Mika Tyyskä is not just an amazing player, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and digital artist. He’s also a multimedia pioneer, whose Guitar Shred Show Flash animation went viral in the pre-YouTube era of the guitar internet, before “going viral” was even a term we used.
The fact that the Shred Show animation itself is still entertainingly playable over a decade later is a testament to the kind of creativity that has always powered the best games, electronic or otherwise. But more enduring even than his interactive creation is the music it spawned.
The character of “Mr. Fastfinger” soon became Mika’s musical alter ego, lending his name to Mika’s band, and appearing in projected form alongside him onstage during original compositions like “Effortless” and “Be Like Wind”. Mika plays both of these in the interview, and they are prime examples of his gift for melody and phrasing, and of his utterly instinctive improvisational maturity. The “Shred Show” was an intentional homage to the guitar styles of the ’80s, but the Mika of today is very clearly, and effortlessly, his own.
With his combination of diverse interests merging into one thoroughly modern musical career, Mika Tyyskä is like Cracking the Code’s brother from another mother. We were so glad to finally meet him.
Welcome, JustinGuitar Members!
If you’re looking to level up your guitar technique, you’re in the right place!
Through discoveries like pickslanting, groundbreaking slow-motion interviews with elite players, and in-depth seminars and lessons, Cracking the Code has transformed the way guitarists learn picking technique.
Masters in Mechanics is our premier all-access membership plan which gives you the keys to our entire library: lessons, interviews, interactive tablature — everything we’ve done.
We’ve set up a special trial offer so you can get your first month of Masters in Mechanics Membership for just $1.
Sign up with the link below, and you’ll get immediate access to everything on the site. If you stay subscribed, your membership will renew at the regular rate. If you cancel within your first month, we won’t charge you again. And we’ve made sure cancelling is hassle-free, just a couple clicks right from your “Account” page.
If you have any questions, just send us a note: support@troygrady.com. Want to look around a bit more first? You can explore the site here.
We look forward to having you as part of the Cracking the Code Community!
— Troy, Brendan, and Adam
The Masters in Mechanics Membership Includes:
Pickslanting Primer
Step-by-step introductory course on the fundamentals of picking technique
Technique Critique
Direct feedback on your playing from the Cracking The Code Team!
Interviews
In-depth interviews with world-class players and experts
Seminars
Our flagship seminars: Volcano, Cascade, and Antigravity
Interactive Tablature
Interactive Soundslice notation for 2,000+ musical examples + Guitar Pro and PDF downloads
Cracking the Code Forum
Join the conversation about guitar technique and musical learning!
Priority Support
We typically respond to technical questions within 24 hours
Start Your Summer With a Free 7-Day Trial!
Masters in Mechanics is Cracking the Code’s premier membership plan which gives you access to our entire library: lessons, interviews, interactive tablature — everything we’ve done.
And now you can test drive it for seven days, totally free!
Just sign up with the link below, and you’ll immediately be able to access everything on the site. Yes you’ll enter payment info as part of the signup process. No, we will not charge you for anything until the seven day period is up. If you cancel within that period, you won’t pay a dollar – or a pound, or a euro, or a ruble.
And even though we would prefer you stick around, we made sure canceling is easy. You can do that right from your “Account” settings, up there on the toolbar, with no hassle.
The Masters in Mechanics Membership Includes:
Pickslanting Primer
Step-by-step introductory course on the fundamentals of picking technique
Technique Critique
Direct feedback on your playing from the Cracking The Code Team!
Interviews
In-depth interviews with world-class players and experts
Seminars
Our flagship seminars: Volcano, Cascade, and Antigravity
Interactive Tablature
Interactive Soundslice notation for 2,000+ musical examples + Guitar Pro and PDF downloads
Cracking the Code Forum
Join the conversation about guitar technique and musical learning!
Priority Support
We typically respond to technical questions within 24 hours