How I Learned To SHRED (5 Things That Changed Everything)

Today is another video in my ongoing experiment with the lesson channel.
If you're interested in lessons, check out the channel here: / @elmokarjalainensguita...
In today's lesson I'll be discussing how I learned to shred, and more specifically the 5 things that really helped me on my way. These 5 moments basically changed everything. Without these things I'm not sure I would even have learned to play properly. So today it's another guitar lesson. Enjoy!
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[@Crwbsko]

I had same experience, when I started learning playing I didn't want to continue, it was very difficult to me. My mother told me that there's nothing impossible, it's only about your will and desire. Since that day I started making progress.

[@angusorvid8840]

I learned to shred because I had to. I started playing at the age of eleven and I had all the standard classic rock influences. Clapton, Page, Beck, etc. I first focused on style and where to find all those tones and licks on the fretboard. But I lived in Los Angeles, ground zero for the world of shred in 1986, and we had bands like Racer X on the scene and there was enormous pressure to be able to shred. So, I locked myself in my room for about a year, studying my lessons but also watching a lot of those REH VHS lesson tapes from Vinnie Moore, Al Di Meola, Yngwie, etc. I developed enormous speed, but my style suffered for it. This tension between speed and style took a couple more years to shake itself out, but by the time I was fourteen or fifteen I found the balance with the help of a teacher to basically said to me, "You can play a thousand notes a second, but can you hold one note for a thousand seconds?" I began to focus on getting the most out of every note, and I kept on learning. The ability to shred, while not everything, is a necessary tool. While you may not need it for every gig, when you need it, you have to deliver the goods.

[@sole__doubt]

The variations on the spider is really the best thing to create dependable hand synchronization. Just doing it for a few minutes a day will help every player except for the most advanced players.

[@andyb7855]

11:38

[@ZitherBeast]

Fantastic video Elmo.

[@rmcaudio7041]

Thanks Elmo. Great advice! One remark, I fully agree that you should be pushing boundaries. But, it makes sense to start slowly and speed-up gradually. Especially when the techniques involved are complicated, like some of the flamenco techniques. It is mandatory to master the techniques before speeding-up. Also to avoid injuries. (yes, that is possible, especially when studying flamenco guitar) Another reason is to master economy of movement first, before speeding-up. Economy of movement is key to play fast. Anyway, just my two sense. Keep up the great work, you are a gifted player and teacher!

[@MashaT22]

This is extreme helpful! Thanks for sharing your experience! 😊

[@progrob27]

I share a lot of those experiences with you, rings true to me, legit good advice. Thanks for sharing.

[@wizrom3046]

So in need to train a Spider to walk all over my guitar, and get Malmsteen to do the shredding for me.

[@angusorvid8840]

On the issue of accuracy, while Di Meola is more accurate than McLaughlin, I'd much rather listen to the latter. He just has so much fire and his style is more interesting. BTW, Petrucci's Rock Discipline is an excellent instructional video. I also think his stretching exercises are extremely helpful if you want to play at your best and avoid injury.

[@scottharrison9083]

Great stuff

[@whiteroom2773]

Thanks Elmo, great video. Succinct 👍🏻🙂

[@jmar482]

Ah, the old Steve Vai 10 hour work out. I remember that from when it first appeared in Guitar world. I actually think I still have the paper version of it somewhere with a bunch of sheet music I have. Was a great tool that spawned legions and legions of aspiring guitarist.

[@mauti8550]

Good speech, man.😊

[@stephenhedger5178]

A refreshing and helpful take on different ways of improving speed and fluency. I've been playing for fifty years and have always been fixated on accuracy over speed, time now I think to your methods a go! Thanks Elmo.

[@georgeallison6228]

I like the Vox amp in background. AC15 or 30? You got me on the fishing. That's the big secret to shredding. Yeah. Fishing. Works for me Elmo

[@RickMichaelis63]

Thanks for the video Elmo 🎉🙏✌️❤️🎵🎼🎶😎👍

[@donvape336]

Thank you

[@WorldsOkayestSorcerer]

The thing that has helped me the most has been practicing the spider walk, a cross exercise, and the first two positions of the pentatonic scale.

[@hereonmars]

loved the video, subbed to both this and your other channel. I think we're the same age approximately. 91 was my first guitar.