Jack White Responds Hilariously to Cory Wong’s Divisive Statement About What It Takes to Be an Advanced Guitarist

 

Guitarists around the world were recently set ablaze by a bold statement made by funk guitarist Cory Wong. In a video that has since gone viral, Wong declared that in order to be considered an “advanced guitarist,” one must be able to locate every note on the fretboard, particularly a C note on every string. The assertion ignited a passionate debate across the guitar community, with players voicing differing opinions on whether such knowledge is necessary to truly call oneself advanced.

Cory Wong’s Bold Claim

In the original video that started the debate, Wong, who is known for his virtuosic style and intricate fingerwork, confidently stated, “Gentle call out to the folks that consider themselves advanced guitarists, you should know where all the notes are on a guitar!” He took it a step further by challenging viewers to locate a C note on every string of the guitar. “If you can’t do this exercise, I wouldn’t consider you an advanced guitarist,” he asserted. He then ended his call-to-action with the blunt message: “That’s all there is to it – get to work!”

Holding his new StingRay II guitar in hand, Wong continued with a casual tone, yet the implications of his statement were anything but light. “Didn’t know this would trigger so many folks. I’m here for it,” he remarked, acknowledging that his comment had stirred up strong reactions.

The Debate Heats Up

Wong’s remark quickly made its way across social media, sparking intense discussions among guitar players from all walks of life. Some agreed with Wong’s challenge, emphasizing the importance of being able to visualize and understand every note on the fretboard. For them, knowledge of note locations was seen as a fundamental skill that all serious guitarists should master.

However, others pushed back, arguing that musicality, feel, and expression are far more important than memorizing fretboard notes. For many guitarists, the

idea of being an “advanced” player is not necessarily tied to theory knowledge or technical proficiency alone, but rather to the ability to create and perform compelling music. These players made their voices heard by pointing out that there are plenty of world-class musicians—such as the late Eddie Van Halen—who didn’t prioritize note memorization or music theory in their approach to playing.

Jack White’s Playful Response

Among the many reactions to Wong’s bold claim, one stood out in particular: Jack White, the renowned guitarist behind The White Stripes, responded with his trademark humor. When Wong’s challenge was shared on Instagram, White replied, “Ok it’s a deal; I’ll find the C, but I’m not learning all those other notes. -JW3.” White’s tongue-in-cheek response not only added a dose of levity to the conversation but also highlighted the diversity of opinions on what it means to be an advanced guitarist.

White’s retort echoed the sentiment of many guitarists who find technical exercises and strict theory-based approaches less appealing than the raw, instinctual nature of creating music. White, who has made a name for himself with his visceral and emotionally charged guitar playing, has often been a proponent of playing with feel over technical mastery, and his reply was an entertaining reflection of his approach to the instrument.

The Van Halen Question

As the debate raged on, some users raised the question of whether guitarists like Eddie Van Halen—who was famously known for his innovative and expressive playing—would have met Wong’s criteria. “Didn’t Eddie Van Halen not know much about notes or theory?” one commenter asked. “If this is true, was he not an advanced guitarist?” This pointed question opened a larger discussion about the role of theory in guitar playing.

While Van Halen’s mastery of technique was indisputable, his approach to music was deeply intuitive and self-taught. His focus was always on sound, feel, and innovation, rather than on rigidly adhering to theoretical principles. This sparked a larger conversation about the subjective nature of what defines an “advanced” guitarist. Is it knowledge of theory and the ability to visualize notes across the fretboard? Or is it the ability to move listeners with your sound, even if you don’t know the exact name of every note you’re playing?

A Message of Musical Freedom

For many, the debate highlighted the ongoing tension between theory and feel in the world of guitar playing. Some guitarists feel that knowledge of theory is crucial to understanding music on a deeper level, while others believe that creativity and expression are the true hallmarks of an advanced musician.

What Wong’s challenge has reminded us all of is that there’s no one-size-fits-all definition of what it means to be a great guitarist. Whether you are someone who can rattle off every note on the fretboard or someone who plays from the gut, it’s the music that matters. As long as you are pushing the boundaries of your expression and playing with passion, you are already advanced in your own right.

As for Jack White, he’ll stick to finding that elusive C—just don’t ask him to learn all the other notes. After all, it’s all about what feels right in the moment, not about memorizing every inch of the fretboard. And, in the end, it’s the feel, the groove, and the sound that speak loudest.