Shred Guitar In 6 Weeks - Week 2: From Basics to Brilliance

Week 2 in the "Shred Guitar In 6 Weeks" series propels you into the realm of the Pentatonic scale in its second position alongside the Blues scale, positioned similarly. These scales form the cornerstone of memorable solos and riffs, particularly in rock and blues music. Gaining proficiency in these scales is not merely about expanding your musical lexicon; it's about unlocking new levels of improvisational creativity and emotional depth in your playing. This course is taught by Andy James.

Course Overview

The Value of Scale Sequences

This week's curriculum emphasizes the importance of pentatonic and blues scale sequences. By dissecting these scales into manageable patterns, you cultivate a robust understanding and muscle memory, essential for improvisation and crafting your signature sound. This methodical approach ensures you're well-equipped to navigate more complex musical landscapes confidently.

Alternate Picking: A Crucial Skill

Alternate picking, with its emphasis on alternating down and up strokes, is a pivotal skill covered in Week 2. This technique is the bedrock for achieving speed, efficiency, and rhythmic precision in your playing, serving as a fundamental building block for exploring advanced picking techniques and executing rapid-fire solos with clarity.

Paul Gilbert's Licks Demystified

The course also offers a deep dive into three licks inspired by the legendary Paul Gilbert, known for his blistering speed and melodic ingenuity. These licks are more than mere practice routines; they encapsulate Gilbert's approach to melding technical prowess with musical expressiveness. They are crucial for anyone looking to enhance their soloing capabilities and inject their play with a dose of high-octane virtuosity.

The Advantages of Practicing with a Backing Track

Week 2 introduces practicing with a backing track, a practice that simulates playing within a band setting. This approach is invaluable for refining your timing, dynamics, and overall musical communication. It forces you to apply learned techniques in a real-world context, fostering improvisational skills and a deeper musical interaction with other instruments.

Conclusion

"Shred Guitar In 6 Weeks - Week 2" is a comprehensive guide to foundational guitar techniques that pave the way for advanced musical expression. This course is more than a technical manual; it's a journey towards finding your unique voice on the guitar, armed with the skills to express it fully.

Guitar Techniques Utilized

• Alternate Picking
• Bluesy Bends
• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides

Through mastering these techniques, you're set to not just play music, but to convey stories and emotions through your instrument, bridging technical skill with expressive musicality.