i really can't belive that i have not even learned any full songs yet with the exeption of knocking on heavens door (guns N roses version)
And iv been playing 1 year now.
Am i maybe overtrying to play proper guitar? Am i trying too hard? 4 hour practice every day...
Doing the theory thing takes up alot of time and to be honest, I probably spend most of my time just "expressing" when I play with no real direction, so I also have not learned a whole lot of new stuff. It's just something always on my To Do list!
Maybe you just want to focus on that for a bit. With your kind of practice time, you could probably build up some good sets pretty quick! I use iTunes and keep a "Working List" to which I add a new song every now and again. Then, when the mood is upon me I just run thru them all like I was playing a set, or work on the latest one, whatever I feel like. Sometimes, I don't touch my list for days and just "express" by myself or with backing tracks.
You could maybe focus on just building up 30 or 40 minutes of songs you can accompany right thru. Not so much to get each one perfect. The idea is just to get a list that you know but not necessarily well.
My feeling is that you are putting too much effort into playing perfectly. (JMHO :) ) As you run thru your working list, you'll perfect each song over time. In the mean time, you will soon have several that may not be perfect note for note, but that you are comfortable with all the parts.
I dunno. It's hard to suggest what might weork best for you. This is the approach that keeps me happy, because that's the most important part of it all.
As far as rythmn playing, my Dad used to say that Lead players are a dime a dozen but good rythmn players are hard to find. The finesse is something that will come over time. But, again, you may need to simply accept that it will come and focus more on enjoying (and learning new songs) and just let that happen. It is inevitable.
I personally struggle hard with rythmn on the electric. I used to consider myself pretty good, but that was on acoustic, and I had a certain "style" that I just accepted as me. I still have good timing, but I am finding on electric I am sadly lacking the finesse I want to have.
We're all in the same boat one way or another. To me the important thing to remember is that there are lots of approaches to learning and sometimes that's just playing. :)
...so ever since then, I always hang on to the buckle.