Shredding

So yesterday while perusing youtube I decided to look up some more Orianthi songs. There is a song called according to you that I watched and it was ridiculous. Basically it was a Taylor Swift song with Eddie Van Halen, Satriani, or Vai playing solos. It was a typical pop tune that just happened to have some kick ass guitar playing. You would think that someone with those massive chops would have a way cooler song than that. But since the 8os “shred” guitar playing has become popular (except for the 90s). Im talking about guys like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Michael Angelo Batio, Yngwie Malmsteen, and the like. I cant say anything bad about their technical ability because they are some of the best around, but I honestly can not stand too much shred. The first time you see or here it, its impressive but the more I listen or watch it, I get bored. It very flashy and its cool once but when you see it all the time its not.

Another thing is that it seems to resemble our society. In the past people made stuff by hand and added their personal touches to it. Today everything is manufactured and very cookie cutterish. In the past speed wasnt a huge factor for the gauge of a player. Numerous guitar heroes from the past do not have near the speed as the young ones do, but they poured their heart and soul out in their solos. Today these guys fly all over the place but it just seems so close to what the next guy is doing.

Another thing I notice is that shreds dont show as much emotion when they play its more of a straight laced shut up and play deal where as old school rock and blues guys are so into that their facial expressions mimic what they play. I know that is how they feel they best express themselve but they alway seems to play fast no matter what.