Do you need to know how to shred to be a good guitarist?

Question

I'm starting to learn to shred right now but in most mainstream bands you never hear any shredding at all. You do in some but hardly ever.

Answer 1

No, you don't need to know how to shred. Playing very fast may impress others that don't know anything. In my opinion, it don't sound good playing a bunch of jumbled up notes that aren't melodic at all. Just because someone has good chops doesn't mean they're a good guitarist. Listen to the classic great guitarists, like Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Angus Young, Randy Rhodes, David Gilmour....you don't hear any shredding with them. I believe the shredding thing was just a fad for a while that has now thankfully gotten out of style. Best of luck to you....keep practicing.

Answer 2

I guess you don't. Most popular bands today are talent-less anyways. But if you can shred then you probably are a good guitarist