The Strings of Life: 81 Inspirational Guitar Quotes
Last updated on December 28th, 2023 at 06:22 am
Guitarists have long been known to share their creative spirit and passion through quotes. Whether humorous, inspirational, or just plain thought-provoking, guitar quotes can motivate and inspire aspiring players or provide food for thought. With so many great guitarists, there’s a wealth of quotes to draw from.
From the wisdom of legends like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton to the wit of modern-day guitarists like John Mayer and Jack White, guitar quotes can provide insight into the minds of the world’s greatest players.
So, if you’re looking for words of wisdom from guitarists who have made history, here’s a collection of quotes to get you started.
Best Guitar Quotes by Famous Guitarists
Guitarists are often looked upon as some of the most creative and talented musicians of all time. From their complex riffs and solos to their intricate fingerpicking and technique, it’s no wonder that guitarists have inspired some of the greatest quotes in music history.
Here are some of the best guitar quotes from some of the most famous guitarists, sure to inspire you to pick up your guitar and start playing.
“In playing, I suppose my greatest gift was to express the way I felt or the willingness to express myself.”
Eric Clapton
“This machine kills fascists.”
Woody Guthrie
. “My interests are guitars, cars, and vacation. I’ve been playing guitar all my life.
Josh Hartnett
My dad was a professional guitarist… I just play for myself.”
“Relax. Be yourself. Play a lot.”
Joe Satriani
“Whenever I get down on my playing, I just bend a note, shake it and listen…”
Dimebag Darrell
“Rock stars come and go. Musicians play until they die.”
Eddie Van Halen
“I’m just a guitarist in a kick-ass rock and roll band. What more could I ask for?”
Eddie Van Halen
“Technically, I’m not a guitar player, all I play is truth and emotion.”
Jimi Hendrix
“My big fear was that my guitar would go out of tune.”
Bob Dylan
“I call myself a blues singer, but you ain’t never heard me call myself a blues guitar man.”
B.B. King
“Someone told me the smile on my face gets bigger when I play the guitar.”
Niall Horan
“I like to be quiet and play guitar and just chill.”
Post Malone
“The history of music is mortal, but the idiocy of the guitar is eternal.”
Milan Kundera
. “My guitar is not a thing. It is an extension of myself. It is who I am.”
Joan Jett
Inspiring Guitar Quotes
Guitar players and fans alike can find inspiration in the words of guitarists throughout the ages. Whether you’re looking for a pick-me-up or some wisdom to take into the studio, these inspiring guitar quotes have something for everyone.
From iconic rockers to jazz greats, the following wise words will surely motivate you to reach new heights with your playing.
“Practice is a word I don’t use. I used to play. If you play, you get better.”
Tommy Tedesco
“The guitar is a miniature orchestra in itself.”
Ludwig van Beethoven
“I can communicate far better on a guitar than I can through my mouth.”
Jimmy Page
“The guitar is the instrument most complete and richest in its harmonic and polyphonic possibilities.”
Manuel de Falla
“That’s the cool thing about the guitar- there’s always more to learn.”
Jim Heath
“Music shouldn’t be just a tune, it should be a touch.”
Amit Kalantri
“Guitar playing is just something that came to me and is really second nature now.”
Dave Navarro
“Everyone’s got their own character, and that’s the thing that’s amazed me about guitar playing …”
Jimmy Page
“His heart was like a battered guitar; worn and scuffed from a life spent out on the road,
John Mark Green
but still capable of bringing forth beautiful music.”
“The guitar was my weapon, my shield to hide behind.”
Brian May
“Playing guitar is a never-finished journey.”
John Fogerty
“It’s been up to me to inspire me.”
John Fogerty
Funny Guitar Quotes
Guitarists are passionate and often express their love for the instrument through humorous and inspiring quotes. Here is a collection of some of the funniest and most inspirational guitar quotes from some of the greatest guitarists.
“When you play the 12-string guitar, you spend half your life tuning the instrument and
Pete Seeger
the other half playing it out of tune.”
“Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar. Except, possibly two.”
Frederic Chopin
“I’ve got holes in my guitar.”
Dick Dale
“You couldn’t like someone who liked the guitar.”
Stephen King
“Guitar is easy, all it takes is 5 fingers, 6 strings, and 1 asshole.”
Keith Richards
“My guitar is like my best friend. My guitar can get me through anything.
Miley Cyrus
If I can sit down and write an amazing song with my guitar about what’s going on in life, then that’s the greatest therapy for me.”
“Guitarists always start in the bedroom.”
Martine Murray
“If you really love guitar, you’re going to spend every waking hour stroking the thing.”
Frank Zappa
“I’ve always wanted to smash a guitar over someone’s head. You just can’t do that with a piano.”
Elton John
“If I could sing, I wouldn’t be a guitarist.”
Robin Trower
“The time I burned my guitar it was like a sacrifice.
Jimi Hendrix
You sacrifice the things you love.
I love my guitar.”
“I’d think learning to play the guitar would be very confusing for sighted people.”
Doc Watson
“My life has been a roller coaster ride,
Ace Frehley
but somehow I’ve always been able to land on my feet and still play the guitar.”
“The guitar part is the pivot of everything we do,
Robin Trower
so if you change the guitar part you no longer have what it is.”
“Anyone who used more than three chords is just showing off.”
Woody Guthrie
“I grew up in a world that told girls they couldn’t play rock ‘n’ roll.”
Joan Jett.
“I smash guitars because I like them.”
Pete Townshend
“My guitar is not a thing. It is an extension of myself. It is who I am.”.
Joan Jett
“There’s a weird period of learning how to play guitar where your fingers are constantly messed up a handful.”
Jason Reeves
“I learned to tune a guitar by ear. That method has served me pretty well.”
Charley Pride
“I was the drunk rhythm guitarist who wrote all these weird songs.”
Robert Smith
“The guitar is the easiest instrument to play and the hardest to play well.”
Andres Segovia
Guitar Music Quotes
Guitar music has been an integral part of our lives for centuries, from classical to rock and everything in between. It is a powerful form of expression that can be used to convey a range of emotions and experiences. Throughout history, guitarists and composers have shared their thoughts and reflections on the instrument and its unique ability to move us. Here are some of the most inspiring and memorable guitar music quotes.
“We’re musicians. We make music for a living. It’s that simple. Nothing else matters.”
Eddie Van Halen
“Playing guitar is a never-finished journey.”
John Fogerty
“The history of music is mortal, but the idiocy of the guitar is eternal.”
Milan Kundera
“Rock stars come and go. Musicians play until they die.”
Eddie Van Halen
“Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.”
Jimi Hendrix
“If you wanna write a song, ask a guitar”
Neil Young
“A guitar is more than just a sound box… it is part of your soul.”
Manuel Velazquez
“I don’t read music. I don’t write it. So I wander around on the guitar until something starts to present itself.”
James Taylor
“Life is like a guitar and the combination of chords are called moments.
Vikrmn
Playing them is the called living the moments.”
“Don’t use your brain to play it, let your feelings guide your fingers.”
Jimi Hendrix
“Guitars have been the obsession of my life.
Johnny Marr
I first picked one up at the age of four,
and I’ve been a guitar junkie ever since.”
“A good player can make any guitar sound good.”
Mike Bloomfield
“Lean your body forward slightly to support the guitar against your chest,
Andres Segovia
for the poetry of the music should resound in your heart.”
Famous Guitar Quotes
Guitarists have been inspiring generations of guitarists for centuries with their words of wisdom. From inspiring words to funny one-liners, here are some of the most famous guitar quotes from some of the greatest guitarists.
“Rock guitarists usually do not wish to think trains of thought about anything but their own guitar playing during a long solo…”
John Frusciante
“I just go where the guitar takes me.”
Angus Young
“Every guitar I own gets used and has its purpose.”
Mark Knopfler
“There are secrets hiding inside this six-string just waitin’ for somebody to find ‘em and turn ‘em into music.”
Brenda Sutton Rose
“There’s so much that can be done on the guitar. And that’s what is so good about the guitar – everyone can really enjoy themselves on it and have a good time, which is what it’s all about.”
Jimmy Page
“The guitar is a wonderful instrument which is understood by few.”
Franz Schubert
“The good thing about playing guitar is that once you’ve strapped it on you can let your stomach out.”
Joe Brown
“This guitar is such a pal. It’s a psychiatrist. It’s a doggone bartender. It’s a housewife. This guy is everything. Whenever I find that I’ve got a problem, I’ll go pick my guitar up and play. It’s the greatest pal in the whole world.”
Les Paul
“Every time you pick up your guitar to play, play as if it’s the last time.”
Eric Clapton
“If you want music to be your livelihood, then play, play, play and play!…”
Eddie Van Halen
“Music is the one thing that has been consistently there for me. It hasn’t let me down.”
Jimmy Page
“Sometimes the nicest thing to do with a guitar is just looking at it.”
Thom Yorke
“In pop music, you say, you can do what you want to me.’ Rock ‘n’ roll says, ‘I’m gonna do what I want to you.”
Joan Jett.
“I call myself a blues singer, but you ain’t never heard me call myself a blues guitar man.”
B. B King
“We’re musicians. We make music for a living. It’s that simple. Nothing else matters.”
Eddie Van Halen
We hope these guitar quotes have inspired you to pick up your instrument and play or have reminded you of the joy and fulfilment that music can bring.
Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just starting, the guitar is a versatile and rewarding instrument that offers endless possibilities for self-expression and creativity.
So grab your guitar and let the music flow! Remember, as the great Jimi Hendrix once said, “Music is a safe kind of high.” So take a moment to relax, unwind, and let the soothing melodies of the guitar wash over you.
Nitesh Kucchal
Nitesh Kuchhal, an IIM Calcutta graduate, is more than an educator—he's a mentor. With a passion for leadership and entrepreneurship, and travel. He has explored over 20 countries. Beyond teaching, he dives into psychology and discusses social issues. Though he is not a history expert, he enjoys learning about it through books, adding a historical touch to his many interests.
