How To Shred On Guitar - Its Not That Hard!

In today's video, I'm going to show you a technique to demystify the art of guitar shredding.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@shawntapley6733]

changing to starting with an upstroke just blew my brain apart

[@bddmhopp5]

It’s the “ play it faster” part that is the trouble for some of us. We get how the scale goes…

[@SixString_J5]

Great point, most don't realize the choices you make in picking direction have such a great effect on the ease of the passage. As a guitar instructor I'll add a bonus tip. Most people try way too hard to play fast and that manifests in tension in the hands. It's impossible to play with tense hands. What you have to do is find the fastest you can play cleanly with relaxed, loose hands and that is your practice speed. You want to maintain that relaxed, loose feeling as you progress in speed. If you push too far and tense up, practicing in that tension level, you're just teaching yourself how to get injured or plateau hitting the wall of what is possible for you in that tense state. Watch Yngwie Malmsteen's hands and you will see the way.

[@ptj767]

i was pleasantly surprised on so many levels just how good and informative this video is..thamks gor posting it..

[@xcx8646]

I have a feeling that between this video and your comment I might actually start making some progress in this area. Thank you.

[@jasonrenicks7670]

Awesome tip, now you've said it, it seems like common sense, your muscles n tendons get used to and adapt to how/what they are most commonly used for, eg if you did only quick, half press/push ups, it would be harder when you start doing full range, when you first train any muscle you start slow n nothing to heavy, until you get the technique of the exercise right

[@TheDMcGinley]

I love it as a great exercise to improve my playing. I'm a very old and slow player with arthritis, part of the index finger on my pick hand missing, and generally . . . pathetic. Yet, by learning these scales slowly and gradually increasing my speed, it improves my playing overall, and for that I am very grateful. Thank you for your talent and expertise!

[@AndGuitar]

You mentioned ‘light bulb moment’ which is exactly what I had while watching your video! The efficiency improvement I got after adjusting my up down or down up stroke made a huge difference! It really opened some doors that I have been missing for a long time! Thanks for sharing and opening some doors of creativity! 🤟😀 This may have been one of the most helpful videos I have seen yet!

[@TheStudioRats]

Nice one, I’m glad it helped!

[@brandon_945]

Hand synchronization, fretting hand dexterity, picking hand technique. Focus on those 3 things until they blend together and don’t hold each other back. Once this is achieved you have shred 😀

[@lonewolf1053]

Yes!...40 years ago I could care less when everything didn't sync up...I knew after some time it would....now to tone..timing.. phrasing..touch .. dynamics are what matters to me now ..

[@axeman14]

Fantastic lesson Paul! Would love to see more like this as you explain things very well 👍

[@colinhardy6396]

Great lesson. I’m with Paul. Tasteful note choice is always best but shred in moderation is fun and if you play in a band it goes down a storm as long as it not all night. I’ve found if you work on your technique and fast playing your normal playing becomes much better. I never thought I’d be able to play fast but during lockdown I had the time to practice every day and it started to come together. And with the utmost respect as I’m not an expert but I’ve made all the usual mistakes start slow with a click and build the speed slowly.

[@garywaddell6309]

Paul, you are so humble. I love listening to you play. Your picking style is so blazingly fast and clean when you pick. This lesson was super helpful as usual. I always get excited when new Studio Rats content is published, but scares me all the same because I’m worried I’ll go shopping the next day 😁. Great playing Paul, so tasteful!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Gary.

[@jimmycricketlopez2746]

I think you love Paul ❤❤❤

[@garywaddell6309]

@@jimmycricketlopez2746 who doesn’t 😂

[@valebliz]

I love your picking, it's not super fast but you have a super clear attack and note separation

[@jackduxbury1632]

One of the cleanest and tasteful “Shredders” I’ve ever come across. Awesome breakdown Sensei ❤

[@ernieb3626]

Man Paul you rock. I am on my way home and going to work on there as soon as I get in the house. Thank you

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers as always Ernie.

[@jamman6]

Great lesson! Loving that PT signature guitar!

[@tommystravels64]

This is an AWESOME lesson Paul Thanks man!! Similar to the style of Gary Moore ... In fact.... if you could give us a tutorial on the legends runs... THAT would be amazing!! 🤘

[@scorpionleader1967]

I was trying to make an etude like this, but here it is all laid out for me. All fingers involved, stretching, moving up the neck, and accuracy. Thanks so much for this. 😀

[@Guitarin90seconds]

Great break down… made the insane seem obvious! Fantastic teaching style! Thanks!

[@stavrou0]

Don't kid yourself. Paul , You can Shred. Always love your vids!

[@jasonrenicks7670]

This is literally the only video so far that ive watched on YT that i actually could follow, understand and then copy/learn very clear n simple instructions for once, well done m8 thanx🤘🤙

[@drewjohnson4794]

Go watch Troy Grady. "Cracking the Code"

[@michaelleyba5396]

This was the best studio rats video that I’ve seen yet!!

[@jawsxx8683]

When you play it clean, it actually sounds amazing. I much prefer that over the distortion.

[@sroelit]

Just when I think your left hand economy is amazing, I notice your picking technique and the complete lack of wasted motion. And the faster you play the more efficient you seem to get-

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Seth.

[@DisruptedSinner]

Great tutorial - bookmarked! Going to practice this for the next couple of weeks to see my progression.

[@anybody2501]

What's the update? Can you shred now?

[@DisruptedSinner]

@@anybody2501Yep, pretty much. I created different daily practice routines to work on speed and accuracy. I have also been massively into theory and have learned probably 60 songs since my original comment. Thanks for asking. ✌

[@anybody2501]

@@DisruptedSinner That's awesome dude 😎🤘🏼 I really need to buckle down and get some daily routines instead of endlessly noodling over major/minor scales. Good to know that it pays off.

[@DisruptedSinner]

@@anybody2501 Yep, for sure. I noodled for years, but when I (finally) got focused on really trying to make gains, that's when the results really started. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Share an update in 6 months and let us know how it's going. 🤘

[@bretspencer]

OK, the thumbnail is just priceless.....and the lesson as well.

[@TheStudioRats]

Looking damn good with hair!

[@andrewdevlin2255]

I n my opinion, you are the cleanest and most precise player on the tube🔥 Up there with Martin Miller, thanks for the lesson 😁

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Andrew, I’m quite a way behind Martin Miller but appreciate the compliment.

[@stickynoodle]

Check out The Dooo if you haven’t already

[@zacharysmithingell5460]

That right hand technique is where it's at. Great video!

[@geespar1]

Real world useable lesson (and lovely clean playing), thanks!

[@leftturnlarry1974]

Nice. Gonna work on it this weekend. Thanks from the guys and gals who’ve never had a lesson.

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

Paul, that’s a lovely thumbnail. One of my teenage daughters thought it was your natural hair. I am follicularly challenged, so they don’t know what an older gent with a full head of hair looks like. 😂

[@TheStudioRats]

Ha. I only wish.

[@oscarurbizovivas]

Paul says : I'm noi a shredder Two minutes later: Shreds like a monster! You are awesome Paul!!!!

[@TheStudioRats]

Thank you sir, there are FAR better shredders but I appreciate it.

[@gatt2b]

Thanks, you might have just solved my many years of frustration.

[@TheStudioRats]

Glad I could help

[@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet]

Nice! The cool thing about your "shredding scale" is it sounds great slow as well. It would work as a sweet blues lick.

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

Paul Gilbert influence on display 😊great lesson Sir.

[@blue_mountains28]

You make it look very easy sir!

[@pinkyellowblue007]

Finally something I can learn from that doesn't seem so overwhelming, great video

[@surfgatinho]

Love this. I don't want to play fast... but I kind of totally do! There's just something satisfying about it.

[@_weighed8302]

GOOD lesson man!! i needed this!! everything has kinda clicked now with lead! i had 3 notes per string down really good, but was kinda stuck going up and down with my 3 nps shred licks, and then would kinda blindy try to find new areas on neck to apply other 3nps licks, but now i can see in real time a map of the fret board as i follow these 3 note shapes left and right since it's just another easy little pattern to memorize. the going up and down part was easy for me with 3 nps, the where the hell do i go next was the issue. this video, along with some robert baker evh shred lick videos, are a game changer for me!

[@algrundau9441]

Note Mashing a scale on 2 strings and truly ...."SHREDDING" are 2 vastly different things. Like you said, "it's all about note selection.",,,,.I recommend the Pagannini Caprices, Bach Violin Sonata's, Kreutzer Etudes, Paul Gilbert Instructional Video's, and many, many hours of practice. Good luck. (Troy Grady's "Cracking The Code" is INCREDIBLE as well)

[@davidramos4317]

I honestly needed this after like 10 years of playing and getting sloppy.

[@YesItsReallyKeith]

hey folks... this is a great lesson... hit the video thumbs up to help this channel get noticed so we can get more videos like this !! cheers !!

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Thank you Paul.. Very cool lesson.. Love this channel!

[@TheStudioRats]

Glad you enjoy it.

[@smokintones4209]

This video is best ever on youtube most guys wanna tell ya to much mumble jumble but i dig how ya get right to it no, no boring rambling, i have a old peavy bass amp and the ins rattled loose how do yo fix them so i can plug in, do ya have any fixing vids or can ya send me someone who can show ,..wish i could afford to buy one but still waiting for my bit connect settlement...

[@stringbender57]

Awesome! Always good content on your channel and this sparked a few great ideas...thanks Paul!

[@TheStudioRats]

Anytime

[@robertgoodwinr6523]

Thank you. This is Excellent and a huge help. Appreciate.

[@josephplatania5593]

Thanks. It’s a killer lesson. Super fun and just what I need to push me along. Keep ripping !!!!

[@jomamma1750]

Excellent Lesson!! Thank You.

[@TheMack]

Very nice, will practice that! Though it would be great to hear it played against a backing track, to get a feel for the chord changes.

[@markdoell1834]

Thank you for the lesson! You are a great player!!

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks a lot!

[@juliodefreitas157]

Awesome lesson and thank you for sharing your tips ❤

[@TheStudioRats]

You are so welcome

[@kcfreakster1]

As usual Paul, you never cease to amaze me with not only your skills, but you ability to related to guitarist at every level. Thanks for sharing your gift & knowledge!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers KC.

[@stephengreen9663]

This is a brilliant lesson ive been playing for donkeys yrs. This is hopefully giing to crack the code for me to build speed. Gotta put the hours in.

[@chemicle]

Very cool video - thank you sir (L&S)

[@makethingshappen8427]

Thanks for the tip! Keep on shedddding!

[@bodhi9464]

Love this Paul . Thank you . 🇦🇺🎶

[@MulligansBand]

FINALLY...truly valuable lesson, mate. Ta!

[@EJH-jn6mo]

Great lesson!

[@geoffpeck1043]

Absolutely brilliant 👏🙏

[@kostisk8914]

Awesome! Thanks for the lesson. Killer playing!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Kostis

[@richardroskell3452]

Great lesson Paul, thanks!

[@keovongvilaykeo4799]

Great lesson learned thank you 🙏 😊

[@TheStudioRats]

You’re welcome

[@VaGdude]

Excellent video 👌🔥💯

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks for the visit

[@MrPaolo101]

Man that’s great for a workout... I do like your descending crossroads lick... it has really helped!... cheers!. Haven’t thought about this since pablo gilberto’s pickicking primer years ago... some folks hate this but if you dont over use it people will be impressed. Haha.

[@cpizani]

Hey Paul.. Slow down that last lick and show us with those tabs!!!! Killa playing.

[@Jamestele1]

That is a perfect run to get your hands moving like a real "shredder". The modern shred guitarists seem to mostly sweep pick arpeggios, which I never really liked. Maybe my ears prefer Jazz, Funk, Blues, Rock, Country to those "Neo-Classical" sounds naturally.

[@nedim_guitar]

This is where I struggle on guitar. Fast lines with alternate picking, lines that contain more than six notes... Those I usually fall apart on. I'm doing a little speed course to see if it will help. The left hand, which is my fretting hand, is doing great, but the right hand (picking hand) is where the problems arise. Staying loose and relaxed works well, but sometimes I think I make larger, longer moves of the pick than I need to, especially when I pick downward, but next need to move to the string above, or I pick upward and need to move to the string below. That jump over the string I just picked doesn't always go cleanly, I often catch it a little when going to the other string. It's hard!

[@TheStudioRats]

I find Lightening up the stroke helps.

[@BrianMorris-zc4md]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@harrykadaras9459]

I am in love with that particular crunch tone. Can you please describe your tone chain....please? I don't get impressed ofter... but that tone is mighty fine..

[@markedwards1033]

Awesome lesson! thanks!

[@TheStudioRats]

Glad you liked it

[@ranman58635]

Paul! That was what I needed. Shared with a friend. Pick attack! I'm not a shredder but I do need to speed up to play something other than Mary had a little lamb. Funny still!

[@ramsayward6582]

Brilliant explanation. Thanks

[@nobbynose4254]

OMG, that solved a lot of problems starting on an upstroke

[@TheDanielGuy23]

Normally for this sort of stuff I just sorta fake it by plucking the first note on each string and then doing hammer ons for the rest. Definitely gonna try this exercise tonight, and see if I can learn to do it right

[@florisvanlingen]

When your alternate picking sucks...this is the way.

[@Jason-ut2yn]

Absolutely nothing wrong with good legato technique.

[@123pwop]

WOW........ THANK YOU, To the woodshed I go ! Philip.

[@flybywire7284]

Cheers Paul! Could you do a couple more videos where you explore your more complex runs like this one? As a long term viewer, your runs are different enough that this would provide us with insight in how small changes to a progression dovetails into creating a varied shredding lick repertoire.

[@TheStudioRats]

I’ll look into it.

[@doctoribanez]

Hell yeah. Thanks

[@TheAerovons]

Can't imagine getting it that fast, just can't LOL

[@baldybonce29]

That was an awesome lesson 👏

[@martinopinto6323]

Hi Paul, actually I don't know if starting with an upstroke is more efficient, cause you have the same problem when you have to jump on the initial string again. Simply you prefer inside string shift, but stilk you have to orient your pick all the time when you shift string. It's what troy grady calls the pickslanting

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi Martino I did reply to this comment but I can’t see the reply. In your way you would have two large movements. 1 when you change from D to G and another from G to D. In my method it’s one large movement.

[@guitar78ish]

@@TheStudioRats on the contrary, starting with a down stroke, your 3rd strike is a downpick motion that carries you across the G string, so you're in perfect postion for the upstroke on the G string and the last uppick on the G, carries you naturally across the D string for you next down stoke. This is far more efficeint than what you're saying. Starting with an uppick creates the 2 large movements one wants to avoid.(mechanically speaking)

[@martinopinto6323]

@@guitar78ish actually it's the exact same thing, the pickslanting happens two times in both cases, because you still have to switch between downstroke and upstroke 2 times

[@guitar78ish]

@@martinopinto6323 ummm, no it's totally different, I'm refering to economy of motion not pick slanting. When you pick the 3rd note with an upstroke, the motion is in the opposite direction of the string you want to pick next. Ending the first 3 notes with a downstoke puts the pick in perfect position for an upstroke on the 4th note, the same as the upstroke on the 6th note gives you perfect position for the downstroke on the 1st note.

[@guitar78ish]

@@TheStudioRats Regarding my difference of opinion in this thread. I am not taking anything away from what you're teaching, you play this exercies with ease and fluidity, I wasn't looking to offend you, you are 10 times the guitarist I am, and hope I can improve my skills with yours and others materials here on YT.

[@Havanacuba1985]

That’s great Paul Thanks

[@GuyHarrison-nm1xt]

Thank you for sharing

[@surfrby8876]

Great lesson 👍Ill be working on this starting now ,and you shred awfully well, and looks like your digging that Suhr Pete Thorn Signature

[@HipperShake]

Good lesson :-) At the risk of being controversial, though, you are wrong about starting on an upstroke being more efficient using alternate picking for this pattern. Since the pattern has an even number of notes the last stroke of the pattern will always be the opposite to the one you started on. i.e. start on a down (up) stroke - finish on an up (down) stroke. Starting on a downstoke is more efficient here because the last stroke (up) moves the end of the pick back towards the 4th string where the pattern starts. Beginning on the upstroke does the opposite since, on the last note of the pattern, it moves the pick down (towards the 2nd string) and away from where it needs to be. That said, you may well find that starting with an upstroke works better for you, but logically and mathematically it is slightly more inefficient.

[@xcx8646]

No, Paul is right. 6 being an even number isn't important. What is important is 3 notes per string. If you start on an upstroke you stay 'inside' the D and G strings. If you start with a downstroke you have to move past the next string, and are playing 'outside' the D and G strings. There is less distance to travel staying 'inside'. Less distance means faster.

[@Poopbutt2134]

0:38 I agree 100000000%, if ppl r gonna shred it SHOUKD be in 3 to 6 notes n slow down sounds way better

[@choochoochooseyou]

Dying to master this but that stretch, 3-5-7 is wrecking my wrist.

[@mantashaft]

I’m not a shredder. But I am a scientist. I intend to practice this once a day for a set amount of time for a week and see if I improve.

[@haneyguitarinstruction6260]

I want to learn Michael Romeo Hybrids solo so bad

[@afterburner666]

Are those shredding shorts? Dang, that's what I've been doing wrong! Kidding aside, Love the channel.

[@peterdecupis8296]

I play electric guitar fingerstyle (as Knopfler) and this exercise is well suited for fast right hand work, since the sequence is fragmented in double-triplets: I also performed a descending version with inverted right hand fingering. Very cool excercise

[@lastcall9998]

You have a fat awesome tone, do you have a video of how do you accomplish that?

[@patper6775]

Thanks for this awesome lesson Paul. I also like your amp and amp sim recommendations. Bought the katana mk2 100 and the scuffham s gear 3.0 Just using the scuffham amp sim to be honest 😅😬

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Pat!

[@marcusgandier2286]

great

[@petmoxey2177]

Love this little lesson. Keep them coming Paul. Have a go at Hot Wired by Brent Mason and see how you find it. I'd love some tips for that hybrid chicken pickin style :)

[@AlexAlex-zz3dr]

Its Not Hard To Shred On Guitar...no but you cannot do anything of that in a spanish or acustic guitar...it´s another world

[@kevinfairless2197]

Question: on the picking direction sequence... What's wrong with going ⬇️⬆️⬇️⬇️⬆️⬇️??? Is it not the same??

[@TheStudioRats]

The pick is moving down you have to move your hand up to pick down. Why not use the up to be more efficient

[@Ilovehotguitars]

Hey nice video man

[@ronmillerguitar3004]

Great info ! Thanks

[@DerektheGuitarist]

thank you!!

[@TheStudioRats]

You're welcome!

[@barronvonschneider2834]

Killer tone!

[@rickymaina]

Good video thanks! By the way, Vinnie Moore did the same in the ‘80 with the Pepsi spot..and there are still people that asking how to do this??40 years ago guys..Did you sleep under a rock?😅

[@noodle845]

The video was titled how to shred, but all I saw was a scale pattern using 3 note groups and to use economy picking. How do you actually get quicker?

[@johnmcintosh7784]

Not that hard? I don't think you remember how much work you put in this.