I went to the same school! We would hang out constantly at guitar class. Sometimes he would run around with my teachers acoustic guitar and bust open a door and play Spanish music 😂 We would always annoy our guitar teacher by playing the Top Gun theme. I can probably find a video somewhere of us shredding (although he is obviously better than me)
Good job adults, let´s all comment on the moment a 13 year old kid does something amazing by saying someone else should have won. I really hope he is surrounded by more caring and supporting people in his real life than he has met here.
If anyone wants to listen to some lower mid tier cookie cutter you tube shredding, checkout my first ever EP, I can't wait to hear how bad it is! LOL!!! hunterhallberg.bandcamp.com/releases I appreciate everyone's passion for music, I'm 14 and have a lot to learn still, I'm in no way a fully formed musician yet. Thank you all for the motivation!
Hunter Hallberg Congratulations, Hunter! Keep doing what you're doing. Checking out your ep and will be keeping an eye out for more originals from you lot. :)
To all the people hating the guy: No, neither the jazzy girl nor the other boy played objectively better than hunter Yes, they went for a more melodic style, but they still had some sloppy playing here and there; while hunter's technique was virtually flawless, specially for a 13 y old Doesn't matter if you like shredding or not, the guy's technique/proficiency at guitar is on a whole other level than the others To say that kind of stuff, you either you don't know shit about playing guitar, or you're simply jealous of hunter's clearly-much-superior-than-yours technique
Abigail was amazing at first but when I rewatched the video, I can see that there are some unclean parts. This dude's vibrato and bends are on a different level for his age.
His technique is sloppy in parts and rushed. These days competition has gotten a lot more fierce and so he should work on many aspects of his playing. Just 20 yrs ago he would be seen in a different light but you have to judge by the times we are in. In the classical realm today you have 8 yr old players that are incredible because of the method of learning and the accessibility of learning. In the guitar world accessibility is all there however the other aspects are still lacking. Shredding doesn't impress anymore because melody is king and we all know this instinctively. Jack Thammarat pretty much surmises what a good guitar should sound like not that I'm saying everyone should copy him but here he played rushed parts with melodies not really making much sense and arpeggios that sounded horrible because of poor note separation and played without accuracy.
For a start, he wasn't shredding. Secondly, literally nobody is criticising (or "hating" as you internet idiots call it). Thirdly, he's really good and doesn't need your help so you should probably shut up, let him be, and stop trying to be a hero.
Guys cmon, Hunter and Abby are both great at what they do. No one should be throwing shit at hunter because he won, if anything we should be congratulating him. I totally agree that Abby is an amazing player, and in my eyes- there really is no difference between them with regards to technicality and musicality. Hunter does the petrucci stuff well, and Abby does the lettieri stuff well. Cut hunter some slack, he won completely on his own merit and in my opinion, he definitely deserved the title. Have some decency, folks
@@lwilso20 from what can tell, he's definitely aware of his faults. Saying how Abby was so much better isn't gonna make him instantly wake up and see areas in which he lacks in. Comparing him to Abby simply isn't fair. He does the shred thing great. I'd be hard pressed to find another shredder at 13 that can write a whole ep by himself all while being really humble and cool about it. Abby doesn't do the shred thing, she's more into indie and neo soul. Regardless, both of them are phenomenal players and no one should be leaving nasty comments on hunter's amazing achievement.
As a life long guitarist myself,i wish everybody could understand the immense amount of dedication and practice it takes to play as proficient and articulate as this guitarist just displayed here.
These comments are incredible... Unique does not equal better. Just because you like jazz fusion more than metal licks doesn't make it superior. This kid has incredible technique, great melodies, and his composition was the clear winner in my eyes. I guarantee if Abigail had played this exact same song, you all still would have said she won, simply because she's a young girl doing it in a man's world. Both these kids are amazing, and I wish all the best for them.
@@Realasadonut Very insightful comment. But I'm 32. Thanks for playing. We could have talked about Parkway Drive as buddies, but instead you're just a dickhead. Good day
I dont see why people seem to give a lot of hate for hunter. He is an amazing guitarist and had so much better technique than other finalists. And why do you cry over a spilt milk?
Damn that bro shreds on my dream guitar i can't even afford as a fully grown adult. But even if i could afford it i still would give it to him cuz he freakin deserves the JP15. Lil mate is up to something great in the future.
I guess the people in these comments don't understand the difference between "Young Guitarist" and "Young musician". I like Abigail for sure has the style I like more, and her music overall I like better, but this dudes playing and tone is better, less accidental mutes more fluid note transitions, confidence on the neck etc. She is a better overall musician from looking at both the youtube history of playing available on both but he does play the guitar better /shrug. He wrote his own song, she is playing a Mateus Asato piece and not as clean.. That's why he won. Not Patriarchy, or racism, or any of that other crap people try to make EVERY single situation about. That said, both play light years better then I could now, or at their age laugh.
and had this been a contest on connecting with the crowd she might have won for sure, but it wasn't, it was a contest on guitar playing, these tend to be more focused on technique and skill with musicianship coming in second. Thanks for the conversation either way =) have a good day!
I also imagine that the uneducated watcher is not familiar with math rock, making Abigails performance stand out more. The judges would not be as wowed by the style, leaving the decision down to technicality.
Koroz agree, these comments are typical of people who don’t understand how these musicians are being judged. Annoying as I cannot scroll through and find comments of value to me as everyone is talking about their redundant opinion on who they think should have won.
for anyone who thinks metal is all nonsense: this is a great example of the beautiful musicality i think all metal has at its core. inspiring guy right here, im twice his age but hes well more than twice my skill! bravo
No one is a loser here as he said at the end, all three finalists played amazingly, admittedly I preferred A.Z. and H.H. but both showed brilliant talent and dedication. Judges will always have to decide who wins but no one lost, people talking smack about a young man achieving something because someone else didn't is honestly shameful and embarrassing. Frankly I doubt Abigail would want people putting him down on her behalf.
yall know this is a GUITARIST competition right? this isnt a musician competition or who is the most original competition or who can entertain me the most competition. Not only did Hunter write the piece he played but he incorporated many challenging techniques and executed the entire performance impressively well. you guys make it sound like it is a bad thing being able to identify his influences. it only makes sense to learn about and follow greats. if he is able to replicate them to the point of people on the internet pointing out his influences, that is amazing. hes doing something right. Abigail is definitely great but i fail to understand how she delivered a better performance for a guitarist competition. you can like her performance more all you want but that doesnt mean she is a better guitarist. it means she played a piece you like more. also her performance was a cover. a lot of value can be pulled from simplicity however simplicity is not deserving of a title like "young guitarist of the year". im not saying her performance was simple. im saying just because you liked hers more doesnt make her deserving of the title. ive listened to each performance a few times. both great. however imo theres no way hunter's performance isnt more difficult. the harder something is to execute the more commendable it is. thats without mentioning his execution. abigail is still great. but having access to tabs and videos will help a ton with preparation. someone feel free to change my mind. It should probably also be noted, im not a metal fan
Can we just say that no matter who you think should have won, that we are lucky to have all of these fine musicians, hopefully bringing us ear candy in the future.
Can let any of these comments take away from the magnitude of this win. Abigail played great, but anyone adept within the style could tell there are occasional flaws with her playing, that I simply didn't notice with Hunter. His fluidity is insane, some of those arpeggios would have slaughtered most professional guitarists, and regardless of what you guys say I do feel soul behind his music, you can feel the emotion he puts into those bends, quick slides, and even the fast diddily doodily parts
Abigail played SOMEONE ELSE’S SONGS and all I read is that she is “so original and creative” Hunter wrote his own piece and has supreme technical ability, flawless note delivery, and the ability to do it quite quickly. Abigail plays great, sure. But Hunter has more skill over his instrument.
tim vire at the end of the day it comes down to the judges choice and they have their own opinions on style and playing ability. Abigail might have more “soul” but Hunter had better note choice and ability and both of them were better than the other finalist who no one seems to remember.
A couple of kids, with amazing skills. Of course, you cannot expect from them to be totally original, but they have so much time ahead of them to build upon this amazing fondation that they already crafted. What worries me is the amount of grown a** men commenting in a very disrespectful and mean way towards these wonderful kids, no matter which one it is, just because their playing doesn't quite suits their musical preferences. It is also wierd to me how most of you negative people have this bias towards liking Abigail more then Hunter, because she is...more original? You should spend more time listening to new music, instead of typing mean comments on youtube. Because if you did that, you would notice how much the fusiony/jazzy/cleany/suhry guitar scene has grown over the last few years, and Abigail is very much influenced by that. Which is totally fine and expected, as is with the all other guys and girls competing here. They are so young... And hats down to them all. Peace.
They picked Hunter as the winner because he had progression, speed, dual guitar, shredding, and feel. Not to discredit Abigail but hers was pretty much mindless playing over a drumming track. It had no root notes. But hey they are both two special guitarists.
When a teenage kid makes a person with 37 years of playing, teaching, recording and practicing want to just quit and start telemarketing timeshares for a living.
The bend at 3:39 and the run up to it was ridiculous! As a showcase of technicality, I really enjoyed this performance! Fantastic control of the instrument's controls as well.
So to all these comments, let me get this straight, this KID, who has infinitely stronger technique, who composed his OWN, equally "musical" song, and played it cleaner, deserved to lose over Abigail who played two covers back to back, that she didn't even play as clean. I'm in no way trying to knock her, she's still a great player, but this idea that she's "more original" for playing covers is ridiculous. Not to mention, that jazz-fusion-prog-blend is the least original nowadays, EVERYONE is moving on to that style. This jazz-fusion-prog etc. mix is not more musically interesting by default, and is not more original when it's become so commonplace. They're both great guitarists, HE performed better, actually wrote a song, and showcased his writing/skills undeniably better than she did. I hate even criticizing musicians, so that's not what I'm trying to do, but stop being stupid guys.
There is an epidemic of fucking morons in the guitar playing community -- people vehemently proffering opinions without ever having played the fucking instrument nor having listened to a substantial volume of guitar-playing; people dripping with pseudo-profound takes exhorting some inexplicable concept of 'feel' over technique and rhythm, and so many other equally exasperating variations. This comment in all its clarity was a refreshing read.
johnny walker I wholeheartedly disagree with every statement you've made. If you watch this and think he has no feel, then you're letting your preconceptions taint your vision. This dude's performance was so entirely full of feel. I'm getting so tired of this idea that music can only have feel if it's jazzy or fusiony, and if he's playing technically or quickly it's emotionless. Everyone is playing that jazz-fusion style now, it's not original and it's not a free-ticket to this pretentious auto-godtier attitude I see everywhere. And her "jazzy" techniques weren't more challenging than most of the things he played, they were just jazzier. Like I said, she's a solid guitarist, he's a great guitarist. Both had feel.
OK if you like distorted stuff you like Hunter if you like Jazz clean stuff you like Abby. There both amazing guitarist but since I'm more of a metal fan I pick hunter bu I think we all choose winners because of our taste my opinion at least
hello Hunter Hallberg you play great guitar and thanks to you I am motivated to play the guitar all day and I will do everything I can for a day you ressambler, thank you. 👍🎸
Contests are on a similar vein as rock journalism; they are simply a part of music but they don’t define them. These kids are incredible and have bright futures and careers ahead. Bravo!
Wow! Awesome. I can see why he won. It’s not necessarily the choice of style and genre but the technique, expression and timing. While Abigail is a great young guitarist she still needs to work on expression and technique.
Ann Linley: How can you possibly form a cogent analysis by listening to only three seconds of a performance? Had you had the attention span to listen to the entire performance you would have heard (and seen) more than just “shredding”. While I will agree that Abigail chose a more original piece it does not mean that her performance was better. Her interpretation of modal structure and quartal harmony is impressive, but her sense of timing is lacking and needs improvement. I’m sure this will come in time. Hunter’s timing, in comparison, was quite impressive. In addition, his attention to proper dynamic range and its subtleties was spot-on. Hunter knew when to back off and when to crank it up a notch while Abigail’s overall use of phrasing and dynamics did not rise to the same level. I strongly suggest you go back and listen to Hunter’s entire performance and then judge the two performances based on the overall musicality of the performers and not just the piece they chose to perform.
He played a series of scales and modified arpeggios. This is what boys were playing in their bedrooms in 1990. There is little dynamic variation, he does not build an arc, does not tell a story...just trots out his skills one after another. Now, he's young - it's what I'd expect of a boy of that age. He has a lot of natural talent and I wish him luck; but Abigail is a more finished musician. I could think of any number of touring bands who would have her on board right now (and this is the industry I've worked in for a very long time indeed).
Dominic Stafford Uglow: I’m sure you’re right. She is quite talented. I hope she does find a band. That’ll probably really help her play in sync and finally get her timing down.
The fact that anyone would give this kid shit for being a practical genius with the technique he's acquired at such a young age is sad, this song has so many musical elements to it, when you go to a guitar competition you should expect someone to pull out all the tricks that they have and praise them for their efforts, not completely kick them into the dirt, Hunter if you see this keep going brother, most of the people that hate on you wish they had the vast set of skills that you have so dont mind the madness and keep on rockin, I wish you the best.
This was so powerful and I love the sense of direction here, it feels like an epic battle. The other girl I honestly didn't like because it had no direction, which is fine if I want some thing playing in the background while I do stuff, but it wasn't even soothing to my ears. This one though going to my playlist.
I really like the way you layered those first few riffs. You have incredible sound and musical maturity in your style. I like the way you take command if your instrument. Very Impressive Young Man. I'm 54 and have been listening to this stuff forever! Great job. Appreciate ya. Continued Success!!!
Very nice. Maybe a bit Petrucci-ish but the composition is much-much better than Abigails. There is a lot of pure music and attitude in his song, he definitely deserves the win because he's got the whole package. I wonder why everyone loses the point nowdays: electric guitar is attitude and composition. Not technique, not "sophistication", not the "jazzy" or "fusion" nuances. The song is all that matters
Wow! That was incredible! Who ever taught this kid did a phenomenal job, and I don't say that to detract from his obvious musical prowess. Hunter Hallberg is going to be a famous world class guitarist. No doubt!
I'm playing guitar now since 15 years and still don't have half the skills you own. That must be the difference between talent and not, I guess. :D Awesome and keep rocking!
Dude’s got skills, no doubt. But style should always come before substance, man. Abigail for the win. The chop olympics gets tired quick for ANY instrument.
No mater how good someone is. You always give credit to everyone. This kid has been practicing alot. Quite more than what I was at his age. Sure he's going some where with it. Congrats dude. Your killer. Nothin like mastering your own craft.
Insert comment about how Hunter sounds like (insert famous "shredder") and has no emotion Insert comment about how "original" and "emotional" Abigail Zachko was, not knowing her song was a cover The ignorance in this comment section is surreal. Impossible to please people with whatever you're playing on guitar. Just let them play what they like. People would be ripping on you if you competed, so grow up.
@@gcg8187 Meh, I pick neither. Both guitar players are unoriginal and clearly my playing is the best. You guys are all stupid and have horrible taste in music. It's appalling.
@@gcg8187 I also hope you realize that guitar contests are almost purely based on skill, because otherwise it would all be rigged because taste is super subjective.
This young man has crazy skills. You can tell he works hard and takes his music seriously. This is not my favorite style of guitar playing but he deserves all the respect he can get from fellow guitarists. He had me lost after about the second measure.
Hunter was better. His tones were eargasmic and expressive of emotions. Abigail's had too many palm mutes I feel. And before anyone says she was more original 1) I've heard that tone before 2) She did a cover 3) 100% ORIGINALITY DOESNT EXIST! DEAL WITH IT!
Hunter is a student at my school. Not only a phenomenal guitarist, but a super awesome guy! Genuine and humble.
I bet he is popular?
You lettin him smash? It's sort of how this "guitar hero" thing works.
Mmm teacher coochie
I went to the same school! We would hang out constantly at guitar class. Sometimes he would run around with my teachers acoustic guitar and bust open a door and play Spanish music 😂
We would always annoy our guitar teacher by playing the Top Gun theme.
I can probably find a video somewhere of us shredding (although he is obviously better than me)
@@cherishedparks Nice try bud
Good job adults, let´s all comment on the moment a 13 year old kid does something amazing by saying someone else should have won. I really hope he is surrounded by more caring and supporting people in his real life than he has met here.
yeah but this guy isn't a hot girl.
@@monkeyman123321 O_O k
@Fredrik Svensson... Common sense and common decency all but disappears when the subject is "white male".
It’s a competition.
Fredrik Svensson dude he’s playing a musicman through an prs amp that’s like 10 in gear plus the obvious lessons someone cares greatly
Thanks much to Music Radar, and to all of the great people involved in the event!
If anyone wants to listen to some lower mid tier cookie cutter you tube shredding, checkout my first ever EP, I can't wait to hear how bad it is! LOL!!! hunterhallberg.bandcamp.com/releases
I appreciate everyone's passion for music, I'm 14 and have a lot to learn still, I'm in no way a fully formed musician yet.
Thank you all for the motivation!
I can't believe how negative these comments are - sure you're shredding away but you have great vibrato and a well composed piece. Keep at it! 💪💪💪
Hunter Hallberg Congratulations, Hunter! Keep doing what you're doing. Checking out your ep and will be keeping an eye out for more originals from you lot. :)
Hunter Hallberg congratulations hunter...a big deserved win. U have written a memorable piece my friend. All the best \m/
You're great!
This dude has so much control. It's insane how well he articulates each note and phrases so naturally.
This is honestly one of the most beautiful guitar solos I've ever heard. Just my opinion, though.
ruclips.net/video/29bMQWGnqTY/видео.html
To all the people hating the guy:
No, neither the jazzy girl nor the other boy played objectively better than hunter
Yes, they went for a more melodic style, but they still had some sloppy playing here and there; while hunter's technique was virtually flawless, specially for a 13 y old
Doesn't matter if you like shredding or not, the guy's technique/proficiency at guitar is on a whole other level than the others
To say that kind of stuff, you either you don't know shit about playing guitar, or you're simply jealous of hunter's clearly-much-superior-than-yours technique
#
facts
he's playing like a virtuoso, guitarists like Steve vai and Guthrie govan would be proud of this young man
Abigail was amazing at first but when I rewatched the video, I can see that there are some unclean parts.
This dude's vibrato and bends are on a different level for his age.
His technique is sloppy in parts and rushed. These days competition has gotten a lot more fierce and so he should work on many aspects of his playing. Just 20 yrs ago he would be seen in a different light but you have to judge by the times we are in. In the classical realm today you have 8 yr old players that are incredible because of the method of learning and the accessibility of learning. In the guitar world accessibility is all there however the other aspects are still lacking. Shredding doesn't impress anymore because melody is king and we all know this instinctively. Jack Thammarat pretty much surmises what a good guitar should sound like not that I'm saying everyone should copy him but here he played rushed parts with melodies not really making much sense and arpeggios that sounded horrible because of poor note separation and played without accuracy.
For a start, he wasn't shredding. Secondly, literally nobody is criticising (or "hating" as you internet idiots call it). Thirdly, he's really good and doesn't need your help so you should probably shut up, let him be, and stop trying to be a hero.
Guys cmon, Hunter and Abby are both great at what they do. No one should be throwing shit at hunter because he won, if anything we should be congratulating him. I totally agree that Abby is an amazing player, and in my eyes- there really is no difference between them with regards to technicality and musicality. Hunter does the petrucci stuff well, and Abby does the lettieri stuff well. Cut hunter some slack, he won completely on his own merit and in my opinion, he definitely deserved the title. Have some decency, folks
You were great too!
Thank you! :)
No one should be hating but the kid needs to know his faults. Criticism is good for you.
@@lwilso20 from what can tell, he's definitely aware of his faults. Saying how Abby was so much better isn't gonna make him instantly wake up and see areas in which he lacks in. Comparing him to Abby simply isn't fair. He does the shred thing great. I'd be hard pressed to find another shredder at 13 that can write a whole ep by himself all while being really humble and cool about it. Abby doesn't do the shred thing, she's more into indie and neo soul. Regardless, both of them are phenomenal players and no one should be leaving nasty comments on hunter's amazing achievement.
Landon Wilson What Faults? He was flawless
As a life long guitarist myself,i wish everybody could understand the immense amount of dedication and practice it takes to play as proficient and articulate as this guitarist just displayed here.
holy shit man.... im in my 30's and thought i was a pretty good player... you have amazing things ahead of you kid.
Hopefully he doesn't get bored in his teens like so many others…
I dunno how anyone could be bored with a JP model music man. Lol
These comments are incredible... Unique does not equal better. Just because you like jazz fusion more than metal licks doesn't make it superior. This kid has incredible technique, great melodies, and his composition was the clear winner in my eyes. I guarantee if Abigail had played this exact same song, you all still would have said she won, simply because she's a young girl doing it in a man's world. Both these kids are amazing, and I wish all the best for them.
I don't even know why people are shitting on him, no matter what genre he's playing his technique is way ahead of most the guys commenting here
Highly agreed
@@AppleGameification Sure Kevin, whatever you say... don't bother to read the comments on the other video.
What do you know about a man's world? You look 11 years old!
@@Realasadonut Very insightful comment. But I'm 32. Thanks for playing. We could have talked about Parkway Drive as buddies, but instead you're just a dickhead. Good day
This kids crushing it, truly amazing talent!!
I am standing right next to him lol he goes toy school
This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard on a guitar in my entire life
Nobody else gonna comment about that insane diminished run at 3:12?
That's my favorite part! Looks insane!
Sickkkkkk
So CLEAN!
Sounds like crap.
Magic!!
I think John Petrucci knocked up a groupie about 13 years ago and now his spawn has come to the spotlight!! This kid is flipping amazing
I don't believe that is what happened. I do not believe this kid is related to John Petrucci in any way.
@@Josh-it6uy r/whoooosh
Reddit sucks and so do you.
@@Josh-it6uy incorrect liberal
wait dream theater have groupies?
His play snaps my soul awake. This is BEAUTIFUL
I dont see why people seem to give a lot of hate for hunter. He is an amazing guitarist and had so much better technique than other finalists.
And why do you cry over a spilt milk?
Damn that bro shreds on my dream guitar i can't even afford as a fully grown adult. But even if i could afford it i still would give it to him cuz he freakin deserves the JP15. Lil mate is up to something great in the future.
Thanks Jan!
Dude, Rob Chapman is one of the judges.
He sure picked the best of the best.
I love all of the three finalist.
I guess the people in these comments don't understand the difference between "Young Guitarist" and "Young musician". I like Abigail for sure has the style I like more, and her music overall I like better, but this dudes playing and tone is better, less accidental mutes more fluid note transitions, confidence on the neck etc. She is a better overall musician from looking at both the youtube history of playing available on both but he does play the guitar better /shrug. He wrote his own song, she is playing a Mateus Asato piece and not as clean.. That's why he won. Not Patriarchy, or racism, or any of that other crap people try to make EVERY single situation about. That said, both play light years better then I could now, or at their age laugh.
While I agree with you that everything isn't about sexism. A guitar is used to make music,making a guitarist a musician.
His skills are incredible,but the girl connected better.
and had this been a contest on connecting with the crowd she might have won for sure, but it wasn't, it was a contest on guitar playing, these tend to be more focused on technique and skill with musicianship coming in second. Thanks for the conversation either way =) have a good day!
I also imagine that the uneducated watcher is not familiar with math rock, making Abigails performance stand out more. The judges would not be as wowed by the style, leaving the decision down to technicality.
Koroz agree, these comments are typical of people who don’t understand how these musicians are being judged. Annoying as I cannot scroll through and find comments of value to me as everyone is talking about their redundant opinion on who they think should have won.
for anyone who thinks metal is all nonsense: this is a great example of the beautiful musicality i think all metal has at its core. inspiring guy right here, im twice his age but hes well more than twice my skill! bravo
Except this isn't metal.
No one is a loser here as he said at the end, all three finalists played amazingly, admittedly I preferred A.Z. and H.H. but both showed brilliant talent and dedication. Judges will always have to decide who wins but no one lost, people talking smack about a young man achieving something because someone else didn't is honestly shameful and embarrassing. Frankly I doubt Abigail would want people putting him down on her behalf.
Kerokero Couldn’t agree more. The dude has got such great technique at a young age, he deserves all the credit for it.
Best comment here, Kerokero
These people are out there. Salty, angry, and resentful. Putting down when they could be practising!
Who would down-vote this??? He’s not only good but he’s imaginative. Reminds me of Yngvie Malmsteen. Well done!
yall know this is a GUITARIST competition right? this isnt a musician competition or who is the most original competition or who can entertain me the most competition. Not only did Hunter write the piece he played but he incorporated many challenging techniques and executed the entire performance impressively well. you guys make it sound like it is a bad thing being able to identify his influences. it only makes sense to learn about and follow greats. if he is able to replicate them to the point of people on the internet pointing out his influences, that is amazing. hes doing something right.
Abigail is definitely great but i fail to understand how she delivered a better performance for a guitarist competition. you can like her performance more all you want but that doesnt mean she is a better guitarist. it means she played a piece you like more. also her performance was a cover.
a lot of value can be pulled from simplicity however simplicity is not deserving of a title like "young guitarist of the year". im not saying her performance was simple. im saying just because you liked hers more doesnt make her deserving of the title.
ive listened to each performance a few times. both great. however imo theres no way hunter's performance isnt more difficult. the harder something is to execute the more commendable it is. thats without mentioning his execution. abigail is still great. but having access to tabs and videos will help a ton with preparation.
someone feel free to change my mind.
It should probably also be noted, im not a metal fan
I felt the emotion and power in this so hard that I didn't even feel the slightest bit jealous of his skill over mine. It was seriously THAT good.
Children should not be going to the crossroads at such tender ages.
Unfocused critics mostly by people that doing nothing. respect and big thanks for this beautiful performance , hunter hallberg.
This kid is so far ahead for his age man! I’m am seriously impressed!
Can we just say that no matter who you think should have won, that we are lucky to have all of these fine musicians, hopefully bringing us ear candy in the future.
Congrats Hunter! The song and performance are amazing. Keep rocking buddy! Winner #1
Can let any of these comments take away from the magnitude of this win. Abigail played great, but anyone adept within the style could tell there are occasional flaws with her playing, that I simply didn't notice with Hunter. His fluidity is insane, some of those arpeggios would have slaughtered most professional guitarists, and regardless of what you guys say I do feel soul behind his music, you can feel the emotion he puts into those bends, quick slides, and even the fast diddily doodily parts
Congratulations Hunter!!! I had no idea. You killed it here, no doubt about it.
This kid is playing and writing well beyond his years. Has potential to be special. Great job!
Unpopular opinion:i like this guy more than the girl
Because you’re not racist
because you're not racist - I guess you'd know huh?
How am i liking this boy play not racist . I mean im glad that i am not racist but isnt both of them look caucsian
thebge 123 okay...
iam73en you mean sexist
StevieT brought me here
Same
Nobody cares. Go away.
Same here😁😁
Abigail played SOMEONE ELSE’S SONGS and all I read is that she is “so original and creative” Hunter wrote his own piece and has supreme technical ability, flawless note delivery, and the ability to do it quite quickly. Abigail plays great, sure. But Hunter has more skill over his instrument.
Bullshit... Hunter is your extremely typical "shredder" whereas Abigail at least had soul to her...
@@rocknrollboise can you put soul into a cover though?
rocknrollboise hunter’s piece had more energy and passion, while I did enjoy Abigail’s piece it felt very flat and didn’t have change in dynamics.
Technical but no soul or feeling just playing notes, like watching a robot.
tim vire at the end of the day it comes down to the judges choice and they have their own opinions on style and playing ability. Abigail might have more “soul” but Hunter had better note choice and ability and both of them were better than the other finalist who no one seems to remember.
Amazingly played Hunter! Well deserved win. All 3 were excellent but you shone above the rest, great composition and technique!
A couple of kids, with amazing skills. Of course, you cannot expect from them to be totally original, but they have so much time ahead of them to build upon this amazing fondation that they already crafted. What worries me is the amount of grown a** men commenting in a very disrespectful and mean way towards these wonderful kids, no matter which one it is, just because their playing doesn't quite suits their musical preferences. It is also wierd to me how most of you negative people have this bias towards liking Abigail more then Hunter, because she is...more original? You should spend more time listening to new music, instead of typing mean comments on youtube. Because if you did that, you would notice how much the fusiony/jazzy/cleany/suhry guitar scene has grown over the last few years, and Abigail is very much influenced by that. Which is totally fine and expected, as is with the all other guys and girls competing here. They are so young... And hats down to them all. Peace.
exactly
They picked Hunter as the winner because he had progression, speed, dual guitar, shredding, and feel. Not to discredit Abigail but hers was pretty much mindless playing over a drumming track. It had no root notes. But hey they are both two special guitarists.
Finally someone who gets it!
Excellent! Good luck to him and all the participants.
Thanks Dan
@@hunterhallberg You're amazing dude
This has to be the best I've ever seen seen since this year has started this young lad is going very far 100%
When a teenage kid makes a person with 37 years of playing, teaching, recording and practicing want to just quit and start telemarketing timeshares for a living.
The bend at 3:39 and the run up to it was ridiculous! As a showcase of technicality, I really enjoyed this performance! Fantastic control of the instrument's controls as well.
Wow! Absolutely Amazing Hunter!
Highest skill level I've seen for anyone even close to his age
So to all these comments, let me get this straight, this KID, who has infinitely stronger technique, who composed his OWN, equally "musical" song, and played it cleaner, deserved to lose over Abigail who played two covers back to back, that she didn't even play as clean. I'm in no way trying to knock her, she's still a great player, but this idea that she's "more original" for playing covers is ridiculous. Not to mention, that jazz-fusion-prog-blend is the least original nowadays, EVERYONE is moving on to that style. This jazz-fusion-prog etc. mix is not more musically interesting by default, and is not more original when it's become so commonplace. They're both great guitarists, HE performed better, actually wrote a song, and showcased his writing/skills undeniably better than she did. I hate even criticizing musicians, so that's not what I'm trying to do, but stop being stupid guys.
I completely agree with each word of your comment.
There is an epidemic of fucking morons in the guitar playing community -- people vehemently proffering opinions without ever having played the fucking instrument nor having listened to a substantial volume of guitar-playing; people dripping with pseudo-profound takes exhorting some inexplicable concept of 'feel' over technique and rhythm, and so many other equally exasperating variations.
This comment in all its clarity was a refreshing read.
johnny walker I wholeheartedly disagree with every statement you've made. If you watch this and think he has no feel, then you're letting your preconceptions taint your vision. This dude's performance was so entirely full of feel. I'm getting so tired of this idea that music can only have feel if it's jazzy or fusiony, and if he's playing technically or quickly it's emotionless. Everyone is playing that jazz-fusion style now, it's not original and it's not a free-ticket to this pretentious auto-godtier attitude I see everywhere. And her "jazzy" techniques weren't more challenging than most of the things he played, they were just jazzier. Like I said, she's a solid guitarist, he's a great guitarist. Both had feel.
@@LuLeBe exactly!
@@ANTHONYFERNANDO exactly
Dang, Hunter. You did real good. Keep going man, you are a brilliant artist.
OK if you like distorted stuff you like Hunter if you like Jazz clean stuff you like Abby. There both amazing guitarist but since I'm more of a metal fan I pick hunter bu I think we all choose winners because of our taste my opinion at least
I was about to write something similar ....thanks for saving my time 😂😎
Neo-soul, not jazz. There is a jazz influence, though.
hello Hunter Hallberg you play great guitar and thanks to you I am motivated to play the guitar all day and I will do everything I can for a day you ressambler, thank you. 👍🎸
this kid is great, real melodic rock playing, he burns up the fret board.
Contests are on a similar vein as rock journalism; they are simply a part of music but they don’t define them. These kids are incredible and have bright futures and careers ahead. Bravo!
Wow! Awesome. I can see why he won. It’s not necessarily the choice of style and genre but the technique, expression and timing. While Abigail is a great young guitarist she still needs to work on expression and technique.
qigung she's a country mile ahead of him, especially with regards to her harmonic range.
Ann Linley: How can you possibly form a cogent analysis by listening to only three seconds of a performance? Had you had the attention span to listen to the entire performance you would have heard (and seen) more than just “shredding”. While I will agree that Abigail chose a more original piece it does not mean that her performance was better. Her interpretation of modal structure and quartal harmony is impressive, but her sense of timing is lacking and needs improvement. I’m sure this will come in time. Hunter’s timing, in comparison, was quite impressive. In addition, his attention to proper dynamic range and its subtleties was spot-on. Hunter knew when to back off and when to crank it up a notch while Abigail’s overall use of phrasing and dynamics did not rise to the same level. I strongly suggest you go back and listen to Hunter’s entire performance and then judge the two performances based on the overall musicality of the performers and not just the piece they chose to perform.
He played a series of scales and modified arpeggios. This is what boys were playing in their bedrooms in 1990. There is little dynamic variation, he does not build an arc, does not tell a story...just trots out his skills one after another. Now, he's young - it's what I'd expect of a boy of that age. He has a lot of natural talent and I wish him luck; but Abigail is a more finished musician. I could think of any number of touring bands who would have her on board right now (and this is the industry I've worked in for a very long time indeed).
Dominic Stafford Uglow: I’m sure you’re right. She is quite talented. I hope she does find a band. That’ll probably really help her play in sync and finally get her timing down.
At least Hunter's was an original song and not a cover.
I will be putting this song on my daily playlist....props hunter
i closed my eyes then I heard Andy James...
Definitely inspired by Andy James.
The fact that anyone would give this kid shit for being a practical genius with the technique he's acquired at such a young age is sad, this song has so many musical elements to it, when you go to a guitar competition you should expect someone to pull out all the tricks that they have and praise them for their efforts, not completely kick them into the dirt, Hunter if you see this keep going brother, most of the people that hate on you wish they had the vast set of skills that you have so dont mind the madness and keep on rockin, I wish you the best.
This was so powerful and I love the sense of direction here, it feels like an epic battle.
The other girl I honestly didn't like because it had no direction, which is fine if I want some thing playing in the background while I do stuff, but it wasn't even soothing to my ears. This one though going to my playlist.
Incredible Mr. Hunter! Awesome.
Amazing talent...when I was his age I was watching Tom and Jerry
Way to go kid. Serious chops!
This kid is incredible!!!! Reminds me of Steve Vai a little but super metal influenced
Fantastic performance. Congratulations
This is my favorite song, I’m in love!
Whats song?
He makes it look easy. Technique, tone, melody, cohesiveness. Well deserved.
Hell yeah dude! Nicely done.
Thanks Chris, great to see you again this summer
I really like the way you layered those first few riffs. You have incredible sound and musical maturity in your style. I like the way you take command if your instrument. Very Impressive Young Man. I'm 54 and have been listening to this stuff forever! Great job. Appreciate ya. Continued Success!!!
FULL CONFIDENCE IN PERFORMANCE - NEW DRAGON BALL Z THEME SONG RIGHT HERE
What a foundation to build any sort of music on. Sure beats warmed-over 50 year old pentatonic licks. Superb talent, every one.
*Me as I'm clicking this video*
"Is this kid about to shred harder than I ever could?"
*After the first 60 seconds*
"....yes"
Amazing talent ...licks were played effortlessly ..very well done ...!
What a talent!
I m 18 years old....still I cannot play this good.....man you have a great future. Good luck for that
Very nice. Maybe a bit Petrucci-ish but the composition is much-much better than Abigails. There is a lot of pure music and attitude in his song, he definitely deserves the win because he's got the whole package. I wonder why everyone loses the point nowdays: electric guitar is attitude and composition. Not technique, not "sophistication", not the "jazzy" or "fusion" nuances. The song is all that matters
Great playing! A young master! Love it.
Where's his first album, sign me up for a pre-order.
Wow! That was incredible! Who ever taught this kid did a phenomenal job, and I don't say that to detract from his obvious musical prowess. Hunter Hallberg is going to be a famous world class guitarist. No doubt!
He needs to make a cd
I'm playing guitar now since 15 years and still don't have half the skills you own.
That must be the difference between talent and not, I guess. :D
Awesome and keep rocking!
Dude’s got skills, no doubt. But style should always come before substance, man. Abigail for the win. The chop olympics gets tired quick for ANY instrument.
Sounds like the dooo
He is definitely a Petrucchi fan
Abigail is fantastic player but she copied Mateus Asato's style. This boy is incredible.
Rob Brown agreed
Her performance was lacking greatly....
This young man has a very bright future. Amazing!
Wish I had a 3 thousand dollar guitar at his age.....
No mater how good someone is. You always give credit to everyone. This kid has been practicing alot. Quite more than what I was at his age. Sure he's going some where with it. Congrats dude. Your killer. Nothin like mastering your own craft.
Insert comment about how Hunter sounds like (insert famous "shredder") and has no emotion
Insert comment about how "original" and "emotional" Abigail Zachko was, not knowing her song was a cover
The ignorance in this comment section is surreal. Impossible to please people with whatever you're playing on guitar. Just let them play what they like. People would be ripping on you if you competed, so grow up.
Just saw both vids. So this guy shredded and won? Meh, I pick the other contestant, the girl
@@gcg8187 Meh, I pick neither. Both guitar players are unoriginal and clearly my playing is the best. You guys are all stupid and have horrible taste in music. It's appalling.
@@troysmithfr LOL
@@gcg8187 I also hope you realize that guitar contests are almost purely based on skill, because otherwise it would all be rigged because taste is super subjective.
@@troysmithfr Explain how Hunters performance was unoriginal.
Damn, this kid is awesome. To be that good at anything at his age is an absolute gift and achievement.
This person is like this due to the fact that nobody told him that he couldn't.
You are amazing Hunter. Best of luck to you
So there was an entry allowed with a second guitar in the backing track?
Both are fantastic guitar players! I've been playing live for 30 years and damn they are talented!
Oooh, the boy can play!
This young man has crazy skills. You can tell he works hard and takes his music seriously. This is not my favorite style of guitar playing but he deserves all the respect he can get from fellow guitarists. He had me lost after about the second measure.
Great player
You have a bright future young man
Is this his tune??
Yes. It's called "Jewel".
Yes!
That phrasing man...
Max Ostro Really?That's awesome!!!
Amazing. Very nice touch and sound. Greetings from Finland.
He’s way better than Abigail.
Ma boi. Glad to be a great friend dawg.
The fact that he said, “there’s no losers” like 3 times is so disappointing. There are losers, and that’s okay.
Typical Americans
@@Artaxerxes. Its held in London man XD
Only loser here is Ryan Martin.
Hunter is the clear winner here, beyond a shadow of a doubt....Rock on, dude !
POV: you’re here because of Stevie T
WOW WOW WOW!!!! Super talented for someone so young.
Hunter was better. His tones were eargasmic and expressive of emotions. Abigail's had too many palm mutes I feel. And before anyone says she was more original 1) I've heard that tone before 2) She did a cover 3) 100% ORIGINALITY DOESNT EXIST! DEAL WITH IT!
This guy needs to come to America