How to Shred Guitar Scales

So, you've got the basics of guitar down and now you're itching to shred like your metal heroes. But where to start? Well, it's all about mastering those scales and making your fingers dance across the fretboard with ease. Let's get into how you can turn those basic scales into fierce, face-melting solos that would make even the most seasoned metalhead nod in approval.

The Foundation: Understanding Guitar Scales

Before you can shred a scale, you need to understand what a scale is. In essence, a guitar scale is a sequence of notes played in a particular order. These notes form the backbone of your soloing and riff creation. There are various scales, but the most commonly used in metal are the pentatonic, minor, and harmonic minor scales.

The pentatonic scale is a five-note scale, often the first scale guitarists learn. It's simple, versatile, and used across many genres, including metal. The minor scale is a seven-note scale that gives a darker sound, perfect for metal. The harmonic minor scale adds a unique twist with its raised seventh note, offering an exotic sound often used in neoclassical metal.

Understanding these scales is crucial because they form the palette from which you create your solos. To play them effectively, you need to know the notes, the intervals between them, and the patterns they form on the fretboard.

At Riffhard, we dive deep into these scales, offering lessons from some of the world's best metal guitarists. They break down these scales into digestible parts, making it easier for you to incorporate them into your playing.

Building Speed Without Sacrificing Accuracy

Speed is often the first thing that comes to mind when we think about shredding. However, speed without accuracy is like a sports car with no steering—fast but out of control. Here's how you can build both:

• Use a Metronome: This is your best friend when it comes to building speed. Start slow, ensuring every note rings clear, and gradually increase the tempo.
• Focus on Clean Technique: Sloppy playing at high speeds doesn't sound impressive. Make sure your fingers are hitting the right notes without unintentional muting or string noise.
• Practice Consistently: Short, regular practice sessions are more effective than sporadic long ones. Your muscles need time to build the memory required for accurate, fast playing.

Interestingly enough, many shredders, including legends like Paul Gilbert and Yngwie Malmsteen, emphasize starting slow to build up speed. It seems counterintuitive, but it's the best way to ensure precision as you play faster.

Alternate Picking: The Shredder's Secret Weapon

Alternate picking involves using both downstrokes and upstrokes in a continuous, alternating manner. This technique allows for greater speed and precision as you move across the strings. Here’s how you can nail it:

• Start with Simple Patterns: Begin with simple exercises on a single string, gradually incorporating more strings as you become comfortable.
• Maintain a Relaxed Picking Hand: Tension is your enemy. Keep your picking hand relaxed to enable smoother movement.
• Use a Light Touch: Heavy picking can slow you down and cause unnecessary strain. A light touch allows for faster, more fluid motion.

At Riffhard, we offer lessons that focus on alternate picking techniques, with instructors like Dean Lamb from Archspire showing you how to incorporate it into your playing seamlessly.

Finger Independence and Dexterity

Your fretting hand's dexterity is just as crucial as your picking hand's speed. You need to train your fingers to move independently and efficiently. Here are some exercises to build finger independence:

• Spider Exercises: These involve moving your fingers in a sequence that mimics a spider walking. It's great for building strength and independence.
• Chromatic Exercises: Play chromatic scales up and down the fretboard to improve finger coordination and speed.
• Stretching: Regularly stretch your fingers to increase their range of motion and prevent injury.

Practicing these exercises regularly will give you the control needed to execute complex solos with ease. And remember, patience is key—finger independence takes time to develop.

String Skipping for Dynamic Solos

String skipping adds a dynamic element to your solos, allowing you to create interesting melodic lines that differ from conventional scale runs. This technique involves skipping strings while maintaining a smooth, fluid sound.

To start, practice jumping between non-adjacent strings using simple patterns. Ensure that each note rings out clearly without muting adjacent strings. This might feel awkward initially, but with practice, it becomes a powerful tool in your shredding arsenal.

Our instructors at Riffhard have lessons specifically designed to help you master string skipping, providing exercises and tips to integrate it into your playing.

Incorporating Legato for Fluidity

Legato is a technique that involves playing notes smoothly and connectedly, often using hammer-ons and pull-offs. It's a hallmark of many iconic metal solos, allowing for fast, fluid passages with minimal picking.

To practice legato:

• Focus on Hammer-ons and Pull-offs: Begin with simple two-note exercises, gradually increasing the number of notes as you gain confidence.
• Use Minimal Pick Attack: Start each phrase with a pick stroke, and let hammer-ons and pull-offs do the rest of the work.
• Build Strength in Your Fretting Hand: Legato requires strong fingers, so incorporate exercises that focus on building finger strength and endurance.

For more advanced legato techniques, Riffhard offers lessons that delve into integrating this technique into your solos, with guidance from top guitarists in the metal scene.

Using Arpeggios to Spice Up Your Solos

Arpeggios are a series of notes played in succession, typically from a chord. They add a sophisticated touch to your solos and can be used to outline chord progressions in a melodic way.

To incorporate arpeggios into your playing:

• Learn Basic Arpeggio Shapes: Start with simple major and minor shapes, then move to more complex forms.
• Practice Sweep Picking: This involves a single, fluid motion across the strings, often used to play arpeggios quickly.
• Combine with Other Techniques: Mix arpeggios with scales, bends, and other techniques to create interesting solos.

Arpeggios can seem daunting at first, but with practice, they become a valuable tool in your shredding repertoire.

Developing Your Own Style

While learning to shred guitar scales is essential, developing your own style is what will set you apart as a guitarist. Experiment with different techniques, listen to a variety of players, and incorporate what resonates with you into your playing.

Pay attention to how your favorite guitarists phrase their solos, their use of vibrato, and their choice of notes. Use these as inspiration, but don't be afraid to forge your own path.

At Riffhard, we encourage individuality and exploration, providing a platform to learn from the best while developing your unique voice as a guitarist.

Staying Motivated and Consistent

Learning to shred takes time and dedication. It's easy to get frustrated when progress seems slow. Here are some tips to stay motivated:

• Set Realistic Goals: Break down your larger goals into manageable steps, and celebrate small victories along the way.
• Mix Up Your Practice Routine: Keep things interesting by varying your exercises and learning new songs or techniques.
• Play with Others: Jamming with friends or joining a band can keep you motivated and help you learn from others.

Remember, every guitarist has been where you are now. Patience and persistence are your best allies as you work towards shredding mastery.

Final Thoughts

Learning to shred guitar scales is a journey filled with challenges and rewards. By focusing on building speed, precision, and incorporating various techniques, you can transform your playing into something truly impressive. Whether you're just starting out or refining your skills, the lessons at Riffhard are here to guide you, offering insights from some of the finest metal guitarists around.