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| H O ME AR T GALL ERY TAB ULAT URE MUS IC COR NER FOR UM SEA TTLE CA LIF ORNI A LON DO N PAG E O F TH E WEIRD BO OKS GU IT ARS SUN SE T GALLERY WAV ES LES SONS |
| A definitive guide to a young shredder
I�ve read on UG all the time about how people get confused on what a shredder is and what it�s all about � that�s when I decided to write up a lesson to tell you exactly that. I�ve already dealt with Alternate picking, so I feel no need to write up another lesson on that subject. In this lesson, I will focus on sweep picking, economy picking and tapping as well as legato movement on the fretboard. To start of with, a definition of a shredder refers to an extremely fast player of guitar using complexity on techniques such as sweep picking, legato movement, alternate picking and tapping, just that and nothing else. Sweep Picking Here�s a nice definition of sweep picking that I grabbed on the internet and couldn�t have worded it better: Sweep-picking is a guitar technique that involves playing one note per string, moving the picking hand in a smooth fashion, in a single up- or down-stroke (�Sweeping�), while lifting the fingers of the fret hand to dampen the note. It is a variation to economy picking. (See below for more detail) By achieving this, sweep picking is very useful for performing fast arpeggios. An arpeggio is used to indicate that the notes of a certain chord are to be played quickly one after another (usually from lowest to highest) instead of at the same moment. The technique can be traced back to it�s popular use by such shredders as Yngwie Malmsteen. It may sound very complex, so to help you understand, I�ve included an example for you to try out. Three String Sweep exercises Fig.1 e|-15-12-------15-11-------17-12------------------12-15---------11-15--------12-17--- B|--------13----------13------------13-----------13------------13------------13----------- ------- G|-----------12----------12------------14----12------------12------------14--------------- ------ D|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- A|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ E|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ Fig. 2 e|-----------------------------12---12------------------------------------------------------- -------- B|------------------13-----13---------13----13------------------------------------------ --------- G|-------12-----12-----12---------------12-----12----12---------------------------------- --- D|----14-----14---------------------------------------14-----14------------------------------- --- A|-15---------------------------------------------------------------15---------------------------- --- E|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- Fig.1 This pattern of sweeps are very common in three string sweep picking. Using your fourth, third, second and first finger, you can execute these without any problem at all. I�ve included the ascending arpeggios as well as the descending ones. The latter figure is a little trickier in my opinion, so start off slowly. Five and Six string Sweep exercises e|------------8h12p8------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- B|---------10----------10---------------------------------------------------------------------- --- G|-------9------------------9--------------------------------------------------------------------- - D|----10----------------------10----------------------------------------------------------------- - A|-12-----------------------------12-------------------------------------------------------------- E|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- VVVVVV ^^^^ Here is a minor arpeggio lick to start of with. The notation is pretty simple. You want to, �Sweep� down the first 5 notes. They are [A C E A C]. It is an A Minor Triad � The III(3rd) being flattened because it�s a minor scale. When you get to the 5 note, C (8th fret E string), hammer on the 12th fret and pull back off. After, you can, �sweep� up the last 4 notes. Here are some useful tips, which enable you to execute this A Minor Triad properly: o Use your fourth finger on the starting position (A � 12th fret A string) o Use your third finger on the second note (C � 10th fret D string) o Use your first finger on the third note (E � 9th fret G string) o Use your second finger on the fourth note (10th fret N string) o Use your first finger on the 5th note and the fourth finger to hammer and pull off the 12th fret) The minor triad shape is most commonly used by shredders and it�s a definite start to shredding properly. Let�s look at some more examples and exercises for you to get your head around. e|------------------------12h15p12---------------------------------------------------------------- B|---------------------12--------------12------------------------------------------------------------- G|-----------------12---------------------12---------------------------------------------------------- D|-------------14---------------------------14-------------------------------------------------------- A|----------14----------------------------------14----------------------------------------------------- E|-12h15---------------------------------------15p12--------------------------------------------- Here above, I�ve tabbed out an E minor 6 string exercise. More for Pt 2 |