Shred?

[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!