shredding

[hi_lighter]

are there any other basics to shredding other than arpeggio's and scale runs?? Does anyone have tips or good sites for shredding like vai or satrani?

[popmusic_sux]

Clean hammer-ons and pull-offs are always a plus. Definitely learn right-hand tapping if you don't know it already.

[Mettra]

Arpeggios are IT when it comes to shredding. If you don't know them extensively, your shredding is likely to sound dull and scale-ish. Even though you said 'besides arpeggios' I still felt the need to mention that.

Also, your shredding should be smooth. If your attack is very harsh and grindy against the strings, it will sound kinda nasty. When going for speed, go for it slowly, maybe even 'too' slowly. This will ensure that you still retain the smoothness of your playing.

www.chopsfromhell.com

[hi_lighter]

so what kinda stuff did you guys start with when begining to "shred"??

[popmusic_sux]

I'll be completely honest, I probably could do it but I usually choose not to shred, it's by far not my favorite style. I have more fun playing something on the acoustic.

But Ozzy's "Crazy Train" is a pretty good test, it's not RR's fastest song but I think it's a good place to start, once you learn all the techniques I mean.

[Mettra]

Originally posted by hi_lighter
so what kinda stuff did you guys start with when begining to "shred"??

Sweeping and lots of it. Sweep picking is the easiest way to get familiar with arpeggios. Just take a scale, then sweep up/down every degree of that scale. Try to figure out 'broader' and 'wider' sweeps on your own, good ear training.

Alternate picking is pretty important too. I learned a lot of Bach because there's a lot of involved chordal work and a LOT of string skipping, which is great practice. And I love Bach stuff.

I suggest going to www.luismoreno.com and checking out the Prelude in Dm (which is actually the Prelude II from WTC) and Invention 13 to get a feel for some of Bach's stuff. There are also some excellent tabs at Powertabs.net for Bach.

If you're feeling really brave, try out some Paganini. The 5th Caprice is pretty much the monster of them all. Caprices 1 (sweepz), 2 (pedal tones!), 5, 16, and 24 are especially great to learn.

Other than that, try out some Malmsteen, Becker, and pretty much any neoclassical guitarist you can find. Even if they don't shred a lot of stuff, the neoclassical elements are very usable for shredding.

[guitardeam0n]

Originally posted by Mettra
Sweeping and lots of it. Sweep picking is the easiest way to get familiar with arpeggios. Just take a scale, then sweep up/down every degree of that scale. Try to figure out 'broader' and 'wider' sweeps on your own, good ear training.

Alternate picking is pretty important too. I learned a lot of Bach because there's a lot of involved chordal work and a LOT of string skipping, which is great practice. And I love Bach stuff.

I suggest going to www.luismoreno.com and checking out the Prelude in Dm (which is actually the Prelude II from WTC) and Invention 13 to get a feel for some of Bach's stuff. There are also some excellent tabs at Powertabs.net for Bach.

If you're feeling really brave, try out some Paganini. The 5th Caprice is pretty much the monster of them all. Caprices 1 (sweepz), 2 (pedal tones!), 5, 16, and 24 are especially great to learn.

Other than that, try out some Malmsteen, Becker, and pretty much any neoclassical guitarist you can find. Even if they don't shred a lot of stuff, the neoclassical elements are very usable for shredding.

Well said.

But i wouldnt say that the 5th caprice is the monster of them all. Its VERY fast when played in the original version but the picking and fingering is quiet easy. I think bach stuff is harder becuase its not all 16th notes like the 5th carpice. But almsot anything from classical composers is a good way too get you started in 'shredding'

[wild_axeman]

Study Yngwie for the basics and Harmonic Minor scale usage etc.I enjoy alot of his solos.

But you need to listen to and study a broad range of players.

Melodically I would listen to and try to learn some Brian May and Marty Friedman.Also Tony MacAlpine and Vinnie Moore.If you want to hear how a melody can be extended listen to Greg Howe.He's very fluid and has long,amazing melodies.

Try some Paul Gilbert and Eric Johnson for some pentatonics.EJ is also pretty melodic.Also Satriani and Vai.

Rhythm wise try some Michael Firkins and Eddie Van Halen and Steve Morse! And Satriani and Vai here too.Listen to some funk.Anything funky!

Of course you should listen to and learn from non shredders in all these areas as well so you have more to draw from than just the hyperspeed stuff.Rhythm time and space are very important so that you don't end up sounding like a wanking hack.The groove make you move.
If your rhythm isn't good then your playing will lack feel.You feel the groove.Rhythm time and space,rhythm time and space.You remember (if not whistle) the melody.Move your booty to the beat and whistle the tune.Bring it to life! Nobody likes dead shred.Shred with meaning and feeling.

[Mettra]

Originally posted by guitardeam0n
Well said.

But i wouldnt say that the 5th caprice is the monster of them all. [1]

Its VERY fast when played in the original version but the picking and fingering is quiet easy. [2]

I think bach stuff is harder becuase its not all 16th notes like the 5th carpice. [3]

But almsot anything from classical composers is a good way too get you started in 'shredding' [4]

[1] In context, I said the 5th Caprice was the monster of all the caprices. And it definitely is :D.

[2] True. It's more of a technical workout than a training exercise for musicality.

[3] Bach is chordally and musically much more complex than Paganini, but Paganini's stuff is more technically involved. Both are great to practice, but Bach is da Man!

[4] Yeah, definitely, exposure to pretty much any great composer will definitely give you the musical definition you need for shred.