Hey Marty,

How are you? First off you are a great guitarist as i am sure you know. My favorite Megadeth is "Rust in Peace". Anyways onto my question. I know you say not to compare yourself to other guitarist as there are too many great ones. I am just learning the guitar, picked up an Ibanez. Now i have only been playing for roughly 9 months. However, I am getting frustrate with it. As i can't seem to come up with any kind of rythm that isn't more then palm mutes and powerchords. When it comes to picking i am lost, i seem to repeat the same patterns. and can't come up with anything. And this is very discouraging. Also when it comes to doing anything resembling a solo my speed sucks for moving my fingers. I am 28 (probably too old to even bother with the guitar). How did you build up your speed and accuaracy? what did you do, I am trying to learn a couple Megadeth songs, but they are way too complicated for me when it comes to playing at that speed. i swear i've wanted to throw my guitar off a cliff like Slash in the "Don't Cry" video. Anything you can advise me on? i know i am a very new beginner, but i am starting to lose hope of ever being able to play even one full song of yours and when you were with Megadeth.. :(

Thank You.

If anyone can play Megadeth after 9 months, I'd be VERY surprised. At 9 months I could barely hold down a G chord. You are setting yourself up for disappointment. You are not too old to begin guitar. There are no shortcuts. Get a teacher and learn all of the same easy stuff that other beginners learn. Don't be discouraged, just set many small modest goals. Good luck.