5 Steps To Help Improve How To Play Shred Guitar

December 7, 2008
by Joss Schuyler

Just about anyone could be taught how to play shred guitar in the same way as musicians like Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani or Rusty Cooley do. But it also needs a large amount of dedication on the guitarist’s part in order for them to be able to play the instrument like these musicians can, plus plenty of patience as well. However, you can learn how to play a shred guitar better through using a metronome.

In this article we offer some advice that you may find helpful which will assist you when you want to learn how to play shred guitar like the kinds of musicians we have mentioned. However, before you start learning how to play shred guitar music you need to get yourself a good electric guitar and a metronome. When you have these then you can start on your journey to playing the type of music you want.

Step 1 – You first need to spend some time looking for the kinds of sheet music and tabs that have the types of shred licks that you would like to learn how to play. One of the best and easiest places to find what you are looking for these days is the internet.

Step 2 – Once you have found the piece that you want to learn to play now get your electric guitar and metronome. If you cannot afford to buy yourself a proper metronome then there are plenty of online ones available for you to use in place of it.

Step 3 – When it comes to learning any new licks on a guitar you do so at the slowest speed possible from the beginning and without the assistance of a metronome. You need to practice the piece at this speed for some considerable time until it has been well established in your memory.

Step 4 – Once you feel that you have the lick remembered can you now start to practice but through using the metronome. In the beginning when you first start using the metronome keep its tempo down to around 40 beats per minute. Also remember that as you practice it you make sure that you keep it in time with metronome beat until you are able to play it cleanly and accurately.

Step 5 – When you find that you can play the lick 5 times in a row without making any types of mistakes then now is the time to turn up the tempo on the metronome. However, only do it in increments of 5 beats per minute then continue to practice at this new tempo. Only increase it when you are able to play it properly 5 times in a row and until you finally reach the correct speed at which the piece should be played.

Even if these steps seem relatively simple when it comes to learn how to play shred guitar you must dedicate plenty of time to practicing the piece using the metronome before being able to play it properly. If you also find that you are having problems at one particular speed then turn the metronome off and go back to step one mentioned above. Give your time to practice the piece at this speed until you feel comfortable playing it. Then you can begin using the metronome again but reduce the tempo by about 10 beats per minute below the speed that you found difficult to play at.

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