Rate of Improvement

[TheDirt]

I've been playing around 2 and 1/2 years now and I know a lot of theory, and I've decided that I want to work specifically on my technique for at least 30 minutes per weekday for a while. Right now I can play ascending/descending groups of three/thirds/runs all at least 85 b.p.m. (sixteenth notes). What kind of improvement rate should I be expecting? Also, is it weird that I can play anything descending faster than I can ascending (I mean a lot faster. I can play an A Minor descending run in groups of three notes around 110 b.p.m, 20 b.p.m. faster than I can ascending)? Runs in groups of more than three are really tricky for me. Should I not do them much, or practice them more? Also, what's more important, practicing legato or picking every note? Sorry for so many questions.

[albo]

I believe that there is no standard rate of improvement. Everybody learns at a different pace because everybody is different. Some people, learn different techniques quicker than others. Also, someone may be able to learn faster than others becuase they have natural talent.

[lalimacefolle]

I have just bought the book 'rock discipline' by petrucci, because the one al di meola had written is out of print, and there's a lot of exercices you might want to check out. As for the rate of improvement, is will be tremendous at the start, then you'll have to stagnate a little, then you'll go up again (or over and over..) Just know that's there's a speed limit that's determined by your muscles... (Check out the fastest guitarist thread to check some monsters out)

[FretSlug]

It's very usual to play descending scale forms or anything descending much faster than ascending, because it is easier to pick alternating (hmm.. Can you say like that? Dunno..) when you descend than it is when you are ascending.. Hmm.. My English sucks.. Big time.. But hey.. Hope you got the point.

Lali, has Al Di Meola written something like the rock discipline or so? Must order... Must.. What is it called?

[lalimacefolle]

Al di meola has written 'picking techniques' but I guess it's out of print... It's based around the up/down strokes, and it is considered as the bible for improving speed and technique...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/079351018X/qid=1019404457/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-3609521-1218551

Well, on Amazon, it seems they have it in stock!!

[albo]

Forgot to mention this...but, you can't say that legato is better than picking, or vice versa. It is really dependent on preference and what you want your solo to sound like. Someone like Yngwie will do a lot less legato than someone such as Joe Satriani

[lalimacefolle]

Depending on the accents you want to give to your phrases, you need alternate picking, once again, it's possible to do it legato, but the only one that does it decently is Allan HOLDSWORTH