Meet Rynata (aka The Shredmistress), a standout female guitarist in what has traditionally been an elite "boys club" - guitar shredders. Rynata has been called "the fastest female guitar player alive." But if you think this virtuoso is an egomaniac, you're wrong. Rynata co-founded and actively runs a networking group for female musicians called FemMuse, which focuses on being mutually supportive instead of in constant competition.

Rynata is currently spending long hours in the studio and graciously took time to answer my (VERY last minute) questions.

What kind of guitar training have you had?

I studied some classical guitar when I was 15. My father was a classical violinist and conductor and gave me a guitar for my birthday (in Germany) and I took some lessons. It included exercises and reading. My interest was in pop and rock however so I discontinued that and focused on learning songs by Hendrix, Zeppelin and many other guitar-driven bands. All of that stuff was self-taught and/or learning from other guitar players. I also was fortunate to play with some really fine musicians on the road and got into jazz, funk, soul and many other styles. By then I had immigrated to the US (NYC) and spent a few years on the road with cover bands or recording acts. Nothing like the real thing, I tell ya, to get the chops down.

But I will say that I ALWAYS practice, including today. I study guitar methods by many guitar greats. It's a never-ending learning process if you ask me. I'm a firm believer in knowing the tools. I tell my students that it's not all about a few flashy riffs but also WHY they happen and sound good.

Tell me about your rig.

I have a lot of stuff. For instance:16 electric guitars and one bass. Gibsons, Ibanez, Kramer, Schecter, and of course several guitars from Burns and Minarik Guitars (I'm endorsed by both of them). Some of my prized possessions are a Gibson Les Paul '68 Gold Top (I'm the third owner) which I use a lot to record solos. The other one is an outstanding Ibanex Flying V.

My guitars for live shows these days are mainly the Minarik Inferno which is amazing and the Burns Flyte. They are great guitar companies who support women musicians and the guitars are really cool.

My guitar rigs are as follows depending on what and where I'm playing. Marshall 9200 power amp (100 watts on each side), Marshall JMP-1 pre-amp, Sansamp PSA-1 preamp, Alesis Quadverb 2 and Rocktron Intellifex effects processors all hooked up via midi so I can change sounds on the fly. Two Marshall 4x10 cabinets. Killer system with great sound.

The other set up I love is a Line 6 Pod Pro guitar processor going thru two 15 inch and two 10 inch JBL powered monitor stacks. That is the system I find myself using more and more live. I can mix and match the monitors depending on the venue and the Pod is awesome. Effects built in and also used via midi.

I am a guitarist who loves effects. And also the ability to change from squeaky clean to shredding metal. Hence the midi stuff. A girl can never have enough effects don't you agree?

What do you think has been the biggest obstacle in your performing career?

Mmhh... let's see. Mostly the fact that bands are self-destructive. I can't tell you how many bands I have been in who have had a gazillion personnel problems. I think that's the problem for most musicians and bands. Keeping it together long enough to get it going. Drug and Alcohol problems, ego, different visions, you name it. I don't think, personally, that I've had a problem being a female player. I've been mostly in guy bands and some female bands or mixed for that matter. It all came down to the chemistry of the members and as I said - having the same goals and ambitions at the time.

Is your current work strictly instrumental?

At this time, mostly yes. I am working with a bass player - Reggie Mars - on instrumental guitar music along the lines of Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani. We've built a studio and are producing guitar CDs BUT also tracks for film and TV and in this vein, we'll open up to whatever comes our way, including having vocals on songs. But for "The Shredmistress" I think doing what I do best which is guitar playing, will be the main focus.

What is your writing process like?

It starts with grooves, I'm a frustrated drummer hahaha... so I lay down drum tracks as I go along with guitar chords and melody. I consider myself a "melodic" player. I love good hooks, having played top forty hits for years on the road. I like to couple that with techno and hip hop and whatever the imagination runs to.

When I write and record something, especially these days... it HAS to speak to me. It has to move me. If it moves ME... it might move others. It has to have that "certain something." It's not going out the door unless I LIKE IT... I have to listen to a song or parts weeks later and get that "chill down my spine" and say "yeah, that's cool." That's when it's done. I can even forgo little flaws IF the feeling is there and I GET it. In regards to styles: anything goes. As a matter of fact, this last creation of mine has metal and pop and in the middle, a small lonely country lick. Works for me.

Shredding seems to be discouraged these days, what types of audience give the best response? Do you think true Metal has gone back to being "underground"?

True Metal might be in the underground a bit but ;true shredding is not. You can shred on all sorts of things you know. I have played in all sorts of situations in the last couple of years and ANY time I do a bit of shredding the people go nuts. Maybe because I'm a female player. But also because if it's done right and it's not all there is, people will get into it.

What prompted you to start FemMuse and what is the organization's mission?

FemMuse was formedbecause I felt the need for a networking facility. I had this brainstorm one night with a few friends and that was it. I started this up with two other women, Eileen Carey and Kathryn Grimm, two dynamite female musicians, and we just built this up. And it's a snowball effect,they are coming from all over. It reminds me just how MANY talented indie musicians are out there. They are supportive, helping out and networking. It's a fantastic community featuring all styles of music, from folk to shredding metal to singer/songwriters youname it.

FemMuse is not just for women,even though we are in the driver's seat. We've got plenty of"cool dudes" who love the concept of what we do and we love them. It's about making things happen for ALL indie musicians. And boys and girls playing nicely with each other....

Where can people buy your cd?

The two CDs out can be purchased from my website http://www.shredmistress.com and are at Tower records and a few select outlets.Basically I'm focusing on my newer stuff which will be announced shortly and should be available thru CDBaby and stores.