I wanna shred.

July 7, 2007 6:06 AM

What's the best resource for a rhythm guitar player to learn how to shred, in as little time as possible?

I've been playing guitar perfectly adequately for more than 20 years now, but it's been mostly in a rhythm/strumming capacity. Lately, it has become clear to me that I want to learn how to solo, how to shred, how to improvise all over the place.

What I'd really love is to take a pill, go to bed and wake up able to play like Eric Johnson. Failing that, are there any excellent resources/lessons/etc. to teach scales/soloing to someone who already knows the instrument, knows the basics of music theory (although not as well as I should) - and in as little time as possible? (Not looking for overnight results, but would like to be able to start having some fun with it as soon as I can.)

posted by jbickers to sports, hobbies, & recreation (10 comments total)

A good teacher is your best bet. Trying to learn music from books is always hard and in my experience generally results in mechanical patterns that aren't much help.
posted by unSane at 6:30 AM on July 7, 2007

I second the good teacher, maybe try classical guitar. Most of the amazing guitarists have classical training in their roots. A good teacher can help you with things like posture, fingering, that you can't get from books and tablature. There is a good site classical tabs that has midi and tablature so you can hear what you are supposed to be playing. If you really want quick results, have you considered selling your soul to the devil?
posted by phirleh at 6:57 AM on July 7, 2007

I agree a teacher is best. But if you already know something about at least the pentatonic scale, you can record the 12-bar blues on your computer and loop it (apple's garage band is perfect for this). Then play lead over that for hours. Similarly, take any early stones album (or similar band from that era) and play lead over the entire album. rinse and repeat.
posted by about_time at 7:10 AM on July 7, 2007

Regarding a teacher, its really important to find one that will teach you what you want and that shares some musical tastes with you. I have had lessons several times over the years and more often then not, they just didn't click with me. One guy really did help, though because he actually helped me learn what I wanted to learn, not some crazy jazz progressions or whatnot.

Anyway, as far as learning on your own, Choose some solos that you really like and learn them. Use tab from the web (increasingly scarce and lower quality, but free), or get one of those tab books from a music store. (Even better, try to transcribe them yourself, but I find that pretty challenging and not as rewarding as actually playing)
Second about_times suggestion about just playing scales behind a blues progression or other song.

Oh also, find other guitar players that play like you want to be able to and play with them. Ask them to teach you a few things. Particularly if you're a good rhythm player you should have no trouble finding a good lead player to play with you.

Honestly, theres no magic bullet. Its all about practice and time. The key is to have most of your practice be both challenging and enjoyable. But with 20 years of the fretboard under your fingers, you are way ahead of the game.
posted by jpdoane at 7:54 AM on July 7, 2007

Speaking as someone who is going through the very same situation (save the 20 years experience, not been playing quite that long yet..):

Play with other people as much as you can. This is the only "free" and fast way to go about learning how to solo. The best option will always be a great teacher, but a friend who can already solo is your best free bet.
posted by sindas at 8:03 AM on July 7, 2007

Record some of your rhythm tracks then solo over them. Start with a simple scale, practice all the time, and then add new scales. I'm in the same boat right now and that is starting to work for me.

No pill. Sorry.
posted by Ironmouth at 8:27 AM on July 7, 2007 [1 favorite]

Most rock and roll guitar is based on the blues. I got a good piece of advice many years ago when somebody suggested that I learn the second guitar solo from Cream's Crossroads. Clapton's solo is an encyclopedia of classic blues licks that you will get much mileage from. You can take those licks, randomize them and stick them into any rocker and it works well. Learn that solo and you will have made a good start on your shred quest.
posted by wsg at 9:25 AM on July 7, 2007 [2 favorites]

I take it back; it's not an "encyclopedia" of licks. It's a small collection of great licks.
posted by wsg at 10:07 AM on July 7, 2007

Best, most practical books on learning the fingerboard for soloing in my 8-ft-long shelf of guitar books; if you’re a visual learner. Best above reviewed. Another useful series.

What I learned from these in a nutshell (pdf download).

Best info I‘ve found on training your hands to fly while relaxed.
posted by dpcoffin at 10:22 AM on July 7, 2007 [4 favorites]

If you really want quick results, have you considered selling your soul to the devil?

This is actually not optional, but totally necessary to begin.
While I would not consider myself a prolific shredder, I can highly recommend some of the resources posted right here at Metafilter. They have helped me in numerous ways to improve my skills as a guitar player and have gotten me thinking differently about the instrument in many ways.
posted by Demogorgon at 12:07 AM on July 8, 2007