I think some of you are being far to humble, I'm talking to you 38th Beetle and PhillyQ!
38th is genuinely modest, I'm genuinely incompetent. :? OK, let's try to give a proper answer....
Strengths:I can solo (badly) over a 12-bar blues till the cows come home.
I'm relatively good at - how can I describe this - things you can do to control the sound with your fingers (as opposed to outboard gear). That is, bends, vibrato, different picking and muting techniques. All stuff I learned by listening to Roy Buchanan, basically.
Weaknesses:Laziness and set-in-my-ways-ness.
Total lack of repertoire (I can't play
any complete songs. Not one. After 29 years.)
Nothing comes naturally. My ear's good enough to pick out a melody, but not a chord structure. I have absolutely no idea how people can "instinctively" construct bass lines or drum patterns to fit a song. :?
Goes almost without saying that I can't do sweep-picking, eight-finger tapping, Yngwie arpeggios, anything fast etc. (But I'm not particularly bothered about those things. I'd rather be able to play proper songs then just bodge a pentatonic solo. Lead playing's mostly just for other guitarists to listen to.)
BIGGEST weakness:
LACK OF CONFIDENCE. In every way. This has affected me in work, personal relationships, the lot. It's prevented me making the most of any talents I might have (not much in the case of music). I'm afraid of everything.
***
Now, having said all that, I've long been convinced that if I bothered to learn 10 (or 20, or 50) favourite songs it would all start suddenly falling into place (or at least a lot of it would). Rock music isn't that complicated. I doubt that's ever going to happen though.
Blimey, this forum's like therapy sometimes.
