[Nick1]

Not in any particular order.....

1. The Metronome
2. Studying with George Bellas for the past few years.
3. Ear Training
4. Rehab (not for drugs ) But Ive had 2 surgerys on my left arm and each time Ive really focused on EVERY aspect of my technique. Since I was too weak after the surgery to play anything fast, it forced me to play slowly and to really focus on the weak parts of my playing.
5. Lessons with Tom Hess for years.
7. Composing music with out using any instrument. Just pencil and paper. I sometimes will write things that are alot harder to play when I dont have a guitar/piano near by.
8. For speed and strength Id say various Lagato and Tremelo picking excercises for extended amounts of time.
9. Paul Gilbert/Michael Romeo/John Petrucci.
10. Teaching Guitar has helped alot.
11. Playing in the Church choir for the past 10 years has helped me SO much with my improvising.

[Luan]

something else, practice

[Russ]

it's far more productive to do shorter periods of focused practice than long periods of noodling everyday

GREAT advice IMHO. One of the reasons I stopped playing for a few years (among others) was that I thought I had to throw in hours on hours of playing or focused practice, and then it seemed I didn't progress as much as I thought I ought too - which led to feelings of 'maybe I just don't have that talent', etc...

When I got back to playing, I threw that crap out the door. If I pick up the ax now and in 15 minutes just don't feel in the groove, I put it down and come back later, cuz it'll just be a waste of time for me. And when I do come back and it feels right - totally productive sessions.