Originally Posted by: SuperhumanSpeed is not everything but it can certainly enhance a piece of music. Anyone who says that "shred" is emtionless has never listened to Vinnie Moore, John Petrucci, Joe Satriani (Surfing With The Alien era), Michael Romeo etc etc.
Shred is just a term for music that is faster than most can, or want to play, it doesnt have to be ultra fast from start to finish. People always bitch about this type of music but it's mostly though a lack of ability to play at the same level OR simply from not hearing what gifted players can produce.
There are greats in all styles. Fact is most guitarists only fiddle with scales no matter the style. 99% of most blues and jazz players sound like they are just playing up and down scales or rehashed phrases. There is a lot that can be learned from the above players with regard to composition, technical ability, soulful input, original phrasing and innovative ideas that I think most guitarists would benefit from.
This whole shred is stupid line of thinking can be just as easily aimed at any other style of music including the old composers. Paganini for example... not much different in approach than Yngwie Malmsteen's solos breaks (technically brilliant, great melodic struture but devoid of any emotion) but nobody seems to bash him.