Youre strengths and weaknesses as a player?

[MDV]

Its good to know what youre good at, and better to know what you arent, IMO.

I'll start

Strengths -
Picking technique
Riff writing
Ear
Sweeps
Legato
Vibrato
Bends
Timing
Odd timings

Weaknesses -
Fingerstyle
leads (I can 'shred' but I'm a horrible lead player; no taste, really mechanical dull scale runs)
Sweeps
Creative use of scales
Theory
Tapping
Sweep tapping
Chord and arpeggio use
Arrangement

Yes, sweeps are in both because what I can do I can do well but I cant do much.

Overall my biggest strength is my picking and my biggest weakness my fingerstyle, I believe.

Your turn!

[Twinfan]

Biggest strength - rhythm playing (timing, fullness, punch)
Biggest weakness - advanced improvising (melodies, intervals, arpeggios)

[Mr.Coneman]

Strengths:
Bending.
Vibrato.
Good ear.
Timing.
Legato playing.
Picking.
Creativity.
Open minded to all music, so that I may learn something new.
Knowing that even though I'm happy with these things, they can all improve.

Weaknesses:
Theory.
Sweeping.
Fluidity.
Lazyness. (not practicing enough and just jamming).
Improvisation could improve.

And I think everyones main weakness is thinking that just because they think something falls under their strengths category that they are happy with that particular faccet of playing, everything can always be improved.

[tomjackson]

Strengths:-

Researching guitars on the internet
Buying Guitars
Polishing and restringing
Looking at more guitars on the internet
Looking at amps on the internet

Weaknesses:-

Playing :(

[MDV]

And I think everyones main weakness is thinking that just because they think something falls under their strengths category that they are happy with that particular faccet of playing, everything can always be improved.

Very true. I was gonna put that in my original post but forgot.

[Philly Q]

Strengths:-

Researching guitars on the internet
Buying guitars
Polishing and restringing
Replacing electronics, fitting straplocks and locking tuners
Looking at more guitars on the internet
Looking at amps on the internet
Memorising the enire contents of the Warmoth showcase
Hanging around on this forum

Weaknesses:-

Playing  :(

Thanks, it was easier than typing it all from scratch. 

[AndyR]

And I think everyones main weakness is thinking that just because they think something falls under their strengths category that they are happy with that particular faccet of playing, everything can always be improved.

Very true. I was gonna put that in my original post but forgot.

Funny, I was coming in here to post the following, but you guys seem to have beat me to it, in spirit at least....

Strengths:

Extreme confidence in my ability to master anything I want to

Weaknesses:

Extreme confidence in my ability to master anything I want to

[LazyNinja]

Same as a few of you already said.

I'm a mediocre lead player but I think my timing and playing dynamics for rhythm playing is strong. I need to join a band again and force myself to play lead more often so phrasing and everything becomes natural. I can play plenty of solos from songs, but when it comes to improvising I end up confusing myself and it doesn't conclude well :(

[Twinfan]

Weaknesses:-

Playing :(

Bollocks.  I heard you play at the Manchester show and you were great!  A darn sight better than me!

[tomjackson]

Weaknesses:-

Playing :(

Bollocks.  I heard you play at the Manchester show and you were great!  A darn sight better than me!

Kind words Twinfan but you've got to understand I've been practising that one minute of riffage for 15 years, I know that sounds okay.

[Twinfan]

:lol:

[Matt77]

Can play ok, just not when required  :?

[shobet]

Can play ok, just not when required  :?

My arse! It's those 12 fingers you have you sod. You're better than me!

[_tom_]

I'm not really sure what my strengths are! I can usually make most things sound good if that counts. I may not be able to shred note for note or anything but I'll be able to do a simplified version and make it sound allright (see my Beat It solo as an example :P).
I guess my rhythm playing is good and apparently I have "good feel" if that means anything? :lol: Oh and I think I can write pretty good rock/stoner rock riffs :)

I definitely know my weaknesses - lead playing is very dull and needs work but I dont know how to improve it. I play the same licks over and over, just in a different key. Ideas?

Vibrato is ok but not amazing. It has improved a lot in the last year. My bends still arent perfect either!

[BlackMetalVenom]

Strengths -
Picking technique
Riff writing
Sweeps
Hybrid Picking
Legato
Vibrato
Bends
Timing
Odd timings & Off beat stuff
Lead writing
Legato requiring no picking (for that cheezy 6 and 7 finger tapping :o)
String skipping
Economy picking
Improvising
Something I like to do that I have dubbed....get ready.... Scalar sweeps! [FAIL]
Wanking! :D



Weaknesses -
Fingerstyle
Holdsworthian legato
Ear
Theory
Arrangement
8 finger tapping
Right hand scale runs and arpeggios
Slapping and popping (who says it's only for basses? :P)
Improvisation using modes


I'm at school so there's no time for practice right now.... :(
So I write to you my humble list of what needs work and what needs even more work.
Besides, no one really has strengths when it comes to playing.
There is ALWAYS room for improvement even if you think you've mastered something.
AND absolutely never think that any other player out there (including yourself) is better than anyone.
Sure, their technique may be more tight and precise and they may have speed (I know you're out there somewhere Mr. Rusty Cooley), but what really matters is that you express yourself utterly and completely, no matter what anyone else thinks because in the end... You aren't writing music for your fans or others, you're writing it for yourself. Fans are just people who love your shite as much as you do.  :)

Goddamn I went all philosophical-like, my apologies.  :lol:


P.S. Thanks for basically writing this out for me MDV.  8)