Interesting take on "shredders"

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He makes a lot of good points, but the last sentence made me laugh.

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Johnny’s views are more nuanced and self-deprecating than the Reid bothers: Jesus and Mary Chain’s William Reid takes aim at Eddie Van Halen | GuitarPlayer :slight_smile:

While I could admire Yngwie Malmsteen’s virtuosity, it never moved me or triggered any emotional response and his guitar playing failed to hold my interest. So, personally, I’m in the camp that values musicality over technical prowess. Having said that, I listen to all sorts of music that others would refer to as “noise” or “racket” so I think there’s a place for all styles. I’m fully aware that if a piece of music doesn’t do something for me personally, that doesn’t mean that it it doesn’t evoke a response in somebody else.

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I can’t begin to describe how uninterested I am in hypersonic twiddly-twiddly guitar playing. :yawning_face:

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Never been interested in playing like EVH, shredding, improvisation. Just seems purposeless to me.

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Never did get the whole shredding and speeding up and down the fretboard. Technicality is not musicality. I couldn’t name one yngwie song. I’ll probably get lethal injection for this but the same goes for Jeff Beck….name me a Jeff Beck song.

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Same here.

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I think, skills should be appreciated, not criticized.

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Ok, I’ll bite :rofl:

Jeff was incredibly musical. One song? … listen to ‘Cause we’ve ended as lovers’ and tell me you are not moved.
He’s was also a prolific collaborator and played on countless songs you’ve heard of but didn’t know he played on. A real musician’s musician.

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What’s the definition of ‘shredding’ here? Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Scotty Moore etc were all ripping it up in the 50s. There are a lot of licks and solos for which speed was the main element. I’m not a fast player by any means, but I’m always working on it as sometimes that’s what a song needs.

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Interesting guitar but no words, sounds boring to me, but thats just me, instrumentals are just not my thing. The “collaborators” catch my attention more than Jeff, rod Stewart for example.

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The article has that desperate tone of someone trying to be controversial, to remain relevant.

Playing fast and clean and melodic is an advanced skill; and if it serves the song, then all is good.

As a genre, I’m not overly attracted to ‘shredding’ for shreddings sake.

As far as precise technical prowess though, there’s alot that can be learned from quality ‘shredders’.

I found myself, a few years ago, under the written instruction of Chris Brooks, a masterful Aussie shredder. And while I didn’t care for his music much, what he imparted and showed me about alternate picking was invaluable over that 18 month period.

Cheers, Shane

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… and wanting to promote his upcoming sale of over 100 guitars from his collection.

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Everybody’s entitled to his/her opinion.

But he’ll have to eat his words one day, because history teaches us that everything returns.
I think we’ll (or a later generation) see the return of the shredder era. (but hopefully without the spandex… :slight_smile: )

Personally, i can listen to a record or two from that era, but that’s it. Somehow it doesn’t resonate all that much with me.

But that’s just me.

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OK, if Jeff Beck sounds boring to you, so could you, please, tell us who is your favourite guitar player?

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Clapton, Garcia, Knopfler……but for me, its about the whole song……words, melody, rhythm……not just lead

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I get that - I’m a lyrics guy. For me though, that just makes Jeff’s playing all the more amazing, that he can move me with just the guitar. Totally understand your point though.

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I can certainly admire and respect the skill that it takes to be a virtuoso like Yngwie or Joe Satriani or Steve Vai, but it’s not music I enjoy listening to or playing (as if I could). Others do, and that’s fine. Different strokes for different folks.

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This is the whole thing to me. Shred or do not shred, but make music. I seriously bet when people heard Beethoven “shred” for the first time, some of them probably thought “That isn’t music”. I personally have no desire to shred and its not generally my favorite music, but a well placed shred within a song can be inspiring to listen to. Also, Eruption is just one long talented fantastic shred of music with no words.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion for shure (pun intended) but there is a difference in saying, “I dont like this or that” and “its not music”. One is an opinion, the other is a statement of fact.

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I like lots of different things. Some more than others. But I do enjoy some of the derided guitarists here. Even Yngwie. No, I don’t enjoy listening to nothing but Yngwie. But I do appreciate his skill and what he has done in his career.

I like Jeff Beck a lot, too. You know, Jeff Beck worked with Rod Stewart?

Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart - People Get Ready - YouTube

As for guitar instrumentals (with shredding), I think this one is a masterpiece.

Eric Johnson - Cliffs Of Dover - Live from Austin TX (Remastered 4K - 60fps)

Speaking of Beethoven shredding. Also, we can’t leave out acoustic guitar.

Presto Agitato, Moonlight Sonata

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“Hi Ho Silver Lining” - there’s a Jeff Beck song for you.

He didn’t like it apparently. We did it at Jam Night last week. It’s fun to do and a crowd pleaser. It’s not what the discussion is really about, but it is a Jeff Beck song.

Jeff was also good for other musicians (my opinion, which it looks like I share with @mathsjunky). Maybe give the music he and Tal Wilkenfeld did together a listen.

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