Interesting thread. Lots of talk about speed. I have a question: What about the actual MUSIC? I mean, whether you play metal, classical, blues, jazz, pop, or whatever, you need to make the thing SING. I mean, I can play a song like SRV's "Scuttle Buttin'" (In E flat--or any key you want for that matter), but unless I do something to make it soulful, I feel like I'm just doing something automatic; it's more of a gymnastic feat than an expression of music. Let's face it, there's plenty of cats out there who can play as fast as Jeff Gordon drives, but the albums we keep buying are the ones with actual music on them. That's why SRV was such an important guitarist: above all else, he played with feeling, soul, and passion--he played the truth! Frankly, our endeavor is not a competition. Besides, I guarantee that as fast as you can play, there will always be someone out there who will be able to outplay you. Just go to enough sessions!