How To Shred On Guitar - Its Not That Hard!

In today's video, I'm going to show you a technique to demystify the art of guitar shredding.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[shawntapley]

changing to starting with an upstroke just blew my brain apart

[bddmhopp]

It’s the “ play it faster” part that is the trouble for some of us. We get how the scale goes…

[SixString_J]

Great point, most don't realize the choices you make in picking direction have such a great effect on the ease of the passage. As a guitar instructor I'll add a bonus tip. Most people try way too hard to play fast and that manifests in tension in the hands. It's impossible to play with tense hands. What you have to do is find the fastest you can play cleanly with relaxed, loose hands and that is your practice speed. You want to maintain that relaxed, loose feeling as you progress in speed. If you push too far and tense up, practicing in that tension level, you're just teaching yourself how to get injured or plateau hitting the wall of what is possible for you in that tense state.
Watch Yngwie Malmsteen's hands and you will see the way.

[axeman]

Fantastic lesson Paul! Would love to see more like this as you explain things very well 👍

[scorpionleader]

I was trying to make an etude like this, but here it is all laid out for me. All fingers involved, stretching, moving up the neck, and accuracy. Thanks so much for this. 😀

[TheDMcGinley]

I love it as a great exercise to improve my playing. I'm a very old and slow player with arthritis, part of the index finger on my pick hand missing, and generally . . . pathetic. Yet, by learning these scales slowly and gradually increasing my speed, it improves my playing overall, and for that I am very grateful. Thank you for your talent and expertise!

[AndGuitar]

You mentioned ‘light bulb moment’ which is exactly what I had while watching your video! The efficiency improvement I got after adjusting my up down or down up stroke made a huge difference! It really opened some doors that I have been missing for a long time! Thanks for sharing and opening some doors of creativity! 🤟😀 This may have been one of the most helpful videos I have seen yet!

[jackduxbury]

One of the cleanest and tasteful “Shredders” I’ve ever come across. Awesome breakdown Sensei ❤

[colinhardy]

Great lesson.
I’m with Paul.
Tasteful note choice is always best but shred in moderation is fun and if you play in a band it goes down a storm as long as it not all night.
I’ve found if you work on your technique and fast playing your normal playing becomes much better.
I never thought I’d be able to play fast but during lockdown I had the time to practice every day and it started to come together.
And with the utmost respect as I’m not an expert but I’ve made all the usual mistakes start slow with a click and build the speed slowly.

[jamman]

Great lesson! Loving that PT signature guitar!

[Guitarinseconds]

Great break down… made the insane seem obvious! Fantastic teaching style! Thanks!

[geespar]

Real world useable lesson (and lovely clean playing), thanks!

[leftturnlarry]

Nice. Gonna work on it this weekend. Thanks from the guys and gals who’ve never had a lesson.

[valebliz]

I love your picking, it's not super fast but you have a super clear attack and note separation

[stringbender]

Awesome! Always good content on your channel and this sparked a few great ideas...thanks Paul!

[josephplatania]

Thanks. It’s a killer lesson. Super fun and just what I need to push me along. Keep ripping !!!!

[jasonrenicks]

This is literally the only video so far that ive watched on YT that i actually could follow, understand and then copy/learn very clear n simple instructions for once, well done m8 thanx🤘🤙

[michaelleyba]

This was the best studio rats video that I’ve seen yet!!

[pinkyellowblue]

Finally something I can learn from that doesn't seem so overwhelming, great video

[TheMack]

Very nice, will practice that! Though it would be great to hear it played against a backing track, to get a feel for the chord changes.