I read that you said your lead style is "sloppy pentatonic's" and that you can't/don't do Petrucci. I tried and practiced for hours to play like Petrucci but the closest I got was somewhere between Satch and Hammet. I feel with the recent wave of super duper technical guitarists coming out to play that I'm no good and it really puts me down when it comes to composition. Is it normal to feel like that? Ive been told I can play and write well but the "scenes' not there"
When I was younger, I remember a show we did at a biker festival. We were supporting this rock covers band and after our set I thought it was a great gig and I thought I played pretty good. Then the headliner came on and I heard this Vai-esque widdling and I felt about a millimeter tall as I thought âheâs way better than meâ. After years of gigging, playing and learning, Iâve learned that it doesnât mean shit what anyone else can do on the guitar, no matter how good or bad they are; if they shred circles around you, so what? if they suck and youâre âbetterâ than them, so what? - If a bridge started collapsing with you under it, would it really matter whoâs better at soloing? Itâs not the end of the world.
At times I try to remember the first time I picked up a guitar. Iâm sure you remember that feeling of wonderment and awe at the instrument and everything you played/learned amazed you, even if you sucked; that should still be prevalent now. I feel as soon you call yourself âA Guitaristâ and start comparing yourself to other people you attach so much pressure and expectation to yourself that you stop enjoying it. And thatâs what it should be about; not about out-shredding other guitarists. Iâd rather play one note for 10 seconds pulling a stupid face than go âsee how many sweeps I can sweep into a sweepâ in the space of 0.7 seconds, in Z Minor.
The Petrucci style of playing is due to countless hours of practicing and studying for MANY years; there will have been so much discipline, concentration and dedication to that; but that doesnât mean itâs âbetterâ. Iâd sooner rather listen to Slash playing.
I say just go for it as you have been doing, listen to new music for inspiration, pick up ideas and just dedicate yourself to bettering yourself on the instrument and not giving a shit what anyone else can do on it.Â
