Neal Schon doesn’t see himself as an underrated guitarist.
“Neal Schon [is] definitely underrated and one of the all-time greatest guitarists,” Forever Rockin’ tweeted recently. Schon replied, “I don’t feel underrated at all as my fans mean the most to me.”
I don’t feel underrated at all as my fans mean the most to me.
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) February 22, 2025
Schon Doesn’t Play For Competition
He isn’t focused on competing with other guitarists or being included in ‘top 10’ lists. In response to Rock History’s post featuring his picture and asking, “Is Neal Schon in your top 10 greatest guitarists of ALL TIME?” he said, “Haha funny. I don’t claim to be and don’t care as music is not a competition between real players. It’s a gift to be able to express yourself – preference of music is always your personal choice.”
Later, Schon suggested on X that Journey’s former manager played a role in keeping him off top guitarist lists. Rock History had shared a list of guitarists and asked fans to name their top three. A user named Chris Mascaro commented, “It is absolutely crazy to me how often Neal Schon is overlooked. The guy is a musical genius but left off these lists every time.” Schon responded, “Politics with ex-manager.”
Melody Over Everything
In 2022, he spoke about his approach to guitar playing, saying, “I think people can hear that my secret weapon is melody. Melody wins over everything every time. Knowing how to make that melody is singing with perfect pitch and perfect singing quality vibrato. I based my guitar style and how it turned into my style was from listening to many really great singers.”
He continued, “Melody choice of blues notes, the way you hit that note with intensity or just lightly hit it to make a cry, and then the vibrato that follows. That’s the secret weapon.”
Schon will perform with Journey on March 12 in Nashville, Tennessee.
