ShortScale.org

George, if only you'd gotten an Ibanez, you could have signed up to jemsite.

I reckon you'll be on sevenstring.org before the end of the year.

Haha, don't know much about 7string but whenever jemsite shows up in search results the threads seem to be filled with complete disinformation. I may join the Jackson site for tech support though. Reading up a few threads about how to learn shredding and lol'd at this breakdown:

Metronome + Slow first + Scale patterns/Scales/Mode + Phrasing that is consistant = good shredder

Fast random chromatic what the fuckery = bad shredder

Looks like I'm going to be a "bad shredder"

George wrote:Haha, don't know much about 7string but whenever jemsite shows up in search results the threads seem to be filled with complete disinformation. I may join the Jackson site for tech support though. Reading up a few threads about how to learn shredding and lol'd at this breakdown:

Metronome + Slow first + Scale patterns/Scales/Mode + Phrasing that is consistant = good shredder

Fast random chromatic what the fuckery = bad shredder

Looks like I'm going to be a "bad shredder"

I did a bit of research into chromatic stuff a while back. It's interesting how good it can sound if used sparingly and in the right places. There's a couple of good chromatic sections in one of the solos on Pink Floyds Dogs.

But yeah, that statement seems to be on the money.

You're inspiring me George, I think I want to learn some technique. Might get myself that BC Rich Gunslinger I suggested and learn how to melt some faces.

I think he probably means atonal licks massed together, not cleverly used. It's actually what I've been doing recently but in my defence it is instant gratification so fuck it.

Looks like I'll be getting a metronome app and doing this properly then. I'd really like to nail some sweep picking and general alternate picking lines to start. I also found a really cool exercise to get the little finger working for 2 tone stretches. Will share later.

I've read people saying that learning classic Dream Theatre solos and things like that are a good way to start but I can't fucking stand it. That's going to be the biggest challenge in learning to shred: the music.

Right then George you have the guitar (or will do soon, very nice win btw)

Now for teh Shredsz Amps!!

George wrote:That's going to be the biggest challenge in learning to shred: the music.

Yep. Completely agree.

I think the Mustang I amp fulfils all my shreddy desires at the moment. It even has a setting "Basic Shred" which is awesome. Considering a wah pedal to make it even shreddier though.

George wrote: That's going to be the biggest challenge in learning to shred: the music.

Steve Vai and Gilbert for you!

Passion and Warfare, and definitely Alien Love Secrets. Can't youtube at work, but check out Vai's live Tender Surrender. Amazing!

See , I don’t really consider Vai as a shredder, a player of technical and impossible guitar parts yes, but not as a whole out shredder.

If you want shred you need to go back to the heart of the 80s and to the crossroads to meet the 80s mojo shred devil Mr. Mike Varney himself. Search out his minions such as early Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Richie Kotzen, Blues Saraceno and for some funky shred try Greg Howe and Stevie Salas. Plus there is always Marty Friedman and Jason Becker, god forbid!
One can go further back but that lot should give young George enough to work on.

Read an interview with Vai recently where he said some botched medical procedure in Mexico on his arm means he can't actually play as fast as he used to. Don't know how true that is but he seemed quite sanguine about it and said he's basically done all the speed-playing he wants to at this point and is more interested in expanding his theory and other cultural styles of music.

I also think his new Carvin amp head looks fucking ace.

Also, Greg Howe: Not a shredder but ridiculously fucking fast and amazing. Honestly, he's the single most impressive guitarist I've ever heard. If you tire of the straight up shredding it's something to really get your teeth into.

rps-10 wrote:See , I don’t really consider Vai as a shredder, a player of technical and impossible guitar parts yes, but not as a whole out shredder.

If you want shred you need to go back to the heart of the 80s and to the crossroads to meet the 80s mojo shred devil Mr. Mike Varney himself. Search out his minions such as early Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Richie Kotzen, Blues Saraceno and for some funky shred try Greg Howe and Stevie Salas. Plus there is always Marty Friedman and Jason Becker, god forbid!
One can go further back but that lot should give young George enough to work on.

Yeah, I totally agree, and don't really class Vai as a shredder. He can however, shred with the best of them. Out of all the metal/rock/technical virtuoso guitarists (shredders included), I'd put Vai as the most musical. His melodic skills, and note selection, coupled with his technical flair make him pretty awesome to listen to.

ekwatts wrote:Read an interview with Vai recently where he said some botched medical procedure in Mexico on his arm means he can't actually play as fast as he used to. Don't know how true that is but he seemed quite sanguine about it and said he's basically done all the speed-playing he wants to at this point and is more interested in expanding his theory and other cultural styles of music.

I also think his new Carvin amp head looks fucking ace.

Seems true enough, I've read/seen recent interviews with him and he says himself the middle part of his solo career is naff/a self-indulgent mess. He seems to be back to composing music and having fun, much like his early stuff when he had just left Frank’s employment.
I’ll have to get hold of his new album, although saying that for me he will never top Flex-able, don’t care what anyone says, that was a monster of a guitar album and quite experimental to boot for the time.

ekwatts wrote:

George wrote:That's going to be the biggest challenge in learning to shred: the music.

Yep. Completely agree.

Ozzy is the answer to this.

NickD wrote:

ekwatts wrote:

George wrote:That's going to be the biggest challenge in learning to shred: the music.

Yep. Completely agree.

Ozzy is the answer to this.

The randy Rhodes stuff?

Will check these all out guys

George wrote:

NickD wrote:

ekwatts wrote: Yep. Completely agree.

Ozzy is the answer to this.

The randy Rhodes stuff?

Will check these all out guys

Yup, you get the shredding and good songs

I'll probably catch some flak for saying this but I really rate Herman Li and Sam Totman for arranging their shred into melodic refrains, rather than just the atonal barrage of fast notes that so many slap out...I think solos should have memorable melodies, even if fast, and I'm not sure that can be said for some of the older school thrash shredders... To be honest I don't find Kirk Hammett's solos that interesting on average.

I did of course mean Steve Howe. Not sure who Greg Howe is.

I always saw a Shredder as a very fast lead player with flare. Like Dave said- the old school Thrash players.
Not technically minded or melodic as such, relying more on tricks like pinch harmonics, whammy techniques and speed. I suppose Kerry King's lead playing fits that description a little, but then, he is a great riff writer.

Yeah George, Randy Rhoads was brilliant, very melodic..
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Randys predecessor, Jake E Lee was fucking mint as well, no Floyds or locking nutz needed with this lad
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'Bark at the Moon' (lolz) is a great composition for a Shredder to learn. Cant find a decent Jake E Lee close up so may as well have this gal up again
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