Pedal Tone for Neoclassical Shred and Beyond

pedal tone shred neoclassical — Combining the old and new

Greetings fellow Shred guitarist! Today I want to give you a brief history of the pedal tone and how it came to be a staple in neoclassical shred guitar.

So what exactly is a pedal tone? Simply put, it is a note that is continuously returned to that acts as a foundation or “pedal” for the rest of the musical piece. When changing notes of a melody or changing the harmony, the pedal tone’s harmonic context changes leading to a powerful and dramatic sound.

But before we dive into the world of neoclassical shred, let’s start at the beginning.

Why is it called a pedal tone?

The pedal tone is a technique that has been used in music for centuries, dating back to the Baroque period where it was first utilized on organs.

You see, on a pipe organ, the pedals allow the organist to sustain a bass note by activating a mechanism that keeps the valves open, allowing air to continue flowing through the pipes. Because of the pneumatic mechanism of the old pipe organs, only one pedal bass note could be played at a time and, if you held one down with one foot and played other notes with the other foot, every time you changed notes, the lowest or highest pitch (depending on the organ) held down will sound in between the other notes.

pedal tone as a technique for guitar

Click the pic for a great resource on Neoclassical techniques

The sound of going back to a single note in between all the notes of a melody or passage was eventually adopted by guitar players who used a variety of methods to achieve a similar effect.

pedal tone example tab — Example of a pedal tone lick that is reminiscent of Bach. This uses a high pedal tone.

In shred guitar, the pedal tone is often used to create a sense of intensity and drama, and can be achieved by using a variety of techniques such as legato, alternate picking or two hand tapping.

Now, let’s talk about neoclassical shred guitar. This style of playing, which emerged in the 1980s, combines elements of classical music with the speed and technicality of traditional shred guitar. And where would neoclassical shred be without the pedal tone? This technique is an integral part of the genre, and is used to create intricate and complex melodies that showcase the player’s skill and musicianship.

Morgan Wick from Guitar Control demonstrating a killer neoclassical arpeggio sequence using pedal tones

diverse application of the pedal tone

But the pedal tone isn’t just for neoclassical shred guitarists – it can be used in a variety of genres and styles. From rock to jazz to blues, the pedal tone is a versatile and essential technique for any guitar player.

So there you have it – the history and significance of the pedal tone in music, and particularly in the world of shred guitar. I hope you’ve enjoyed this little lesson, and that you’ll consider incorporating the pedal tone into your own playing.

Shred on!

-Anton

Neoclassical guitar and the harmonic minor scale

neoclassical guitar harmonic minor scale automaton — Physical manifestation of the harmonic minor scale, seen here expressing itself as a neoclassical guitar solo

Greetings, my fine Neoclassical fan! If you’d like to enter the world of Neoclassical guitar, then I can help. Let’s dive into the world of the harmonic minor scale.

neoclassical guitar shred harmonic minor — harmonic minor dreaming of a metronome

Now, I know what you’re thinking – another scale to learn? Trust me, my friend, it’s worth it. The harmonic minor scale is a staple of neoclassical guitar and will add a whole new level of depth and complexity to your playing.

So, what exactly is the harmonic minor scale? Simply put, it’s a variation of the natural minor scale that raises the seventh degree by a half step. This creates a unique sound that is perfect for adding some drama and intensity to your playing.

The Harmonic Minor Scale

But how do you play it? It’s actually quite simple. To form a harmonic minor scale, all you have to do is start on the root note, then play the following pattern of whole and half steps: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole and a half, half.

Now, I know that may sound a bit confusing, so let’s break it down with an example. Let’s say we’re playing in the key of A harmonic minor. We would start on the root note of A, then play B, C, D, E, F, G#, and finally A again. See? It’s not so hard after all.

Here’s a great resource to get you started on the 3 most important “scales” for Neoclassical guitar:

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So, now that you know how to play the harmonic minor scale, it’s time to put it into action. Try incorporating it into your solos and see how it enhances your neoclassical playing. And don’t be afraid to experiment with different keys and modes – the harmonic minor scale is extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of musical situations.

Neoclassical guitar pattern in A harmonic minor

I put together the following simple Neoclassical pattern for you to try in A harmonic minor.

Note that G# is found in this pattern on the 16th fret of the 1st string, the 13th fret of the 3rd string and the 9th fret of the 2nd string.

It uses a few pedal tones to really drive the Neoclassical sound home.

neoclassical guitar pattern in A harmonic minor

If you’re a more advanced player and you’re looking to add some killer Neoclassical licks into your shredding, I’d personally recommend checking out Dan Mumm’s Neoclassical Shred concepts digital tab book.

Video of Dan Mumm demonstrating some of the Neoclassical licks from Neoclassical Shred Concepts

So there you have it, my friends – a simple guide to get you started with the harmonic minor scale for Neoclassical guitar.

Use some of your staple Shred techniques such as alternate picking, two hand tapping, sweep picking and so on, mix it with plenty of practice and you’ve got a recipe for Neoclassical virtuosity.

Shred on!

-Anton