People in their 40's, do you notice...?

[jabps]

Well I'm 60 so things change lol.

In terms of just pure shred, I definitely hit my apex 25 years ago. My goal on guitar was to be able to play what I heard my head especially when it comes to speed, I accomplished that. However I do believe unless you have physical problem you always have the ability to improve. I simply went in another direction once times changed because I needed to stay relevant with the bands I was in. In fact the best chops I ever had was the end of my playing live career which was a little over 10 years ago. I miss having command over the guitar that way but at the same time, I played constantly. Warm up for rehearsals then rehearsal, warm up for gig, then gig, warm up for recording then recording. There wasn't a day that I didn't pick up the guitar and at least go through my exercises because I never wanted to play catch up.

Best thing and worst thing I ever did was read an article from Steve Morse where he said if he didn't play at least once a day, it would take him a week to catch up lol. I took that seriously lol.

 

[phillybhatesme]

If you aren't constantly trying to improve, you will diminish.

I think it really boils down to this.
In the past 3 years, I've started taking classical guitar lessons, I've joined a classical guitar ensemble, I started a metalcore band, I practice with a metronome to increase speed, I practice techniques that are new to me.
Cause if I don't, I'll end up playing and writing the same stuff I always play and write and I won't improve.

 

[BABMusic]

If you aren't constantly trying to improve, you will diminish.

Ain't that the truth. It's also the same with composing music. There's a muscle in your mind that gets worked if you write regularly. Stop writing for a month, and you'll have to do lots of work just to get back in the flow.

As far as downpicking Master of Puppets, I gave that goal up a long time ago. My forearms will burn, burn, burn.

 

[Dfwxjer1]

This is a result of meth. Stop being a junkie.

 

[WizardAmpIphoneClip]

You definitely need to get your blood flowing, either shaking your hands off like they're wet (its a good one) and stretch out your fingers, arms and neck for a minute or two before even picking that bitch up.

As far as ability as you get older, I don't play for hours a day anyways. But I learned more shit in the last 5 or so years than before it for sure

 

[phillybhatesme]

What kinds of stretches are good for playing? @WizardAmpIphoneClip

 

[VonBonfire]

If you aren't constantly trying to improve, you will diminish.

I disagree. Chops maintenance is real. A new pair of Santana shoes def makes me feel like I'm improving though.

 

[romanianreaper]

I play better now in my mid 50s but I have a laid back feel more now. I never was trying to learn all of the solos though and more of a feel player.

 

[Racerxrated]

Just play. As much as time allows for. Don't be hyper critical of yourself. The more you play the better you will be. You just have to dedicate the time to do it. Good luck.

 

[Shask]

I can't downpick as fast as I used to, but I don't really practice it like I used to. However, I am better at other things like leads, string skipping, etc... because I play more of that these days.

 

[skoora]

I would definitely recommend getting some kind of routine together where you can gauge your progress and keep on a steady progression. I'm 53 and spend about 15 minutes before I practice warming my hands up through a gripper and stretches of my hands and fingers - another thing is making sure you are hydrated and get plenty of water in daily as it'll help stave-off injury, especially if you're drinking any alcohol.

It may not be the most fun thing to do but sitting with the metronome and doing three minutes of downpicking to a beat you are strict with and then the same with alternate picking, moving forward as you progress. Also, you can adjust the playback speed on YT for example and work on say Master Of Puppets at 75% or wherever you feel you are at before you start to break your form and just work your way back up to speed, eventually, which shouldn't take you too long since you have the muscle memory.

It certainly worked for Metallica when they recorded it.

 

[skoora]

I listen to old demos and think, what the fuck was I playing there? The thought of trying to figure it out is not a fun one. You try and think about what you usually play or would play and still can’t find it. It’s not just lead stuff, it’s chordal, arpeggio stuff where I mesh two guitars playing different things. I definitely hit a creative peak in my late 20’s.

 

[BeZo]

I disagree. Chops maintenance is real. A new pair of Santana shoes def makes me feel like I'm improving though.

You can wish in one pair of shoes and shit in another, and only one pair will make your feet stink. It's great that you feel good about your playing, but putting in the work is the only way to see tangible results.

 

[VonBonfire]

You can wish in one pair of shoes and shit in another, and only one pair will make your feet stink. It's great that you feel good about your playing, but putting in the work is the only way to see tangible results.

I agree. I'm just saying once you are playing hot licks at a high level about an hour a day will maintain them. Any further development will require more time.

 

[Devin]

Yes, but it's 100% due to playing far, far, FAR less than I used to in my teens/twenties

 

[CoreyW]

I’m 46? And I’m playing better and faster than I ever have.

About 15 months ago I decided I was finally going to start taking this shit seriously, I started a practice journal which I think is instrumental in understanding how I have improved. I burned through some of the TrueFire lesson paths starting at the beginning, and eventually met up with @Techdeth for lessons.

I’m learning the songs I always wanted to learn when I was young. I have even discovered a few things about my playing that has made learning new stuff far more effective. I live with PTSD and TBI so my short term memory is pretty shit, but my ability to retain licks has improved significantly over the last year too.

I’ve even picked up drumming and since I only reliably have access to my full kit on weekends, I feel like I’m making pretty good progress on that too.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

I'm 96 years young today! Every morning I do 3 cartwheels and 4 backflips over to the guitar rig where I warm up by playing Yngwie’s Arpeggios From Hell forwards and backwards at double speed. Yeah I know that’s a bit pedestrian but hey I’m in my 90’s, you can’t play that at x4 speed forever.

 

[Nigel]

Aging is damage from stress. Stress comes from food, environment, activity, and mood.

In other words, optional.

 

[Techdeth]

I’m 46? And I’m playing better and faster than I ever have.

About 15 months ago I decided I was finally going to start taking this shit seriously, I started a practice journal which I think is instrumental in understanding how I have improved. I burned through some of the TrueFire lesson paths starting at the beginning, and eventually met up with @Techdeth for lessons.

I’m learning the songs I always wanted to learn when I was young. I have even discovered a few things about my playing that has made learning new stuff far more effective. I live with PTSD and TBI so my short term memory is pretty shit, but my ability to retain licks has improved significantly over the last year too.

I’ve even picked up drumming and since I only reliably have access to my full kit on weekends, I feel like I’m making pretty good progress on that too.

Study off the drums . Thsts cheating on your guitars

 

[Bardagh]

I have changed my picking technique over the past few years quite a lot and it has helped tremendously. I was always a Hetfield style picker and I still use that grip when it has a benefit but mostly not. I found myself getting slower at times with that grip because at least with fast tremolo picking it is more prone to introducing tension. I feel like right now picking wise I am as fast if not faster than in the past. Now, I did have to have major shoulder surgery back in November and am still recovering, so my 40's are not exactly all great. I have only been able to start picking the guitar back up in the past few weeks and my level of physical fitness is now in the shitter.