Ahhhh... This brings back sweet memories of a music theory/practical harp, grad student that I used to date. She was always able to instantly play any pop song

Ahhhh... This brings back sweet memories of a music theory/practical harp, grad student that I used to date. She was always able to instantly play any pop songs I requested as harp arrangements; watching someone truly play an instrument as if from feeling is magical. But I really feel like guitar playing is a different beast all together. There is no other instrument with the amount of "players" that the guitar has, ranging from low skill to high. But in general, I've watched multiple people teach themself up to a level where they can go no further on their own. Then you take your learning on a specific path. Classical training if you want to end up as a studio musician or composer; non classical if you want to be the guitarist in a moderately successful hardcore band. (Does playing Warp Tour make you a success?) That's what happened to the three best guitarists I've known, and I suppose my point is this: GP can, and should, skip the not-so-fun stuff for the time being. Guitar is unlike other mainstream instruments, and simply playing is the best way to improve (even if it means developing bad habit)