Shred | Guitar World

Sophie Lloyd: “Trolls got me down, so I made a ‘shredding to Justin Bieber‘ video as a retort. You can shred over anything you want!”

By Jonathan Horsley

The six-string social media phenom talks online shredding, her love of high-gain guitar tones and her approach to breaking down the classics

35 high-octane shredders – including Michael Angelo Batio, Joel Hoekstra and Nikki Stringfield – join forces for massive charity speed-guitar fest

By Matt Owen

The second Shredding for Hope charity collaboration also features Marty Schwartz, Richard Shaw, Kiko Wongo, Alicia Vigil and many, many more

Go from Johnny Cash to Polyphia with these 6 diverse licks

By Pat Heath

Advance your guitar playing in 30 minutes by nailing these distinct styles

How playing guitar in front of a mirror can improve your technique (yes, really!)

By Peter Hodgson

Believe it: a mirror can help you to hone your playing abilities

Speed up your leads with this Yngwie Malmsteen-style workout

By Chris Brooks

This neoclassical shred lesson from Aussie fretboard gymnast Chris Brooks will build speed through economy and alternate picking

Improve your shredding skills by connecting string-skipping patterns

By Sammy Boller

These patterns are easy to link up with your pentatonic scales, and can be very useful for adding some flash into your riffs and solos

Learn Yngwie Malmsteen's legendarily fast rotational picking mechanic

By Troy Grady

Malmsteen's rotational motion mechanic is a highly capable all-rounder and also a great introduction to rotational picking techniques that are so common in guitar

Five practice tips from Dream Theater's John Petrucci

By John Petrucci

Have a goal, and four other handy tips from the Dream Theater guitar great

How to tap like Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads and Reb Beach

By Martin Goulding

Learn some tapping licks in the styles of three of the technique’s most celebrated practitioners

Cracking the Code with Troy Grady: How to Play Vinnie Moore’s “Pepsi Lick”

By Troy Grady

An in-depth look at Vinnie Moore’s legendary “Pepsi Lick.”

Not Just Another "Flight of the Bumblebee" Lesson

By Steve Booke

Take a unique approach to learning "Flight of the Bumblebee."

Using Four Fingers to Tap Arpeggios, and How to Play the Lick to "Sevens"

By Guthrie Govan

Learn how to cleanly execute two-handed-tapping riffs from Guthrie Govan.

Applying Sweep Picking to Chord Progressions

By Michael Angelo Batio

Learn how to apply sweep picking techniques to playing arpeggios over moving chord progressions.

Essential Guitar Licks: Paul Gilbert's Crazy Chromaticism and Legato

By Guitar World Staff

Give this crazy legato lick from Paul Gilbert a shot!

Essential Guitar Licks: Slippery Duane Allman-Style Mixolydian Slide Lick

By Guitar World Staff

Learn a terrific, slippery Mixolydian lick in the vein of the late, great Duane Allman.

More Ways to Utilize “Chicken Pickin’ ” in a Metal Solo

By Mike Orlando

With a little diligent practice, the possibilities that this technique will offer are virtually endless.

How Guitarists Can Break Through Speed Barriers

By Scott Marano

This trick will let you break through speed barriers that have been holding you back from attaining your true technical potential.

Yngwie Malmsteen Pays Tribute to the World's First Shredder, Niccolo Paganini

By Yngwie Malmsteen

Learn Paganini's Fifth Caprice in A minor from the one and only Yngwie Malmsteen.

Essential Guitar Licks: Bending Up a Storm with Johnny Winter

By Guitar World Staff

Pick up this handy lick in the style of the late Johnny Winter.

Using String Skipping to Create Multi-Octave Tapped Arpeggios

By Guthrie Govan

How to employ fretboard tapping in conjunction with string skipping to achieve a very smooth and even sound when playing arpeggios.