Eishredfest... Is It Necessary?

Three years ago, I first heard Steve Vai. And, like most players, my jaw dropped and hit the floor. From there, I heard Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, and other greats. Before that, Hendrix was the only guitarist in my world of virtuosity. So, to hear these guys was an eye-opener to new techniques and soloing.

However, none of my peers could get into their music the way I did; as to why, it took me a while to figure it out. Eventually, I heard Dragonforce, and similar metal bands with crazy guitarists. I thought, “Herman Li’s great, but I can’t listen to a Pac-Man soundtrack for hours on end.” Sure, others like him and I respect him as an amazing player; it’s just not my taste. I’d rather listen to Jack Johnson, something that to me is melodically relevant, as opposed to a wall of a million notes per second, which although may be cool can become incredibly annoying. Finally, I understood why my peers didn’t enjoy Vai; to them, he was just playing notes that had no meaning to them. To me, though, I heard raw emotion in many of his tracks. It took me some time, though, to get past the fact that he was essentially just playing notes dictated by, in his words, “little black dots.”

After hearing the mentioned names, I began applying more theory to my guitar, as well as slowing down the songs to half-speed and learning them note-for-note. Slowly, my playing progressed, and although I may never reach the level these guys have attained, my technique improved drastically. I’m still stumbling through complex sections, like some of Petrucci’s “Glasgow Kiss,” but the learning processes and increase in skills are still fun.

One day, I popped U2’s “Zooropa” in, and thought, “as much as I love Vai’s technique, tone, and songs, I’d take this over Vai any day.” Why? Because, in my personal opinion, U2 are more melodically relevant and concentrate more on the actual song rather than focusing their energy into the technical pattern of the song. Don’t get me wrong, I love Vai’s music; I’m actually listening to “For the love of God” while I’m writing this, and it’s one of the few songs that actually brings a tear to my eye when I hear it. I can feel his raw, emotional, spiritual longing. Some say Vai has no feeling; I disagree. I dare anyone to listen to “For the Love of God” and not feel any emotion. But, to some extent, I’ll admit these people speak a very partial truth. Some of my favorites, like Johnny Lee Hooker and Robert Johnson, are clearly pouring everything they’ve got, including their life experiences, into their playing on every single song. Vai is pouring his soul into his music and his playing, but not to the same extent as these guys.

This is when the fact finally hit me with full force. Sure, I can play my way up and down the Phrygian scale (major III… long story, that’s another article), but shred isn’t my thing. I am, after all, a musician before I am a shredder (as much as that sounds like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character). I’d rather follow the old punk adage “three chords and the truth” than be able to play the solo section to “Through the Fire and Flames.” Again, right now I’m working on one of the sections of Vai’s “Building the Church.” Why? Because I love Vai, and that song is awesome, both technically and sonically. But also, it’s to improve as a player.

This whole idea actually brings me back to another one of my favorite guitarists, The Edge of U2 (once again, another article… it’s coming someday, I promise). In an interview with Guitar World, the interviewer asked why he didn’t play more solos. He said that he was fed up with everyone playing for speed, claiming music had come down to what he calls the “guitar olympics.” He would much rather play intricate patters of delayed arpeggios molded within the complex architecture of the song’s structure. So, you honestly have to ask yourself, do you want the gold at the guitar olympics? Personally, I feel it’s a nice medal to show off, but I wouldn’t make my living out of it.

Here’s a subjective point, and you don’t have to listen to my opinion; in fact, I expect many of you will disagree with me on this one. I hate Yngwie Malmsteen, not as a person, but as a player. In fact, I detest almost the entire genre of neo-classical. Some people like it, and I respect that. I just… don’t like it. It’s not entertaining to me. Why? I don’t want to hear a Bach fugue on a heavily distorted guitar for three hours. If he were actually playing on a classical, that would be different. Sure, neo-classical can be cool in some situations, but I would never have any desire to attend such a concert. I absolutely love classical guitarists, and admire many of them. The other thing that kills me about neo-classical is the distortion. First off, the songs weren’t meant to be played distorted. I’m pretty sure that when Bach composed the Brandenburg Concertos, he didn’t imagine a Marshall cranked up to 12. The way it was meant to be played is, in my mind, beautiful. I’m one of the biggest classical fans; I just don’t like it on heavy guitars. The other point is, I find distortion, while allowing you to pull off hammer-ons, crazy dives, and tapping and arpeggio techniques, can also mask all of the mistakes one makes when playing. If Yngwie were to play with no distortion, he’d be a totally different player, and I question whether he’d be able to do what he does without said distortion. No offense to you Yngwie, you’re a great player and incredibly talented; I’m just not a fan of your music… not yet at least.

I’m going to bring Joe Satriani to the playing table here, along with Eric Johnson. The thing I love about these guys is that they bring both technical skill and quality of composition into effect. Satch is incredibly melodic, and that’s what I love him for; what I especially love is his intros, usually in a Lydian scale. Satriani concentrates more so on the song he’s writing than playing a million notes per minute. He doesn’t do it just because he can, and for that I have a huge amount of respect for him. Johnson is just… well… the king of tone. And on top of that, he can play pretty fast. Just listen to “Cliffs of Dover.” I find that, so far among instrumental guitar virtuosos, they’ve come the closest to finding the perfect balance of speed and melody. Hopefully more will continue to unite the two the way these guys have.

Still stranger, I’m going to drag a bassist into this; Billy Sheenan. I love Billy Sheenan’s technique in terms of technicality and in terms of melody. He’s awesome, and I could actually listen to his solo record all day. However, the one thing I will say that I think he could improve on (I know… Billy Sheenan improve?!?!) is his tone. To me, it always sounded a little thin and treble heavy, especially for a bassist. I mean, I can understand if that’s the tone he’s looking for (which he probably is) and being a soloing bassist (okay, no “drums stop very bad” jokes please) his sound is probably contoured to what he likes and what makes his playing better. I just think as a bassist he needs more depth, as that is the first and foremost job of a bassist. If he’s trying to think outside the box (which he is), then I respect him even more, that’s what every good musician should strive to do. I just prefer basses that are fuller. Actually, that may be just a subjective opinion of mine that I should probably heed as a player.

So, what can you draw out of this? If you haven’t listened to a word I’ve said, I don’t blame you; it’s a long article. In a nutshell, I’m thinking that by writing this article it will create an ultimate realization within the reader. You don’t need to play fast to be good. Though, I will admit it’s cool. Some of the greatest guitarists aren’t incredibly fast like The Edge, Eric Clapton, or Neil Young (okay, he might be fast, but I’ve heard him play one note for about a minute in a solo, and it sounded awesome). Shredding is, essentially fun. I mean, who doesn’t want to stand (or sit as I do) in front of an audience and tap the end of “Eruption” and pretend you’re Eddie Van Halen? That’s the greatest feeling for any guitarist. The main observance, though, is that you should pay attention to both technical skill and melodic content.

Comments

[Chaosinferno825]

Very nicely done, even though I don't agree with much of it, it was very well written. Congrats.

[chaoticgeek]

I like the rhythm part of songs much more than the solos. Playing chords for me is more fun for me than playing the solo to what ever song I'm learning. However I do realize that solos or little riffs are important to songs though. All preference I guess.

[doyleyboy]

think what you said about vai and satriani is bang on actually, exactly how i think about them.

[hellchild101]

excellently written, and to be honest i couldnt agree more

[GuitaPlaya]

Cool, the last paragraph is incredibly true. My favorite guitar player is Duane Denison. He just comes up with awesome, simple, and extremely creative riffs, often in weird time signatures. He could show off, (he has a degree in classical guitar), but instead he prefers to keep in simple, and every once in a while he'll bust out a great solo.

[kennethdave]

It's quite a good article u got goin'...i agree bout satch, beautifully melodic...and bout malmsteen, umm he actually plays the acoustic, thus there's no distortion...n i'm nt a fan of malmsteen...but hey, a good all round guitarists should be good at all skills, including shredding and so on so forth...but melody and soul comes first...for those bout to rock, i salute ya...

[nasadm]

I actually like the solos in songs..... And I do agree distortion can hide a few mistakes, but not a ton.

[markisouvlaki]

hmm, I've always found distortion makes me sound worse, making mistakes more noticeable, and it forces you to sound the notes properly or they sound really thin

Checked.

[XDream_TheaterX]

I agree with the fact that distortion hides some mistakes, especially for me, since I play with really strong and heavy distortion. And that's the main reason why i like to practice without distortion, it's easier to spot the mistakes and correct them. I prefer fast soloing and shredding than soulful riffs, but if there are just no emotion ... I hate it. I agree with most of what you said, but not all. However, it's a great article. 10/10.

[doood321]

This an opinion, not an 'article'.

Also, emotion is a relative thing. I find Robert Johnson's playing really bland and boring to be honest.
And since when should speed and melody be treated as two different things?

I hate idiots who claim that speed =\=melody.

[sword shredder]

This sounds more like a blog than an article :s

[Kutanmoogle]

To anyone looking for someone who balances speed and melody-conscious writing, check out Andy Timmons.

He's also got really awesome tone.

[guitargod21136]

its funny i can play songs better clean, such as sweeps, because the distortion amplifys my mistakes, like if i hit a not open by accident, it'll sound like crap

[Sapient]

It's a decent article, but it's got a lot of bias and personal opinion in it-which, even if you did intentionally, brings any article down a few steps. Maybe it doesn't help that I disagree for a lot of it.
For instance, I think shred has the capability for showing more emotion than any three chords and the truth" song. Three chords barely have any capacity for emotion. It isn't in the music, it comes from the atmosphere that the music helps create. With more technically advanced music you have so many more tools in your playing to create an atmosphere in your song. Speed is just one of them.
And it's all a relative thing too, I mean, John Lee Hooker doesn't pull any more emotion out of me than a brick with a sad face painted on it. And people aren't always looking for emotion in music. Sometimes they want something that makes them feel smart or that they can learn to make them a better player, like your choices up there.
So really, I do agree with some of this. Still, I would prefer Paul Gilbert to U2 anyday.

[The Fret-Dancer]

I agree with you 100% when you say melody before speed.I'd much rather have my notes sing and use speed sparingly than be like a chainsaw with pitch and all the notes go by in a flurry. Up until now i havent had anyone with this same view. Thanks, i really needed this. Rock on.

[PerpetualBurn]

Very well written article, I agree with many points and disagree with a few as well. Just one thing, you contradict yourself when you commend Sheehan for "thinking outside the box" after saying that you don't like Yngwie partly because "Classical wasn't meant to be played with heavy distortion." And to everyone saying that distortion covers mistakes, a well trained ear can find mistakes underneath any coating.

[guitarman333]

a lot of truth here....i hate it when kids these days just learn how to play 20 notes per second and brag about it..when they put no soul or feeling into any of their playing

it's like they're a machine, not a human

Checked.

[metal7690]

http://www.insaneguitar.com/col/guest/MikePhilippov-1.html

http://www.insaneguitar.com/col/joel/Joel11.html

Two amazing counterpoints to this article.

[that1l)ude]

well. music is subjective. No, playing fast is not necessary, but on the other hand theres nothing wrong with it either. Everybody has there own opinion on how/when speed should be used, and if it should be used at all.

[chris_libby_88]

hmm...ur wrong about yngwie. He can play just as good without distortion, i saw a live dvd where he shredded on an acoustic.

**for the record, i acually dont like yngwie, i just wanted to correct your biased opinion. and you get 3 stars, would have been a few more, but this arcticle was heavily biased, and slightly close minded.

[CanCan]

I have an opinion already, thank you, sir.

How are Jack Johnson or U2 melodically relevant? More melodically relevant than someone who built his carrier soloing, especially considering Johnson's style? Don't get me wrong, I don't think Jack Johnson is a bad songwriter at all, just don't agree with your point.

And liking three-chord songs are more a sign of musical under-achievement than anything. What kind of punk band got out there for anything else but the truth?

You quoted the Edge saying he was against the so-called "Guitar Olympics". Where exactly is it saying, set in stone or so it seems, that a solo must consist of wankery and, taking your words, million notes per second.

[Strat = Love]

One guitarist I think fits what you said is Tom Morello. Listen to Rage or Audioslave, and he has these riffs that are melodic, catchy, and aren't extremely complex. Simple melodies, then in the verses, he often plays chords, then will have a creative solo, that isn't always fast in there. A great guitarist who rhythms well and solos well. Good article, but you were really biased.

[wasp2020]

Although I agree with eveything you've said about Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, a bit of Vai, and Yngwie Malmsteen (although not because he uses distortion), but this isn't a very good article. In fact, this isn't much of an article at all - this is nothing but a rather long forum post. It's just you saying what you think about this guitarist and that guitarist, with a bunch of pauses and brackets and rambling on.

[E V H 5150]

I like good guitar parts, but there does need to be a limit. Shredding is cool. For solos. Like Slash. What makes his solos so good is that he is hardly playing at his fullest throughout the song, but then pours everything into his solos. He wants the solo to feel like a sort of climax of the song, which is tahe whole point of the solo.

As much as I love EVH, Eruption is terrible. It sounds cool, but it doesn't seem to interest non-guitarists, along with Satriani.

[dann_blood]

I agree and disagree on many points. You dont need to be playing fast to be a good player and musician. BUT, being able to play fast normally leads the player into learning more theory, and helps them solidify their slower playing to perfection.
You say that players like Vai and Petrucci and just focus on playing their balls off (from what I gathered?) because they can. Listen to Tender Surrener, Hand on Heart (Steve Vai) Lost Without You and Wishful Thinking (John Petrucci). While they have technical sections of the songs, you can't honestly say that those sections are played because they can, those sections are played to express something that slower playing cant.

[Desh627]

To those of you who like my writing, I'm glad you enjoyed it; to those of you who don't like it, I respect your opinion.

I must say that from what I've read so far, a small group of people are saying I'm "closed-minded" and "heavily biased." Of course it's going to have a little bit of bias. All journalism will, if you think about it. How can one bring up an issue and NOT somehow incorporate their own opinion? I'm simply offering my opinion here; my words are not set in stone. As for those who think I'm closed-minded, it's quite the opposite. I'm ALWAYS open to new music, I'm just not a fan of a chunk of what I've heard so far.

And, some of you might want to read the article a little closer. I've stated that I DO like Vai, Satch, Johnson, Petrucci, Gilbert, etc. To the guy above me, thank you for enjoying the article, and I do agree with the songs you've listed (listening to Fire Garden right now as I'm typing, Hand on Heart is amazing) have emotion. I'm talking about players who are out there simply to show off and play as fast as they can, more so than to make music.

Many of you are taking the "three chords and the truth" line WAAY to literally. An artist shouldn't limit themselves to three chords, experimentation is my motto. It's just an old saying that's gone on in music, which I've found interesting (listen to a LOT of early Beatles stuff, count the number of chords).

To the person who criticized my comments on U2 and Jack Johnson: so what? I like them more than I do Vai, or Dream Theater. Doesn't mean they're not good. You can hate them, and I respect that. I'm just bringing up (go figure) my opinion into the article. Read the last paragraph a little closer, and depending on how you interpreted it, I probably meant something different than what you read. It doesn't matter, though; you're entitled to your own opinion, and to that I say cheers.

[.willy.]

Finally, I thought I was the only one that thought this. I have arguements with all my guitar friends, and even in my own mind and truthfully you are 100% right.

And whoever is saying that you are closed minded in your thinking. Is in turn close minded in their thinking. If you don't have any soul or emotion in your playing(im not saying all shredders don't so dont even bring that up) then its not music. Period. Anyone who puts the time and effort in can eventually shred/play fast.
So what. Can it stand the test of time? Is it pleasing to your ears, not only yours but other peoples? Those are good questions, not how fast can you play.

[deadkenedy]

Of course it isnt necessary. But its still fun.

[Timefore]

I've been thinking a lot about this recently, as I have to make some choices about the future and I really want to work out how I want to develop as a musician and a person. I've come to the conclusion, and it seems just so obvious, that music is about emotion and the guitar is just a medium to express that feeling, if I can play anything without trouble then it allows me to express myself anyway I want. Playing fast is important; sometimes I can hear ideas in my head, yet am unable to play them.
Whether or not I like your music taste, it's not important, I really agree with what you believe in.
But in the end, to each his own opinion, right? (or her, whatever)

[dann_blood]

I'm talking about players who are out there simply to show off and play as fast as they can, more so than to make music.

Thats the reason why people who solely depend on shred and think its all that matters don't make it in the music industry. Im not a big fan of Herman Li, but I think saying that he shreds for the sake of showing off is off the mark - after all, he plays power metal.
On the main point of not being fast to play good, it might not make you a good musician, but it certainly leads off into many other avenues to make the player a good musician.

[PhantomNote]

Yngwie does play without distortion sometimes, and it still soudns good. This is more an opinion article to me, than anything else. You should not shred just to show off, but I do happen to like shredding (I also listen to alot blues, jazz and stuff). If it's nicely done, shredding is the shit. Just remember to not play fast all the time. Shredding get's boring pretty quickly if it's too repetetive..

[roksta101]

i agree with the idea of vai music being melodic and technically great at the same time..that huys is my hero.i think shredding is also played with feeling: maybe the feeling is crazy or ppowerful and thats why they play the fast runs...to express that powerful feeling..
but then again maybe im talking crap...

[joseruntalan]

i agree. emotion before commotion. =P

[doood321]

Who the **** are you idiots to tell someone else what feeling is?
Who the **** are you to tell me what I'm supposed to gather when I listen to a certain song?

Feeling is a relative thing. Stop being a ****ing moron and trying to compare completely different things such as Dream Theater and Jack Johnson.

If you don't have any soul or emotion in your playing then its not music.

Music is an art form consisting of sound and silence expressed through time. Elements of sound as used in music are pitch (including melody and harmony), rhythm (including tempo and meter), structure, and sonic qualities of timbre, articulation, dynamics, and texture.

[Timefore]

To the above, what then, defines an "art form"? - that was probably the most dry and least emotive description of music I've ever heard. Emotion is what separates sound from music - noise imbued with conscious feeling creates music. I mean you can get really philosophical about it but that would take up a whole book.
But yeah, you're right, music is extremely subjective and I think that was, at least part of, what he was arguing.

[sam i am]

That was great. I agreed with pretty much all of it.

I think it was something UG sorely needed to read.

[spiroth10]

I agree with most of it, except for the neoclassical part.

I'll admit, I like it. But the part I disagree with is about distortion. I think Bach would love to hear it distorted, the thing is, distortion/overdrive didn't exist in his day, so to say it wasnt meant to be played that way is ludacris.

classical composers could easily apply distortion should they have lived to the modern day. And although its hard to find, there are some slower more melodically pleasing neoclassical guitarists out there, but a majority are just shredders shredding a loosely adapted bach piece.

I agree with everything else though.

[spiroth10]

also, raw speed and chaotic scale/arpeggio runs can express an emotion.

and Vai would be the first to tell you there is absolutely no emotion in playing. Playing is raw skill alone, its the writing that takes any real ingenuity, and emotion plays a small role in shaping what is composed.

[manmanster]

Why is this featured? This belongs in a rant forum, not a featured article. I thought this was very terribly written. I can barely comprehend your point most of the time, as you say you like shred music, and then say that it's not tasteful. You talk about your love of steve vai, and then you claim that he plays everything dictated by "little black dots". His songs, I beleive, are amazing. Those "little black dots" are merely transcribed music. Just because he composes in a classical manner, makes him an unfeeling artist?

Also, I myself am not a fan of Yngwie Malmsteen. But, he is an incredibly precise player, and I dislike your ignorance. Watch him play acoustic on youtube, and you'll understand.

Whatever. Unorganized, inaccurate, uninteresting article that should not be featured. 1/10

[La Qotsa]

Whats an Eishredfest?

[Atreideslegend]

This article has little relevance for a musician seeing as you are clearly just stating your opinion on the subject matter and not making any particularly well-reasoned conclusions. We've all heard these arguements before and im sure that any fan of satch or vai has been challenged in this way already, probably by their own self-reflection.

All your basically saying is "steve vai is good but i prefer the edge"...well i think they both suck and that Satch is several levels above them both in terms of skill and creativity. But does this statement expand your musical horizons? Does it make you a better musician?

[SL!!!]

doyleyboy wrote:

think what you said about vai and satriani is bang on actually, exactly how i think about them.

sam i am wrote:

That was great. I agreed with pretty much all of it.

I think it was something UG sorely needed to read.

[rokket2005]

The article wasn't really all that long,,,but it was longer than it both should've been and had to be. It was also very meandering and vague both in subject matter and how you presented your "points".

[67SG]

I think you're right about everything you've said, except one thing - distortion brings out mistakes, especially the level that Yngwie uses. That said, I find him an annoyance who's set back classical guitar a few generations.

[Thekillerbob]

You should watch, before you go bashing Malmsteen, some the the G3s that he participated in. I have one where he shredded wonderfully on a acoustic.

[rojomeansred]

A good song, in my opinion, isn't dictated by speed (fast,or slow) it's dictated by the feeling it gives me.

[FretboardToAsh]

Play a note that matters, or play none at all. That's what I teach my students, and that's what I live by.

[TheFly_1990]

Finally! Someone ELse Who Likes The Edge!!!

[manmanster]

67SG wrote:

I think you're right about everything you've said, except one thing - distortion brings out mistakes, especially the level that Yngwie uses. That said, I find him an annoyance who's set back classical guitar a few generations.

What? Look, I don't like the guy, but the only thing that has ever set back classical guitar is elitism. Yngwie Malmsteen has no direct effect on classical guitar.

[hethamulburton]

Basically, the whole argument comes down to personal preference in what you as a listener or as a player want to hear. For my own music, I generally try not to impress myself with skill-- simply because I've given up on a lot of shred because it's too overdone. I'm focusing more on the composition-- in an Opeth or Angra like manner, this way it gives me more freedom to find that moderately hard but catchy little melody that people are really going to like and most importantly... myself. I think those who can play 100000 bpm were great for their era, but that time has simply come and gone. Today's music focuses on composition-- from pop to metal, most artists will hold back their deluge of harmonic minors or what have you to get that hook in their music that will get people into it. As much as I respect the great shredders and such, if you break down a lot of their music, aside from Vai it is largely just ascending and descending scales-- like straight up or down the scale, but fast... and somehow that = good. I'm aware that they have their sweep picking and such and Petrucci has his way of annoying me with three or four notes licks that your ears simply can't comprehend, but at some point I said screw this and began to shift into the mindset of a composer.

And as an example, Dragonforce, a modern age whankfest... aside from these forums, I haven't heard anyone speak a word about them since for something like 6 months. And when they first released Inhuman Rampage, I and the dozens of other metalheads worshipped this until we got to song #2 and found out that it was kinda the same as #1. So, basically after only a month or so of intense praise and worship from my area... they lost almost all their buzz. That was when I found Angra and combined that with my Opeth and Alice In Chains... and decided to make music, and no longer focus on being quick. And it's worked so far...

[CoreysMonster]

so... what exactly was the point of this article? to contrast technical music with less technical music?

you basically said that technical music isnt as melodically relevant as simple 3 chord songs?

dude, just because the majority of people cant be arsed to listen to longer, more complex songs because they simply arent interested. I think you need to broaden your musical horizons beyond the edge of rock music, get into some classical.

You cant tell me that Mozarts Sonatas arent as melodically relevant as 3chord punk songs, just because people cant immediately get into it.

i didnt like this article, or the message it brought across, at all. of course you need to concentrate on writing music, and not just on speed, but skill and technique are things that many, many players underestimate, just as theory is. Its what seperates the men from the boys in the world of music.

End elitist rant

[CoreysMonster]

EDIT: sorry, i take back the part about the broadening horizons, missed that part in the article.

[EZLN libertad]

id just like to emphasis that shredding is not wanking, theres a difference between batio and satriani, theres a difference between dragonforce and vai

shredding is not all speed, but its the capability to use that speed when the music calls for it

[Mamono]

damn this guy was asking for it...

[bassetrox]

what has happened to UG? someone complimented U2 and didnt get flamed in 90% of posts... Whatever next?

[bassetrox]

CoreysMonster wrote:

so... what exactly was the point of this article? to contrast technical music with less technical music?

you basically said that technical music isnt as melodically relevant as simple 3 chord songs?

dude, just because the majority of people cant be arsed to listen to longer, more complex songs because they simply arent interested. I think you need to broaden your musical horizons beyond the edge of rock music, get into some classical.

You cant tell me that Mozarts Sonatas arent as melodically relevant as 3chord punk songs, just because people cant immediately get into it.

i didnt like this article, or the message it brought across, at all. of course you need to concentrate on writing music, and not just on speed, but skill and technique are things that many, many players underestimate, just as theory is. Its what seperates the men from the boys in the world of music.

End elitist rant

Read it again mate... without the tinted glasses


***no1 segovia, satch, metheny and ramones fan***

[ticklemeemo]

"I began applying more theory to my guitar, as well as slowing down the songs to half-speed and learning them note-for-note."

Um, I could be wrong, but isn't that what practicing is? When you can play those "one million notes a minute" completely accurately that is a much better achievement than if you were to start playing slower songs. Is this guy just mad because he can't play fast, so he calls fast guitar riffs distasteful or unmelodious? Learn how to play before you start writing columns mister.

[Shor-T Zero]

I can play some songs that are fast and complicated ("Hourglass" by Lamb of God), but for the most part, my fret hand isn't that fast. So I'll admit that I'm not that great at guitar, so I only wish I could play fast. But I feel for this author, cause honestly, playing fast isn't everything. I can listen to the extreme quickness of Malmsteem or Alexi Laiho...but if I'm listening to some Hendrix or Santana, then I think the same exact thing as I do about the extremely fast (and can still play good) guitarists...they all rock. Music is opinion and so is this article. But it's about time someone brought up some relevant points about not having to play purely fast in order to gain lots of respect and fans. Great article

[Robb987123Bass]

Being a bassist, I actually found this article quite interesting even mors so when you mentioned Biily Sheehan. First off, I love Billy Sheehan more than any other bassist. And second off, not to disagree with you, but he's always had that Trebly tone to set himself apart from the pack. Personally, I like it. A trebly punch on a bass is amazing in my opinion. However, I do understand and respect your views on this.

[Robb987123Bass]

EDIT: I failed to read your 'Bass = depth/foundation' part of that paragraph. Here is where I must highly disagree with you. Because traditionally and usually a bass is the laying beat, it never should be the beat because of what it is. Yes, it sounds the best with drums, etc. Go listen to some Primus and open your eyes! And if were talking about what should 'traditionally' be the lead voice in a band, it's the saxophone, as guitar was also initially rhythm...

[vantage4]

^i think the trumpet beats even the sax as the first lead instrument, since the sax is a much newer instrument. just a detail though.

this article was pretty well written, but it doesn't say anything new. someone posts an article about finding the right balance between melody and speed every month.

[frett_ledgend]

he sez yngwie would not be very good playing clean etc. watch g3 live in denver and watch him play his nylon string acoustic solo.. its pretty incredible check it out

[frett_ledgend]

also he says he hates neo-classical cos of the distortion etc. they thought outside of the box just like billy sheehan as he said yet he hates the fact that they use it.

[frett_ledgend]

XDream_TheaterX :
I agree with the fact that distortion hides some mistakes, especially for me, since I play with really strong and heavy distortion. And that's the main reason why i like to practice without distortion, it's easier to spot the mistakes and correct them. I prefer fast soloing and shredding than soulful riffs, but if there are just no emotion ... I hate it. I agree with most of what you said, but not all. However, it's a great article. 10/10.

i also practice everything clean no matter what im doing even if its a heavy song because theres nothing more satisfying after a long practice session deprived of distortion to just absolutely crank the shit out of your amp.. its fantastic haha

[Cannibalkyle16]

This has been said enough times, of course you dont have to play fast to make good music, but you dont have to not play fast to make good music either...
This is a stupid article.

[acdc_rocks_1992]

guitarman333 :
a lot of truth here....i hate it when kids these days just learn how to play 20 notes per second and brag about it..when they put no soul or feeling into any of their playing

it's like they're a machine, not a human

i know i play slower stuff well played im starting classical but i still play them stuff like stairway to heaven my friend came in one i can this song by malmsteen i said wow.... (with sarcasm) he said u think it its easy i said it is easy it just fast try to play something like this (minuett by bach) and it too much feeling for them to play

[simonzwaan]

Nice I can agree with pretty much all of that

EZLN libertad wrote:

id just like to emphasis that shredding is not wanking, theres a difference between batio and satriani, theres a difference between dragonforce and vai

shredding is not all speed, but its the capability to use that speed when the music calls for it

Yep. We can't forget that.

[The_Man_IV]

"The main observance, though, is that you should pay attention to both technical skill and melodic content. "

Exactly
Perfectly Said
Alot of people out there now adays get into guitar players who can play fast amazing things but really theres no emotion You gotta be able to feel something while listining to the music ...My opinion

[Kade2910]

Great article, I enjoyed reading it =) 10/10.

Personally, I can draw a lot of emotion from some shred. It's all about atmosphere for me, and there are hundreds of tools that can create this; shred being one of them. I agree on the topic of malmsteen, he's a rather boring playing IMO, but any guitarist should be inspired by how much time and effort/dedication he's put into his playing.

It's all been said before though. I just wait for the day everyone realises that preferences vary.

[crocoscar]

the most stupid thing i've EVER heard about soloing is that you need to play slow to put "feeling" into your soli -_- is there only one kind of feeling ? feeling can mean sadness or beauty AS WELL AS IT CAN MEAN anger, violence, speed, warmth or anything !

[bigal_85]

If Yngwie were to play with no distortion, he’d be a totally different player

Someones probably already pointed it out, buy Yngwie can play almost as well on a nylon string accoustic as his beloved strat. Also i find distortion kinda amplifies mistakes, for instance if someones lazy with string muting they can play a solo clean and it will sound reasonable, however with a bit of gain... Also try not to write using sweeping generalisations (not sweeping guitarwise :P), as there is always exceptions. anyway thats my 2c

[Epimaster]

Wow...someone on this board who makes sense...
thank you jesus

[DoctrDrew116]

I agree with almost all the things you said and I think you made some really great points. I don't think the article itself was very good though, as far as writing, organization, etc. It kinda seemed like you were just making it up as you went along. I understand you completely, I just think it won't be that convincing to people that don't already agree with you about the music vs. technicality issue.

Despite the good points you did make, I think, being a bassist, you completely contradicted yourself by bringing up Billy Sheehan. That guy is all technique with no musicality. I hate him as much as you hate Yngwie.

[SGstriker]

Adding another guitarist to the list of "Guitarists who aren't fastest, but amazing nonetheless", David Gilmour.
I really liked this article...I agree with it completely.

[honeybiscuit]

Looks like a lot of rambling with meaningless paragraph breaks.

[ConfusedBirdman]

Good article, however I think it is important to practice with distortion also(not neck pickup uber distortino distortion, I'm talking hot bridge pickup with a dynamically (sp) sensative distortion) because this also reveals mistakes such as extra string noise, and unwanted spikes in volume when playing certain notes. Also, Yngsteen (as I like to call him)plays a very unforgiving guitar (which I don't understand because his tone sounds like something I just flushed). Just for thought

[philjay]

I try to listen to shred, but I still think it's just calculated wanking glorified by orgasm facial expressions which makes people think it's full of emotion.

But good article!

[simking]

totally agree, john frusciante is one of my all time fav guitarists, he can get so much feeling out of just a few notes. its not how many notes you use its about getting the right notes. though i do love shredding

[Gitter_Wizard]

What the hell is your point? You like some music that speaks and not music that doesn't?

[Jondy]

listen to black star and you'll hear that yngwie is actually quite awesome on acoustic. distortion doesn't hide your mistakes. maybe to virgin ears it could... but if yngwie ever made a mistake it would be front page news.

[Darkshade666]

When I read the first paragraph, I knew you were going to talk about For The Love Of God. This is my all time favorite instrumental song. Great article.

[sk8rMeTaLhEaD27]

the edge isn't a "Great" guitar player, and U2 us horrible, every song they have sounds the same.

[noahray]

sk8rMeTaLhEaD27 wrote:

the edge isn't a "Great" guitar player, and U2 us horrible, every song they have sounds the same.

+1

this isn't even an article, it's just some kid ranting about his musical tastes... i'm sure glad to see it featured?

[Second Rate]

sk8rMeTaLhEaD27 wrote:

the edge isn't a "Great" guitar player, and U2 us horrible, every song they have sounds the same.

I was about a stones throw away from saying this same thing earlier. They have been especially bad about repetition since "The Joshua Tree." But that's what happens when all you're playing is the same three chords behind varying degrees of delay and reverb.

[callum2903]

i agree with this aricle i hate steve vai and all that its just a bunch of crazy technques all focused around on guy, its not got anything esle, where as with great badsn like chilis and hendrix and everyone i listen to which is to many to listen to, its inclusive of everyone and the emotion is shown withe very part of it, and its not raw, cause not all emotion is raw, i hate that ideas, where is the point in makes a feeling like love raw? because the greatness of love is that sorta soft floaty feeling kinda thing for want of much better words to descirb it, whrere is the point in makin that all raw insteed just get it right, like in liobertines songs and babyshambles pete doc gets the lyrics just right for the mood same with the guiyar and everyting it all falls into play insteed of a loud brah guitar solo, which btw isnt a good solo theoreticaly cause solos are ment to be progressive and bassed on motive,s i hear hardly anything of this, its just constant simliatlerys of prog's and scales at high speed fomr the start!

[callum2903]

Second Rate wrote:

sk8rMeTaLhEaD27 wrote:

the edge isn't a "Great" guitar player, and U2 us horrible, every song they have sounds the same.


I was about a stones throw away from saying this same thing earlier. They have been especially bad about repetition since "The Joshua Tree." But that's what happens when all you're playing is the same three chords behind varying degrees of delay and reverb.

it is true they start to sound the same, but that is enevitable and i would love to hear someone esle right a U2 style song as well,, it is expreamly difficult and although isnt technically demanding, who atchally rights techniqueally demanding songs? you play what you are comfortable becuas elets face it when u hav had a few drinks and wanting to play live or what eva you want to have fun and comunicate with the audiemnce not just concerntrate insanly on your guitar and on not fucing up, thats what solos are for perhaps, but not the verse and chorus ect. people need to look back and get song writing better and look for soul, everyone who listens to crazy metal bands dont listen to other music becuas ethey dont undertsnad it i think, i was the same i used to love metalica but then i started listening to other things and i now hate that music cause its just not as good musicaly, its a fact it just thoretically isnt and at the end of the day the theory of the msuic in most cases determines how good it is to listen to, if u use a chord prog that is all out its wont work!!

[oscar7557]

Shawn Lane .... thats all i have to say

[axeslinger01]

it is hard to compare styles, they all have their strengths and weeknesses

but playing fast shows that a player had put in the sacrifice, practice time and effort to become as fast and technical as they are, thefore someone playing fast may be putting much more into their playing then you may want to think

[cukd7x-a2-]

Chaosinferno825 wrote:

Very nicely done, even though I don't agree with much of it, it was very well written. Congrats.

WANNABE ROCKER WORKING AS A LA TEACHER!!!!!

[Second Rate]

callum2903 wrote:

Second Rate wrote:

sk8rMeTaLhEaD27 wrote:

the edge isn't a "Great" guitar player, and U2 us horrible, every song they have sounds the same.


I was about a stones throw away from saying this same thing earlier. They have been especially bad about repetition since "The Joshua Tree." But that's what happens when all you're playing is the same three chords behind varying degrees of delay and reverb.


it is true they start to sound the same, but that is enevitable and i would love to hear someone esle right a U2 style song as well,, it is expreamly difficult and although isnt technically demanding, who atchally rights techniqueally demanding songs? you play what you are comfortable becuas elets face it when u hav had a few drinks and wanting to play live or what eva you want to have fun and comunicate with the audiemnce not just concerntrate insanly on your guitar and on not fucing up, thats what solos are for perhaps, but not the verse and chorus ect. people need to look back and get song writing better and look for soul, everyone who listens to crazy metal bands dont listen to other music becuas ethey dont undertsnad it i think, i was the same i used to love metalica but then i started listening to other things and i now hate that music cause its just not as good musicaly, its a fact it just thoretically isnt and at the end of the day the theory of the msuic in most cases determines how good it is to listen to, if u use a chord prog that is all out its wont work!!

Ugh, here we go with another "metal bands don't have soul" rant. I'm gonna say something that you might find kind of shocking. ALL MUSIC HAS FEELING (or soul as you call it). Just because it is a feeling that does not resonate with you does not mean that a song or band is "emotionally detached." If you're not "feeling the music" you wouldn't be playing. To say that technically demanding things are devoid of feeling is quite ignorant. You might as well accuse every Jazz musician or Classical composer that has ever lived of being a robot.

[SynGates7X]

I just want to point out that Yngwie does play clean on some songs, and they are just as technical as his distorted songs.

[shwilly]

I can't help but notice that Stevie Vai took the most prominent spot in your post. And I can see why:

I've seen so many great guitarists live: Vai, Mike McCready, John Petrucci, Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello, Dweezil Zappa... And no matter how different their styles are and how much I love their songs, I always end up concluding that if I'd be to inherit anyone's technique, it'd have to be Vai's. Not only would I kick ass, i'd still be unique.

There aren't many people who can kick his ass, and if they do, it's just on one or two things > Paul Gilbert has a faster picking hand, Dimebag ruled the whammy bar and the horrible Michael Angelo is most likely a faster sweeper. However, Vai is one of the few guitarist who can dominate all of these skills at an EXTREMELY high level, and still sound like himself instead of a guitar playing machine. Most people who reach this level tend to sound incredibly alike each other.

Just put on a G3 record and listen to any of the G3 jams > even if you don't know shit about guitar tone, if you're familiar with his style you'll immediately be able to pick his solo's out of the bunch. And again, I'm not saying he's the best, but he's one of the most singular guitar gods in the world of rock music. And isn't that what most people who visit this site dream about: kicking ass as a member of a sick band and not sounding like anyone else!?

[pangui]

I agree with pretty much everything in this article. Especially the neo-classical stuff. It seems people who claim to be "neo-classical" do so just to sound like they have a better background of music than other shredders, but I don't really think they do.

[kaptkegan]

I totally agree man, in the words of my drummer, there are musicians and technicians, and though both are great, which would you rather listen to in the end?

The answer to that is definitly the musician

[TheNthDimension]

Nicely written... but what was the point?

[La Qotsa]

So, I'll ask again.

What is an Eishredfest?

Not only is he a shred noob, he's illiterate too?

[ValoRhoads]

Uhm....Buddy... valiant effort, good show. But all you did was tell us what you like and what you don't.
Keep that to the profile.

[ValoRhoads]

callum2903 wrote:

Second Rate wrote:

sk8rMeTaLhEaD27 wrote:

the edge isn't a "Great" guitar player, and U2 us horrible, every song they have sounds the same.


I was about a stones throw away from saying this same thing earlier. They have been especially bad about repetition since "The Joshua Tree." But that's what happens when all you're playing is the same three chords behind varying degrees of delay and reverb.



it is true they start to sound the same, but that is enevitable and i would love to hear someone esle right a U2 style song as well,, it is expreamly difficult and although isnt technically demanding, who atchally rights techniqueally demanding songs? you play what you are comfortable becuas elets face it when u hav had a few drinks and wanting to play live or what eva you want to have fun and comunicate with the audiemnce not just concerntrate insanly on your guitar and on not fucing up, thats what solos are for perhaps, but not the verse and chorus ect. people need to look back and get song writing better and look for soul, everyone who listens to crazy metal bands dont listen to other music becuas ethey dont undertsnad it i think, i was the same i used to love metalica but then i started listening to other things and i now hate that music cause its just not as good musicaly, its a fact it just thoretically isnt and at the end of the day the theory of the msuic in most cases determines how good it is to listen to, if u use a chord prog that is all out its wont work!!

you are pompous man. Like the Teacher in "The Wall". You'd ostracize a child infront of all of his peers for writing poetry because it was sub par.

[DarTHie]

Yeah, you like Vai.
I have understood it the very first time you sad it.

[ShredderOmega]

Alexi Laiho= awesome shredder with classicaly trained melodies. Amasing talent but quite happy to play simple stuff if it sounds good...

[ShredderOmega]

Oh and shwilly... if you inherited Vai's technique, how could you be unique?

[danhiz347]

TheNthDimension wrote:

Nicely written... but what was the point?

I couldn't agree more.

[tcangusyoung123]

Mate you have said what I have believed for quite a while now... melody and technique need good balance. I'm a fellow Satriani fan myself, I absolutely love Always with Me, Always with You.

A well written piece there indeed.

[difitzio]

I think the amount of responses you got speaks for itself. Great article and great point. Music is supposed to envoke emotion whether it be sorrow, regret, ecstasy or make you want to start a brawl. Shredding can amaze me but there are so many other possible responses

[phoenixrush]

Didn't feel like reading many of the comments here but, he's not saying speed doesn't equal melody, he's saying melody is just more important than speed. And yeah ShredderOmega is right, Laiho is a great shredder who tends to solo using Melodic and Harmonic Minor scales. Side note, wouldn't call him melodic simply because... he's thrash metal and uh... heh to be frank its not melodic at all, with the exception of the new album AYDY. Thats decently melodic for metal (album kicks major ass!!)

[caphits]

Hey R tards, What he is saying is that music comes before speed. You can have speed, but it has to be musical. If you just have just speed you have nothing. You can go slow, or fast, but the music still has to be there.

[RadioMuse]

I agree, and thus David Gilmour is (imo) the greatest soloist of all time. I have little beef with 'shredders' though... I have major respect for them and in the case of Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson I also enjoy their music. No offense to Vai, but, I don't get it? And the rest are most eh... Oh and I've never had a problem with Eddie Van Halen either, somehow he manages tapping passages with implied melodies or something...

Anyway I've found both from trying to write songs, play songs, etc. one of the best things you can do is SLOW DOWN. Sure being technical is fun and all, but actually writing something that conveys emotion and is memorable is so much more important.

[nolanxxx]

depends on what your playing...seriously, like deathmetal..your not gonna have some solo thats all emotional and whatnot,it just doesn't fit. Mostly because they aren't going for happy, or sad, they're goign for a "we're all ****ing pissed so lets all get pumped and blow off a bunch of steam in the mosh pits!" in a very crappy example of wordplay but you get me.
and yeah, neo classical is kinda lame, the only song i've found that i like is blitzkrieg, it has a pretty sweet sound to it and i think its one of the fastest ones out there, most of other neo-classical stuff is pretty gay though, i just can't get into it, i prefer the actual pianos and what not

[C&C Magik]

first off, 8/10

Music is meant to be emotional. Music without emotion isn't worth listening to. We might as well have machines make our music.

Speed in music doesn't mean its not melodic. You can shred and be melodic, but I do agree with you that doing it just to impress isn't a good way to write music. My father put it perfectly when he said "Dragonforce's music is more for the 'wow, I can't believe he can do that' purpose." I wouldn't listen to it more then 3 times, because it doesn't have emotion. So while I believe you can shred and still have emotion, I also believe that shredding is way overused and that slower notes can be just as beautiful, if sometimes not better.

[WarAndPeas]

I read this article and what i got out of it was it is better to write a simple song than an overly complex one. The reason being is that if you get past the notes on a page you might actually listen to the words and get a meaning out of it. The guitar/bass/drums add to the meaning by giving you a reference to remember it. Yes an instrumental can be powerful but thats not the point. The point is if you don't get anything out of music it is as useless.

As for U2's songs all sounding the same i would bet that you have not heard every song they have ever written. After you have i know you would have a different opinion. Who cares if they use similar chord progressions in their songs. They have very different songs even if you think otherwise. Some of their songs do not have guitar in it, does that mean that that song is exactly the same as another? No, probably not. My favorite band is not U2 by a long shot but they have some songs i like. I am sure that another person on here likes a band for a few songs, what is wrong with that? Absolutely nothing. It is opinion. Every poster on here has used their opinion and of course the author of this article.
tsefderhsie

[COBHC728]

YES THE SHREDFEST IS NECESSARY!!! what else would a bunch of 15 year old metalheads listen to?

[Vauxite]

PERFECT!

[cjimil419]

Though i dont agree with a lot of the article i do agree that solos are much better slow with emotion. One of the greatest solos, for me, is Pink Floyd's "Time" I'd listen to that any day and especially over Vai or Satch or w/e

[Imago Dei]

This argument is so old its boring. Shred vs. emotion is not the argument though. It is familiar vs. unfamiliar. All this article is saying is "I like/don't like what I like/don't like and here is why".

The approach that U2 and Vai take towards song writing are worlds apart. It's like comparing Michaelangelo's work on the Cistene Chapel to a Jackson Pollock painting. There is absolutely no basis for comparison other than to say they are both art with paint and canvas.

It's not surprising that the general public likes U2 better than Vai. They hear U2 more frequently. It's more familiar and people like what is familiar with a little variety thrown in.

Look at food. Relief organizations have learned that familiar food needs to be given to starving people or they won't eat it. Is the unfamiliar food less relevant nutritionally? Nope. But if it is unfamiliar people will starve to death rather than eat it.

The Japanese LOVE neoclassical shredders. Why? Because classical music is much more popular in Japan. Consequently neoclassical shredders are more familiar to them and therefore melodically relevant.

I like pizza and I hate fish. Does that make the taste of fish less relevant? Nope. Thousands of seafood restaurants prove that tons of people love fish even if there are fewer seafood restaurants than pizza shops.

Do you need to play fast to be a great guitarist? No! Are guitarists who play slower more emotive? No! I appreciate guitarists that try to say more with less notes. But sometimes a flurry of notes whizzing by is just the emotional texture that is called for.

[Silky Smooth]

Yngwie's quite good at classical guitar, many of his tracks feature him playing on a classical with no distortion at all.

Also about Bach's compositions...
If you think about it in relation to the time period, a massive organ was very similar to todays cranked Marshall. A wall of sound and power that shoots over the audience. If you've ever heard a real organ played in a hall or cathedral you'd see the similarities.

[Sean-Man]

notes are like money, spend then wisley

[avengingender]

i can see where you're coming from. but i feel the complete opposite way as you do. i can't stand most slow music. at this point in my life the only stuff that sounds good to me is fast guitar solos and melodic riffs that are quite fast. boring (to me) players such as eric clapton, jack johnson, and john mayer do absolutely nothing for me, although i respect them. whereas amazing and fast guitar players such as yngwie malmsteen and marty friedman are like gods to me. mark my words, one day i will be as good as they are, or better. also, i don't understand why you even wrote this article. it was completely pointless. all you did was explain your opinion (a respectable one). whatever, to each his own.

[troyponce]

oscar7557 wrote:

Shawn Lane .... thats all i have to say

This may be the smartest thing that has been said anywhere in the article.

[troyponce]

Also, something the writer ignored was the fact that not all technical playing is there to be technical. When I write music I often end up with absolutely insane time signatures, and it's just because I'm transcribing what I hear in my head. Technicality is often nothing more than the representation of expression, and if I couldn't play in 17/16 then I'd be pretty ****ed for the music I write.

[ooblah]

Jason becker is technical and its still melodic and beautiful.

[rojomeansred]

Listen to the liquid tension experiment and tell me technical can't have soul in it.

[as_i_lay_dead]

i dont think shred = unemotional, you can just get carried away with it...

[aliceinnirvana]

This is more like an opinion paper.
It felt like I was reading an About Me on a dating website.
But I would say the ending paragraph was the best.
Seems that was all that needed to be said.
It's an argument that will never be settled.
People see music differently.
People see the use of a guitar differently.
To each their own, seriously.
It's not like there's some serious crisis going on.
Shedders will be shredders, emotives will be emotives.

[rokstar666]

just play music....its that simple.

[Moozart333]

This article could have been great if it hadn't been thought out by anyone before... This article, for me, keeps repeating that he loves that guitarist, but he prefers that one because he/she is more melodically relevant bla bla bla... For me, Vai is more melodically relevant than U2.. I mean, shred is emotion for some and for some others, it's not. This is stuff everyone has thought out by themselves some point. Post more interesting stuff

[Aziraphale]

Well as much is agree with the author, I don't think this could turn anyone's mind around. Those who agree have already figured this out, those who don't haven't. I think it takes a musical revelation if you will to understand this, not an article by some random dude.

For a great example of taste and soloing skills, aswell as awesome rhythm guitar that actually enhances the songs in so many ways, check out Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi). One of the greatest.

[InLimbo11]

You cant play fast and have emotion, simple as that, becuase you cant place soul or emotion in every single note you play, take all the 50's 60's blues and jazz artists, i.e John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, they never played fast, but they played well, playing fast its impossible to hit quarter bends or hit notes on 16th and 32nd beats, which makes a song bluesy and have some sort of rhythm to it, Vai and Satriani and people just sound ridiculous in comparison

[phoetwny]

mozart =first heavy metal artist but he frightened people cause he was that good,jack johson was a shredder before he found out he could make money by slowing down,the edge was tought by satch,metallica was the sell out of the era cause they slowed down when they made the black album becoming a household name, i don't think a distorted fur elise would have sold the peanuts era ,but southpark could have . case and point how old r u and what do u like cuz ketchup(catsup) popcicles come in different flavors and colors ,so what flavor would u like today ? ,lol

[phoetwny]

oh yeah example of 3 chords the truth vs. slow and fast playing abilities, little wing ,hendrix, svr same song 2 different flavors ,era's,etc.

[HavokStrife]

Man, I'm probably the only person that totally agrees with you... Especially lately, now that I'm really getting into becoming the guitarist I would like to be.


And I feel bad for you, seeing the millions of posts by 13 years pouring out paragraphs of complete b/s of why you're wrong, haha.

[-=Croatoan=-]

This is how i've felt for some time now. couldn't have said it better.