shredders

[Rash]

i notice that people who play the classical guitar tend to be better at shredding...
what do you guys think? how does classical guitar help in building speed anyone?
thanks

[Fry]

It's is because most people that you see that play classical guitar are insanely serious about their music. All the classical guitarist i know play at least 4 hrs every day. I also think that most classical guitarists have more talent than your regular electric guitar players. I think this because it is like piano kind of. I don't know any crappy piano players that want to learn mozart and real classical music, they all want to learn easy stuff. The more talented players seem to automatically be more interested in complicated music, so they lean towards whatever is the hardest. That probably only makes sense to me, but that is what I believe. Sorry for the ranting!

[zEr0]

Well, even though I haven't seen any official surveys on the subject I kind of disagree with what you say. At least to my experience classical guitar players aren't great electric guitar players for many reasons:

1 - Classical guitar players don't use a pick and suck at right-hand tapping because of their long fingernails.
2 - Good classical guitar players usually are so in love with their instrument that they see the electric guitar as a cold inexpressive version of the classical.
3 - ALthough you can play calssical music on both instruments you are still playing completely different types of classical music since the techniques are completely different.
4 - They know tons of theory but that doesn't really make you a good shredder by itself.

ANyway this is what I have seen from the people I know, and hopefully someday I'll be able to prove your theory to be true.

[guitarkatana]

I'm a good lead and rhythm player when it comes to rock, jazz, blues, and especially metal. But I suck at classical. I just started studying it, and so far I'm really enjoying it. I don't think switch though, I can't live without my solid-body guitars, distorted amp, and millions of picks.

BTW, I hate the term "shred", since a lot of people use it in a negative, down-talking way towards lead guitarists.

[spencer096]

yes, classical guitar helps speed. but only if you play on an actual classical guitar with nylon strings. on a nylon stringed guitar, you must be clean and flawless with left hand technique in order to sound good and avoid misqueing and making bad notes sound unintentionally. after a few months of playing a nylon stringed guitar, youre technique will have improved therefore, when you switch to an electric or steel stringed acoustic, your left hand will be more accurate and faster due to the decreased tension.

[JESTER700]

It's all about expectations. Most classical pieces beyond 1st year etudes demand a certain amount of technique, and to be considered a "good" classical player demands a certain command of the guitar, to be able to play the standard repertory. You just CAN'T suck. And players know this going in, so they put the time in to get good.

It's similar with jazz. You have to know a certain amount of stuff that will be fairly demanding. If you can't play over changes that modulate every few bars, you ain't a jazz cat. Again, you know that going in, so the necessary time on the guitar is assumed.

Rock, country, pop, and similar are another story. Tons of players are considered "good" by the populace who are mediocre. Why? Because the fans are primarily NOT serious players or musicians, so they don't know. But the famous players who aren't great still get accolades, money, and poontang, which drives the next generation to learn just the bare minimum in a quest for those other secondary trappings. And as usual, the next generation of people don't know any better.

Now, there ARE awesome players in those genres; it's just that you don't NEED to be that good to be successful. The genres are usually simple for accessibility to the masses. That's WHY they're popular. That doesn't bug me; communication is what music's all about, after all. and that means I have a shot at communicating with people even though I suck.

[Anton]

Very nice explanation there JESTER700 , respect mate!

[Mike7771]

There is a major difference between "shredders" and classical guitarists that I don't believe has been addressed. That is, a "shredder" plays music that would be considered Homophonic, while a classical player plays music that is polyphonic.

Homophonic = There is one melody line that is supported by the harmony. (Most “popular music” is homophonic)
Polyphonic = There are two distinct melody lines using counterpoint. (Classical is not the only form of music that uses polyphony, but it is used almost always in classical forms of music).

Since the music classical players play is so much more complex (two melody lines), it also sounds fuller and more complete. You don’t always have to look at classical player for this check out what Chet Atkins can do with counterpoint. I am / was a shredder now I’m older and a classical / jazz player, It took years to make the transition and it was not easy (I’m still making the transition now).

I also think that once you get to a particular level no matter what style of music you play you will start to be drawn to forms of music that use polyphony. Polyphonic music is harder to play, listen to, and understand. This why it is not as popular as Homophonic music and why serious players are drawn to it.

[screamndemon69]

technigue, technique, technique! classical players tend to have more disciplined technique which will make them faster and cleaner than the average player.
dedidcation is another key factor- as the time spent working on technique is a hard road but one that has MANY benefits.
Todd

[.Matt.]

A prime factor in being able to shred is physical ability. You can't start off and expect to be blazing off at 200BPM. You have to start slow, then build speed, strength, picking/fretting hand coordination, and dexterity.