with Tommy. Tommy doesn't even really play bluegrass. He's a great entertainer and a great writer, but not even close to being the best guitarist as far as technique.
Passion is subjective. As for flatpicking technique he is probably the lowest on this list
Tommy Mizzone (guitar,shown shortly at the beginning)and his brothers Robby(fiddle) and Jonny(banjo) from New Jersey started in 2011 as The Sleepy Man Banjo Boys in high Speed playing of traditional Bluegrass. Up to 2014 they Concordes the US as Sleepy Man as well and got famous at the David Letterman Show, when Jonny was nine.
Larry Keel is one of the best acoustic guitarists I’ve ever seen. The guy absolutely rips! Great video - love these.
that clip with michael daves and bryan sutton is amazing!
I'm new to the art of flat picking and I have to say much respect to all of these guys awesome guitar playing to everyone out there this is a whole other level of guitar playing to all in this video very well done and much respect
I have had the great pleasure of playing with both Brad Davis and Tim May. Great guys and great players! The one guy that is missing from here is Robert Bowlin. Fantastic fiddle player, just as good on the guitar.
Thank you
Clarence White was the greatest multitalented bluegrass flat picker and B-string bending Telecaster player, and he was just warming up when we lost him in 1973.
Agree
Most people who knew him from The Byrds had no idea of his history from way back in the Kentucky Colonels.
Also, he restarted with the New Kentucky Colonels, Muleskinner, and his playing on other albums.
Spelling is Carl Miner. Glad you added Carl from first video! I am harmonica player but, opened twice for Doc & Merle in the 1970's, played Florida Bluegrass Circuit in 1970's, invited many times by Chubby Anthony and others to perform with them on their sets at festivals. Carl Miner and I played in my band when he was 17/18 so I have seen him play close up....has a gift.
What a beautiful time, it passes so quickly.
Thanks for your efforts putting these videos together, really nice to have all these people playing in one spot. Maybe someone can take the time to put the timestamps on the song list so it's easy to skip ahead and find each person.
Mark Oconnor. Great violinist, but also a phenomenal flat picker
Agree...
Marty Stuart is a great choice
Most likely the best flat picker here. Won nationals a few times
@@kenc5970so did Carl Miner to be fair
I’m pumped to see this John Moore solo again. I saw it on TV in the ‘80s and thought, “Who the f*** is this guy?” I later learned, of course. Then I after about 30 years, I saw it on someone’s UA-cam channel, but it’s no longer there. Great to see it again.
You have pretty much left the realm of bluegrass with several of the performers on this one. All good players, yes, but a few really can't be classed as bluegrass. Great bunch of players never the less.
Doesn't flatpicking refer to technique playing the guitar rather than a style of music? I remember opening for doc and Merle back in the 70s and they played a few Cool blues tunes also! I believe doc was still flatpicking though 😊
I am a harmonica player so not claiming to be an expert on the guitar, but I have played in bluegrass bands, country bands, big band jazz and swing as well as blues.
This is so great, love to see Glenn Campbell in there asche was absolutely amazing on guitar and I feel didn’t get the recognition he should have. I started playing guitar back in the early 60s after listening to Glenns 12 string guitar album! He was a studio musician at the time and didn’t have any vocals.
PS- same goes for Roy Clark
I been blessed to see several of this group and a good many others also nothing any better than great pickin
Wow! Kickass guitboxing! Thanks for posting! Gonna subscribe and thumbs up!
Robert Montgomery, Audie Blaylock, Josh Miller, Jim Hurst, Jimmy Haley, Alan Bibey, David Parmley, Stuart Duncan, Jeff Autry, Josh Hixon, Jeff Deaton, Matt Jones, Chris Miller, Lou Reid, & Chris Eldridge just to name a few worthy to be on the list.
Thanks JD...
Reggie Harris
@@charlieharris9527
Reggie can pick a guitar with the best
Are you related to him ?
I remember seeing a lot of the younger pickers and also many of these famous pickers as instructors , as they came and went at Steve Kaufman's camp in the mid to late 90's , and the late night gatherings, amazing how the art has flourished since then. Thanks for the composite
I’ve been a big SK fan since attending a few of his weekend workshops back in the 90’s. Took some of his on line classes too.
Tim May..A great picker and a cool guy. Ive picked with him a few times.
Where y'all traded licks
@@johnryan527 I played with him at The Fiddle And Pick. He owns and does some teaching and clinics. I taught there a short time and Tim was always ready to pick.
One name Tony Rice rip brother
Travis Alltop, Jake Stogdill, Ben Clark, Penny Lea Clark are all fine bluegrass guitar pickers!
Thanks
Thanks. So glad I discovered you!! Covid reprieve!!
One name comes to mind that doesn't get the recognition he deserves is Jr. Blankenship. He's played with Dr Ralph, Ralph2 and Nathan Stanley, Bernie Thacker and numerous local bands. There are countless local bands that have fine musicians but never got their big break, but seem happy doing family reunion's etc.
Thanks...
... these examples, is all just warm ups & stretching out. Begin slowly, & cut your speed in half whenever you get tangled up in blue, & go on from there. Flight of the Bumble Bee, played slowly, is a good exersise & is gr8 fun... good luck, everyone. Your love is only ever equal to your humility and gratitude for the confidence and the prowess that stabilizes your love ...
Nice
Tommy Emmanuel best overall guitar player alive!!! Ask him to be bluegrass player ....he would be.... phenomenal!!
Oh please. I can appreciate what he does but a lot of his stuff reminds me of dentist office music. Of course if you want to know if he is the best alive, just ask him. He'll tell ya.
Tommy like to play all styles...he is very good.
No way is he the best no way !!! Try Glen Campbell, Steve Kaufman, and most likely the late and great Joe Maphis
I agree, he's at the top of the list of acoustic pickers alive today. Phenomenal to say the least, and seems like a very nice guy as well.
Wasnt sure if I seen Tony Rice in there but he's another good one.
I feel Courtney Hartman is one of the best. Highly recommend her.
Ben Cockman, Skip Cherryholmes, Jake Vanover
Jim Fish, formerly with Byron Berline Band, is a great flatpicker. I would compare his approach with that of Clarence White. So much variety and originality!
Thanks, will look for him...see next video.
Merle Watson and Randy Scruggs!! Such a powerful compilation! Thank you Tool de Corte!!!!!
Sorry sir I misspelled your name, Toon de Corte.... great video sir!!!!
Thanks David...
Ricky Skaggs one of the best I think and also my idol Smiley Bates I think also. Seen him play in person twice. Best I've ever seen and met.
See all videos
Smiley Bates was one of my biggest influences as a kid when I began picking bluegrass. Had a style that has never been matched!
I like it Scott Nygard busting it out.
Thanks for this video! Although Tommy E isn't a bluegrass picker per se, he's my fave.
Nickie McNichols But he is a flat picker
Add Zane Fairchild to the video, has amazing clarity as well as playing different genres.
Tommy isn't a Blue Grass picker....but DAMN
One that I see is missing is Grant Gordy. He played with the Grisman Quintet and Brother Sun among others. One of the best young guitarists out there. I will add my vote for Tyler Grant also.
Thanks...
Just takes a bit of woodshedding 🔥🔥
About time you included Andy Hatfield. Well done!
Hi would you know the name of the tune Andy is playing
Search for "Two weeks notice" on UA-cam
most folks don't know that bela fleck is also a superb flat picker and mike marshalls style can often be mistaken for mark o'connor
They are all great pickers but, The Greatest is a personal preference that can change with the weather.
Your getting around to every Flatpicker in the country,but you missed Courtney Hartman,and Tyler Grant.
Thanks...
I would recommend Gary Antol (Jacob's Ferry Stragglers) Chance Hurley (Dead Horse Revival) Terry Barber (father to William Apostol)
Thanks...
love the Carl Minor segment...wow is he smooth and quick. Must be open E tuning? Great stuff.
I think he has the best sounding guitar as well.
Toon de Corte, MANY THANKS for this much needed project! Warm regards from England, keep em coming, they are appreciated! Yours Gus Riley.
Thanks, love to do it....
While pursuing the elusive art of flatpicking at a late age when speed is a thing of the past, I constantly hear advise of the "correct" way to go about it. After watching this, there is no correct way, rather what works best for you. Some use their wrist for motion, others its all arm movement. Many other differences, tossing the "correct" way out the window.
Guess who the Sleeping men of New Jersey are!
Zeb Snyder absolutely rips.
Second that! One of the best for sure and will be a name in bluegrass everyone will know!
Also one hell of a guitar teacher!
Cool compilation, lots of licks to steal here.
Glenn Campbell sounded like he was getting some pinch harmonics in their😂
Where is James Stiltner...?????? He’s my favorite of today’s flatpickers
Abby Hartley - she's awesome!!!
Thanks
The ultimate test of a picker.
Unfortunately, less UA-cam for the pioneers. I even hear that Charlie Monroe was good. Nice catch on the mando folks who also do great guitar.
All these are great pickers. all though each should try to render the melody in a recognizable form even with personal variations. Some do it better than others.
Yes, they all want to play this music and found a specific style. Doc and Clarence did not have UA-cam....
@Bluesdog 77 You should really try to expand your vocabulary. Render the melody means to produce or deliver the melody. The word render has more meaning than just to refine fat while preparing lard. It is regrettable that our schools have not seen fit to produce graduates with a vocabulary above the seventh or eighth grade level. I will in the future try to use simpler vocabulary.
Brett!!
If we're getting picky here then there are allot of super great blue Grass pickers missing on this list doc Watson Ricky skaggs Tony rice Gerald Strickland Dan crary ....I can think of probably 20 more great ones
See all videos
cool,.... Tony Rice should be in there.......... maybe I missed him.
See the first video...
Tommy and Gabrela G
Classical gas.Not blue grass, but i love six strings, twelve strings..Gabriela swedish girl has her own way.But i bet she could learn blue grass on her Taylors.
Thanks, look for it...
...and still no respect for THREE TIME National Flatpicking Champion ROY CURRY.
Sorry on next video Roy will be there...i'm working on it...
Not all flatpickers are bluegrass players.
I think that the great Charlie Waller should be added to the list.
Thanks
Dan Crary, one you may like to find.
See the first video
Tommy Emmanuel is an amazing acoustic guitar player, but he is NOT a bluegrass flatpicker.
Exactly!
Many more of them aren't bluegrass either - and how a few of them can be described as "great" beggars belief. Overall though... some good pickers.
He's actually not a flatpicker of any kind.
@@rdalin Tommy plays several styles and one of them is "flat picking" he uses a rounded triangle pick when doing so.
Totally correct!! I think the video compiler was finding clips to fill time.
I see this is part 3 of 5. Does anybody know if Albert Lee is in any of them?
No he is not a bluegrass player.
@@ToondeCorte I think he is. Foggy Mountain Breakdown is bluegrass.
Will look for it...Albert Lee is a very good guitar player. Thanks...
John Stickley trio....
That first guy looked bored and he’s picking proved it have some fun lol
JOSH WILLIAMS.....from the Rage rocks!!
I believe he's in the first video
Carl Jackson
Great guitarists but is it just me because when you've heard one you've heard them all with very slight difference in technique. I guess that's the style but there was a few in this that have gone way beyond bluegrass and country . Like Tommy E and Glen C
I wouldn't classify Tommy Emanuel as a Bluegrass picker, although I'm sure he could stand toe to toe with the best of them. That title is much too limiting for what Tommy is capable of doing with a guitar. List is not complete without Tony Rice, Clarence White, Norman Blake, Pat Flynn, Mark O'Conner, Doc Watson and Ricky Skaggs. A couple "youngins' " you might want to add to the list are Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings.
Michael Daves is a hoss/boss
Missing the father of it all. Doc Watson
Had Merle though Doc was with him but they focused on Merle.
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How long had Caillou been playi g bass with Jeff White?
Kaufman and Emmanuel are the very best. Ricky Skaggs is amazing but Kaufman and Emmanuel are true masters of the instrument.
looks like Clay Hess got left out of this mix.
You can tell by the facial expressions how advanced each one of these individuals is with their potty training..
John Moore!!!
Thanks Joe
Some great pickers but for me, solos need the context of the song to have meaning.
You never just start a song with jam?
@@stephenuptain9592 Not sure what your point is. Am I not allowed to have an opinion that a compilation of ad hoc breaks with nothing to tie them together or any other framework doesn't do it for me.
Larry Keel and Billy Strings !!! Theee 2 best ever
Glad to see John Moore on here. This clip doesn't even come close to featuring what a freak he can be on the guitar. Tommy Emmanuel, Glen Campbell and Roy Clark were not bluegrass pickers. Tsk, tsk...
I didn’t have time to watch the whole thing but is Molly Tuttle missing?
No, Molly is on video 1, its a short moment of picking. See also the text...
I joke that the Bluegrass Pickers Union doesn’t allow players to smile. Find the Cayamo 2019 video where Molly is playing White Freightliner w Tommy E. That is mandatory guitar watching. She is grinning big time.
Molly always smiles when other great players are playing. Billy smiles all the time.
Where's Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings? 😮
Look all videos...
Thank you
WHERE IS DON RENO????
David Maravillia of the Lonesome Road band
Thanks...
Wayne Henderson
In a small town people talk about "the best" like they don't have internet.
It looks like a couple finger pickers got in here
How about Molly Tuttle?
See first video
The phone inside the guitar on selfie mode…
I thought it was Carol Baskin in the thumbnail
How about crediting Bryan Sutton who absolutely smokes on the clip that you have of Michael Daves. Bryan is clearly one of the greatest flat pickers of all time - maybe that just goes without sayin'?
See my first video, Bryan is after Doc, Clarence and Tony one of the best flatpicking guitarists.
@@ToondeCorte Thanks - I'd missed that one.
It was great to see Glen Campbell on the list. But it brought back memories of my Ovation guitar, literally the worst acoustic guitar EVER built for the price, and sound in my opinion.
Where is Billy?
See all other videos
Zeb Snyder 👍
Thanks
Micheal Dave's and Bryan Sutton easily are the best in this video.
Dennis Agajanian!
Thanks
Really reaching on some of these...
Gone hav'ta be movin on.... someone missed the boat on the Blue "G"
dont forget the Greekpickers
Look for it, thanks
thanks for reply great pickers really enjoyed compilation really hard to get them all in
R.I.P. Merle.
I'm one of them! Lol
Glen Campbell is the best
The best what? He was of the best all ‘round pickers of all time, among the very most versatile, but to the question of this video, he was not the best bluegrass flatpicker.
Well, i like to be reminded what great flatpickers are out there , they are all great... ok , maybe some greater, but at still impossible to put in absolute numbers. i can’t these rankings in any way seriously, sorry, .... more like a grocery list as a reminder ....
When did tommy emanuell sound like bluegrass
Look this with his brother Phil ua-cam.com/video/mrv24JD2RZc/v-deo.html
It doesn't say bluegrass...