Tag: neoclassical shred guitar

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.

pedal tone neoclassical organ meets shred guitar

 

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 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

Neoclassical guitar harmonic minor pedal tone tab

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 Anton

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