Could someone please tell me why is speed so important to guitarist? Talk to a keyboard guy, sax ; they never talk about speed. They talk about phrasing, melody, how to communicate musically. Shred in my opinion, somehow turns into a competition. I guess it's the gunslinger syndrome. All this being said, if you can play fast, you probably have technical mastry of the instrument, which COULD translate into being a great musician and not just a guitar player. I wish I could play faster!!