Clay--I know exactly what you mean. You could be describing my own
experiences.
>Since I've given up doing the scale/pattern/excercise approach I've made >lots of improvement,
What kind of things do you practice now?
>...and prior to that I'd considered quitting music on more than one >occasion because I thought I had no talent.
Well, I actually did quit, at least as a means of making a living. My
only performing over the last 30 years has been in my den with my Jamey
Aebersold records or other "Music Minus One" types of things. My income
comes from practicing law (please don't hold that against me.)
--Bob