electronpirate
Axe-Master
One more thing that is aimed at me as much as it is anyone . . .
Take the time you would spend on a message board and use it to practice the basics (chord voicings, arpeggios, scales, modes) in every key until you know them cold.
And yes, I'm aware of this post's irony.
Yes!
And I'm guilty to a certain extent as well (although I consider this board a chore like watering the plants...)
This is not a knock on the OP, or even smokin', but I find this has to be the single largest contributor to 'why can't I play better?' The guys with 4000+ posts (on SEVERAL BOARDS) are the 1st ones who say 'sorry about the clams' on their recordings.
Single minded, PATIENT, dedicated practice on technique will improve your playing. I think it's more than that tho. The MORE you play, the better your feel is, the less time it takes to 'get in the groove'. When I say more, I mean at least once a day for an hour or preferably more. DO NOT SKIP DAYS. I think that's a killer IMO.
So even if you don't do a rigid technique practice, when you're watching Project Runway, run through scales or tinker around on the guitar. Find time in the cracks. I've heard from many a professional that to keep that link in between you and your instrument, you need to do something with it every day (um, kind of like a wife...)
R