Virtuoso

A virtuoso (from the Latin virtus meaning: skill, manliness, excellence) is an individual who possesses outstanding mechanical ability at operating a musical instrument. The plural form is virtuosi. Virtuosi are often musical

A virtuoso (from the Latin virtus meaning: skill, manliness, excellence) is an individual who possesses outstanding mechanical ability at operating a musical instrument. The plural form is virtuosi. Virtuosi are often musical composers as well. During the age of Baroque music many, if not most, composers were also virtuosi on their respective instruments.

An inevitable discussion surrounding virtuosi is whether the mere skillful operation of an instrument constitutes art. For most people, this is a matter of taste and will likely remain a point of contention in the future. This argument arises often when the topic is guitar virtuosi. Often conflicting is the idea of a guitarist being a virtuoso because of the speed at which he or she can play (For example, Joe Satriani or Steve Vai), or being a virtuoso because of their ability to write intricate and complex songs that appeal to a very large audience (Ie David Gilmour or Jimmy Page). In the April 2005 issue of Guitar World, Zakk Wylde said someone is a virtuoso if "you can tell who the player is after hearing just two notes..."de:Virtuose es:Virtuoso pt:Virtuoso sl:Virtuoz