Shred?

[NorM]

Use a metronome, use a dripping water faucet, whatever...but get that rhythm down. Your playing is awesome, and you run circles around me on the talent meter, but if you slip off the beat, then it's a bit of a mish mash until you get back in sync. I have recorded evidence of this.
Only then can you eat.

Crap you played the food card-
This is perfect and exactly what I was talking about.
Tonight- Modes and Metronones. Once you learn Modes everything else just falls into place. If I can play on time then I can play faster Really I do loose time then its just awkard until I get back on time. OK off I go, work work work. (and by that I mean play play play)

[mhorse]

A quote from a movie comes to mind:
In the remake of the Italian Job that came out a few years back, John tells Charlie: "Some steal to enrich their lives, some still to define their lives"

Same here. Some shred to enrich their playing. They impress, intimidate and inspire me at the same time. Some shred to define their playing. Only the very best of them impress, the rest are just boring.

The boundaries are subjective though. I find some famous and very well regarded players out there lack that "feel", or I can't feel/hear it. even when they don't shred all the time.

[SteveB]

I think that if you put yourself out there, you gotta take the bad with the good. That being said, I think that we can be critical of each other without ever having to be insulting or condescending. As mentioned, there are players here of every skill level, and we can all learn from each other.

Since we're all free to accept, ignore, or reject each other's opinion, there's no real need for further ground rules beyond simple respect, right?

Personally, I like both kinds of feedback. It's nice to hear what you're doing right, and it's helpful to hear what you might do better.

I've been blown away by the work of some forumites, and I've heard some that reminded me of my earlier days of playing. What matters most is that someone's having a good time making their own music.

[candid_x]

Cool! Now let's talk about gut levels for:
Critiquing
Accepting criticism
That is tough as well.

Also, are there guidelines for those? What is and is not acceptable? I really hope you can share your thoughts and help define the neccessary etiquette. This is super cool!!

LOL, I’m probably not the best one to ask concerning etiquette as I tend to be too blunt and politically incorrect. However, gut level is something else.

First, I’ve yet to see where critiquing peers on a regular basis has much of a positive effect or outcome. Well intended criticism can become drill if it’s focused on too much.

Second, a critique should only be offered where a player asks for one. This is why I deleted my post to Tristan on a different thread: he never asked me for my opinion. I was out of line in offering one.

If someone asks for input on their playing or recording, then they should get what they ask for. No flattery or bashing, just honest input.

All just my opinion.

[Colin]

OK, so Eric Johnson and Larry Carlton have both been mentioned (thank you to those who mentioned them) They aren't necessarily classed as shred players but man they are mature. Michael Lee Firkins comes to mind as a so called shred player but is also very tasty. Robben Ford is a great player but not considered a shredder. Is it a certain style of music that puts you in the shred category? Does playing a slower style of music take you out of the shred genre? What does the word shred mean to you? To me it means flashy, accurate, sometimes clinical, always great to watch but often hard to listen to more than once or twice.

[mcvinyl]

What does the word shred mean to you? To me it means flashy, accurate, sometimes clinical, always great to watch but often hard to listen to more than once or twice.

Wow that sounds just like my guitar playing except for the flashy, accurate, sometimes clinical, always great parts.

Simon

[edensdad]

I like that this thread has some really well thought out comments, I like to cut up, but it's good to see some depth.

I started slowing down about ten years ago. I found that I was playing fast, trying to emulate my heroes: Petrucci, Vinnie Moore and Malmsteen, but missing the melodic structure and the feel of those masters.

I also dug into the blues, starting with SRV & Robert Cray.

My rule of thumb for a melody is whether it sounds good on my acoustic or a piano.

Lately my playing has become a form of prayer and meditation for me - I go other places and get lost in the clouds when I play.

I find that if I start out slow on my acoustic for 30 minutes, then when I pick up the electric my playing is larger than life and powerful.

If I just pick up the electric and start jamming, like the kids in the music store, I tend to want to play really fast thrash and shred and try to impress people.

The funny thing is that most of my songs start on other instruments, especially the really strong melodies. I can pick up a bass or a banjo at someone's house and somehow lose myself in it and write some amazing stuff, then expand on it later at home with my guitars.

I still love speed, though - I just watched Tumeni notes (spelling?) by Steve Morse on Youtube - holy sh*t!


>^..^<

[candid_x]

Lately my playing has become a form of prayer and meditation for me - I go other places and get lost in the clouds when I play.

I find that if I start out slow on my acoustic for 30 minutes, then when I pick up the electric my playing is larger than life and powerful.

Sounds a lot like my approach. I no longer have an acoustic, but if I warm up at low or no volume for awhile, develop a theme or so, then when I crank up it doesn't go immediately Balls to the walls. I'm more relaxed a fluid.

I suffer from a disease called "originalitese". I've never been drawn nor gifted in copying licks or songs from other players/bands. The cover bands I've played in were mostly country, where after a couple of nights I could just feel my way through the material. Other than that I've only played in original groups, or played solo. This isn't a virtue, it's a learning disability, combined with artistic obstinacy. As a result, though, I have no idea what I'm playing technically beyond very basic structures. Another player will ask, hey, what's that chord? I have to tell them, I have no idea. I play by ear, feel and patterns.

I admire those who grasp theory and techniques so easily. I think it's the mix of this technical ability and the ability to forget technique while actually playing, which makes a superb player.

Bruce

[Roubster]

Well here is my list of MUSICIANS that can shred:
Steve Morse, Vinnie Moore, John Petrucci, Greg Howe, Travis Larson, Andy Timmons, Tony Macalpine, Steve Lukather, Joe Satriani

I think that should explain what the difference is between musical melodic shreding, compared to mumbo jumbo. I dont like to say names, but just as an example and also this is a personal opinion: Rusty Cooley can shred the hell out of the guitar and do some INSANE things, and I completely respect him for what he can do, but that's all he does. To me that word "shredding" is a TOOL for a guitarist to use in a musical piece to portray an idea. But when I hear JUST shredding, than the whole album or 2 or 3 is the same idea.
My 2 pennies, quarters, dollars, whatever you want .

[robelinda2]

Well here is my list of MUSICIANS that can shred:
Steve Morse, Vinnie Moore, John Petrucci, Greg Howe, Travis Larson, Andy Timmons, Tony Macalpine, Steve Lukather, Joe Satriani

I think that should explain what the difference is between musical melodic shreding, compared to mumbo jumbo. I dont like to say names, but just as an example and also this is a personal opinion: Rusty Cooley can shred the hell out of the guitar and do some INSANE things, and I completely respect him for what he can do, but that's all he does. To me that word "shredding" is a TOOL for a guitarist to use in a musical piece to portray an idea. But when I hear JUST shredding, than the whole album or 2 or 3 is the same idea.
My 2 pennies, quarters, dollars, whatever you want .

good points, i agree fully. Cooley, Impellitteri etc are technially great players, but their music doesnt inspire me. sometimes technique is enough to inspire, but great music inspires for longer, and stays in your head.

[RichW]

A quote from a movie comes to mind:
In the remake of the Italian Job that came out a few years back, John tells Charlie: "Some steal to enrich their lives, some still to define their lives"

Same here. Some shred to enrich their playing. They impress, intimidate and inspire me at the same time. Some shred to define their playing. Only the very best of them impress, the rest are just boring.

The boundaries are subjective though. I find some famous and very well regarded players out there lack that "feel", or I can't feel/hear it. even when they don't shred all the time.

I think that this is all to it there is, from a musical point of view. Very well said, very appropriate quote (I liked the film, too).

[mhorse]

Thanks, Rich

[candid_x]

Way I see it, it takes discipline to play, but it also takes discipline to not play. I have a tendency to get way too busy, and I have to calm myself inside and think in broader phrases. Then I have a habit, that once I get onto something good, I leave it too quickly. Ants in the pants!

[Smellybum]

amen to that.

[heavymetaljames]

I don't think I have the technique to shred although I do play fast sometimes. I have always been torn by my influences and the guitarists who inspire me so one day I want to get the Ronnie Wood thing going, the next the Slash or Gary Moore, or Vinnie Moore etc,etc,etc,etc,etc,etc - however I take snippits of their styles and incorporate them into my own (I can't remember much more than a snippit at a time!). I totally enjoy all styles but cannot do them all - but usually it is the song that inspires me - but once in a while you get a guitar solo that sends shivers down your spine............! I am not a shredda but I sure appreciate it!