History of the Guitar Face
 

Face melter that he is, how Lindsey wasn't mentioned in this article is beyond me, but I know he's pulled every one of these faces :thumbsup: So, I'll add my own Lindsey examples...

The History of the Guitar Face

http://www2.gibson.com/news-lifestyl...uitarface.aspx

I was perusing one of my favorite music blogs, when I recently ran across a page that was simply a collection of “guitar faces,” the patent expressions players great and small make when thrashing out a power chord or reaching for the heavens with a soaring lead line.

It got me to thinking: Does all that expressive snarling and grimacing actually help physically cajole notes from the instrument? Or is it just the player reacting to the emotional thrall of a riff well-executed?

I never could come up with a definitive answer, but in researching the subject, I started to notice certain patterns emerge—a veritable guitar face language. Here are but a few.

Metallic Orgasm Snarl
First and foremost is the classic metallic snarl, an expression that seems to predate even the genre itself. Some have even dared term it “orgasmic.” Let’s please all factions and call it the Metallic Orgasm Snarl.

http://i48.tinypic.com/30271j4.jpg

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At the other end of the carnal spectrum is the eyes shut half-grimace, in which the player appears to be either communing with a higher power, or locked in deep, introspective musical meditation. I'll respectfully call it the Face of God—perhaps the most respected, dignified, and universal guitar face of all.

http://i49.tinypic.com/2zfiqn5.jpg

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The Face with No Name
Metallic Orgasm Snarl long ago crossbred with the Face of God to yield something far greater than the mere sum of their parts, the Face with No Name. The latter has served Angus Young well since the mid-’70s, and inspired succeeding generations of notable players as well, a circle gratifyingly unbroken.

http://i49.tinypic.com/jp7mo3.jpg

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Don’t Bother Me, I’m Soloing/The Face That Wasn’t There
While it is dismissively derided as Don’t Bother Me, I’m Soloing, it is more respectfully the Face That Wasn’t There, a truly vintage guitar face style that Slash has truly made his own, with a healthy regard for rock history and a veritable fire curtain of curly locks.

http://i48.tinypic.com/hvc7rs.jpg

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Deep Focus Face Another familiar look is the ultimate face of musical concentration, Deep Focus Face. Too often confused with the shoe-gazing pretensions of ’90s alternative rock, Deep Focus Face finds the player locking everything out of their universe but the instrument in their hands—especially when trying to remember how to finger that diminished 11th chord they now wish they’d never stuck in the damned song to begin with.

http://i47.tinypic.com/2a4o037.jpg

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Oh Man, This is So Cool
Perhaps the most universal and instinctive guitar face of them all is the uncontrollable reaction to an electric guitar plugged into a cranked amp. While it can take man shapes, Oh Man, This is So Cool needs no explanation.

http://i50.tinypic.com/20utv1y.jpg



Feel free to add to the collection :nod:

wow, some great work there finding and matching those faces :thumbsup:

I know. That was awesome and made it so much fun to read the captions. Thank you.

Michele

http://i56.tinypic.com/2rr88si

http://I40.tinypic.com/14l35fo

Sweet!! I knew you'd come through, holidayroad :thumbsup:

Here's another favorite of mine...

http://i47.tinypic.com/2912mgw.jpg

I'm not sure what category though. If I had to choose, I'd probably put it under The Face with No Name, or maybe Lindsey needs a seperate category all his own :D

I make that face when I'm playing electric as well. I think we all do it. Guitar players, that is. ;)

http://i47.tinypic.com/219vwue.jpg




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What should we call this face?
http://i45.tinypic.com/e66fig.jpg

:laugh: give me back my toy face

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What should we call this face?
http://i45.tinypic.com/e66fig.jpg[/QUOTE]

The "I really should just stick to my solo tours" face!!!!! :rolleyes::rolleyes::p:p

Yes!!! LOL! :thumbsup: