When I first started playing electric guitar - about 3 years ago - I thought "I am just going to play this and completely master it". But this was because all my favorite music was electric guitar oriented. After 2 years of playing, I was able to play most the solos I was aiming to be able to play, I was pretty satisfied with my technique. I dont like jazz, and I dont like improvising too much, so I dont practice those a lot. I like carefully writing out every note, and mastering every note of what I want to learn how to play. I play in the classical performer spirit. Well anyway...

I started taking lessons with a classical guitar major who also taught electric guitar, which is why I initially went to him. One day I heard him practicing the Bach lute suite in E Major - it was so amazing that I decided to pick up classical guitar. But then more happened...my teacher was very very particular about every aspect of my technique. He wouldnt let me move onto a new piece until I had imbued subtle accents on the beat where they arent notated (to bring out the time signature), he started making me phrase volume dynamics and tempo in ways I never noticed were done. Because of this meticulous nature I started appreciating classical music on a much more profound level. I could start to hear the brilliance of performance - not just mechanized shredding like usual. I started to hear subtlety. Well I started to listen to Beethovens piano sonatas shorty after this and was completely enthralled by the third movement of his Moonlight sonata. To me it was just as powerful, heavy and intense as ANY metal song I had ever heard (this is not the famous slow movement, its the very fast Presto movement). After this I vowed to eventually be able to play this piece. So then I took up piano. Now I practice 3 instruments, all with diverse goals, but all with equal love and passion.

My question for you is: have you ever been drawn to another instrument in this way? If you never took these other instruments up, is there any particular reason? I am just curious. To me you have by far the best phrasing of any guitarist I have heard. After all the classical music, most electric guitarist dont hold up, but you still do. I think Chopin would be proud of your Tornado of Souls solo.

I wish I had the motivation to learn as you do! I learned Shamisen for a few weeks to play a solo on 'Nasty Machine', but as soon as that was done, I gave it up. Go for what you love, but also remember that if you chase 2 rabbits chances are you will catch neither...Best of luck!