The Shredder Epidemic – Does it matter if you can shred?

By Jason DeLorenzo

Is this the sole criteria in defining a phenomenal guitar player?

Shredders aren’t born – I remember being a 12-year-old kid learning to play the guitar as an utterly frustrating endeavor. I’d wanted to be a drummer but my parents weren’t on board with that idea and so a guitar was handed my way. They may have regretted that decision over the years as I wailed away in my room for hours on end but the die was cast. Slightly tone deaf and having no idea that tuning or breaking a string was commonplace, I set forth on a journey that would have its first pay off about six months later. I could decisively switch between chords and get through one of my favorite songs at the time, “When I Come Around” by Green Day. I was delighted beyond belief—I could actually play a recognizable song. It wasn’t quite the correct tempo and was certainly nothing fancy but armed with a handful of chords; I found I could play a song! The process continued with me pouring over TAB books and endlessly hitting rewind on my boom box to hear the notes again until I too could play–often stumbling–along. Looking back, I often wonder if the music I listened to set the stage for the player I am today.

I am not a shredder—period but I have a heavy appreciation for the art of insane speed. To watch a guitar being dominated with such grace is a thing of beauty. I am not taking about the generic scales and modes that showcase repetitious speed but the true masters of hustle AND melody. After all, swiftness is only part of the equation, the eye candy; the melody is what captures hearts. If I think of catchy riffs one timeless name ironically comes to mind: Slow Hand, aka Eric Clapton. Clapton would never be considered a shredder because the term is more associated in the metal genre but the guy can rip it up! Check out the electric version of Layla if you don’t believe me.

Everyone starts somewhere – Picture walking into a guitar shop and being bombarded by an assault of poorly rendered tunes. I am sure this not a hard stretch of the imagination for any of us! Some of these songs are recognized as faint screeches of our favorite songs, others not at all. They are being played too slow, too fast or so slapdash that ears would rather hear nails on a chalkboard. When I find myself as the player in this situation I tend to revert to simpler methods and recall very basic chord progressions or passages of memorable tunes in these situations if I am at a loss of what to play. Somehow I still always feel instantly judged by another player as the sole member of the jury that found me guilty of ‘being bad.’ Whispers ensue amongst a group huddled around the few half stacks in the shop. Maintaining honesty, I will admit I have done the same thing about them from my bench in the corner. We eye one another and declare ‘found guilty of committing the crime of an imposter.’ The absence of ability witnessed in those trying to be a shredder is often comical, though it does take guts to attempt the solo from any number of Metallica songs and publicly slaughter what had inspired many of us to strap on a guitar. But with time, patience and practice, they will get there—accurate timing and execution comes with just that—time.

Gigging and watching other bands over the years it’s easy to recall very noteworthy performances and playing styles. Even with the onset of music television the camera stayed largely focused on the lead vocalist and eventually making its way to the elusive guitarist and his or her craft remained largely shrouded in an air of mystery. With the expansion of technology we are now closer than ever to every entertainer and access is right at our fingertips to place them under a microscope as a discerning critic.

It takes work, use technology – Beyond the acclaimed superstar, novice players and quiet studio musicians now have their time in the limelight with self-made channels and helpful how-to videos. It is amazing to see the effect that the web has played over the last decade in cracking open this guitarists’ information heaven. Simply sitting in the comfort of home and searching YouTube presents a world of opportunity and knowledge. Instant access to thousands of videos with side-by-side gear comparisons and demos is mesmerizing. No longer are we held back by our own ears on how to play a song—now we can find a tutorial and have someone teach us, complete with a handy pause button. We’re no longer limited by our own purchasing power—we can hear demos of equipment in our current G.A.S. state (that’s Gear Acquirement Syndrome for those who are new to the block) to feed the beast. While it may serve to contribute to that syndrome, in truth, it is an amazing tool for guitar players to connect and learn around the globe.

It takes practice – But amongst all that noise and great demos what else can really teach the rest of us to shred? If mundane practice and a deficit of natural born talent wasn’t enough to annoy us, our favorite amplifiers can further highlight our lack of speed and skill, which can be painfully helpful. A sense of solid-state accomplishment can be felt when drilling a part only to be disappointed when plugged in for some tubey goodness. Thinking you have just set yourself up for victory only to have the session crushed because your amp brought focus onto your sloppy playing is a bit devastating. It is hard enough to get past nerves when jamming or recording and get your chops intact but to have your amp turn against you too? Geez. Hard as it may be, this is the time you use that amp that has become an enemy during practice sessions. By letting it do some of the heavy lifting for you by shining a light on the areas you need to improve upon. It will be time well spent practicing and making sure you have fallen in line and armed yourself accordingly for the next battle.

We are all guilty of playing along to our favorite tracks, sloppily and out of time. It brings a sense that the song has been conquered and placed in our back pocket to summon at a moment’s notice. Simply breaking down sections of music to master an entire composition is the best way to be truly seen as a great player.

That attention to detail is a must in authentic playing as no one wants to hear Rush poorly played regardless of how awesome the originals may be. Similarly, the pentatonic scale gets knocked quite a bit for being tedious and elementary but those building blocks form a solid foundation in acquiring speed. There is a reason for this: it’s easy to remember and even easier to play. Maybe slow down if your goal is to speed up. Break sections of music apart and hammer them until you are more than sick of playing the music. From there you’re just moments away from being exactly where you wish to be.

Back to the example of the guitar shop court hearings: where do we go from here? Does it matter if you can shred? No–you may be judged upon it–but no. Shredding, or the act of playing as fast as a Ferrari, is not always necessary and is certainly not the only definition of an accomplished guitarist. It’s in the mix, but so is being creative, memorable and enjoying the process. So, happy strumming however fast—or slow—you play.

Is this the sole criteria in defining a phenomenal guitar player?

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