[MV=PY]

Thanks much for the ping; Very well executed.

Now for my humble opinion (please take no offense!).

Adam is a very good technician, but the effort to sell every note is over the top for me. It just seems artificial. Steve Vai (yeah, I know not fingerpicking, but complete mastery of the instrument) successfully communicates the emotion of each note.

Tommy Emmanuelle is so engaged his emotions come through. He’s the real deal. He has originated his technique on his own, very personal, and you can see it in the performance. He is a master.

This opinion is about performance, not execution. There are many technicians with amazing chops who never reach greatness (but are worth seeing!).

[Migraine]

There are many technicians with amazing chops who never reach greatness (but are worth seeing!).

Your points are all well-taken and thoughtful. For the whole package -- verve, soul, execution that is effortless, timing, delivery, intonation, smoothness, a soothing that ironically bumps the heart rate -- check out Phil Keaggy. For example: http://acousticguitar.com/expand-your-guitar-playing-with-phil-keaggys-capo-technique/ Enjoy a master at work/play!

[knarf]

Never heard of him, so I went looking

[itsahoot]

Tommy Emmanuelle is so engaged his emotions come through. He’s the real deal. He has originated his technique on his own, very personal, and you can see it in the performance. He is a master.

He is indeed, but I would much rather listen to Chet. There are literally thousands of talented guitarists today but all these guys were influenced by Merle Travis and Chet Atkins.

Doyle Dykes at Sweetwater.Doyle plays any style.

Travis Picking with Thom Bresh This is a fun one with Thom Talking about the difference between Merle and Chet.

There are literally hundreds more on Youtube to pick from sadly there are so many clips that are recorded by a fan on a phone or camcorder, so sound quality varies.

Richard Smith can perform anything in any style, even all of Jerry Reeds licks.

There is a reason for The Top 100 Thumb Pickers list.

[P-Marlowe]

Thanks.

FWIW, when I look for these videos, I concentrate on technique over musical emotion. As a guitar player I look for technique, chord progressions, alternate chords, fingerings, picking patterns, improvisation, etc. It is only after you master the technique that you can work in the emotion. The reason guys like TE can put so much emotion and feeling into a song is because they can play the song forwards and backwards with a blindfold on and ear plugs.

I will spend weeks mastering the technique of a dozen phrases before I can comfortably play a song through. I spent the whole weekend trying to get the technique down on a single chord change in TE’s song “For Those Who Wait”. Anyone who has ever tried to play that song with small hands will know exactly which chord change I’m talking about.