Have you considered that it might be your phrasing? For example, I was once trying to teach a roommate to play (he was a total beginner) and I kept telling him, "Don't think in terms of this note, now this note, now that one over there. Try to SAY something with your guitar." Try taking a riff that's two or three notes and PLAY it, don't practice it. Maybe try "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones. Once it sounds like the original, then you can move on to more complicated things. I hope this helps.