Tag: dan mumm

Neoclassical Shred Guitar: The Old Meets The New

neoclassical shred guitar
the old meeting the new

Neoclassical shred guitar is a fusion of classical and shred styles. It combines the technical precision and virtuosity of classical guitar with the high-energy, fast-paced style of shred guitar. It’s a unique and exciting blend of old and new, and it has cemented itself as one of the most important playing styles in the evolution of Shred.

While it’s a very difficult style to play that requires serious practice, I recommend that every shredder spend at least some time familiarizing themselves with it.

Neoclassical shred guitar continues to evolve both as a playing style and a genre of music and can be utilized as a source for inspiration and virtuosic techniques that can be applied to other styles that you may be more interested in.

The Neoclassical Shred Guitar Masters

So, who are some of the masters of this style? Well, there are plenty of talented neoclassical shred guitarists out there, but a few that come to mind are Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Uli Jon Roth, Vinnie Moore and, one of my personal favorites, Dan Mumm.

Let’s take a brief look at the original Neoclassical shredder and one of the more recent top players to see how things can change over the years and how neoclassical can be used in completely different ways.

Since neoclassical is blend of the old and new, let’s take a look at the original (Yngwie will never get old) and new of neoclassical…

Yngwie Malmsteen

Yngwie Malmsteen is a Swedish guitar virtuoso who has been at the forefront of neoclassical shred guitar for decades. His technical ability and speed on the guitar are truly impressive, and he has inspired countless guitarists with his style. He’s considered the father of neoclassical shred guitar. Countless guitarists have been inspired and influenced by the original neoclassical shred virtuoso. 


 

Dan Mumm

Dan Mumm is one of those countless guitarists who have obviously taken inspiration from Yngwie but he stands out as something of an anomaly.

He’s a neoclassical shred guitarist and multi-instrumentalist composer who has made a name for himself with his covers of popular classical music, his incredible playing, and his ingenious guitar courses. His ability to blend classical and shred elements in a way that is both elegant and entirely original is truly impressive, and his solos always manage to surprise. It’s as if someone gave Beethoven an electric guitar and some LSD and said “go write some metal music.”

Mumm’s relative obscurity might be due to the fact that he seems to forget he’s working in an established genre. I warn you that you’ll be hearing about him a lot in this blog.



 

Here’s a particularly weird example of Dan Mumm’s strange genius.  The composition is so out of left field that it might take you a couple listens to start to understand it.  Once you do, it will blow your mind:

 

If you’re interested in learning more about neoclassical shred guitar, there are plenty of resources out there to help you get started. Just remember, it’s not for the faint of heart – this is a style that requires dedication, practice, and a genuine love for music.

So, if you’re ready to take your guitar skills to the next level, give neoclassical shred guitar a try. You might just find that it’s the perfect blend of classical and shred for you.

Shred on!

-Anton Anton

 

Practicing for Neoclassical Shred Guitar

neoclassical shred guitar

Greetings fellow Shredder! No doubt you’re eager to improve your skills and take your playing to the next level. If you’re a fan of neoclassical shred guitar, you’re in luck – this exciting and challenging style of guitar playing can provide endless opportunities for growth and development. But to truly master the art of neoclassical shred guitar, you need to have a solid practice routine in place.

Listen to the Masters

It should go without saying that a key part of taking on any style of guitar playing is to listen to and study the masters of that style.  In the case of Neoclassical Shred Guitar, there are a number of top players that can give you the inspiration and motivation you need to tackle the style, but it’s best to start with the father of Neoclassical, the great, Yngwie Malmsteen.

 

Gear

First and foremost, make sure you have the right equipment. A high-quality electric guitar with a fast neck and low action is essential for neoclassical shred guitar, as is a good amplifier and a distortion pedal to create the characteristic crunchy, overdriven sound. Investing in quality gear will make a big difference in your ability to play fast and accurately.

Fundamentals

Next, focus on the fundamentals. Neoclassical shred guitar is all about speed, precision, and complex melodies, so it’s important to have a solid foundation in the basics of music theory and technique. Practice your scales, arpeggios, and alternate picking to build up your finger strength and dexterity, and work on developing a smooth and effortless legato playing style.

Advanced Techniques

Once you have the basics down, it’s time to start incorporating more advanced techniques into your practice routine. Take your alternate picking to the next level by increasing the speed using a metronome and bring in some more advanced techniques such as sweep picking and outside picking. Experiment with different time signatures, and try playing in keys that are outside of your comfort zone. Practice improvising and creating your own melodies, and don’t be afraid to push yourself to play faster and more complex pieces. 

 

Classical Licks

Dan Mumm Neoclassical Shred Guitar
Dan Mumm playing some Neoclassical Shred

If you aspire to play like Yngwie and you want to take your technique to the master level, the next step is to go straight to the source.  It’s time to start playing around with excerpts of the Classical music that inspired Neoclassical Shred that has been transcribed for electric guitar.

There are lot’s of options to choose from, but for the largest selection and most accurate transcriptions to the original compositions, I highly recommend going with Dan Mumm. If you’re not too familiar with Dan Mumm, you’ve probably at least seen or heard his rendition of J.S. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in Dm.

 

 

Classical music transcribed for electric guitar is a lot more difficult to play than it seems and that’s because it isn’t designed with shred techniques in mind. It’s simply the notes that the composer decided to write based on what would sound best, not on what would be most efficient to play. So learning some of these pieces, or excerpts from these pieces, is one of the most effective methods of refining your neoclassical chops.


 

But it will also help you get a better understanding of how to make your solos sound more classical, which will give you an edge on other players.

Finally, be consistent in your practice. Set aside dedicated time each day to work on your Neoclassical Shred Guitar skills, and stick to a regular routine. This will help you make steady progress and avoid burnout. With dedication and hard work, you’ll soon be playing like a neoclassical shred guitar master.

Shred on!

-Anton Anton

Have you tried outside picking yet?  No?  Now is the time…

 

Here's just one example of some creative shred guitar techniques or just try some outside picking instead
Example of some creative shred guitar techniques

As a renowned master of the six-string *ahem*, I’ve had my fair share of experience with the art of shredding. And let me tell you, there’s more to it than just furiously strumming away at your guitar like you’re trying to start a fire.  One of the most overlooked and important techniques to master if you want to truly master the art of shred is outside picking.

Outside Picking

This technique involves picking the lower of two strings with downstrokes and the higher string with upstrokes, resulting in a distinctive, fluid sound that will make your solos stand out.

But don’t just take my word for it – here’s a video of Paul Gilbert, the versatile virtuoso himself, playing with the technique and Troy Grady breaking it down for you:

 

Start by holding your pick between your thumb and index finger, with the tip pointing towards the floor. Then, pick the lower string with a downstroke and the higher string with an upstroke, using a fluid, circular motion. This will take some practice, but with time and patience you’ll be tearing up the fretboard like a pro.

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String Bending

Another essential technique for any shredder worth their salt is string bending. This involves using your fretting hand to bend the string up or down, creating a dramatic, expressive sound that will add depth and character to your solos.

 

To bend a string, simply place your fretting finger on the desired string and fret, and then use your other hand to push or pull the string in the desired direction. Be careful not to bend the string too far, as this can cause it to break – and trust me, there’s nothing less shred-tastic than a broken string in the middle of a solo.

I saw a great video years ago (which I can’t find now) from one of my personal favorite Shred Masters, Neoclassical Sweep Synthesist Dan Mumm, where he broke down a practice approach to string bending that was all about bending to specific notes and playing them together on adjacent strings to get the hang of bending perfectly in tune.  Basically, he had you bend up a half step on the 2nd string and then play that same note on the first string to compare them.  Then he did the same for a full step and one and a half steps.  I’ve personally been using that method ever since and I can tell you, it’s effective.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Don’t worry if you’re struggling to get the hang of these techniques – just remember that practice makes perfect! Keep at it, and before long you’ll be shredding like a true master of the six-string.

So there you have it – two essential techniques for any aspiring shredder. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, outside picking and string bending are sure to add some serious fire to your solos.

Shred on!

-Anton Anton

 

Shred guitar phrasing
A chimera working on its phrasing chops

Phrasing for Shred Guitar: Making Shred more conversational since 1892

“Give each phrase some breathing room so that the listener has time to soak in the melodies. Tell a story with your phrases or imagine a conversation by playing around with some call and response phrases…”

Anton at Shred Guitar Masters

SUBHEADING

Give a Voice to your Shred Solos

Phrasing is the art of giving a voice to your solos and, while it’s not talked about enough, you can and absolutely should utilize phrasing for Shred Guitar.

But how does one go about achieving this elusive art? Well, my friend, let me give you some tips.

First and foremost, you’ve got to feel the music. Don’t just play the notes on the page, feel them in your soul. Let the music move you, and let that movement guide your fingers as they dance across the fretboard.

Next, pay attention to the rhythm. A solo without a solid rhythm is like a boat without a paddle, adrift in a sea of mediocrity. Make sure each note lands where it’s supposed to, and that your phrasing follows the beat of the music.

 

Another thing to keep in mind is that a well phrased solo is the downright opposite of “noodling.”  Try singing a melody over the track you’re practicing with. Notice anything different? Well, your guitar doesn’t have to stop to take breaths but you do!

Give each phrase some breathing room so that the listener has time to soak in the melodies. Tell a story with your phrases or imagine a conversation by playing around with some call and response phrases.

And, while we’re on the subject, don’t be afraid to let the guitar sing. Use vibrato to add expression to your playing, and bend those strings to make the notes cry out. This will add character and emotion to your solos, and make them truly stand out.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “This all sounds well and good, but how do I put it all together?”

Well, the key is practice. Sit down with your guitar, crank up your amp, get to feeling that music and then let those fingers fly. Experiment with different phrasing techniques, and see what feels right. 

You can also get creative with it by incorporating techniques such as legato or sweep picking into your phrasing. It might take some time, but trust me, it’ll be worth it in the end.

So there you have it, folks. The art of shred guitar phrasing. It’s not quite as easy as the greats make it sound, but with a little practice and a lot of soul, you too can give a voice to your solos and take your guitar playing to the next level. 

Shred on!

-Anton