When I think of traditional guitar/strings culture I would think of Spain or Greece or the Middle East but Italy? I thought their more into opera singing. Anyway Spainish style being notorious with multiple notes shredding Greek repeating single notes, Egyptian/Arabian a bit of both. In Asia it would be Japan & China.

The fact that Italian sounding names top the lists triggers curiosity. Names like Satriani,Vai, Impellitteri, Angelo Batio, Petrucci...coincidence or? However in that region I prefer Paul Gilbert and Vinnie Moore. These are what I merely listen to for ideas, only being able to play some of the simpler/slower licks.

Anyway when it comes to Shred Music I prefer listening to Asian Shredders like Gentaro Satomura or Norifumi Shima coz they seem more organised with their lick arrangement. They don't do fancy guitar stunts or whammy tricks but when they do very neat speedy runs their licks sound very sensible. Like what Paul Gilbert said more or less..."I like my licks to have a sensible begining a sensible middle and a sensible ending" I think he plays just like that coz he lands right on the beat and u hardly hear his note straying away.

Cultural tradition of fretted instruments in Italy? Well, in addition to the Italian repertoire for renaissance and baroque lute Niccolo Paganini, the single most famous violinist in history, also played the guitar as a pastime. He transcribed many of his own pieces from violin to guitar, such as the caprices, which are considered some of the most virtuoso music ever written.

So I think Italy has a certain tradition to call upon...


And India too. Ever heard of the sitar or the veena, to name just a couple? Quite influential...

Cheers - C

Oh! really? excuse my ignorance am from South East Asia with no or very little history of Europe or elsewhere, I thought Music culture hails from England, France or maybe Germany never knew Italians were involved.

Oh yeah the word virtuoso Just to be sure in those days do technical difficulties include speedy runs I don't recall any shredding of the lute in baroque music.

Check it out :

http://www.paganini.com/nicolo/nicindex.htm

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