@Old Swanner hey I do have a question for you. Im unsure whether I should focus on using a pick or my fingers. I mean, I already play finger style decently and most of my compositions are finger picking type of things (whether it be classical inspired stuff or more straight melodic a la classic rock) But if I want to learn to play a lead in the style of Page to a certain degree (mostly the soaring melodies and fast bursts of notes with slower bits in between), would I be wise to stick to a pick for when I practice lead playing and maybe make hybrid picking a more go-to practiced option? I know I can learn all of these, but I feel like to work on speed and accuracy I should choose one to get straight first. Thanks!

@Old Swanner ive never really tried "stealing" fragments of my favorite artists. To do so, would I just look up the sections of my favorite songs per example? Anyways I am going to go study some more Page, since hes honestly the guitarist I want to study for now at least 😛

@Old Swanner ive never actually tried learning the straight or swing style difference in playing, which seems like a big thing to not learn as a blues player lol. So I'm going to be taking a closer look at applying the swing type of rhythm intentionally (since I'm sure I've used it without thinking about it in the past) and then work up to this little exercise (which can be measured, as you said!) Thank you for that post 😁 If I were to ask you something a little more advanced, or I guess a speculation of mine that I plan on trying to learn one day... Is jazz soloing/improv basically focused on applying the different type of arppegios (the various 7ths, diminished/augmented..) on top of the backing 7 or other chords and aiming to either create melodic modal licks through the interaction of chord on arppegios? And then obviously finding a pattern of intervals that you like to bring a sense of pattern to the piece (with occasional chromatic stuff maybe if it sounds right by ear)? Im not necessarily a jazz person, but I figure if I want to learn music, I might as well understand what the basic/intermediate level is for all genre. Especially something like jazz that is more so of a concept of advanced experimentation to a certain degree. Thanks!

@Old Swanner about 23 seconds in it sounds like (but as the song is, its played really gently).

@Old Swanner one of the licks ive been struggling to get down is one of the more straight forward ones id say really, but ive always struggled with these style of repetition in close quarters Heres the tab of the section from songsterr And yeah, I agree it isnt exactly an exercise to rely on for ever and ever! However it serves me well enough for now and Ill start taking track of my speed starting tomorrow, or today I guess (nearly 5 am here now lol). Im going to wake up a bit and go get some practice in 🙂

@Old Swanner didnt end up making a board yet to record my speeds! However I started varying my patterns for the basic spider exercise, and starting it slow at first (make sure my fingers are focusing on accuracy to wake them up) then building up the speed over a few runs. Also Ive started paying attention to different octave exercises to get those finger stretches in. Ive mostly been learning certain "phrases" from one of the all best blues song Since I've Been Loving You, and paying mega attention to the rhythmic structures of each lick and how they ascend/descend and make use of those 2nd and 6th notes of the natural minor scale (I still struggle sometimes with making those color tones sound natural when playing improv and focusing on melody). Definitely feel an improvement on my improv already though! And the speed and new octave exercises should help me build up the speed I'll need for playing Since I've Been Loving You right at some point. Extra note. I've learned A LOT about how I can use bends with this song. Instead of long bends or a semi short type of bend I did which sounded okay but not right, I've started to apply the rhythmic structure he uses for his bends in that song and its made them sound a lot more natural.

@Old Swanner fair enough! As a younger person I was raised with a lot of hip hop around me, and I do appreciate some/understand why its enjoyed. But yeah lets say unless forced I tend to stick to anything with instruments and harmony/melody/rhythm. Cool on the gibsons! I personally hope one day to own a gibson classic les paul honeyburst, but generally I am super happy with the tele and single coil sound for now. And buying gear seems like a pitfall I am slowly approaching with my eyes on a few pedals 😂

@Old Swanner damnn, its been a while! What ended up being your favorite guitar through the years (mine is my tele. Every other guitar ive tried no matter the price just doesnt sound right so far!) And did your music taste develop in interesting directions from the 80s onwards? I know I started as a metalhead but am now a lot more blues/funk prog rock a la 60s (uriah heep, genesis, KING CRIMSON, even some zappa and all the other tiny giants 😉). But my favorite being zeppelin still!

@Old Swanner ill start keeping track of them 😁, by the way I saw youre a teacher? How long have you been playing music for (out of curiosity)?

@Old Swanner ill fully watch the video for the first one and actually pay attention (i might have skipped through it a little) 😅 I did go a little quick, but I am glad Ive got the 2nd pattern down nicely! It definitely feels a little tricky so I am going to use it and try variations of it across the neck. I think my hands are fairly decent due to practicing classical pieces on guitar (granted Ive never finished or done any super complex one). And also composing with jazz chords 🙃 Ill keep learning my captain 😂

@Old Swanner thank you for the badge oh captain 😂

@Old Swanner does these sound right? I tried both your exercises! https://youtu.be/SGs6BN4C9JQ

@Old Swanner hey paul! You can call me landon if you want 🙂 Here is a quick example of my max speed without breaking into making mistakes (especially on tougher patterns) of the spider exercise to showcase my general speed. When I play though I make use of hammer ons and pull offs a lot more to compensate though, which is a habit that should be changed to not be a crutch but a tool instead. Do you have any advice? Thank you! spider exercise speed showcase,https://youtu.be/eD4N7oOYG7s