A Virtuoso Shredder (vərčuóso šrɛ́dər) is a term that describes someone who has a high level of technical expertise on the guitar. Characteristics of shredding include guitar solos played at high speed incorporating techniques such as tapping (where notes are created by tapping the string at positions along the neck with the picking hand), legato runs (several notes played in series in a fluid manner) and pinched harmonics. The style of music normally associated with virtuoso shredding is hard rock, heavy metal and/or progressive rock. Virtuoso shredders of note are Eddie Van Halen (pictured here), Jimi Hendrix, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.