I didn't skip over your post Scott. I understand that people develope at different speeds. I'm just curious to see what level people are at compared to how long they're playing. And I also understand that just because you've been playing for 50 years and can only play 16ths at 90 , that doesn't mean you're not good (take B.B. King for example). I know at school I can wipe out everyone else technique wise, but there are kids there that I consider to be good guitar players not cause they're fast but becuase they have good groove or can improvise well (man there's this one kid I met that can PLAY the blues) or something like that.

Yeah I agree with you about the person that said the greats practice 10 hours +. John Petrucci for instance would practice 6 to 10 hours a day, not 16 and he's considered to be one of the best in the world.. Yeah it takes discipline, but even if you practice wrong for 18 hours a day straight for 4 years, you'll still be a crappy player. Quality not quantity.