Don't I know it. KNOWING and DOING are two very different things!Thanks Bud and Bob. (Could be a good country band guys!) Seriously now, thanks for commenting.
Daryl I was so hoping to hear from you. I understand exactly what you are saying regarding the bends. Knowing what is needed and DOING it are 2 different things eh! But I'll keep working.
Regarding your other questions. It's a progression I have learned. It's 3 choruses long, around 27 licks, something like that. Good thing is that it is in the SRV style, but not note for note so it is helping me to improvise. Of course, what is improvisation? It's not playing something you have never played before, it's using what you know to play around the neck. I'm getting better at that I think.
How much practice? On workdays about 2 hours. On weekends anything up to 6 spread out over early morning, day and evening. It doesn't feel like work to me!
Regarding predetermined vs improvising: I'm even more impressed with your latest attempt. If you're not playing "note for note" then you have improved immensely! You have some very nice "empty" spaces in your lastest attempt. Knowing when NOT to play is as important as know WHAT to play. You are definitely getting better.
Doing something that one loves is NEVER like work.
Keep at it and keep posting your progress.