I can't recall from whom I got the idea, but it has opened up another aspect to my playing. Now I understand that at some point most people start recording, but I'm not talking about just making demos, or recording a 'finished' tune. I'm talking about listening, really listening to your progress.

I remember the first time I (a friend actually) I recorded my playing. I had been playing for a few years, was just 'ok', but I really just felt like I was in a rut. I really hadn't learned a lot in a very long time, it seemed at least. When some friends and I were just trying to work up a few tunes, one of my friends had his cassette deck rolling. I didn't even know it was being recorded. I remember the other guitarist and I were just kind of trading solos. We messed around for a while, and then while taking a break, he started the tape rolling. He had taken the first solo, and I immediately recognized his playing. HOWEVER, (and it's a big however) when he was finished, another lead started, and I truly asked him, (who is that ?), I honestly thought it was something else that he had previously recorded.

Now please don't misunderstand this, I'm not a great player, and surely wasn't then. What had shocked me was the fact that I really didn't totally appreciate how much I had learned. I had even impressed myself with a solo that I would have thought was beyond where I was as a player.

As I mentioned, I'm not even close to being a 'Guitar God', and I'll never be a truly great player, but I love playing the guitar, and I believe in using every advantage there is to better my playing. If you start recording at least some of your playing, it will give you even more feedback on where you are as a player. You might even impress yourself, and just as importantly, help you to hear where you need more work.