Fast As A Shark - Accept

Learn to Play "Fast As A Shark" by Accept

"Fast As A Shark" by Accept is one of the most iconic speed metal tracks of all time, known for its blistering riffs, breakneck tempo, and aggressive guitar work. This song, released in 1982 on the album Restless and Wild, is widely regarded as one of the earliest examples of thrash and speed metal, influencing countless metal guitarists worldwide. With our note-for-note guitar lesson, you’ll master the high-energy techniques used in this classic track, helping you enhance your speed, precision, and overall playing ability. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Galloping Rhythms

The signature rhythm of "Fast As A Shark" is built upon rapid-fire galloping patterns. This technique, often associated with metal legends like Iron Maiden and Accept, involves a combination of palm-muted downstrokes and alternate picking to create a driving, percussive sound. Mastering galloping rhythms will significantly improve your ability to maintain tight, aggressive picking at high speeds.

Alternate Picking

Throughout the song, alternate picking is used extensively to execute lightning-fast riffs and solos with precision. This technique involves consistently alternating downstrokes and upstrokes, which enhances speed and efficiency. Developing strong alternate picking skills will allow you to tackle fast passages with accuracy and endurance.

Palm Muting

The chugging rhythm guitar parts rely heavily on palm muting to produce a tight, percussive attack. Palm muting is essential for creating the powerful, controlled sound that defines metal rhythm playing. By mastering this technique, you'll improve your dynamic control and add articulation to your playing.

Power Chords

Like many metal anthems, "Fast As A Shark" is built on power chords, which give the song its aggressive and punchy tone. Power chords are fundamental in rock and metal, providing a solid foundation for rhythm playing. Learning to execute these correctly will strengthen your fretting hand and help you develop a tight, clean sound.

Tremolo Picking

The song features sections of rapid tremolo picking, particularly in lead guitar runs and sustained notes. Tremolo picking involves continuously picking a single note at high speed, creating an intense and dramatic effect. This technique improves right-hand endurance and precision, making it essential for fast soloing.

String Bending & Bluesy Bends

The lead guitar work in "Fast As A Shark" incorporates expressive string bending and bluesy bends to add emotion and feel to the solos. Proper bending technique allows you to hit the correct pitch while maintaining control and vibrato. This skill is vital for expressive lead playing across all rock and metal genres.

Pinched Harmonics

To achieve the signature screaming guitar sound heard in "Fast As A Shark," pinched harmonics are employed in various places. This technique involves striking the string while lightly touching it with the thumb of your picking hand, creating a high-pitched squeal. Mastering pinched harmonics will allow you to add aggression and attitude to your solos and riffs.

Dive Bombs with the Whammy Bar

Udo Dirkschneider’s signature style wouldn’t be complete without the wild dive bombs executed using the whammy bar. This technique involves depressing the whammy bar to lower the pitch of a note dramatically, producing a chaotic, high-energy effect. Learning dive bombs will expand your arsenal of expressive lead guitar techniques.

Dual Guitar Harmonies

One of the defining elements of Accept's guitar style is the use of harmonised lead lines between Wolf Hoffmann and Herman Frank. Dual guitar harmonies create a rich, melodic sound that enhances the intensity of solos and bridges. Understanding and applying this technique will improve your ability to play harmonised leads and work in a two-guitar setup.

About the Guitarists: Wolf Hoffmann and Herman Frank

Wolf Hoffmann, the lead guitarist of Accept, is renowned for his classical music influences and razor-sharp playing style. His ability to blend classical motifs with heavy metal has inspired generations of guitarists. Hoffmann’s precision, speed, and sense of melody make his playing instantly recognisable.

Herman Frank, a rhythm and lead guitarist in Accept, added extra power and aggression to the band’s signature sound. His tight, controlled rhythm playing and ability to match Hoffmann's lead work created the perfect dual-guitar attack that defined the band’s sound during the early '80s. Both guitarists played a crucial role in shaping the speed metal genre, influencing bands such as Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Galloping Rhythms
• Alternate Picking
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Tremolo Picking
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Dive Bombs
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Dual Guitar Harmonies

By learning "Fast As A Shark" with this LickLibrary lesson, you’ll not only master an essential speed metal track but also significantly improve your technical skills, speed, and precision. Whether you're a fan of Accept or simply looking to enhance your metal guitar chops, this lesson is the perfect challenge to push your playing to the next level!