While the majority of guitarists around the globe are men, there’s no denying female guitar players have contributed immensely in various genres. This post showcases a comprehensive list of the best female guitar players in the guitar world.

If you thought guitar technique was a man thing, think again, it’s not. Make way for female guitar players; they are going to increase in number in the near future. Female guitarists seldom get featured in guitar player lists, so I thought it would be a good idea to dedicate an entire column to women. This list of female guitarists features some of the best that there is in the guitar world, each exhibiting a style that can be called unique and truly their own.

Through this list I do not attempt to rank female guitarists. Do not go by numbers. This list is just a showcase of some incredible female guitar players that will make your jaw drop.

Technique, feel, phrasing, expression and tonal quality, these guitar players have it all. Please note I have not included bass players in this list. I will be posting about female bassists in the near future. The female guitar players mentioned in this post are from different music genres. If you are passionate about guitar, that inner voice will compel you to say what you feel. Feel free to say what you have to in the comments section. This list does not have an end, help it grow, it is the beginning.

1. Jennifer Batten (Rock/Experimental)
2. Lily Afshar (Classical)
3. Sheryl Bailey (Jazz)
4. Desiree Bassett (Rock)
5. Orianthi (Rock)
6. Carrie Brownstein (Rock)
7. Ruyter Suys (Rock/Heavy Metal)
8. Emily Remler (Jazz)
9. The Great Kat (Rock/Heavy Metal)
10. Joanne Shaw Taylor (Blues)
11. Ana Popovic (Blues)
12. Leni Stern (Jazz/Jazz Fusion/Rock)
13. Debbie Davies (Blues)
14. Marnie Stern Rock/Experimental)
15. Nili Brosh (Rock)
16. Sue Folly (Blues)
17. Katrina Johansson (Rock)
18. April Lawton (Rock/Jazz/Blues)
19. Shredmistress Rynata (Rock/Heavy Metal)
20. Michelle Meldrum (Rock)
21. La Verne Christie (Jazz)
22. Samantha Fish (Rock)
23. Leah Woodward (Rock/ Progressive)
24. Lori Linstruth (Rock/Neo Classical)
25. Joanna Connor (Blues)
26. Nora Bucci (Rock/Experimental)
27. Elizabeth Cotten (Blues/Folk)
28. Marissa Paternoster (Rock/Punk)
29. Anastasia Bardina (Classical)
30. Joyce Cooling (Jazz)
31. Becky Barksdale (Blues)
32. Carina Alfie (Rock)
33. Ida Presti (Classical)
34. Tara McLeod (Rock)
35. Margarita Escarpa (Classical)
36. Jan Kuehnemund (Rock)
37. Renata Tarrago (Classical)
38. Nita Strauss (Rock)
39. Kaki King (Percussive)
40. Maria Kammerling (Classical)
41. Courtney Cox (Rock)
42. Badi Assad (Classical/Jazz)
43. Dirty Jenny (Jen Leigh) (Rock)
44. Vicki Genfan (Acoustic Fingerstyle)
45. Rosinha de Valenca (Bossa Nova/Classical)
46. Monnette Sudler (Jazz)
47. Sharon Isbin (Classical)
48. Cordell Jackson (Rockabilly/Country/Rock and Roll)
49. Galina Vale (Classical/Flamenco)
50. Tina S (Rock)
51. Deborah Coleman (Blues)
52. Sylvia Juncosa (Punk/Heavy Metal/Rock)
53. Filomena Moretti (Classical)
54. Mimi Fox (Jazz)
55. Laura Young (Classical)
56. Kelly Johnson (Rock)
57. Cris Bonacci (Rock/Heavy Metal)
58. Susan Tedeschi (Blues)
59. Xuefei Yang (Classical)
60. Karin Schaupp (Classical)
61. Barbara Lynn (Blues/R&B)
62. Kaori Moraji (Classical)
63. June Millington (Rock)
64. Kelly Deal (Alternative Rock)
65. Bibi McGill (R&B/Funk/Rock)
66. Lita Ford (Rock)
67. Mili Davies (Classical)
68. Jaye Foucher (Rock/Progressive Rock)
69. Erja Lyytinen (Blues)
70. St. Vincent (Annie Clark) (Art Rock)
71. Briana Alexis (Rock)
72. Kathy Dyson (Jazz)
73. Gabriela Quintero (Classical/Percussive)
74. Malina Moye (Blues)
75. Shannon Crufman (Blues)
76. Belinda Butcher (Alternative Rock)
77. Bonnie Raitt (Folk/Country/Blues)
78. Sister Rosetta Tharpe (Jazz/Gospel/R&B/Blues)
79. Vicki Peterson (Rock)
80. Ellen Mcllwaine (Blues)
81. Brandy Herbert (Jazz)
82. Gretchen Menn (Rock)
83. Paula Jo Taylor (Country)
84. Barbara Jungfer (Jazz)
85. Laura Chavez (Blues)
86. Magaret Stowe (Jazz)
87. Donna Grantis (Blues)
88. Amanda Monaco (Jazz)
89. Rosie Flores (Rockabilly/Country)
90. Mary Osborne (Jazz)
91. Anouck Andre (Rock/JazzFusion)
92. Carolyn Wonderland (Blues)
93. Susan Weinert (Jazz/Jazz Fusion)
94. Beth Marlis (Jazz)
95. Andreia Gomez (Progressive Rock/Rock)
96. Molly Manarchy (Classical)
97. Beverly Watkins (Blues)
98. Kristen Capolino (Rock)
99. Deirdre Cartwright (Jazz)
100. Joyce Moreno (Jazz)

 

Other articles by Realityspeaks

http://expertscolumn.com/content/top-100-shred-guitarists

http://expertscolumn.com/content/100-greatest-instrumental-rock-guitar-albums-0