I've been playing guitar for a couple of years now, and was wondering how well I've been playing, but have no means of recording myself ATM. So I was wondering if anyone could give me a song or song segment that a person of my level should be able to play.

Ride the lightning album (metallica), haha..except for the solo's

Hate to say it man, but 2 years you've barely started. I've played for over 10 and I've still got a shit load to learn. You should be jamming you're own stuff now, not playing other peoples songs.
My grade 2 exam for classical needed to memorize 2 grade 2 level songs, and 9 scales. And 2 studies.
other than that, can't help you.

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I'm taking lessons and working on technique; don't play too much of other people's stuff anymore, but I wanted something to base my current ability off of. If the album Ride the Lightning is a good marker for two years, then I think I'm a little ahead of the curve. Not only can I play just about everything off that album, I can most definately take on a few of those solos (already knew Fade to Black).

Thanks.

If you've played for two years you should be tackling Jason Becker licks and Pavor solos.

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Your joking right?

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Man I've been playing off and on for 20 years (yeah I'm an old fuck!) and I learn something every time I pick up my guitar. I guess your progress would be directly related to how much you practice? Guitar is a beautiful thing, it's been the only real constant in my life, the one thing I ALWAYS fall back on after I've burned out my latest addiction. ( I'm str8 edge and have been for years now )
so I'm talking PC's, Car's, work etc. Just play for yourself and enjoy what you play, whateva that is.

Depends on what you are into. Honestly I say tackling the entire "Kill 'Em All" album by Metallica (minus solos), and going from there.

I agree he needs to start playing his own stuff, but I think he needs the skill to back that up completely and not stagnate. If you aren't learning new stuff, you are going to stagnate in your playing ability.

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that is true to an extent dissection. It's not learning new songs that will help him with his playing abilities, it's learning new techniques.
Like, trem picking, sweep picking, mastering wammy dives/pulls, squeals,
not to mention scales and arpeggios on their own.
in 2 years, not quite sure you've gotten to know your fretboard very well.
But yes, song to base 2 years on would be a few licks on the easy songs from Rust in Peace. Tornado of souls? Even hanger 18 sans solos.
Its opinion though, people learn at their own pace.

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Yeah, no kidding. But you learn that from taking a look at songs, usually not just figuring them out on your own (after 2 years anyway )

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Two years is far to soon to be making judgements on how well you have developed.

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Well depends on how you learn as well. I know what you mean, and it is true, but it can work the other way as well. You take a look at new techniques, learn them by practice (on your own), which will make learning new songs easier.

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Rather than make another thread for it, what would you recommend I start working on? My teacher is a jazz musician, so I'm learning open and moveable chords, basic blues improv, reading music and the like. It's all good stuff and I'm happy to be learning it, but I'd like to find some excercises or something to build up my other areas, such as sweeping, alternate picking, general speed, etc.

Thanks.

So you want to learn sweeping? Sweeping is hard, it took me about 6 months to be fluent with it. Take sweeps really slow at first and concentrate on the motion your picking hand makes. A lot of people make the mistake of picking the notes individually, which is not what you want to be doing. I'm dumb, so don't listen to me very much.

If you want some good songs to challenge your skills check out something by Necrophagist or Anata. I learned Fermented Offal Discharge(excluding the solo) after I'd been playing for 3 years.

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