When I "restarted" my guitar playing after amost 30 years I set some goals. It was something I learned in my career that took up most of my time for those 30 years. You set the goals and find a plan on how to achieve them. My ultimate goal was to be able to play along with my favourite guitarists note for note. What I realized was that none of them play the songs exactly the same. They put "their" style into it. At first I was obsessed with scales and progressions, and I found they helped me gain a knowledge of the board and really helped with my skill and dexterity. I used several of the DVD series, like Blues you can use, and Essential Blues guitar, and Hot licks Robben Ford, to name a few.
I found "recorded version" tablature books on my favourite blues albums and learned from them. With them I usually learn the intro, so you know what song I am playing then play along with them in my style, as if jamming with the artist.
Every so often I go back to the DVD series and I am finding that they are really basic and I am playing over the rythm tracks using a lot more phrases than they do.
I am not saying I am Buddy, or Eric, or Robben, but I am very happy with my progress.
Of course I retired very early and have a lot of time to practice and I do.
One of the biggest things that has come out of it has been my ability to hear a song and then go right to that key on the neck and play along.
I have recently set new goals, and I am working on a better understanding of chords and progresions. I find this all very rewarding.
The Blues is alright!
Guitars: 1968 Gibson SG, 2005 Gibson SG Standard, 2006 Gibson LP Classic Gold top, 2004 Epiphone Elitist LP Custom, 1996 Gibson Les Paul Standard. 2001 Epiphone Sheraton II, 2007 Epiphone G400.
Fender Strats: 1996 Fender 68 Reissue CIJ, 2008 Squier CV 50s, 2009 Squier CV 50s Tele Butterescotch Blonde
Amps: Blues Junior Special edition Jensen in Brown Tolex with Wheat front, 65 Deluxe Reverb reissue,1970 Sonax reverb by Traynor, Avatar Custom 2/12 Cabinet with Eminence Legend V1216 speakers,
2008 DSL100 Marshall Amp , Fender Super Champ XD,Fender Vibro Champ XD
Effects and Pedals: Fulltone Fulldrive II, Fulltone OCD, Fulltone Mini Deja Vibe, Fulltone Fat Boost, Dunlop Crybaby Wah, Boss DS1, Boss DD20 Giga Delay, Boss TU2 tuner, Boss BD2, Ibanez TS9 Tube screamer, Zoom 505. Radial tonebone hot british.