Marty Friedman Explains Why He Dislikes Being Labeled a “Shredder”

Marty Friedman recently discussed his discomfort with the term “shredder,” reflecting on how it evolved from a derogatory label to a more complimentary one in recent years.

The term “shredding” has come a long way since it first emerged, especially in today’s world where social media stars showcase their virtuosity to a global audience. However, for Friedman, “shredding” still carries the negative connotation it had when it was used to describe over-technical guitarists who prioritized speed over melody. In a recent interview with Masters of Shred (via Ultimate Guitar), he explained:

“Here’s the thing. I hate that term, but I realize it has had a more positive meaning over the last five to ten years. When I was younger, ‘shredding’ meant that guy in the basement who played incredibly fast, but if you closed your eyes, it sounded like garbage. That’s what I always associated with the word ‘shred.’ So when people call me a shredder, I’m like, ‘Please don’t, please don’t!'”

Friedman further noted that, in 2023, he linked the rise of social media shredders to the format’s short, attention-grabbing clips. Echoing Devin Townsend’s view that shredding in the ‘80s was akin to a competitive sport, Friedman commented:

“For a while, shredding faded out, but with Instagram guitarists now, it’s in full force. It’s exactly what Devin described—almost like a sport, where you’re creating impressive content for 30 to 60-second snippets to capture attention. People are developing insane skills, which is cool because getting attention in such a short amount of time is no easy feat. So on that level, it’s very, very cool.”

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