Japanese shred guitarist
If you’re into rock, metal, or simply love guitarists and guitar tones, chances are you also enjoy lightning-fast soloing.
As a guitarist, almost everyone has probably wanted to master a fast-picking phrase at least once, right? In this article, we’ll introduce captivating fast-playing guitarists, focusing on musicians active in Japan.
While “shredding” might make you think of the metal scene, we’ll be spotlighting not only metal but also highly regarded technicians from jazz and fusion.
Now, let’s dive in and listen to some blazing speed that’s gone in the blink of an eye!
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- [Chosen by a jazz guitarist] 10 guitarists recommended by Katsuhide Wakui
- The depth of guitar sound. A collection of songs with cool guitar.
- A high-energy band number! A hype, crowd-pleasing track with male vocals.
Japanese shred guitarists (41–50)
Hard TimesMatsubara Masaki
A guitarist known for participating in works by numerous renowned artists, including Yumi Matsutoya and Masashi Sada.
One of his appeals is his distinctive, mellow, lustrous tone and characteristic bending style.
You can savor playing that excels at making the guitar sing the melody.
RutileManabe Yoshiaki (pillows)
Yoshiaki Manabe is a guitarist who plays in the pillows and also works solo under the name NINE MILES.
Because the pillows have a strong pop image, you might not associate him much with fast playing, but in fact he uses speedy phrases as accents in their songs.
You can especially feel the speed in country-influenced sounds, where light single-note lines are woven into the chords to clearly bring out a sense of drive.
No matter the style, he skillfully incorporates fast passages as accents, making him a guitarist who exudes both high technique and effortless control.
Stardust WayYuasa Susumu (X-RAY)
Formed in 1981 and active until 1986, X-RAY was a heavy metal band.
One of the reasons X-RAY drew attention is said to be Susumu Yuasa’s technical guitar playing.
His guitar solos are memorable not only for their power and speed, but also for their strong sense of melody, and he’s a guitarist who produces a brilliant sound that overlaps with the keyboards.
Because each note is articulated clearly, the brilliance and speed of the guitar sound stand out even more, giving the impression that it firmly supports the songs.
SHEDFukuda Hiroya (ex.ANTHEM)
Hiroya Fukuda is a guitarist who was active with ANTHEM until 1990.
For a time he retired from music due to hearing loss and worked as a photographer, but he made a full comeback as a guitarist on ANTHEM’s 25th Anniversary nationwide tour.
His trademarks include cranking out jagged, high-volume chords and using the whammy bar to add depth to his sound, but in true heavy metal fashion his fast playing is also compelling.
Because his chord attack is so sharp and his whammy work so expansive, his bursts of speed really stand out when it counts.
I have lived with the sunNakagawa Daijirou (JYOCHO)
A new project started by Daijiro Nakagawa, guitarist of the Kyoto-born band Uchuu Conbini.
His clean-tone guitar phrases are highly skillful and tasteful.
The bursts of high-speed tapping woven in between are vivid and addictive.
In conclusion
We’ve rounded up a selection of guitarists known for their stunning speed picking.
While fast playing might make you think of metal, this time we’ve picked recommended guitarists from a variety of genres.
If you found a favorite among those introduced here, be sure to check out more of their songs and study their guitar techniques!