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Q: I’m learning songs, but how can I be a great shred guitar player and make up runs and make great music. I want to learn how to play like Rob Balducci or Randy Rhoads. I want to learn my own style and shred like them. Please help on what I should learn, like songs and stuff. – David

A: David, the best place to start out is to actually learn solos from these guitar players. When I was 16, the first tab book I bought was the Randy Rhoads Tribute CD tab book. I took it into my guitar instructor and ask him “how.” I learned nearly every note of that record. So, I can definitely relate. It is very important to learn these solos in small parts. Once you master each small part, put them together, and before you know it, you will have the whole solo down. You should also hone your techniques like alternate picking, legato, sweep picking, etc. You will also need to learn basic scales like the major, pentatonic, harmonic minor ect. Guitarists use scales to make runs.

Once you learn a bunch of licks and scales, you will start to create your own licks and style. A great way to dial in your own style is to work on playing over jam tracks every day. By practicing soloing, you will develop, over time, your own unique way of soloing and phrasing. Just keep your mind open to ideas, keep practicing, and learn everything you can about playing the guitar. In no time you will be ripping solos like the guitarists that you mentioned. Good luck to you!