Hey everyone. I'm Matt, I'm 22, Ive been playing for about 7 or 8 years. I have three guitars, a crappy little no-name strat, an Epiphone Les Paul, a PRS CE22 (she's soooo sweet!), and a 1994 Ovation Standard Elite acoustic. As far as effects go I have a Dunlop Wah and a Boss DS-1 distortion. I have a 65 watt Kustom KGA65 amp.

All my friends think that I am an amazing guitar player, but I still need a LOT of work. I do not really bother learning other peoples songs because it just does not appeal to me. I am a huge fan of Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, John-5, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Ritchie Blackmore, and Eddie Van Halen. Those guys are the greatest guitarists alive in my opinion.(Randy lives, in my mind!)

Oh, and I haven't got a clue!

I am a guitarist looking to achieve musician status.

Other than guitar I like to play the occasional video game, listen to music of all sorts, I collect comic books off and on, that is pretty much it.

I have been a fairly slow learner simply because I don't have realistic goals. I can play fast and I am pretty good with playing rhythm but I don't know any songs and I lose time a lot when I'm playing with other people. Those two things are fundamental when playing music and are issues I need to address.

Here are some serious guitar related pearls of wisdom with the rest of you:

1. If your hands start to hurt stop playing for a little while.
2. Always use a metronome to gauge your timing and improve your accuracy.
3. Always make sure to practice regularly. By that I mean at the same time for the same amount of time every day.
4. When practicing DO NOT JUST NOODLE AND PLAY THINGS YOU KNOW. THAT IS NOT HOW YOU GET BETTER. You wouldn't believe how long it took me to realize that.

Below (in the favorite lessons section) are some lessons that have been beneficial to me. I recommend you use them.

I really have no idea!

Musical Influences

• Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, Tony Iommi, Steve Stevens
• Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana
• Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Ritchie Blackmore

Favorite Recordings

• Consequence of Chaos- Al Di Meola/ Flamenco A Go-Go- Steve Stevens/ Black Light Syndrom- Bozzio Levin's Stevens
• Into the Void- Richie Kotzen/ Black Utopia- Derek Sherinian/ Ghost of a Rose- Blackmore's Night
• Is There Love in Space- Joe Satriani Vertigo- John5

Favorite Lessons

• WEB STRETCH PART ONE (#8625)
  by Charles Gacsi (42523)
• Exotic Scales: The Alternate Approach (#4040)
  by Bruce Maag (15581)
• A Few Tips For Beginners (and Others!) (#4568)
  by Darryl Roberts (5330)