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Nineteen great guitarists who just happen to be women

Jamie Anderson

I was sitting around with some guitar students the other day and asked them to name a female guitarist. They couldn’t think of anyone. Granted, 10-year-olds aren’t that savvy when it comes to musicians, but even my adult students are hard-pressed to come up with anyone beyond Sheryl Crow.

I thought, heck, who are the top female guitarists? I consulted with a few people plus my opinionated self and came up with this list. I included women who really know their way around a fretboard and those who were innovators of a certain style. (I left out singer-songwriters who might be good at what they do but can’t blaze their way through a complex song.)

Emily Remler was a jazz guitarist who was at home playing fusion, bebop or whatever was thrown her way. She released her first album in 1981 and in the next few years worked with veterans like Herb Ellis and Rosemary Clooney. Sadly, she was only 32 when she passed away in 1990.

Laura Chavez is a blues guitarist who can make her instrument wail, moan and make you cry mama. Hot damn, she's good.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe looked like a prim gospel performer with her print dresses and conservative hairstyle, but she could wail on an electric guitar. Popular in the '30s and '40s, her style influenced many musicians, from Aretha Franklin to the Stones.

Sharon Isbin is a great classical player. I’ll admit that I don’t know Bach from Beethoven, but she’s a department chair at Juilliard, and I figure they know what they’re doing. She’s a Grammy Award winner, and in 2005, was featured on The L Word.

I saw Patty Larkin at this year’s Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival where she recorded about five different guitar parts for one song live on-stage. She’s a singer-songwriter with an inventive style that no one can match. And she’s a sister — be still my heart.

Acoustic guitarist Vicki Genfan won against nine finalists in a recent contest sponsored by Guitar Player magazine. Her lightening-quick, two-handed tapping style left the judges breathless. Me too!

You might have seen Jennifer Batten touring with Michael Jackson. Who could miss that mane of blonde hair and those incredible chops? Check out this video of her blasting through “Flight of the Bumblebee.”

Allison Robertson may not be a familiar name to some of you, but I’ll bet you know her band, The Donnas. That male bastion of guy guitarists called Guitar Player says “… she’s a viciously balls-out guitar player who has burned just about every metal riff ever recorded into her DNA.”

Mary Ford was married to and played with Les Paul, the inventor of the modern electric guitar. (In his 90s, he still does a regular gig in New York City.) Lots of people know Paul’s jazz/pop work, but they don’t know that Ford could match him note for note.

There’s something about the blues that draws great players like Del Rey. Starting on the guitar at the tender age of 4, she’s gone on to become one of the best acoustic blues players I’ve ever seen. In her fun live show, she highlights the work of blues women past as well as cranking out her own tunes.

I had to include another singer-songwriter because not only can Erika Luckett craft some wonderful original tunes, but she’s a monster when it comes to jamming. I love the Latin feel in many of her songs.

Mimi Fox is a great jazz player. She’s performed with greats like Branford Marsalis, Diana Krall and so many more. I’ve heard her at several women’s music festivals, and she never fails to blow me away.

No list of top guitar players is complete without Bonnie Raitt. After hearing her signature slide guitar riffs, guitarists have been known to mumble, “Someday maybe I can play like that.”

Lita Ford got her start in The Runaways, the '70s women’s band that also featured Joan Jett. Look beyond the eye-popping metal princess clothing, and you’ll see a guitarist who knows her rock. Check this out.

June Millington learned the guitar back in the '60s and went on to help found the groundbreaking band Fanny, one of the first all-women bands to be signed to a major label. Her blues-based style was an inspiration for many after her. Today, she runs the Institute for the Musical Arts with partner Ann Hackler, teaching the next generation how to wield an axe.

Nina Gerber first became known as folk icon Kate Wolf’s guitar player. She’s worked as a side player for Nanci Griffith, Ferron and lots more, as well as putting out her own recordings.

I swear Kaki King has four hands. Her creative instrumentals are amazing. Here she is, cranking out “Playing With Pink Noise.” How does she do that?

Maybe you’ve heard the folk standard “Freight Train"? Elizabeth Cotten wrote it when she was just a kid and finger-picked it on a guitar held upside down. She was virtually unknown until she was discovered in the Seeger household (the same family as Pete) working as a housekeeper. She performed at the National Women’s Music Festival back in the '80s.

Sue Foley is another blues queen who can whip out a blistering blues solo with the best of them. She’s taking some time off from the road to write a book, Guitar Woman. I can’t wait to read it.

I have to include Emily Saliers, or they’d take away my lesbian card. I’d include her anyway because I love her tasteful lead and creative chord choices that define the Indigo Girls sound.

Some other greats include Muriel Anderson, Kara Barnard, Ellen McIlwaine, Vange Durst, Maybelle Carter, Joni Mitchell, Janis Ian, Cordell Jackson, Lisa Jackson, Wanda Jackson (What is it about those Jacksons?), Michelle Malone, Ani DiFranco and so many more. Please don’t hurt me if I didn’t include your personal guitar god. (Especially stay away from my hands ‘cause I need them to teach 10-year-olds to play “Skip to My Lou.”)

Who are your favorites? Who did I leave out?

Jamie Anderson's blog

Submitted by

Jamie Anderson

on October 3, 2008 - 9:00am.

TAGS ::

I would add Carrie

Submitted by

Pulchritude (3 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 9:11am.

I would add Carrie Brownstein... Odetta ... and the great Minnie Memphis (I love her Black Cat Blues)

Sarah!

Submitted by

BreeDanger (10 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 9:27am.

Sarah McLachlan, perhaps not the best, but I still adore her.

Joan Jett, Jewel, Kathleen Hanna, Corin Tucker, Liz Phair, Nancy Wilson, Morgan Lander, Alanis Morrisette, Tegan and Sara Quinn

--B.D. + I.F. = Not just Unbreakable, Unparallelled--

erggh, but none that you mentioned are "great"

Submitted by

mythofthefront (106 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 2:19pm.

Yea, most of the artists you listed are female guitarists but not known for their skills. Kathleen Hanna being a great guitarist is laughable. I like her music, but it's more cleverly writen with political message than presented with great playing ability.

Brownstein... that's where it's at!

-----

The 4 winged dear with the metal tongue knows what it takes to get things done.

Vange Durst!!

Submitted by

Stacey (31 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 9:30am.

Vangie is an icon here in Connecticut - she's not only a fantastic guitar player, she's a wonderful person as well!!

Great job, Jamie!!

Melissa Ferrick!!

Submitted by

emmaxx (19 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 9:30am.

Melissa Ferrick is my fave fave fave.

Ferrick Rules

Submitted by

schedulinggoddess (50 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 5:06pm.

I LOVE her and she loves me :) Emily Sailers is the #1,how could you forget her? She is the best female guitarist ever! I would also venture to nominate Charo, she plays a mean git box.

sorry jamie

Submitted by

schedulinggoddess (50 posts)

on October 4, 2008 - 5:51pm.

I just reread I see you did mention Emily,but she still is #1 XO

Charo rules

Submitted by

javajive (1 post)

on October 6, 2008 - 3:10pm.

I heartily agree with Charo. While she may be known for her "gitchy gitchy", few people know that she's a serious classical guitarist. I listened to samples of her work, and I'm really impressed!

amen. she has mad improv

Submitted by

dame_elphaba (82 posts)

on October 5, 2008 - 1:40pm.

amen.

she has mad improv skills too.

Totally agree. For

Submitted by

emmaxx (19 posts)

on October 7, 2008 - 10:29am.

Totally agree.

For anyone who might not be familiar with the amazingness that is Melissa Ferrick, check out this vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpKZKLmKZIE&feature=related

Mary Timony.

Submitted by

Alter Egotist (20 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 10:10am.

Mary Timony.

I'll second Mary Timony and

Submitted by

Zirpister (12 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 10:33am.

I'll second Mary Timony and Carrie Brownstein.

A third

Submitted by

to_the_east (6 posts)

on October 4, 2008 - 6:24am.

For Mary Timony and Carrie Brownstein. Also newcomer Marnie Stern.

PJ Harvey and Susanna Hoffs

Submitted by

FreewheelNat (120 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 10:52am.

Yeah, Carrie Brownstein should definitively be on that list, and so should PJ Harvey and Susanna Hoffs.

***** ***** *****

Taking off - the novel, coming soon. Starring Katie, a lesbian in London...

In the meanwhile, you read reviews of films and books with lesbian/bi characters and/or taking place in London at www.takingoff.org

Seconded

Submitted by

Trix (453 posts)

on October 4, 2008 - 6:19am.

Yes, PJ Harvey totally rocks. Literally.

Thirded

Submitted by

Meke (204 posts)

on October 7, 2008 - 11:46pm.

Yes PJ rocks my world

I love Jennifer Batten!

Submitted by

chiawill (7 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 11:06am.

I love Jennifer Batten! also Feist is a great guitar player, gotta love her! and PJ Harvey, too!

oh, and how about Desiree Bassett? she's only 16, but she's incredible with that guitar! http://www.myspace.com/desireebassett

"I smile because I have no idea of what's going on"

Jennifer Batten is awesome

Submitted by

kate729 (1 post)

on October 10, 2008 - 1:13am.

Jennifer is awesome! I studied with her at Musicians Institute and am continually blown away by her technique and amazing mastery of the guitar. The musicians all mentioned in the article and comments are solid guitarists but none match Jennifer. Frankly, most guitarists can't even come close to her knowledge, ability, technique and professionalism.

I live in Portland, Oregon, and she's going to be at the White Eagle on the 23rd. You can bet I'm going to be there cheering her on. She is truly herstory in the making! PS She's also pretty darn shy but has a wicked sense of humor ;-)

If anyone is in the Portland area on the 23rd and is interested in getting a group together to see the show, please respond.

Doria Roberts>>

Submitted by

shortypants (374 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 11:28am.

She's based in Atlanta and she's an out, active, political, sistah of color who can play a guitar like no one's business. I've had the honor of meeting her a few times and she is as gracious and kind as she is lovely. Check out her work immediately if you have not already done so.

I also second Allison from The Donnas. I've seen them live three times and each time I try not to stare at her an dpay attention to the ENTIRE band but it's hard: not only is she smokin' hot but she can play her ass off.

Great shout-out to Lita Ford!

I'm seeing Kaki King next month. If I touch her, I might die...

oh- another shout out: Toshi Reagon.

I almost forgot!

Submitted by

shortypants (374 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 11:44am.

Nina Martinez of The Cliks, Faith Nolan (Canadian Afterellen folks- give her shout out!), Deidre McCalla and Nedra Johnson.

Also- if we're not limited things to just guitarists, I would like to add my imaginary wife, Meshell N'degeocello. Good night and good luck.

CATHY HENDERSON

Submitted by

~Amanda~ (59 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 12:05pm.

Cathy Henderson of Antigone Four (formerly Antigone Rising) is a genius. Absolutely one of the best. Ever.

http://www.myspace.com/antigonefour

Susan Tedeschi

Submitted by

exevangel (26 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 12:21pm.

And if you're lucky you'll get to hear her play a duet with her hubby, the awesome Derek Trucks.

Absolutely Susan.

Submitted by

♫ Kit ♫ (71 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 12:52pm.

I was totally gonna mention her. Hopefully I'm going to see her in November.

Going along with a Crossroads 07 feel I'd also like to mention Tal Wilenfeld. She's a bassist (which is a whole other list I know) but she's so good I had to mention her. She does solo work but also has played with a bagillion big names including Jeff Beck who she played with at Crossroads (I thought she stole the show from him!) Did I mention she's only in her early 20s?

www.myspace.com/talwilkenfeld

Nancy Wilson (of Heart)

Submitted by

Kay (34 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 12:43pm.

Nancy Wilson (of Heart) would be at the very top of my list. Another great guitarist not mentioned is Anita Cochran. And no mention of Melissa Etheridge? Wow!!

A big "hooray!!!" for the Mother Maybelle Carter mention. Also Dolly Parton is a darn good guitar player - even with those very long fingernails (check out her CMT "Crossroads" show with Melissa Etheridge!)

great guitarists

Submitted by

Geek (78 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 1:08pm.

Wonderful article! We all have additions to the list (I would have added Miki Berenyi), but this is a very comprehensive and diverse grouping. Thanks for the read.

Janet Robin needs to be included...

Submitted by

SmilinHobbes (40 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 1:28pm.

Janet Robin is amazing. I have most of her solo albums. J.R. Geetar is a fantastic example of how she mananges to rock even on an acoustic guitar. She was featured on What's Your Problem here at AE a while back. So yeah, you should check her out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q9ABJsekok

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s8oMfK740c

If I'm in need of a serious guitar fix I put my playlist of Janet Robin and kaki King on repeat...can't get any better.

yay!

Submitted by

Hannah (270 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 11:11pm.

icon love. i just traced a badass picture of calvin today and colored it with crayons. What? it was my day off and I needed to relax.

female guitarists

Submitted by

moster (1 post)

on October 3, 2008 - 1:40pm.

Susan Tedeschi

An excellent slide guitar player

Submitted by

EllaMack (94 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 2:13pm.

is Ellen McIlwaine. Also Sally van Meter is a great.

Nancy Wilson (of Heart)

Submitted by

Angie5x5 (236 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 2:34pm.

Nancy Wilson definitely belongs on this list.

hmmmmm

Submitted by

Finney (59 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 3:05pm.

of course PJ Harvey.

but what about

Gabriela Quintero....she's rodrigo y gabriela...and i just say go youtube them....see for yourself.

There are so many amazing

Submitted by

juhui (1 post)

on October 3, 2008 - 3:45pm.

There are so many amazing female guitarists on youtube. i.e. her --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ0LYTYWbsQ

looks pretty young

Definitely...

Submitted by

ClassicChic (46 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 3:47pm.

Emily Robison, Dixie Chicks, ...She can play not only the guitar BUT banjo, pappose, dobro, accordian...etc... Yeah, she pretty much rocks ;) ...

Joan Armatrading, Joni Mitchell

Submitted by

kelly_anat (1 post)

on October 3, 2008 - 4:27pm.

Some consideration, please, for Joan Armatrading. I saw her the other night on BBC America, and she's currently doing some incisive electric guitar work. Legendary Joni Mitchell was and is known for her amazing acoustive tunings. Also, consider Kim Deal from the Breeders.

Joan Armatrading

Submitted by

JamieA (13 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 5:22pm.

Joan! <slaps forehead> She should definitely be included. Love her work.

Erotic moment

Submitted by

Aniwaya08 (1 post)

on October 3, 2008 - 8:19pm.

I saw Emily Saliers and Michelle Malone jam together at an Earth Day event years ago. What an incredible experience!!

THEY TOTALLY ROCK

Submitted by

schedulinggoddess (50 posts)

on October 4, 2008 - 6:00pm.

Emily is the Best female guitarist ever and Michelle is the most underrated artist. All AE people should check her out,she is amazing and OUT,Sarah you should feature her. Support Indie Artists!!!!

Gabriela of...

Submitted by

zephyr (668 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 8:39pm.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt1e2IApcLM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGrVpDgZw-g

Sharon Isbin. She's also out.

Liona Boyd

LiJie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98y0Q7nLGWk

Cotten Picking

Submitted by

Traveler (322 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 9:58pm.

Thank you for giving a shout out to Elizabeth Cotten! But what was left out were her musical inovations, the way she played has been adopted in some form by virtually every other southpaw guitar player out there. I first heard of her from an interview with Paul McCarthy talking about how influential her style was.

Elizabeth Cotten

ditto

Submitted by

Hannah (270 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 11:13pm.

I had to turn on "freight train" right now, cause i was reminded of her awesomeness.

Shawn Colvin

Submitted by

music is life (5 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 10:09pm.

I think that Shawn Colvin is by far my favorite guitar player. I've had the privilege of seeing her live, and she made a single acoustic guitar sound like an entire band, it was amazing!

I dont think i saw her name

Submitted by

Shellz (41 posts)

on October 3, 2008 - 11:03pm.

but not only is she hot but Bibi McGill rocks at the guitar!

Hot girls are my kryptonite....

At the risk of sounding like a complete classical freak...

Submitted by

woceht (24 posts)

on October 4, 2008 - 12:49am.

There are a number of amazing female classical guitarists around. As zephyr has pointed out, you can find a lot of them on Youtube. I had to mention Yang Xuefei. Her technical skill sends shivers up my spine (for example, just go listen to any song that has tremolo in it - Recuerdos del Alhambra is a commonly recorded one, and you can hear the differences in the players' skills), and she has become so amazing musically in recent years.

I also chanced to watch Erin Mckeown live when she came by last year (See? I'm not totally a classical freak... ><). She's got some decent chops. Smart too.

This is an awesome article! I've found so much new stuff to listen to. :)

Classical guitarists

Submitted by

zephyr (668 posts)

on October 7, 2008 - 3:55pm.

There have been and are so many female classical guitarists who can play their fingers off. They rock so to speak.

Filomena Moretti

Jessica Papkoff

http://www.fretgirl.com/index.html

Martha Masters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMBEbVf965k

Paola Requena Toulouse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TSYhLtL_J0

Su Meng and Wang Yameng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjtyBub5KsA

There are a lot of brilliant women out there playing guitar. I could have listed many more, but you get the idea. And hey woceht classical freaks are cool.

Seriously...Melissa Etheridge missing?

Submitted by

Donna (1 post)

on October 4, 2008 - 2:02am.

Tho not a fan, I can't exclude Melissa Etheridge from any list of women guitar players.

Also...

The Brazilian Jazz and worldbeat guitraist, Badi Assad...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBMe9foIuR0

Suzi Quatro (Pinky Tuscadero's sister, Leather, in 'Happy Days'...but still a great musician...one of the few women to top the charts with 'Stumblin' In' #4 on Billboard 1979)

Aimee Mann

Indigo Girls (Amy Ray and Emily Saliers)

Courtney Love (sure she was a stripper pre-Cobain but co-founded her band, Hole, and later created a personal line of Fender Squier Vista Venus guitars)

Joan Baez

Joni Joni Joni!!!

Submitted by

cogent53 (64 posts)

on October 4, 2008 - 5:58am.

How can you relegate Joni Mitchell to an "also"??! Joni Mitchell's contribution to acoustic open tunings is immense. She has developed over 50 I believe. Amazing guitar work on so may of her albums, plus she also plays piano.

Others you missed, Tina Weymouth, bassist for Talking Heads was always a big favourite of mine.

KT Tunstall is a great guitarist. In the singer/songwriter mode you also have Tracey Chapman.

Chrissie Hynde is a rhythm rather than lead guitarist, but the Pretenders guitar sound is key.

My eyes, my eyes!

Submitted by

Trix (453 posts)

on October 4, 2008 - 6:49am.

God, I hated that Lita Ford song when it came out, and I hadn't even seen the video then. I don't see her mad guitar skills in it either, unless simulating sex with the instrument counts. Sure, strutting your stuff is fine, and part of the performance, but not when you look like a not-very-good stripper with an awkwardly-shaped sex toy.

Thanks for the great suggestions

Submitted by

JamieA (13 posts)

on October 4, 2008 - 7:03am.

Here's another one, funk/rock player Nori Bucci:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2RPPzGJcdA

Felicia Collins

Submitted by

Diann (13 posts)

on October 4, 2008 - 6:13pm.

Felicia Collins

Mia Dyson

Submitted by

Scoobiedoo (17 posts)

on October 4, 2008 - 7:01pm.

I'd also like to throw Mia Dyson's hat into the ring. A totally amazing guitarist with an illegally sexy voice.

Check out a song from a couple of albums ago, 'Roll Me Out', on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtVzVdkWYpA&feature=related

http://www.miadyson.com

She's Australian and much better (and hotter) live.

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