Shred Guitar In 6 Weeks - Week 2: Mastery to Musicality

Week 2 of "Shred Guitar In 6 Weeks" is your gateway to mastering the Pentatonic scale in its second position and the Blues scale, similarly positioned. These scales are more than just finger exercises; they are the soul of guitar solos and riff-based music, especially in genres like rock and blues. Mastering these scales not only enriches your musical vocabulary but also enhances your improvisational skills, allowing for more expressive and emotive play. This course is taught by Andy James.

Course Overview

The Importance of Scale Sequences

The course meticulously guides you through pentatonic and blues scale sequences, vital for achieving fluidity and versatility in your playing. By breaking these scales into patterns, you develop a deeper understanding of their structure, which is essential for improvisation and creating your unique sound. This structured approach lays a solid foundation for tackling more complex pieces with confidence.

The Technique of Alternate Picking

Alternate picking takes center stage in Week 2, a technique crucial for any guitarist aiming to improve their speed and precision. By alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, you'll learn to play faster and more rhythmically tight lines. This technique is a stepping stone to mastering other picking styles and is essential for executing fast, clean solos.

Emulating Paul Gilbert's Signature Licks

The course also features three signature licks in the style of Paul Gilbert, renowned for his precision and speed. These licks are not just exercises; they're a lesson in combining technical skill with musical expression. Gilbert's style, characterized by fast alternate picking and expressive bends, offers invaluable lessons in creating solos that are both technically impressive and emotionally compelling.

Benefits of Practicing with a Backing Track

Incorporating a backing track into practice sessions simulates a band environment, crucial for developing timing, dynamics, and interactive musicality. It challenges you to apply techniques in context, encouraging improvisation and adaptation to varying musical situations. This practice enhances your ability to communicate musically with other musicians and prepares you for live performances.

Conclusion

"Shred Guitar In 6 Weeks - Week 2" is an intensive exploration into the techniques that form the foundation of skillful guitar playing. It's designed not just to improve technical abilities but also to deepen musical understanding and expression. By the end of this course, you will have the tools to not only execute complex passages but to infuse them with your personal musical voice.

Guitar Techniques Used

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

This curriculum is designed to imbue you with the techniques that make for a versatile and expressive guitarist, bridging the gap between mechanical proficiency and soulful musicality.