How to Shred on the Guitar Faster

Shredding on the guitar is the dream for many metal guitarists, but speeding up those fingers isn’t as easy as cranking up the tempo on a metronome. It’s all about precision, practice, and maybe a sprinkle of patience. This guide will break down some effective methods and techniques to help you shred faster and cleaner, while keeping things fun and engaging.

Building a Strong Foundation with Proper Technique

Before you start racing through scales, it’s essential to have a rock-solid foundation in basic technique. Proper hand positioning and picking technique can make or break your speed. Let’s talk about a few essentials:

• Relaxation: Tension is your enemy. Whether it’s your picking hand or fretting hand, keeping muscles relaxed is vital. Tension makes it harder to move quickly and can lead to injury.
• Posture: Sit or stand comfortably with your guitar. Your wrists should be in a neutral position to avoid strain. This not only helps with speed but also prevents long-term issues like carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Pick Grip: Hold the pick firmly, but not too tight. A loose grip can lead to dropped picks, while a tight grip can cause tension.

Once you’ve nailed these basics, you can start working on speed. While it’s tempting to jump ahead, spending time on technique at the start will pay off in the long run.

Finger Exercises to Increase Speed

Think of your fingers as athletes in training. They need regular workouts to build strength and agility. Here are some exercises that can help:

• 1-2-3-4 Exercise: Play the notes on each string in sequence using all four fingers. Start slowly and gradually increase speed. This builds coordination and strength in all fingers.
• Spider Exercise: This involves moving your fingers independently across the strings, like a spider walking. It’s excellent for finger independence and dexterity.
• Chromatic Scales: Play chromatic scales up and down the neck. This helps with finger flexibility and speed consistency across different notes.

Consistency is key here. Practice these exercises daily, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Over time, you’ll notice your fingers becoming more agile and responsive.

Metronome: Your Best Friend

Ah, the metronome. It’s the relentless taskmaster that can be your best friend or your worst enemy. When it comes to shredding faster, it’s definitely the former. Here’s how you can use it effectively:

• Start Slow: You can’t run before you walk. Begin at a slow tempo where you can play perfectly clean. Gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable.
• Consistency Over Speed: Focus on playing cleanly and consistently before increasing the tempo. Speed without clarity doesn’t sound good on a record or in a live setting.
• Incremental Increases: Raise the metronome by small increments. This helps you adapt gradually without sacrificing accuracy.

Remember, the goal is not just to play faster, but to play faster while maintaining precision. The metronome helps you achieve that balance.

Alternate Picking: The Secret Weapon

If there’s one technique that’s a must for shredding, it’s alternate picking. This technique involves alternating down and up strokes, allowing for rapid picking without the lag of repeated downstrokes. Here’s how you can get better at it:

• Start with Scales: Practice alternate picking with simple scales. This not only improves your picking speed but also helps you internalize scale patterns.
• Focus on Synchronization: Your picking hand and fretting hand need to be in sync. Start slow and ensure both hands are in perfect harmony.
• Use a Metronome: Like other exercises, using a metronome can significantly help in building speed and precision with alternate picking.

Alternate picking is one of those skills that initially feels awkward but becomes second nature with practice. Keep at it, and you’ll see improvements.

Economy Picking: When Less Is More

Economy picking is about minimizing movement to maximize speed. Unlike alternate picking, where strokes are strictly down-up, economy picking allows for consecutive downstrokes or upstrokes when moving between strings. Here’s how to incorporate it:

• Identify Opportunities: Look for passages where economy picking naturally fits, such as ascending or descending scales.
• Combine with Alternate Picking: Many shredders use a mix of both. Use economy picking where it makes sense, and alternate picking for the rest.
• Practice Slowly: Like any new technique, start slow and gradually increase speed as you become more comfortable.

Economy picking can feel a bit counterintuitive at first, but it can make fast passages feel much smoother once you get the hang of it.

Using Techniques from Riffhard

When you’re looking to take your shredding to the next level, having access to expert advice from top guitarists can be invaluable. That’s where Riffhard comes in. With lessons from legends like Zakk Wylde and Dean Lamb, you’ll get insights that you can’t find anywhere else.

Our interactive lessons and custom metronome are specifically designed to help you practice these techniques more effectively. Plus, you can slow down the lessons to match your pace and gradually increase speed, ensuring you maintain precision while you learn.

Incorporating Legato for Fluidity

Legato playing involves hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides, allowing you to play fast passages smoothly without picking each note. It’s a fantastic technique for adding fluidity to your playing. Here’s how to get better at it:

• Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs: Practice these techniques on single strings at first. Make sure each note rings out clearly.
• Combine with Scales: Integrate legato into your scale practice. This helps you transition smoothly between picked notes and legato phrases.
• Use Dynamics: Experiment with different dynamics to add expression to your legato phrases.

Legato can be your secret weapon for creating smooth, flowing lines that contrast with the percussive nature of picked notes.

Practicing with Purpose

Mindless repetition won’t get you very far. It’s crucial to have clear goals and purpose when practicing. Here’s a strategy to maximize your practice time:

• Set Goals: Decide what you want to achieve in a session, whether it’s mastering a specific passage or increasing your alternate picking speed by 5 BPM.
• Focus on Weak Points: Spend extra time on areas where you struggle. This targeted practice is more effective than running through things you’re already good at.
• Record Yourself: Listening back to recordings of your practice sessions can help you identify areas for improvement that you might miss while playing.

Purposeful practice is about quality over quantity. It’s better to have a focused 30-minute session than a distracted two-hour jam.

Mindset and Patience: The Unsung Heroes

Finally, it’s essential to remember that learning to shred isn’t just about physical ability, it’s also about mindset. Staying motivated and patient is half the battle. Consider these tips:

• Celebrate Small Wins: Every bit of progress counts. Celebrate when you nail a passage at a new speed or master a new technique.
• Stay Consistent: Consistency beats intensity. Regular practice, even if it’s short, is more effective than sporadic long sessions.
• Enjoy the Process: The journey is just as important as the destination. Enjoy the small victories and the thrill of improvement.

Patience and a positive mindset will keep you going, even when progress seems slow. Remember, every great shredder started where you are now.

Final Thoughts

Speeding up your shredding isn’t just about raw talent, it’s about technique, practice, and persistence. By incorporating the tips and strategies we’ve discussed, you’ll be well on your way to faster, cleaner playing. And if you want to learn directly from some of the best in the business, Riffhard offers lessons that can supercharge your learning journey with insights from top metal guitarists. Keep practicing, stay patient, and enjoy the process!