Well, i am a guitar player too ;), i love to shred just like Malmsteen and others, and it's been 7 years since i started. I learned it myself, no guidance from musician teacher, no course, no friends to teach, that's true, i search for video lesson, books from the net and local store, finally i can smile with my current achievement, but still, i dont really like to play infront of crowd, i play only with my family but usually alone. When alone i'll like to play a slow romantic or classical rythm+pluck, I can say that playing guitar had helped me a lot, released my stress, etc, but the most joyful moment to me is playing in front of my loved one before i got married with her , I remember her smile and her face filled with happiness, and she said she cant never ever let me go anymore... Take Care, jackz