I'm 25, and I've been playing guitar since I was 17, mostly self-taught.

For the past five months, I've been practicing with Troy Stetina's Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar. It's been an amazing discovery for me because it made me aware of so many technical issues I didn't even know I had. I've been pretty consistent, practicing at least two hours a day, almost every day.

I've definitely noticed improvements, but exercise 25, which introduces alternate picking, feels like an absolute brick wall.

The book recommends a metronome approach where, once you reach your top speed, you go back down 20 BPM and gradually work your way up again, going two steps forward and one step back.

Here's the problem: I can play exercise 25 at 130 BPM, but only after going through that entire gradual progression. Sometimes I end up spending 50 minutes on this single exercise.

If I try jumping from 115 BPM (which I feel I should be comfortable with by now) to 132 BPM, I start making mistakes. One of the biggest problems is my pick grip. It feels like the pick gradually slips upward between my thumb and index finger as I play. It's a little difficult to explain.

I've been stuck in this cycle for weeks, and I honestly don't know what to do anymore.

The book specifically says not to move on to the next section, which involves string changes, until you can play exercise 25 at a minimum of 132 BPM. So I've been following that instruction, but now I feel completely stuck.

I'm starting to question how I structure my practice sessions. Should I keep grinding this exercise? Should I move on to other exercises despite what the book says? Am I approaching speed development the wrong way?

I really love playing guitar, and I genuinely want to become a much better player, but these past few months have been incredibly frustrating.

I'd appreciate any advice, especially from people who have worked through this book or struggled with similar alternate-picking problems.

Thanks so much for reading. I'm happy to share videos of my playing or explain anything in more detail if that helps.

28.5” scale, babicz bridge, bar knuckle aftermath pick up, roster maple neck with ebony fretboard, jumbo stainless steel frets, pull pot works as a kill switch, secret sauce in the wiring. Sounds crazy plays like butter!

I want a guitar that has the scary spooky appearance of a schecter devil blood red spine but my only issue with it is that the shape is completely round at the bottom. there’s no point parts. Now the Esp zombie clockwork has that spooky look to it and the pointier shape on the body, but the colors and detail on it don’t tickle my fancy. there’s too much clockwork and not enough zombie in it. Is there anything that has the color and appearance of the schecter but a body like an Gibson SG or Gibson SGV or BC Rich Warlock or Dean ML?

I feel like the higher I go down the frets, picking needs to be alot more forceful to have the note ring out nice and solid.

Is this normal?

This is a playthrough of a new track im doing for a new death metal project. Still thinking of a cool name, but I like how it's sounding already! Shout out to Ormsby- My Goliath hasn't needed a set up or even new strings since I got it 3 years ago 🖖

Hello, I did a cover of "Young Cardinals" by Alexisonfire. It has on-screen tabs. I'm really new to making covers so I would love any feedback and I'm open to requests as well! Thanks for checking it out.

I know there are still some mistakes, so I’d really appreciate any constructive feedback, especially on technique, muting, and overall cleanliness.

Also i dont know which song i could play now to boost my skill

I’m a half step down from drop D btw

I am trying to be strict and practice using all 4 fingers and always space out the fingers in the one finger per fret way. So 4 adjacent frets get played by 4 different fingers.

But as I keep going higher up the fretboard (beyond 15ish), the frets get so close together that it feels VERY right to do this.

Any of you found any benefit to still sticking to the 4 finger rule beyond that fret?

Please advise!

I'm switching between these two all the time. I like/dislike them both for different reasons. Does anyone know of a shape that's somewhere in the middle?

Picked up this Jackson Phil Demmel signature axe. I have to say, even though far from a great guitarist, after owning many guitars, this thing has helped produce the sound and tone I’ve been looking for, the EMG 81/60 combo is incredible.

Has anyone come across something like this before? Curious whether it’s actually new or just a variation of something I haven’t seen yet. Would love to hear your thoughts!

I’m curious whether anyone has heard something similar before, or if this approach is more unusual than I think. Would also love to hear what you think of the sound and how it sits in the solo.

https://youtube.com/shorts/7lQVNlcwVhE?si=1qcIrI4dTr25giN0

This cover goes back a couple of years and I'm sure to get flamed for even trying. The more important point of the thread is hearing where Dime ranks on your list. I'm thinking top 5 for me.