Anyone else overwhelmed sometimes?

I can't wait to watch the new lesson on arpeggios -
but I'm still trying to get the phrasing on the
Voodoo Chile solo I started a month ago...

..and speed on the Hot Blues licks
..I haven't dived into the country stuff ...
..Then there's tapping..(Started with the first lesson.)
..penta - shifting excercises...
..Satriani tips I saw on tv ...
..jam track CD w/'70's rockers that I practice soloing with ....
..I also play along with CD's - find the key/ the licks/ riff/solo a little...

It all takes time..

Then there's my accoustic guitar:
I was working thru a fingerstyle blues book
..a couple Neil Young songs
... watched 'Pick n Grin's lesson on embellishing chord changes (I gotta work on those... )

The solo lesson on Kirk Hammit and Slash.. Brian May solo ..
Books, tabs, solos, lessons, jamming, excersises, licks, runs and theory - I'm going crazy! ..

I know it's a journey, but man, I need help setting some goals and a productive practice schedule to get there - anyone else in the overwhelmed boat? Any advice?

i was thinking about this not 5 mins ago.

im also trying to do everything at once and its really not working.

Well, at least your not narrow minded, and only interested in one type or style of guitar. Playing only one style to me would be like eating the same food everyday.
I wouldnt worry too much, in fact, I read a LOT more posts from people stating the opposite -there say they are stalled, stuck in a rut and need some new material or way to advance!
That one always amazes me! Guitar is so versitile, geez, go to an alternative tuning and its a whole new level right there!

What YOU are doing keeps it interesting for you! All of those techniques will come together and relate. Just dont move too quickly from one to another, give youself practice time and repitition so your fingers develop some memory! :smoke

I know the feeling - I have had it constantly for the last 10 years. :shock

The advice I would like to give is to go through all the material you feel like checking out (such as the new gmc lesson), just to form your opinion about which techniques you think sound the best.

The next step is to divide your practcing time into sections containing those favorite techniques.

I have been thinking about a "practcie routine" series here - I can't give you a date but I know it will be up.

/K

@[email protected]

Take the time and relax
Do what you like most first.

You know..i was there a few months ago
And i worked it out by playing a lot of tapping 1 week, den much sweeping and a little tapping.. and much bendings 1 week and then improvisation 1 week... That works very good for me!

Just want to give some props to Kris.. If there is one thing I have learned since joining this website.. it is that you have to practice slowly and accuractly, and with a metronome. I havn't been playing electric much in the last week or so.. not like I was before. Today I picked it up and went to picking away to some backing tracks. My fingers were so non-fatigued today.. I was sliding around the fretboard, and I was able to do the usual scales and whatnot faster than I was before, with accuracy. I just want to say that you guys should always work on accuracy and playing in time. At first, you will think you might be wasting time, but eventually, overnight (no, it isn't an overnight thing, but you seem to notice this stuff overnight), you realize that you are getting a lot faster, and with so much more control.

That alone has helped my picking. A few weeks ago, I started reading a couple of books on guitar. Learning more about how the scales work and all that good stuff. With the new knowledge that I have gained plus the improved speed and accuracy, I feel like a whole new player.

BTW.. I believe that it is good to take breaks from the guitar. For me, I went to the acoustic guitar during this time. I would imagine you gain fatigue in your fingers just like a football player does over the season. Say you have a Bye-Week during the season.. Your players get much more healthy and sort of regenerate their stamina. This past week of hardly ever picking has rested my fingers and they are ready to go again. You will always gain stamina as you continue to play, so don't think that a few days rest will harm your playing.

Thats my little rant for today. =D

Thanks for all the advice fellas - And I will take it..... another question on practicing:

Sanders got me thinking: When practicing for speed - how fast should you go with the 'nome? 90% of you your max speed? 50% of your max?

If your max is - oh let's pick a random number like...
16th note triplets at 60bpm should I practice at 50 bpm?

(At some point I'll start giving back to these discussions)

Sounds reasonable - keep it at that percentage and you will come out "clean".

Hear that all ya dirty fellows??

Raqroso,

To be honest.. I honestly never think about triplets and all. I just find a speed on the metronome, and then I just practice all kind of scales, where it be 3 notes per line or 2. I just make sure I am in time when doing these scales. I should probably think more about it, but I just don't.

You will notice when you play the scales without the metronome (after practicing with it for a while).. You will play the scales almost just like you do with the metronome. It will all flow.. and not have gaps. =D