by Jeff Beasley
Top educator and TrueFire’s resident Monster of the Shred, Jeff Beasley presents 5 Killer Shred Guitar Lessons covering a selection of shred guitar moves inspired by Paul Gilbert, Zakk Wylde, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen and many other kings of style. Beasley’s handpicked range of phrases, concepts and techniques were chosen because of their versatility and application in a multitude of different contexts as motifs for original improvisations. Check out Beasley’s full course, 50 Shred Guitar Licks You MUST Know, for more shred guitar lessons, tips, and tricks.
1. “5 O’Clock Somewhere”
This Pentatonic lick has been widely used by many great rock and shred guitarists. The lick starts with a whole step bend and moves into a 3 note arpeggio followed by a triplet feel melody. In this case I’ve phrased it in quintuplets (5’s). It’s very challenging to alternate pick as each pass through the five notes requires the opposite picking of the previous pass. Nevertheless it is a staple for any rock or shred guitarist.
2. “Arp Attack”
Another sweeping arpeggio but this time an actual mixolydian arpeggio (1,3,5,b7) ending on the root (A). There’s a bit more reaching involved for the fretting hand.
3. “Pentascension”
Now we ascend with the pentatonic sextuplet ending on the root (A). I start each sextuplet with an up-stroke but many players are more comfortable starting with a down-stroke. Either way is acceptable as long as you focus on your alternation.
4. “Sequential Scream”
This lick incorporates the sequencing technique. Sequencing is when you break a melody into different number sequences, in this case quadruplets. I take a simple B major scale and descend in quadruplets, ending on the root B. The picking execution is a bit challenging but great for picking development.
5. “Push & Pull”
This lick requires more of a legato ability with the fretting hand in that in utilizes several pull-offs. It creates a flurry of notes without much picking involvement.
Check out Beasley’s full course, 50 Shred Guitar Licks You MUST Know, for more shred guitar lessons, tips, and tricks.