Segovia vs. Eddie Van Halen?

Question

Who do you think is better?

I showed my friend a video of Segovia playing Op. 47: No. 5: Asturias by Albeniz and he said that it doesn't look hard at all

And somehow Eruption was brought into the conversation and I told him Segovias asturias is way harder than eruption...

What's your opinion?

Answer 1

Andres Segovia is superior by far. I currently study classical guitar and I can tell you it is far more difficult then rock. The fact that Segovia makes what he does look so easy and sound so good is the work of a true master. Granted Van Halen is also great at what he does...I believe what Segovia does is more difficult.

Answer 2

Having had the opportunity to see both these guitarists live I would have to go with Segovia. He was well into his 80"s and played Massey Hall in Toronto without a P.A. system. His guitar filled the hall it was amazing.(plus his fingers looked like little sausages) Mr. Van Halen is also amazing in his own right and has influenced many a guitarist but Segovia is pro ably the most revered guitarist of our time, he gave the instrument cred ability. Also tapping was first played by Paganini the violin virtuoso,the first recording of tapping on a guitar was by Steve Hackett from Genesis in 1972, well before EVH but contrary to what Left-T says Jennifer Batten was not the first and Eddie was before her(she plays Eddies solo from "Beat It" in concert )

Answer 3

There is NO COMPARISON because they have two entirely different styles.  However I have been in Awe of Segovia as long as I can remember... He is at least one OF the finest guitarists EVER... it not THE best... Van Halen is just a rock musician... and hardly one of the best in that genre.

Answer 4

well im not really sure one is better than the other in asturias hes more of like... strumming and picking patterns which seems really complicated but then in eruption eddie is tapping alot and really fast to which is not very easy i cant really say which one is better  so...but i definately dont thing segovia absolutely passes up van halen...thats almost like an insult to alota his fans...

Answer 5

I don't really think these two can be compared. Andrés and Eddie have completely different styles and play two different instruments (they are not the same and teaching them so results in Emppu Vuorinen's wrong bend technique, vibrato and overall playing...they're not the same!).

Answer 6

hey Johnny

People measure guitarist by their stupid. What stupidity. Van Halen made finger-tapping popular but he didn't invent it. This was first brought about by Michael Jackson's Guitarit Jennifer Batten.

In any case, Segovia is Segovia. He's a master in his own right and he can play. What Segovia does demands great training and independence which, only a hand few have this today.

That song is harder, much harder than Eruption. No comparison. Sometimes, what doesn't look hard, is the hardest.

edit... I studied Segovia on Classic for years. What I did, I incorporated to my playing in Jazz and hard rock and doing a little finger-picking technique which is faster than alternate-picking. Thanks Segovia !!!!!

P.S. Not knocking Van Halen but is you want to see the style I play and who influenced my... check this.... chill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HSOy6JoS...

Answer 7

Segovia is far superior and I'm sure Eddie would agree.  Making it look easy is part of his skill.