Hi Caponi14 -

I don't think any player is completely happy with their level of playing. It's human nature - you attain something and after a brief feeling of accomplishment, you find yourself wanting more. This is a good thing since it will keep the fire burning that keeps you going.

You should read this article and thread. You may get some insight:
http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38206&page=1&pp=7

Tonight I'll check out your videos. However, just based on what you said, I think you need to let up on yourself. You say "others like what I do...". That's AWESOME!!!! And that's HUGE! Certainly you want to continue to improve and become more satisfied with your playing, but don't minimize the impact of your playing on others. I'll bet that if you play more in front of an audience and become less critical of yourself, you'll find you play just as well in that setting as you do by yourself.

The times that I've played with a group, I find myself focusing more on the music we are making as a whole. I remember jamming to Roadhouse Blues with some friends at a party. Unexpectedly, the moment came where my friend points at me to take a solo. Was it the most brilliant solo I could have played??? No WAY! However, it was awesome!! I found myself getting caught up in the rythm and just going with it. It was an incredible feeling and experience - very sureal. When I played in our church choir, our combined sound was just awesome. Songs I would play by myself sounded good, but when we all got together, it was on a whole new level. I would beat myself up about my playing and get frustrated. Once I eased up on myself and concentrated on the music we were making as a whole, I enjoyed it much more. As a consequence, my playing improved too.

Also, it took Slash more that 5 years to be able to play those blistering runs I'm sure. If you keep at it, it will come. Also remember that there is more to it than speed. I like shredders...don't get me wrong. I'd love to be able to shred one day too :-). But there is so much inbetween that can be very rewarding. To my ear, shredders get boring after a while. That's why I never got into Malmsteen. Some of Joe Satriani's best work to me are the melodic parts before he's kicked in the afterburners.

Hopefully you get something from this. When I get down on myself for my own playing, I'll have to come back and read this for myself :-)