I've been playing for almost 3 1/2 years now, but I'm struggling with solos, both speed, and style. I was taught mostly Traditional Blues, and I'm trying to branch out into some Hard Rock, and some Classic Rock. I've always been solid at chords, and my improvising is decent, but I've never learned my scales all the way through. Anything I try to play sounds slow, sloppy, very bluesy, or a combination of the three. Any tips or help?

I like bluesey sounding solos..but yea, I have some tips. 1st to avoid sounding bluesy you gotta ditch bluesy sounding scales so pentatonic scales are out. Learn major, minor, melodic minor, harmonic minor scales. Play scales as 3 or 4  note per string patterns because bluesy sounding is 2 note per string patterns. Practice your scales sequentially forward and backwards from low E string to high E string and back. Practice, practice, practice.

Im just learning to solo, mostly blues, but what is helping me the most is playing with some backing tracks and feeling it out. I tried learning more scales but it only frustrates me. playing with music,starting slow helped me alot. The right scales will come to you. Just listen to what sounds right

Welcome to the board ceejay, you make a good point about 'the right scales will come to you'....thanks,
I'm going to give that a try !

GuitarZen

I have also found scales frustrating due to my lack of discipline.  However, I don't think there is any substitute for hard scale work.  That being stated, I do find playing with a back track and paying attention to what works and does not work a great way to get some solid riffs.  Just don't abandon scale work.