How to Get Better at Shredding on the Guitar

Shredding on the guitar is often the pinnacle of metal guitar playing. The speed, precision, and flair it demands can be intimidating, but with the right approach, anyone can improve their shredding skills. Today, we’re going to break down the essentials of shredding, offering practical advice and insights to help you on your journey to play faster and with more confidence.

Building Speed: Start Slow to Play Fast

One of the most common misconceptions about shredding is that you need to play fast all the time. Ironically, the secret to playing fast is starting slow. When you practice a lick or riff at a slower tempo, you give your fingers and brain time to process the movements and commit them to muscle memory. Speed comes naturally as precision and comfort increase.

• Set a Baseline Tempo: Use a metronome to find a comfortable tempo where you can play the riff accurately. This might be much slower than you expect, and that’s okay.
• Gradual Increases: Once you can play the part flawlessly at a slow speed, increase the tempo slightly. Keep making small increments as you maintain accuracy and comfort.
• Consistency is Key: Regular practice is vital. Dedicate specific time each day to focus on speed-building exercises.

For those looking for structured guidance, we at Riffhard offer a curated lesson plan that can help you systematically increase your speed. Our lessons are designed to help you build speed without sacrificing technique.

Perfecting Your Picking Technique

Picking technique is fundamental to shredding. Whether you’re a fan of alternate picking, economy picking, or sweep picking, mastering your pick control is essential for crisp, clean playing.

• Alternate Picking: This involves consistently alternating between up and down strokes. It’s the bread and butter of fast playing and helps in maintaining rhythm.
• Economy Picking: This method combines alternate picking with sweeping motions to minimize movement and maximize speed.
• Sweep Picking: Sweep picking is used for playing arpeggios quickly. It requires a smooth, fluid motion across the strings.

Practicing these techniques separately helps in identifying their nuances. Our instructors at Riffhard can guide you through these techniques with detailed video lessons.

Finger Dexterity and Independence

Shredding demands a high level of finger dexterity and independence. This means each finger should be able to move accurately and independently from the others. Here’s how you can develop this skill:

• Finger Exercises: Chromatic exercises where each finger plays a different fret are excellent for building strength and agility.
• Spider Exercises: These involve moving your fingers in patterns that are not sequential, forcing them to develop independence.
• Frequent Practice: Short, frequent sessions are more beneficial than infrequent, lengthy sessions.

Developing finger independence is crucial for complex solos and riffs. Our custom metronome at Riffhard is perfect for practicing these exercises, allowing you to set and track your progress.

Understanding Scales and Modes

Knowing your scales and modes inside out is a big part of shredding. They form the basis of most solos and help in improvising on the spot.

• Major and Minor Scales: These are the foundation. Make sure you can play them fluently in all positions on the fretboard.
• Modes: Modes like Dorian, Phrygian, and Mixolydian add color to your playing. Understanding their intervals and how they differ from the natural major/minor scales is beneficial.
• Application: Use backing tracks to practice scales and modes in a musical context. This helps in understanding how they sound in a mix.

Our interactive player at Riffhard allows you to slow down and loop tricky sections, making scale practice more effective.

Developing Phrasing and Expression

Shredding isn’t just about speed, it’s also about expression. Phrasing is how you tell a story with your solos, and it’s what separates a technically proficient guitarist from a truly great one.

• Bends and Vibrato: These are the bread and butter of expression. Practice controlled bends and a consistent vibrato.
• Dynamics: Varying your picking strength can add emotional depth to your solos.
• Silence: Don’t underestimate the power of a well-placed rest. It can give your phrases breathing room and make them more impactful.

In our lessons at Riffhard, we emphasize the importance of phrasing and provide exercises to develop your unique voice on the guitar.

Improvisation: Thinking on Your Feet

Improvisation is a skill that will greatly enhance your shredding abilities. It involves quickly making decisions on what to play next, based on the music around you.

• Jam Tracks: Use backing tracks to practice improvising. Start with simple scales and gradually incorporate more complex ideas.
• Listen and Respond: Pay attention to the other instruments. Respond to their rhythm and melody for a more cohesive sound.
• Record and Review: Recording your practice sessions can help identify areas for improvement.

We encourage improvisation in our lessons at Riffhard, providing a variety of jam tracks to suit all styles and levels.

Overcoming Mental Blocks and Staying Motivated

Everyone hits a wall from time to time. Staying motivated and pushing through mental blocks is part of the journey to becoming a better guitarist.

• Set Goals: Short-term goals keep you focused and give you something tangible to work towards.
• Reward Yourself: Celebrate small victories. This keeps your practice sessions positive and rewarding.
• Seek Inspiration: Listen to your favorite guitarists and watch live performances for a dose of motivation.

At Riffhard, we offer live streams and contests to keep you engaged and inspired.

Integrating Shredding into Songwriting

One of the best ways to improve your shredding is by incorporating it into your songwriting. This not only makes your songs more dynamic but also gives you a practical application for your skills.

• Solo Sections: Write solos specifically designed to feature your shredding abilities.
• Riff Variations: Use shredding techniques to add complexity to your riffs.
• Collaborate: Work with other musicians to get feedback and new ideas.

Our songwriting courses at Riffhard cover how to integrate advanced techniques into your music effectively.

Final Thoughts

Improving your shredding skills is a journey that requires patience, practice, and a love for the instrument. Remember that every small step counts towards your progress. At Riffhard, we’re here to support you with expert guidance from world-renowned instructors and a comprehensive library of lessons. Dive in, have fun, and watch your skills soar.