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How To SHRED on a bass??

#41
At the risk of taking this thread into a new direction....

I want to post his question: Why "Shred" on bass? If you become a good "Shredder" it won't get you work - no, really. It might get you into a band where folks play music you like, but it won't get you a paying gig any more than slapping like a fiend will. Heck, the same can be said for guitar players, pianists - any instrument. "Shredding" is nothing more than playing a whole lotta notes really really fast, right? Ideally, they are musically "correct" notes, but still the key idea here is speed, yes?

So why is this important to you?
 
#42
Bocete said:
I've tried doing that once - it didn't work, as the sound of plucking with flesh and nails differed a lot. What did you do exactely?
Click to expand...

Keep the nails on your right hand short so that when you do the downstroke you only brush the tip of your fingers back, not the nails. I atually realy like the sound of the nails though because I usually use this technique for small bursts of notes in time with slower bits, so they stand out more with the nail sound. But when I don't want that sound, I just brush the fleshy tips of my finger and barely avoid using the nail. It takes practice but I'm getting really good at it now. Actually, my right hand is faster than my left hand, right now my speed issue coming from not being able to fret fast enough.

I'd like o stress I HATE shredding, but I think it's good to be able to do it and use it in small select parts. I'm trying so hard to not rely on it but still be able to use it whenever I'd like at any point in the song.

Tool460002, that's a phenominal idea, I'm going to try it. I really need to learn how to use 3 fingers, I'm finding it to be an obstacle that I just can't yet get past. Pehaps I'm thinking too much.
 
#43
You dont need 3 plucking fingers period.
You just have to learn to relax your plucking hand and not waste travel distance of the 2 fingers. You want to learn to move them as little as possible -Small, Fast and Light plucks. You may begin to notice that many of the 3 finger guys are just sloppy and wasting way too much movement.
It simply takes time and then more time. 8)
 
#44
You wanna be a shredder? Then I tell you this, you gotta start slow.

Know your scales, arpeggios, etc, and practice them at a comfortable speed that you can keep up with. Then gradually increase the metronomes tempo. Once you get it down fluently at the faster tempo increase the speed again. Keep repeating the process until you are playing at the speed that you want to be at.

As previously stated there are instruction videos that you can and should get. Be relaxed, light touch etc.
 
#45
BigOldHarry said:
At the risk of taking this thread into a new direction....

I want to post his question: Why "Shred" on bass? If you become a good "Shredder" it won't get you work - no, really. It might get you into a band where folks play music you like, but it won't get you a paying gig any more than slapping like a fiend will. Heck, the same can be said for guitar players, pianists - any instrument. "Shredding" is nothing more than playing a whole lotta notes really really fast, right? Ideally, they are musically "correct" notes, but still the key idea here is speed, yes?

So why is this important to you?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I beg to differ.

I got a great gig because I have the ability to play this style. It's not a bad thing to learn. You just never know what opportunity might come your way. If you don't have the ability, the opportunity will pass you by.
I don't understand why you would tell someone not to improve in ANY style of their playing because, (in your opinion) it doesn't do anything or is not a valid playing style, or it dosen't get you paid. PAID? WHAT? Is that why you play bass?
I learned how to play fast long before I hoped to get paid for playing. I did it because I love to play and it was just another way of improving my playing.
I say learn everything you can! Learn to slap a million miles an hour too if you wish, I did. It comes in handy from time to time. Why would you not want to have the ability to do something if all it costs you is your time.
I am not saying to spend all your time on this but if you are compelled to know how, add it to your practice routine!

If you are not intrested in this, then don't do it. Thats ok too, but why discourage someone who enjoys this kind of music from trying.

Just my thoughts on this,
Craig
 
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#48
The reason I mentioned Allen Holdsworth earlier, BTW, is because so many "shredders" just run all the scales and modes they learn on the advice of threads like this. Big deal. My ear says, look another guy with no ideas running scales and modes. While at least with Allen Holdsworth not only is the execution capable of being blinding, but it's often excruciatingly different in patterning, with actual ideas at work.

We don't particularly need more "scales runners" on bass or any other instrument, so unless you have actual ideas, don't bother with the patently pedestrian speed thang.
 
#49
greenboy said:
The reason I mentioned Allen Holdsworth earlier, BTW, is because so many "shredders" just run all the scales and modes they learn on the advice of threads like this. Big deal. My ear says, look another guy with no ideas running scales and modes. While at least with Allen Holdsworth not only is the execution capable of being blinding, but it's often excruciatingly different in patterning, with actual ideas at work.

We don't particularly need more "scales runners" on bass or any other instrument, so unless you have actual ideas, don't bother with the patently pedestrian speed thang.
Click to expand...

Holdsworth is absolutely mind-blowing, he's got a very legato sound which reminds me of Jeff Berlin, even though he came first.

EVEN though, he copped it off Ollie Halsall :D

I totally agree about the scale running part, Infact I had just posted something like that on an ERG/ERB forum minutes prior to this.
 
#56
Selling out is great! I would gladly do it if given the chance.

BTW, nothing wrong with learning how to shred...but do it musically and with some class. Playing fast for the sake of playing fast is kind of useless, but playing fast to make a musical statement is great, otherwise everyone who played fast would suck, and it just isn't so.
 
#58
You think that's shredding? Bah...THIS is shredding, done by the original shredder himself, Mr. Steve Vai:



BTW, just kidding about your shredding. That was great stuff, dude. Very impressive and fast, yet pretty tasteful.
 
#59
Ah, so it IS shredding! I was just messing with my new Korg, found a nice distortion and made that lil riff. :D

The main factor in playing like that (well the first part), is to play with three fingers. Index, middle and ring on the right hand. I'd suggest practise getting those three working together in unison. Just to give more opportunity.

I always start with ring first, then middle, then index.

Left hand speed just comes with loads of practise. Practise simple scales like the major and minor, and try and build your speed slowly. Try JUST fretting the scales, without using the right hand at all. Go through them quite a few times. This'll build your dexterity...

As to WHAT I'm playing? God knows. I'm an ear player, and that is a complete improv. I'm sure some of the great theoretical guys on this forum could probably explain it to me, though.

:)
 

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