Full Shred with Marty Friedman - Making Licks Your Own

These videos and audio files are bonus content related to the June 2014 issue of Guitar World. For the full range of interviews, features, tabs and more, pick up the new issue on newsstands now or at the Guitar World Online Store:guitarworld.mys...
Hello, and welcome to my new GW instructional column. It's good to be back! I hope the ideas and concepts I present here in the coming months will give you inspiration and insight into your own path to musical creativity.
The most important thing I can say is that you should always strive to make your own distinct musical statement with what you play on the guitar.
Once you've learned from the examples I present in this column, I would like you to completely disregard the examples themselves and retain only the techniques contained within them.
As soon as you get the idea of where I'm coming from with a certain lick or phrase, I want you to change it into something of your own invention and tap into your own creative curiosity as quickly and fully as possible.
For the tabs to this lesson, be sure to check out the new June 2014 issue of GW!

[@TheRiddaren]

His work in "Rust in peace" album is unique masterpiece...

[@gaelbgalbar9307]

The best Megadeth for ever!

[@LeBronJames-sj7ds]

no

[@eljefe8564]

Yeah marty is the man

[@enemy.within]

U don't meet Cacophony.

[@G-NutZ]

Rust in peace solos are otherworldly even today 😵‍💫

[@ButBigger42]

Marty's picking technique is the guitar equivalent of pulling your pants all the way down to pee. It works but it makes everyone uncomfortable.

[@hawk1093]

Perfect analogy

[@oldgit4260]

Lol, it looks awful but doesn't piss his pants

[@wrestlingfan-man9438]

This comment, man. It really speaks to me.

[@taggartknutson1640]

This is so true lmao

[@Hauntedasylum666]

Sooooooooooo freaking hilarious!

[@bjerkely12]

Marty is an artist, not just a virtuoso guitar player. He has a philosophy.

[@thatguyinaband6341]

I gotta agree! that pedal he uses the freddie FUzz (BLack Cat OD-1) is the bomb also! ads such a fat tone! this artist also uses it, badass!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpjVmZ2vfL2db5Y hit CC for english subs if your curious to listen you might hear the scoop it ads

[@TheSaintedOne]

"You have to kind of know what you're doing. You can't let your fingers just flow in and out of there." -Marty Friedman

[@MrThrashman666]

"Look at the neck as little roadmaps, little sidestreets" what a great thought, I've always seen it like that, it makes playing look like a journey.

[@AdamDallas]

1:39, "Something rike that". Japan has had it's influence on Marty alright!

[@eldenring9448]

lmaoooo

[@tajolariffin6147]

😂

[@joshuaholbrook1463]

😂😂

[@macabrecreation1067]

waahahahahahahah

[@43rdblue17]

Marty's like a math teacher explaining a complex equation and trying to make it sound easy .

[@GitarrSnubben666]

One does not simply pick like marty friedman

[@chrisjerwin]

+Labzo441 oh wow I love it how you're comment doesn't have likes.

[@dodgepeters2050]

+Labzo441 ur calling marty friedman lame son. open ur ears boy!!!

[@oaedwards75]

TheQuotableGuy You are correct. I watched a video of him picking in slow motion. He was using his fingers to stop strings from ringing. He is my favorite guitarist.

[@DimitrisDr3am]

@@oaedwards75 He has to because he cant with his palm like most because his usual picking style.

[@aeksinsang932]

He addressed that: he does not like muted notes and feels it sounds unguitaristic in his words

[@HappyBirthdayPaulie]

Marty Friedman and Paul Gilbert Are Jedi Master's Passing down the force to us young Padawan's.

[@ezybayz75]

then dave mustaine is darth vader

[@ther701]

@@ezybayz75 da fuq, lmao

[@mastermason552]

Love Paul Gilbert °° he's an ace♤

[@Superjet113]

Saw Marty live last Friday 10-2- 15 and he did not disappoint! The man is still on top of his game for 52 years old, and he looks great for his age also(must be ancient Japanese secret huh?) lol He was constantly moving around and banging his head the whole time his band played! He smoked the place in Vegas and is a virtuoso and master of the guitar! All hail Marty fucken Friedman!

[@psychokannibal]

His picking technique is outrageous. I get a kick out of it every time.

[@hellrazer7681]

if you look at zakk wyldes picking or even van halen's they do the same thing.

[@GordonHeaney]

seth liebowitz Zakk holds his hand in a similar way, but their techniques are different

[@hellrazer7681]

Gordon Heaney Yeah, but shows some of the greats do have odd techniques!

[@storm3380]

Marty's picking hand is like 3 angry seagulls fighting for the last piece of a fish taco.

[@ChrisHelheim]

His picking hand frightens me...but he's amazing o.O

[@benjaminbreeg9838]

...And once upon a time there was a duo made up by Marty Friedman and Dave Mustaine. We were not worthy...

[@benjaminbreeg9838]

***** Haha. "Cacophony" was superb! Well, I'm not following Marty lately. Gonna check it out!

[@benjaminbreeg9838]

***** Alright! I'm gonna do it as I didn't have that piece of data. Thanks pal! Btw, give "Cacophony" a closer look! It's a great piece of metal music! You won't regret it!

[@benjaminbreeg9838]

***** I'm love it 2 as well! Rock on, mate :).

[@aeksinsang932]

Benjamin Breeg becker friedman more like it. spooge spooge.

[@MrMetalhorse]

dottedforlong Both were legendary duos. I don't know If I could pick my favorite

[@georgoroth]

part of the exercise is: "come up with something cooler than Marty's licks" ok, i'm throwing my guitar

[@Benjamin-di1or]

His picking style Ive noticed is how that kind of attack is achieved in his sound. The angle, speed... everything. True artistry.

[@dontbelikejake]

Omg, this is probably the best lesson ever

[@debopamroy56]

this guy is such a genuine teacher. reminds me of what i read in the books about randy.

[@mikerock8098]

I wish randy rhoads was alive to get to youtube and also share his wisdom :c (apologise for the irrelevant comment)

[@RandomRockas]

Mike Rock I Totally agree with you!

[@Daver869]

I agree, same goes for Jason Becker. I wish he can still play and share his wisdom personally

[@dodgepeters2050]

+Mike Rock marty and randy that would be super caphony.

[@Keepler22b]

yes!! agree:) alot of good ones die young :(

[@Keepler22b]

Hopes he play the hell out of heaven.

[@Lieutenant_Dude]

Marty Friedman, master of the luckyfin/capral tunnel right hand technique.

[@MrUltraworld]

He's so good on so many levels. The music just pours out of him. His crazy whammy like bends are incredible too.

[@demonocusmetalocus3558]

I don't even play guitar but i found this fascinating to watch.

[@x7stringinJSCx]

let me play this slow for you now.... Lol. Then goes the same speed. classic.

[@gordontubbs]

I love Marty's approach, it's more like a sports coach than a music teacher.

[@meatpole55]

I think it’s an evil perfection, the way he holds his pick

[@209chancho]

Finally a guitarist I actually want to hear. Marty is the Best!!!!

[@xkoamane]

Marty Friedman has been my favorite guitarist since I first heard “Tornado of souls” in the 90’s!!!!!! The most distinctive lead guitarist I’ve ever heard!!!!!!

[@antithug7942]

Man, this guy is such a cool dude and such a bad ass ax man! Love his work with Megadeth. My favorite Megadeth line-up was Mustaine, Friedman, Ellefson and Menza. Symphony of Destruction & Tornado of Souls are two of my favorite leads of all time.

[@Thedarkone2435]

Yes! And holy wars and peace sells and the conjuring

[@peterstefan6900]

Couldn't have said it better myself man 🤘

[@ianseurattan2084]

This lesson changed how I play guitar.....thank you Marty.

[@MiikeyLawless]

Great lesson Sensei Marty! Looking forward to more.

[@atranfanatic]

I know like in past, when Mary said he felt playing in Megadeth was a gun metal gray palette. I think he would fit quite well and really explore his potential in a Progressive Metal band. The sky is the limit what he could do in that type of band with his already unique style and playing. Just unfathomable of the possibilities.

[@DreamEclipse]

To all those talking about notes ringing out or whatever, it's because Guitar World usually makes these artists play though a Line 6 Spider with 3 seconds of delay and reverb which can only be matched by a 300 km underground bunker.

[@FiniCkyGuitar]

Everyone talks about his picking technique, no one reacts to "i'll play it slow for you" and then he doesnt

[@Z.L.Artworks]

I know right! Wtf. And the "everyone knows how to play that.

[@jaybyhop]

I love Marty's playing and philosophy, but I really grew to respect him more when I kept finding all these clips of him jamming out with Paul Gilbert.

[@Cbrmansc77]

It so true, its 10x more fun to play your version of a song. I play tornado of souls but I play bout 80 of Marty's part of his solo but I throw in my own notes and it's so much more fun. Keep the essential structure of the sound and make it mine.

[@Shahaaim]

This video was published 1 day before my birthday! Thanks for the early birthday gift +Guitar World Haha

[@bulzah]

beside that he is great player he seems like rly COOL guy!

[@DreamPurpleFloyd]

Actually I kinda like the extra noise. You can still clearly hear what he's playing but it ads some kind of tension...

[@andreesj9589]

***** si no molestes Grande Marty

[@alejandroenmanuelcabreraco9780]

+jesus bailon eres enfermo? Está diciendo que le gusta como hace variaciones, aprende ingle y aguante marty

[@corybeckmann8823]

I swear, Marty has some of the best vibrato.

[@felicsitepu5535]

Great teacher, and inspiration as well

[@ALEXUNBEATEN999]

hes so himself how cool lol he is a great genuine guy,it's good to have new looks on the usual(road maps)

[@letoffsomesteambennett3446]

Marty's picking technique just proves that anything can work. If I were him I would've of corrected it years ago, but I'm a conformist so props to him for staying true.

[@ThrashRebel]

I’ve practiced to Marty Friedman instructional videos since the early ‘90s. Like he states, I’ve always learned things the way they are taught & if in the process I can modify something to feel more comfortable & more economical for MYSELF. I’ve took bits I learned from Friedman, Hammett, Mike Wead & Skolnick to try & come up with a style contrived of many. I would suggest to take lessons like a GUIDE not mandatory &, if you can pull of the same techniques/riffs, modify them to fit your style. Also, Marty has another about sweep picking & mentions how he doesn’t pay attention to picking techniques. I’ve learned things like Frank Gambale’s “speed picking” technique, however, I only use it when a phrase warrants it. Usually, I modify my picking style numerous times during a solo or a rhythm, for that matter. I think Friedman’s philosophy is to be mutable, able to change on the fly to suit YOUR desires. Thinking of something as “the way” is limiting & can have adverse effects. That is how religions came about & look at all of the death & suffering religious zealots with their monotheistic stubbornness. 😉

[@jimjambananaslam3596]

Well said. I see so many really great guitar players playing the same generic sounding metal these days because of it. I find the way to do things that is easiest for me, or that I simply like doing. I watch lessons like this, realize I'm doing it wrong, but then expand on the way I was doing it instead of learning the proper way, or I just try to switch it up for fun. I like trying out weird phrasing and rhythms, sometimes it sounds like shit, but when I figure out something cool, I'm way more likely to remember it and implement it in my playing. And I got pretty good at stuff like cross picking and string skipping just by refusing to learn how to sweep pick like everyone else. I can actually sweep pick now, even though I've literally never practiced doing it, not sure how that happened lol.

[@metalinl-a1128]

Its YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. Remember that kids

[@woolgum]

Love the first words, very inspiring and motivative.

[@clarkbalte0329]

feels like the string would snap anytime when he picks 😅😂

[@nevillecampbellbarker]

Such a great teacher player and performer... and brilliant advice!!

[@JesseLeeKing]

Nice prs love the star inlays

[@nightmaremunoz8384]

I've always tried to learn guitar that way. I've only recently found this guy and he knows his shit. too many people learn a song and steal the technique gotta come up with your own shit.

[@yepper1165]

2:06 is VERY close to 43 seconds in on Satriani's Killer Bee Bop. It took me a second to place it but that's it. Just down the next a bit farther. And a note of difference but that's pretty much it.

[@emanuelemazzoni782]

What an amazing musician...

[@MrClass91]

Paul Gilbert - John Petrucci - Marty Friedman best guitar teachers in the world

[@Mrfailstandstil]

you need to include vinnie moore to this awesome list of yours!

[@DSoverPSP]

panny14 Hell yes, Guthrie is amazing. Excellent teacher and player, of course.

[@dashfront21]

Greg Howe is also a very intelligent and humble guy. The way he explains his thought process when improving makes a lot of sense.

[@rickyjones7282]

Marty Friedman is so on the money about the infinite possibilities of how to execute a lick! I originally saw this idea from the late Gary Moore around 30 years ago & it's something I've ALWAYS lived by!!!! A riff is like a fingerprint/D.N.A etc..... As a technical competent player as I am,their is no substitute for using your ears & if it sounds good it is good!!!! I'm not telling anybody too avoid learning theory,but don't let the brain overwhelm the heart & also don't let your heart govern your musical brain!Everything is best to work in harmony together!!!

[@nelsonsirait]

Marty always makes simple thing become difficult...😭

[@Luismayerart]

4:57 is a part from horrors friedman / becker ?

[@dirktucker77]

What a cool guy

[@5PLA5H]

Very useful. Thanks!

[@dougsteeleguitar]

I love Marty.

[@elevenAD]

imho one of the greatest of all time.

[@KingTabor]

He picks this way AND still plays perfectly clean. Thums up!!

[@kielerklenk7791]

A true Guitar God

[@squeelerjakeaxcradle7095]

Thank you for stating do your playing it in your own way, so many u tube bell ends going u don’t do it like this or that or just show offs. Marty states be yourself and I truest believe in everything he says because he’s correct and genuine 🎸🙏

[@ILook4U2]

very cool. I like the idea and concept. Make it your own. Thanks Marty.

[@danmar007]

Hey Marty! I'm glad to see you're not playing a multi-thousand $ guitar. The SE is affordable by almost everyone. Cool!

[@dralithi]

Same with Akerfeldt - his SE was $800 when I got it new and it plays great!

[@jimjambananaslam3596]

@@dralithi I don't really like the look of the knobs, but other than that, it looks like a great guitar.

[@troxigg]

Great piece of advice, luckily I know who Marty is so its forgiven his picking is strange and playing fast with him isn't particularly clean. But ya know the guy is a big star in rock so whatever, here to learn making licks not picking technique :P

[@jokkepoju5064]

I saw him yesterday for first time. He's awesome!

[@esbensolgaardguitaretc.2372]

He´s my favorite japanese guitar hero.

[@work1907]

He's not Japanese.

[@guymcaulay8996]

Technically he is, he lives there these days and I believe his wife is a native.

[@work1907]

Guy McAulay And in doing so, he became a Japanese!? right.....

[@guymcaulay8996]

A Japanese citizen, yes. That would make sense.

[@seanmccall7277]

Marty, this is an exceptionally good video.. even in the galaxy of KZbin guitar videos. Domo Arigato 😊

[@rahjeel]

I agree with Marty. Its easier to play an odd variable in scales than to play something normal. I have a hard time making things sound melodic. I have a chaotic play style that accents more with the phrygian and diminished notes.

[@lydiaperera3776]

Thanks Guitar World and Marty

[@ericeakes7733]

Now that's some fresh air. After that past year of working solidly on my speed an techniques. Advice i heard several years ago. Learn it then break the rules. EVH always said the exact same thing. Time for me to break out. Thx!

[@DennisCameronMusic]

I think he's making it too mystical. Learn your scales, know your chord theory.....then just play the licks and melodies you hear in your head. Kind of like learning your alphabet, learn some words, grammar etc, then write a story.

[@4themusicman]

Are you THE Dennis Cameron? As in Angelica?

[@DennisCameronMusic]

I'm that guy, without the 'THE' though...:)

[@kthcsh]

I think marty gives a great lesson here. but I like your comment too

[@nervedown666]

he thinks out of the box fella, cuz nowadays it is too much about speed and skills but no feeling or being predictable.

[@AntonioGazzaneo91]

i think that the point is that it's easier to interiorize the notes and their sequences when you have no notions in your head, in order to feel them, i'm not sayin that Learning theory is wrong, but i really think that it's much better to learn theory after you've learned to hear what you play without rationalization, obviously simple stuff, that's what i do when i teach, i first teach simple chord progressions, melodies, and after they learrn and enjoy playing them i explain, little by little

[@flips220]

~sugoi~

[@Baneslayer]

2:39 "Do you know what I'm saying, do the first thing I showed you once......" Uh.... Nope.... 2:42 "Then Maybe...." again.. nope.... 2:46 "and then maybe"... -_-

[@taggartknutson1640]

Coming back to this video two years later I can confirm that things get less mind blowing over time. Just two years of practice has me a long way from Marty but also able to make up some shreddy sounding licks like that and have way quicker fingers, they just sound a little generic but I'm getting there. Hope all you fellow musicians keep your heads up and press on understanding the art of shred and improvisation.

[@flavy1000]

Instead of complaining about his picking technique, take a look about the way his two hands are tremendously interconnected...He doeesn´t even think about where he is hammering , pulling or so , while his piucking hand is simply falling in the place ot needs too....First time I took the time to , indeed ! Certainly a strange ability, but not an excuse to play wrong...neither to critizice..Take it as it is..To me it still seems strange ..but...a true teaching about freedom! And about "own desitions " as he is trying to tell us all along this great videos! To know the theory and technique, but...create our own style-so difficult to dare to achieve for most of us, whatever instrument we try to play!

[@MarkThomasMusic]

`This guy is f-ing INSANE... at 3:27 it's like watching RainMan pick!

[@matheussterquemendes]

Great lesson! Awesome.

[@ARiotInMoscow]

For anyone that's looking for some new music, Check out A Riot In Moscow! Progressive Death Metal from South Florida for fans of The Black Dahlia Murder, Veil Of Maya, Beneath The Massacre, And Thy Art Is Murder! Our Entire EP is streaming on our KZbin Channel!

[@elijohnson5382]

He’s very smart. Peace and love marty Friedman

[@nidalsoboh6000]

very good concept that i haven't really thought of before...cool.

[@DisturbedVette]

It’s nice to learn from Marty Friedman since he’s a man of culture if you know what I mean :)

[@nickh1933]

Best advice ever 0:50. That should be every lesson.

[@greenalien598x]

Pretty funny how Marty hates the word "shred" and yet the tittle of his video calls has it

[@jimisteel5149]

I'd like to see all the picking technique critics post their own amazing videos...lets see your picture perfect amazing picking technique. And while you're at it show us how elementary Marty's playing is by learning all his solos from Rust in Peace or just one Cacophony song. Maybe Marty will hit you up for lessons on how to correct his picking posture since he's had so much trouble breaking into the world of being a professional guitarist.

[@rampage222555]

the phrase in Inferno he mentions is the one at the end of "Horrors" I believe.

[@antonioangeconeb3196]

I barely remember this but ye lol

[@lloydmunga4961]

One thing about his left hand technique is that it is very ergonomic and efficient slight up down and pluck.... I think pat metheny plays the same way... since he doesn't flat palm mute, his playing is quite distinctive

[@amir8977]

amazing player!!!

[@jamesfond5497]

Marty is not only unique Guitarist but very cool guy. Megadeth line up MUSTAINE ELEFSON MENZA AND MARTY WAS SO FUCKING METAL EXPERIENCE FOR ALL KIDS OF US THAT TIME.... HOW I MISS THOSE DAYS WITH MY SONY WALKMAN HEADPHONES LISTENING RUST IN PIECE FROM THE CASSETTE MAXEL 90 COPIED FROM A FRIEND BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE MONEY TO BUY ORIGINAL....

[@dakotahbrimmeier1038]

Dudes right wrist is on a next level

[@STU88R1]

If your too caught up in his "bad" technique in this vid then your probably not ready for the lesson.

[@rocafella142]

I dont know anyone who's ever said Marty has bad technique. Different yes but not bad, seeing that he plays guitar better than 97% than the guitar population.

[@corryburton2660]

It's not technique everybody's joking about, his technique is about as perfect as it gets..... but that picking hand looks crazy lol

[@DaniloSilva-pl3sq]

who in the world would have the petulance to say marty has a bad technique

[@DaniloSilva-pl3sq]

who in the world would have the petulance to say marty has a bad technique

[@AndyLifeInVideo]

Marty-sensei's #1!!!

[@kielerklenk7791]

I like this lesson. Cool stuff here man

[@Ophiegasm]

I don't think any of us are gonna make notes as good as you, Sir Friedman 😅

[@canadianloon6433]

You are a true Master

[@michelsrour]

Well its the master that said so

[@tohellandbacknoface4091]

This guy is awesome

[@Epiphone1978]

Any association with the Friedman amps? BTW cool video!

[@Takaichi666-]

0:52 advice musicians should be told when taking lessons or generally wanting to play

[@henrypaul3062]

So it’s ok to noodle on guitar to find out the tones by ear. That’s great! I’ve been told that it’s a bad thing to noodle on guitar.

[@kazaakas]

He sounds sloppy. Don't think his right hand technique falls under the category of "if it works for you, its OK", because he barely mutes with his right hand and you can really hear that because of the noise.

[@loetbraamkolk6483]

I think it's more about the rig. It sounds like he's using a virtual amp copy on a computer, you can tell by the way it makes noise before and after he plays. Haven't you heard him play in Cacophony for example? Live and studio he sounds very clean.

[@kazaakas]

I know he sounds pretty clean normally. But I'm not convinced that a VST would introduce more noise. I play on plugins at home but I've also played quite a bit of different tube amps and there is no difference in how much string noise stands out for a given level of gain. You're probably just hearing a noise gate. When I listen to what he plays I just hear regular old string noise that every metal player knows all too well from their beginner days. When you look at his hands it becomes painfully clear is that there is no possible way that he can mute the bass strings when both of his hands are coming from below. When he plays the plain strings all the wound strings are just out in the open, able to pickup any kind of sympathetic resonance................... I'm completely baffled why any guitarist that plays with any kind of gain/overdrive/distortion would ever have such a technique.

[@mayanktrakru]

He said in an interview that he had developed this technique for himself to avoid muting the strings as he thought the sound of muted strings wasn’t natural. Not muting the strings is the point of his picking technique . Just telling you, Marty was not just in megadeth , he was in cacophony before that with Jason Becker where he created one of the toughest albums ever-speed metal symphony . He has his solo albums which are beyond words melody wise- scenes, introduction. Not to be rude or something, but just explore a bit more about these guitar gods.