Tag: neoclassical

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

 

 

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