How to Shred Smart on Guitar

A guitar lesson on all things Shred, discussing the most common mistakes guitarists make when learning to play fast.
Get started on Swedish Shred Secrets right here! tomshreds.mykajabi.com/usp-sa...

[@Ningishzidd4]

You're probably the best youtube teacher I've seen in the last 10 years. Thanks!

[@bcriswell1376]

I agree

[@soundshaper]

Best line in the video, slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Next best line, your autopilot better know where it's going or you're gonna crash. Thanks for posting this vid.

[@ilDuce332]

You've provided more value in this 18 min video than 95% of KZbin guitar instructors have in their entire channels. Thanks for great content as always Tom!

[@TomShreds]

Cheers legend. It makes me so happy to hear that 😎🎸🤘

[@bubblerings]

As a 'half hour a week's guitar hacker.. I am a very happy Sub!! I learn much faster than just dabbling on my own with other vids. I imagine that anyone taking his courses will save hundreds of hours of their lives.. And life is pretty short! Cheers, Tom!! And thx! 🍻⚡⚡ Ahhh, if we had KZbin thirty or forty years ago!!!😊

[@markdonnelly6921]

Nice to meet someone who is honest about the amount of work and practice that is actually required to get better on guitar

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

K’noath mate.

[@anime5h_m1shr4]

As always Tom this is an incredible lesson with legit golden advice. As a race car engineer I connected to the track ideology instantly. Playing guitar is a LOT similar to trying to go fast around the track. You need to understand the limitations, isolate them, and drill out these isolated limitations till they're ironed out to make a cohesive, well functioning machine. BTW Swedish Shred Secrets is truly a godsend, I am blown away by my progress. I'm able to play Yngwie phrases effortlessly, which just a few months ago I was convinced I'll never be able to do in my life. This is the best feeling in the world.

[@ssevegeta]

This is probably the most useful information I've had in all my years of practicing. I never thought it was possible to shred until you revealed the pressure point technique. I instantly became way faster by playing lighter and now I can get things up to speed I never thought I could before. Thanks Tom!

[@raven5679]

Tom! I’m a 22 year old player, I more or less grew up learning from KZbin teachers … in my 8 years of playing - truly, you are the biggest treasure trove of knowledge and talent in the KZbin guitar space. Thank you so much for the production quality, the quality of information, and your infectious attitude. I can’t stop watching these videos! I’m saving up for Swedish Shred Secrets as well.. thanks again

[@CeceliaCasso]

Dude I’m sooo grateful for you, your videos are helping sooo much 🙏

[@hexn00b52]

Great video, great advice. I’ve been playing guitar for 35 years, and I’ve never been able to shred. My New Year’s resolution this year was to learn how to shred so what I did I completely relearn how I hold a pic how I pick the stringseconomy picking and how light up my fingers flow on the prep board, it is now early March and I can finally hit those vai songs

[@JustinSgalio]

AAAAA+ Info. You're my new guitar teacher, Brother. After 26 years of approaching it the hard way in practically every respect, I'm excited to string up with some 8s and act like I've never played before. Liked, subbed and buying whatever you have for sale. You're just nailing this stuff. Ignoring this information is futile lol. Thank you

[@TomShreds]

Cheers legend! Happy to help. Appreciate your comment & support mate 😎🎸🤘

[@Chrismagdich]

I found myself nodding my head yes to every single point of this video. You and Chris brooks are my two favorite instructors that I have found in over 20 plus years of playing guitar and gigging who have the most knowledge and useful information to pass along to beginners and players who have played their whole lives. I NEVER stop learning. Don’t want to ever stop. We’re all on our own playing journey in all different difficulties and stages of our playing. Keep learning!

[@bobbyschannel349]

Tal wilkenfeld, the young bass player that played for Jeff beck, said the same thing... When you first start learning, Play very very slowly..

[@JagoAlessi.]

Really nice video. Not many people talk about the 'Mindset' part of shredding, which I find very important.

[@710clique9]

I love the forceful angry face Tom!

[@MyLifEcademy-sr4hy]

Rare in KZbin world...I walked away satisfied with my time and focus with this instructional clip. Thanks for that! Worthy of a subscribe...

[@Nameless742]

Great advice. I'm playing faster than ever before thanks to your Yngwie videos. It's helped all my picking lol.

[@polishmasterjay]

Bro thank you so much for the great reminder to slow down and drill each small idea over and over. Your videos have made even this old cat learn new tricks, can’t believe I’m finally getting economy picking down cool $hit!!!🙌🤣👏🎶🔥🎯

[@ArngrimJakobsen]

Amazing that you’re teaching malmsteen! He’s a master! And so are you 💪

[@TomShreds]

Hey Shredders! Get started with Swedish Shred Secrets right now, and receive a free Yngwie Helix Preset & Amplitube Preset: tomshreds.mykajabi.com/usp-sales-copy-1

[@oldskoolz8509]

Your KZbin videos and Swedish shred course has help me improve so much. I’ve been doing Troy Grady’s course as well to get my picking dialed in. That has led me here to focus more on Yngwie’s style. I actually practice now rather than just play without improving.

[@zemlidrakona2915]

I often watch videos where the info seems dubious, but this stuff seems inherently correct.

[@GypsumGeneration]

Sick video, I wish I had this when I was 14!

[@micahwatz1148]

Only time you should be playing slow is until you know the notes in the riff, and which finger presses them. Then try and get it up to speed, but concentrate on making it as effortless as possible. This foes mean relaxing the muscles and figuring out which ones to use and what position to have your body, arms, shoulder, and hands in. This is why i like vs. they work better for my body, and they work best in the classical position in between your leg.

[@jettisonedguy257]

Digging your metaphors for the approach to shredding, especially the motor racing one. Made me think of Tom cruise making the tyres last in Days of Thunder and playing at a speed where you don't blow the engine. Subscribed. Great stuff Tom🎸

[@anightmare2remember]

Probably the best advice “use lighter string gauge” I was so stubborn using 10’s on my PRS custom 24 for years. I’ve been using 9’s for 6 months now, my left hand is so relaxed, it took some time ny right hand to adjust. Vibratos are so important for me, it’s so much easier. Tom,I wonder if a set of 8-38 would make my overall playing more easier. I saw an interview of Mateus Asato on Rick Beato where they talk about super light string gauges.

[@keithaumiller792]

I always enjoy watching your videos. The first song I ever learned how to shred on when I was first starting out years and years ago, I go back to playing this every now and then. Actually its a combination of two songs I've mished mashed together. The old cartoon Woody Woodpecker, the intro to that where you mimic Woodys voice followed by the swing loose feel of the rest of the song. For the ending of the song, The 3 stooges, I use the last few bars of the intro title. So mimicking Woody voice with arpeggio phrasing, the swing feel and incorporating another song has always been a fun exercise that I incorporate into my playing. I come back to this and play it from time to time. It taught me precision, speed, swing, and integration in all of one exercise. Maybe somebody might find this info useful. Try it and see.

[@SB-pk6ul]

100 times better teacher than Yngwie.

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

I remember his Star Licks VHS. Actually, my favourite of those was the Louis Johnson bass preview. Coolest bass line I had ever heard

[@CaptainSidePipe]

This has really helped me,,slowing down and play light🎉😮😂,, thank you 1000x!

[@Slears]

shredding is 40% relaxed muscles 40% muscle memory..and 20% patience..so take it slow and easy....success

[@martinguitars2109]

Thx Master❤

[@Synster73]

Excellent video. This guy is doing it right. 👏

[@dallasbiggz7007]

This is an Epic video. Kind of like a Father telling his Son this is what I've learned in my lifetime and I'm passing it on to you.... (from a shred perspective that is. ) 🤣🤘🎸

[@craig.martin]

Great video. I only just started playing open mic nights and this is the advice I needed.

[@rizalomar4377]

this teacher is really good

[@GuillermoSmyser]

Lovely. Thanks

[@erichchiarelli4377]

Always with good lessons. Thanks!!

[@HUGEHARDTHICKANDVEINY]

I think a lot of this is about gradually learning to deal with more information easier with little tricks (like chunking as you mention) in the same amount of time. For example, years ago when I tried to play fast I would automatically stop breathing and do weird stuff with my tongue. Putting conscious effort into being more relaxed dealt with that. What really brought me to a level where I could record lead playing and improvise without it making me cringe to listen to was jamming with backing tracks I made. At first it seemed impossible to listen and play at the same time, leading to not being able to play in time and a lot of my note choices were really slow, robotic and consciously thought about. Very quickly (probably months to a year) I was able to overcome that to the point where a lot of it is subconscious now. It leads to being much better at hearing a sound in your head and being able to play it without having to really try.

[@skeeterbodeen8326]

I originally heard “slow is smooth; and smooth (will eventually be) is fast” in a western style quick draw 6-shooter competition. It’s all in the repeatable efficient body movement.

[@maciejl5964]

Its a pleasure to listen what you have to say

[@MrCarlos1335]

GOOD JOB, WELL DONE

[@ijahtom4129]

Thank you. It is good to experience true guidance. Congrats, well wishings and all the best furthermore.

[@eefvreeland9472]

Sir, all you said goes for drums as well! Great vid 👍

[@pianoproductivitypeace]

Yeah Tom, this is awesome!! no idea you had a KZbin channel, nice to experience your guitar lessons after all this time knowing you lol - great stuff man!! (Locky)

[@TomShreds]

Hey Locky! Cheers mate, it’s a small world hey 😎 Was just talking about you to a student today, hopefully you across paths with her at HC 🎸 I hear you’re doing great things man!

[@shaneleek]

Hey Tom. I’ve been playing for many years but really stalling with speed despite knowing pentatonics and diatonics all over the neck. I’m in Sydney but wondering if you’re doing lessons too. Great content mate

[@Pazuzu-]

Beautiful tone

[@martinruiz9406]

Very nice, excelente clase saludos desde México, now I'll practice better than what i was taught, thanks

[@Dbran464]

My new guitar teacher!

[@nik8ivnv]

Accenting on every 1st note of a group 🤘🏼

[@PsychologyforLife1001]

Epic wonderful teaching

[@cam-inf-4w5]

I finally bought like 7 yngwie cds. They all need to be put back into production.

[@rickschneider3887]

So well put! Id rather learn how to play melodic phrases that are pleasing to the soul than just shredding a flurry of notes with no meaning. Thats like learning how to be an eloquent speaker that delivers a message that will change people's lives as opposed to learning to talk as fast as possible and ramble on like an auctioneer and leave people emotionally drained and confused when he's done...... " SOLD"!!! if its going to be fast at least make it melodic and sound like its intelligent!

[@kojam1]

"Gee-tah" Love it!

[@toddcaron9163]

This all makes so much sense. Thank you!

[@jiyukaze]

It's priceless! Thank you!

[@dmcgwhisper5945]

Nice tone!

[@Imposibilitron]

Great video! The most useful guitar lesson videos are those that EXPLAIN how to play not some bullshit tabs that will magically make you a shredder.

[@ngdguitar5081]

Is there something in the water in Australia? So many killer guitar players from down under! 🤘🔥

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

There’s plenty of crappy ones too. I’m part of that group….though I’m really a bass player….I just impersonate a guitarist. I also sing when no one else will.

[@payamelahian7511]

Very good advices , thank you

[@redbloodedamerican2346]

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. That'd a phrase we used in the military too

[@AndyLi1977]

Nice of 'Thing' from Addams family to do a cool video with Tom!

[@anthonyjohnson4734]

Definitely the 5 minute chunk practice works. It usually will turn into 20 minutes easily per chunk because you will feel like you could possibly do it better so you will just keep going. Great channel Sir

[@georgewilkins4231]

I like this.. Alot!!!

[@JimJoker]

Best practice and guidance

[@maxgoot5080]

3:48 That quote is from modern family and I wont hear the end of it from my dad 😂

[@IshredGuitar]

I don't struggle anymore... I shred smart! Shredding is my business and business is good!

[@defconbrown8667]

Excellent video

[@Juanchostar1]

Buen profesor de guitarra sin duda!!!!

[@rp5444]

Thank you for the lesson. I sometimes notice I’m clenching or grinding my teeth while practicing alternate picking 16th or 32nd notes, especially while switching between strings or octaves. Good reminder on mindset! Thank you.

[@waynegram8907]

Tom shreads, make a lesson on diminished pedal point licks and which chords progressions can you use phrygian dominant scale to play over with

[@ztevie.j]

Good reminder video... I know what I need to do, but often stray away because of boredom or laziness. I can play many Yngwie/Alcatraz solos correct. I can even play the separate licks up to speed. What I'm struggling with is connecting the licks together at full speed. I know I need to practice on the movements in between. Maybe just play a couple of notes of the first luck and a couple of notes on the following one, and try to glue it all together... But it's not easy....

[@DJBiermann]

Can you do a video on that opening lick, mainly the part in the middle sequenced in 1/4 notes and the picking? I know there's some clever use of picking and pull offs, but I can't quite track it. I've seen you use it to great effect in other vids as well...

[@BhupenBhuyan-yu5nm]

Speed is enemy but tonality is the best friend

[@snoopy_mind]

You are fu...ing awesome!

[@BigMikeGuitar]

Non-rigid open-mindedness is: open your eyes, and do it the exact correct way! Lol~ Also, I may have a problem - I tried wiggling my fretting hand fingers, and I couldn’t wiggle then nearly as fast as my picking hand fingers. I’m not keen on switching handedness at 60. Overall, some great advise. I'm currently considering going from 9's to 8's. Cheers~

[@eddiejr540]

This is a freakin GOLDMINE 👍

[@markdawsonziglar9436]

Very helpful.👍

[@micahlcurtis]

Thanks man

[@marcbrinitzer7575]

Ingwie has the most relaxed and fluid picking hand technique I've ever seen. I struggle with this and have been experimenting with different approaches for some time. Your picking hand technique is like Ingwie's, so smooth and effortless. Can you please comment or do a video on that piece of the shreddy puzzle. I really need some help!

[@TomShreds]

Hey mate. Check out Swedish Shred Secrets, it’s the answer to all your questions 😎🎸🤘

[@Tom-dg1ex]

8:11 😱 i never played it that way

[@jakethepitador2558]

It's crazy that your last name is Shreds. You picked the right vocation!

[@TomShreds]

😅🤘🤣 My wife is thrilled to take my last name too.

[@BillyHellbent]

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast is taken from the movie Shooter. It was the mantra of the rifle instructor who taught Mark Wahlberg how to shoot for the movie. Just a little trivia for you.

[@TomShreds]

Cheers Billy 🤘

[@monsterram6617]

Here's some more trivia: that phrase was taken from the infantry community, particularly Recon and Scout/Snipers, and has been said for generations going back to at least the1960's.

[@S.Dash.]

Amazing video 🤟🤟 can you do a "lost in hollywood tutorial plz"

[@tropicana-apple]

thank you!

[@AlexVonCrank]

Killer channel!!

[@Keimah_ka_ni_ngai_e]

Subscribed👍🏽👍🏽✌🏻

[@rebelangel8227]

The power of shred is in your sword arm the faster you can swing the faster you can play notes...your shield arm will catch up very quickly...i play super fast and im totally relaxed with little effort my dad listenning to me is how do you move so fast...i said the holy trinity of picking elbow...wrist and the holy grail your thumb and forefinger...all 3 combine will generate sonic speeds with little movement and be conscious of how a string feels against a pick...i use a super thick pick so there is no reflection and i only move just enough to strick a string and keep the most minimal movement

[@welern2liv815]

Funny, I've always found a passion for motorsports-speed and curves...as a guitarist. Also as a man, I wondered if it was the flows and curves of a woman, guitar, car, road/track or the way music has movement. I do believe that there is a psychological connection between humans and the excitement of motion.

[@angrybuzzy]

"Slow is smooth and smooth is fast." - Phil Dunphy

[@monsterram6617]

Infantrymen have been saying this phrase for decades.

[@artistalayladomenechsurfsk9298]

Fantástics videos

[@davew4247]

There is no wrong way....if it's your way and it works for you then it's the right way!

[@IshredGuitar]

You're correct here bro you understand the way of the guitarist life.

[@artistalayladomenechsurfsk9298]

Thanks

[@jiyukaze]

I really like your advise about strings gauge and low pressure on the fretboard. And as for the strings action, what height would you advise to start with, if it matters?

[@dumitrurapan2764]

I don't get how you (and other amazing guitarists) shred with that size of pick. Maybe you can talk about it sometimes. Thanks for the video, you rock!

[@Johnsormani]

I use a 3mm jazz pick. I can’t get along with a flexible pick,mits just not accurate enough. I pick very lightly and movements are very minimal that way so it’s very efficient .

[@IshredGuitar]

I concur! I agree also with Johnsomani as well. I too use 3mm Jim Dunlap USA 205 jazz picks. I use to use the JD 3mm Deep Purple jazz picks, but the USA 205 are just lighting smooth and fast due to their slightly round tip. I still like the deep purples though, Nick the psychologist on the movie "Metal Lords" puts this issue in perspective perfectly explaining the physics behind this pick issue.

[@oddeology1259]

something else you forgot that it may trip you is when the song you are trying to shred/play has a different tuning lol

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Great tips. Best I've heard about playing fast. What about scallops. Does it help with speed ? ❤❤ Thanks so much. I might have to buy your course. ❤

[@haneyguitarinstruction6260]

I want to shred like Michael Romeo and play the Hybrids solo. I just wanna play at 1/10,000th of Michael Romeo's level

[@mikemazariegos941]

Unbelievable

[@amalekamalek1062]

Excellent video as always, Tom! You never disappoint! By the way, what happened to your other YJM videos? I can't find them anywhere and I'm really struggling to find someone who teaches as good as you do, so I would love to find them back.

[@TomShreds]

Thanks legend! Sadly Yngwie copyright striked me twice, a third time and my channel is deleted. So I was forced to remove all my lesson videos about his songs.

[@amalekamalek1062]

@@TomShreds Oh, shucks! I see... I've been really missing that Helix preset video now that I'm getting an interface and I wish I could've downloaded that video, but I'll see if I rather pay for it on your page, thanks for the answer! 🤘🏻

[@BriarBeats]

God Bless you in Jesus Name Tom ❤ Thank you for your great tips and clearly pointing out a lot of struggle areas we tend to get caught up in!

[@tylerdav3071]

You want to try to play pieces of music Fretted the same way whoever wrote the piece played it. You also need to take into account the players technique and your own. If i was learning cliffs of dover by Eric Johnson he uses upward pickslanting (Troy Grady's channel talks about pickslanting) the way he holds the pick in conjunction with the pick being at an upward angle causes him to alternate pick if it ends on an up stroke and sweep if it ends on a downstroke. My technique is the opposite downstroke alternate picking and upstroke sweeping that is the default while you can work on both I would have to fret cliffs of Dover in a whole different way to get it to work with my technique.

[@moritzkohn4396]

„My alternate picking will never be as fast as my economy picking, so just use the technique the original guitar player uses…“ I struggle with the same problem, damn you, John Petrucci😂

[@steevevachon7578]

👍👍👍🔥