What’s more important: learning to play a lot of notes fast or learning how to get the most out of a few notes?

You need both abilities: to be able to sing a melody and play with space, and also to have the requisite technique to play the most intricate music. That makes you more complete, and able to play a wider variety of music. It’s a bunch of bullshit every time guitarists say, “One note says so much more than 100.” I always laugh at idiots who make that claim. Tell that to a flamenco player or a classical player and see what they say. It’s almost a defensive reaction. They take something they lack, attack it and claim they never wanted it in the first place. Sure!

http://www.guitarworld.com/inquirer-al-di-meola

Just wanted to respond to more of my thoughts against Kelly Zullo’s critics of her playing fast notes.

I agree with Al. You need to have the ability to do both, being good at playing a few notes and being good at playing fast. People will make the argument of “less is more” but when it comes to guitar playing, not always. Playing a bunch of fast notes can be pretty useful melodically. People will make claims that playing 100 fast notes is just a bunch of noodling and playing too much but not always. If you shred, as long as you’re playing melodically and playing with feeling, people won’t mind you playing a bunch of fast notes.

I’m trying my best to become that type of guitar player. Playing fast notes and shredding. How do you become that player? Well, first of all you need some finger exercises and start playing very slowly. Build speed as you practice. Secondly, use a metronome too, always. I can say that I’m a pretty quick lead guitar player but I’m not a speed demon yet. I’m no Joe Satriani or Steve Vai or Yngwie but I’m doing my best to get there.

When you want to play guitar at a professional level, gotta have the ability to do both, play slow and fast. You shouldn’t neglect, “shredding”. Sometimes I like to experiment with “shredding”.

I do want to be that kind of guitar player but it’ll take some time to get there. Being a “shredder” and “virtuoso” type doesn’t happen overnight. Being that kind of musician takes years of practice.

People shouldn’t knock guitar players wanting to play a bunch of fast notes. In my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with it. Playing fast can be pretty useful for your music and your songs. Guitar players don’t play fast just to show off and say, “Hey look at me, I can play fast”. People play fast ’cause sometimes that’s what the song needs, ya know? People play fast if the song calls for it.

Kev