About the contest
How DO I enter?
To enter, create and upload a 3 minute (maximum) video to YouTube and then submit your short nomination form online. You only have a short amount of time to show us your talent so make sure your sound and audio is clear as day. It costs just $30 to enter. We will not be accepting submissions via any other route.
Your 3 minute video submission should:
- Show your face and hands - we need to know who's playing!
- Feature you at your best! Pick your favorite piece to play that showcases your talent and techniques.
- Use the same guitar as your chosen category. This one should be self explanatory, but if you are entering Acoustic Guitarist - use an acoustic guitar!
PLEASE NOTE THAT ENTRIES FOR THE 2020 CONTEST ARE NOW CLOSED.
WHAT ARE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?
- We need to see you play! No promo-style band videos or miming, please.
- Keep it musical. We’re all for fretboard madness and next-level sonics, but not at the price of musicality and genuine mastery of multiple techniques.
- Keep it tight and get to the point fast. Our experts are begging to be impressed, so three minutes of noodling won’t make the grade.
- Make it impressive. We want to see the full breadth of your skills in as tight a playing package as possible.
- Make it sound and look good! Smartphone audio can work fine, but remember to point the camera at yourself, not at your dog or your feet.
- Want to enter all four categories with different videos? “Electric Guitarist,” “Young Guitarist,” “Acoustic Guitarist” and “Bass Guitarist” of the Year? Go for it! Just submit a new form for each category!
WHAT DO Finalists and winners get?
Finalists
🎸 A panel of judges consisting of editors and star judges will select the top 5 videos from each category as the finalists.
🎸 All finalists will be sent logos and promo graphics they can use on social media accounts to promote themselves and their video.
🎸 Finalist Videos will then be republished on GuitarWorld for readers to watch and vote for their favorites!
Winners
All of the above, PLUS...
🎸 An epic gear prize (PRS Guitars / Spector Bass)
🎸 A trip to our New York or London studio to record a live performance video*
🎸 An interview with our editors to be featured in GuitarWorld
🎸 A cover photoshoot
🎸 Massive exposure across our print & online audience
*See terms and conditions for full details.
kEY DATES
Contest Opens |
September 1, 2020 |
Contest Closes |
November 15, 2020 |
Finalists Announced |
December 2020 |
Winners Revealed |
January 2021 |
Entry deadline - October 31 11:59pm
WHO ARE THE JUDGES?
- Show your face and hands - we need to know who's playing!
- Feature you at your best! Pick your favorite piece to play that showcases your talent and techniques.
- Use the same guitar as your chosen category. This one should be self explanatory, but if you are entering Acoustic Guitarist - use an acoustic guitar!
All entries will be judged by a panel of GuitarWorld, GuitarPlayer and Bass Player Editors, plus special guest judges. Judges will score each entry on the following criteria to select 5 finalists from each category:
Technical ability
Originality
Musicality
Performance