I'm evaluating several guitar overdrive pedals right now. I did my usual research and purchased 3 of them used, so that I can sell back the ones I don't like without losing much money.

One downside of evaluating tools is that you can get really hang up on them -- they are just tools, after all, they don't make or break you. Also, the idea that I have to find the "best there is" is also dangerous. Making music is all about being "good enough." I've been playing the same guitar for over 10 years now, and I know its strengths and limitations well. I've tinkered with it to expand its limitations but every time I have to trade in one of its strengths to fix one of the problems, I back up -- I'd rather have the limits and strengths I know well than to trade in a new set.

I hate shopping -- or used to. Spending money has been an evil act for me.

Well, recently I'm unlearning that definition.

For example, for a long time, I recently tried out a new tool for dental flossing. I was amazed by how much my attitude changed about flossing, simply by upgrading my tool! (from like $.89 to $2.49... yes, my teeth are worth it. ) It used to be a messy and cumbersome chore, flossing with those flimsy nylon strings -- but with this new tool (which looks more like a tooth brush) it's so easy. And the ease makes the act actually rather fun.

So now I've decided to spend my resources to get my guitar gear in order. I've never had my pedals all organized on a pedal board -- so I ordered a board, a power supply, a tuner pedal is next on my list -- I'm not finished putting it together, but I think it will make a world of difference to my guitar playing.

I think I'm finally getting it.

You see my friends, it's all about control. And not just control, but effortless control. So effortless, in fact, that it becomes a habit -- requires little to no thinking. Yet you have the perfect control.

I used to practice/noodle on my guitar for hours, but you know what I did? I played faster than the rate I could control. I'd make mistakes and noises all over the place. And when I perform, I still play that way.

The way to get better is to practice playing effortlessly. Slow down to the point where I have perfect control over ever aspect. Repeat, practice. Soon the effort becomes effortless. Then, and only then, I can speed it up to a point, but only to a point where I am still maintaining that perfect, effortless control.

Yesterday was the last session for guitar parts for Marc Gunn's celtic folk project I've been working on.

This was the best session (out of 3) that I had recording my guitar. My practicing is really paying off. Best tones and playing, even though it's a) acoustic and b) all finger-picking. (you guessed it, I'm mainly an electric-with-pick guy) 6 songs in 4 hours! The playing's not flawless, but certainly good enough.

It's always very gratifying to get good feedback, but I really appreciate that Marc's "getting" what I do -- which is to play what the song needs. He is an autoharp player, a very good one at that, and has not had a positive experience playing with a guitar player in this context. Autoharp doesn't sit all that well with guitars -- mainly because their sounds are too similar. I can tell you that the sound of an autoharp is massive. Its color and range can easily eat up the mid to upper range of guitars, leaving only the bottom end to be heard.

Speed and precision are two of the things I struggle with on my guitar. It seemed like I play and play and play and I never get faster. Mind you, I am not saying that fast guitar playing is good. But to me, speed was one of, if not the very biggest, elements missing from my guitar playing. When I'm playing I hear music in my head -- plus, I have this firy passion bottled up inside me -- that really requires fast playing to be able to express/execute it.

Well, I think I finally understood what my problem was. I was trying too hard.

As with all music and sports, people who are masters make it look easy, even when playing something very advanced. I knew that. But when I practiced, I practiced too fast. I was making too many mistakes. I had too much tension in my hands.

I started playing in bands when I was 20. Now I'm 33, and last year was the first year when I hardly gigged. Instead, I had some time on my hand to practice the music I love -- just because I like it, not because I need to learn it for gigs or for someone else.

And this last year was the first time when I really, really enjoyed playing my guitar.

Let me explain. When I started playing my guitar, hair metal was in its prime and every rock guitarist interviewed bragged about how they practiced 10 hours a day or something like that. They all played very fast and were very technically advanced (though not necessarily musically so). From the beginning my guitar playing was approached with this macho/competetive mind set. But a beginning guitar player just doesn't have 10 hours' worth of material to practice. Hours of practice increase gradually as you become more proficient on an instrument. I didn't know that back then, I constnatly beat myself up for not practicing more and I bemoaned the gap between where I was and where I wanted to be. It was so overwhelming.

Lately one of my hobbies is to look in YouTube for some concert videos of my favorite acts.

But watching them, I noticed that I'm always looking for a certain-sized venue. Meaning, I am only interested in arena-level of bigger acts. Club- or even theater-level productions, I lose interest.

Maybe b/c only arena-level acts can afford to have the lighting and video screen and all that to put on an engaging enough show to watch... But I also think I just like bigger stuff. When I envision myself playing, I also imagine myself in arenas and stadiums, too. ;-) Forget the intimacy of small places! I wanna conquer the world! ;-)