Quote Originally Posted by JonnyPac
I think speed is a factor. It can lead players to "blow over" changes. The line becomes a blurred contour to the average listener instead of a coherent line of notes. This works great in some contexts.

I think students should always focus of harmonic clarity, even if it means playing slower. That's my idea, at least. I'm not very fast, by my lines are super clear and well designed, if I don't say so myself... Best wishes.
Well, I don't think I have any danger of becoming a speed-demon in the near future, although I wouldn't say I'm pitifully slow either! But I have to agree with you about the harmonic clarity - that is kind of what I'm tending to focus on in my own practice. I find that when you manage to really nail a set of changes well, it can sound just as great as playing at monster speeds. Not that I have anything but praise for Pat Martino - an amazing player who has both harmonic clarity, and the speed to boot! One of my favorite guitarists in fact...