Who is the best musician in Dream Theater?

[hockeydude25]

I would have to say Rudess.

[NoseofNicko]

They're all so talented, but I'd say tie between Petrucci and Rudess.

[BlobVanDam]

There are so many different criteria one could use, but I'd say probably Rudess for all of his musical training and background, but Petrucci is ph'nom'nal too. And MM is an insanely talented drummer, so you could say him. And JM is certainly no slouch.

[ASacrificedSon]

Agreed. They are all talented one way or another.

I think Rudess has a slight edge over Petrucci. It's hard comparing them you know? They both play different instruments.

[DragonGuitar]

     JP

Its so hard to compare them objectively though.

[The Presence of Frenemies]

Mangini.

[Darkstarshades]

I actually consider JR to be the single most skilled keyboardist in the music scene. Sure, there are other keyboardists that do this shreddingwhahibridopickingantcrazy stuff, but I've never seen any of them do classical music inspired stuff, or write melodical fast stuff, neither have I seen any keyboardist with programming skills as JR.
JM's bass skills are incredibly vast, it's ridiculous what he does, it's just that not many appreciate it.

I'd have to go with JR, dude is better guitar player than many other famous dudes.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

best musian?? 

[pcs90]

All of them are insanely good. I'm going to have to say Rudess and then Petrucci extremely close behind. But it really depends on how we judge "best".

[erwinrafael]

Best in terms of chops, Mangini. He is readily acknowledged to be in the upper echelon of drummers in terms of skill, along with Virgil DOnati and Marco Minnemann.

Best in terms of composing their instrumental parts, Petrucci.

Best in terms of tastefulness, John Myung. Out of all the members, he is the one who really knows when to hold back, when to step up, when to be soft, and when to be aggressive.

[lovethedrake]

Petrucci without question.  He is and always will be the main reason I love DT.    Although Labrie was a close second in that aspect. 

Rudess is brilliant but I just think of Petrucci when I think of DT.

[TempusVox]

I think they all are at the pinnacle of their respective instruments both as it pertains to knowledge and skill; but I think JR is one of those rare prodigies that is capable of so much more than we can appreciate or recognize.

[rumborak]

The answer really depends on what your definition of musician entails. I think JP is the best all-rounder since he can both write and play.

[Architeuthis]

Tough question, they are all so good and they don't outshine each other. They are equally as talented on their respective roles, and that includes James Labrie. It is so hard to sing at the caliber he sings at and to be able to pull it off through a extensive tour. DT is like a Super Group, but only better.. 

[thosava]

I'm wondering if there has ever been a band with a higher average skill-level than Dream Theater. I don't think so.

[IDontNotDoThings]

I would have to say Rudess.

tie between Petrucci and Rudess.

I'd say probably Rudess

I think Rudess has a slight edge over Petrucci.

I actually consider JR to be the single most skilled keyboardist in the music scene.

I'm going to have to say Rudess and then Petrucci

Rudess is brilliant

I think JR is one of those rare prodigies that is capable of so much more than we can appreciate or recognize.

DoC would approve this thread. 

[V_R11]

I'll go with Petrucci

[Kotowboy]

I'm wondering if there has ever been a band with a higher average skill-level than Dream Theater. I don't think so.

Certainly not any band that can *also* write such great catchy music.

Normally - a band of just virtuosos writes insanely boring music.

[JediKnight1969]

Jordan.

But the other 4 are virtuoso monsters too.

[Gonz]

I`ll go with Jordan.

[JediKnight1969]

I'm wondering if there has ever been a band with a higher average skill-level than Dream Theater. I don't think so.

Certainly not any band that can *also* write such great catchy music.

Normally - a band of just virtuosos writes insanely boring music.

True.

[Peter Mc]

It depends what you mean by best. In terms of technique, I would think Rudess is probably the most gifted although I don't actually play an instrument so what the hell do I know. I would say that a musician is more than just technique though and I would therefore have to go with John Petrucci. He's obviously an incredibly gifted technical player himself but I generally prefer his melodic sensibilities and choices and this makes him better than JR in my untrained opinion. In reality though they are all pretty near the top of their respective fields, I would guess.

[vazquez]

Each one is amazing is his instrument. But adding them together is what make them amazing.

[Prog Snob]

Even in a vastly talented band like Dream Theater, the obvious choice is Jordan. Like MP once said, Jordan only scratches the surface of his talents when it comes to Dream Theater. He's capable of so much more beyond that.

I love listening to Jordan's solo material more than his stuff in DT, and that includes LTE also. It really is incomprehensible just how gifted he is and there is probably so much more that we haven't seen.

[erciccio]

Pure technique: Mangini- world fastest drummer in a couple of categories, monster poly-limbic drumming.
Musicianship: Rudess- from classical background to groundbreaking technological innovations in its instrument.

..but John is overall my favourite, thanks to the combination of melody and whahybrido pickignant, and I think James is the only singer that can make the Theater dream (can you imagine Russell Allen singing Surrounded??  )

..ehm...is there any bass player in the band?
Never seen anyone during their shows...

[thosava]

No other singer would fit the band as good as James LaBrie does.
I would say it's a tie between Rudess and Petrucci.

[Pax]

I've always said it's Rudess first and JP second. Surprised to see many people thinking the same, everyone smileed over JP before

[Estiui]

Probably Rudess is the most gifted and versatile of all. They're all god-tier musicians, though.

[Viking of the Sagas]

Personally, Rudess. He's the most diverse of them all.

[genome]

In terms of pure natural talent? Rudess.

I prefer listening to Petrucci though.

[Progmetty]

Definitely JP. No JP no DT, can't say that about anybody else in the band tbh.

[jingle.boy]

Lars is the best them.

[RaasMah]

I dont know about the best musician, but Im definitely a JP man. Hes the only person in the world that I actually have that fanboy-ism toward.

[Crow]

best musian?? 

larus urlich

[Dream Team]

Rudess is the most talented, but Petrucci is best at using his talent for real-world application.