When I talk about shred vs. playing a few notes, some mistakenly believed that I thought that playing a bunch of fast notes in a song is pretty silly. Taking out of context… like usual. I never flip flopped on shredding. I’ve always said shredding was “cool” and it’s an important part of music, all I said in the past was that you shouldn’t do too much of it. Like Al Di Meola said, you wanna have the ability to do both and that’s what I’ve been trying to explain all along. I’ve never neglected “shredding” on guitar whether on acoustic or electric. As a matter of fact, that was the whole reason I picked up the guitar in the first place so I can play like my heroes Jimmy Page, Satriani and Hendrix. To be able to play like those guys requires a little bit of “shredding” somewhat.

I’ve always liked shred guitar music. I’ve listened to guys like Joe Satch and Al Di Meola. I also listen to a lot of metal and prog rock which also has shred guitar in the songs like Dream Theater and Megadeth. Shred guitar was a big deal in the early 80’s, that’s when it all started. I think it all started with Eddie Van Halen obviously who is also one of my favorite guitarists.

Shred guitar was accepted in the early 80’s but in this day and age, nobody cares for it anymore. Whenever somebody wants to play fast notes on the guitar, people in this day and age are like, “Eh, he/she is just trying to be a show-off”.

Shred guitar music is still around… still alive and well but it’s not as popular anymore like it used to be in the old days. Only other guitarists listen to that type of music nowadays which is sad.

I appreciate any guitarist that plays fast and does it well. It takes a lot of skill and practice to get there. If you’re getting a lot of negative criticism toward your guitar playing, consider that a good sign. Take that stuff as a compliment. If too many people are shitting on your playing, it doesn’t mean they are right. If people are mad, then you’re probably pretty good. That’s the problem with the internet. If your guitar playing is creating controversy and mixed criticism, that’s gotta say something about your musicianship.

That’s the problem with the internet. Too many people who think they are “honest” and they have to shit on talented artists in such a negative and hateful direction. To many hateful pieces of shits on here, for sure. You just gotta ignore the critics, trolls and haters. Whatever you wanna call ’em.

If you wanna shred your instrument to death… go for it. People play what they want to. Play whatever makes them happy. If it sounds good to you, then that’s all it matters. You don’t play guitar to please everyone… you play the instrument to please yourself and that’s what it’s all about!!!

Kev