AGHHHH!! This seems like the right place

[Rob]

I hate my playing at the moment everything I do seems to be a struggle, I thought the new Ernie Ball would get me through it and it did for a few days but now I feel like my fingers are just slowing down, my wrists hurt of a morning (and no its not from W*****G) and when Im playing sitting down I feel strained and uncomfortable.

Its probably just age creeping up and brain cells dying, but Im really pissed off and frustrated.

I think I will have a break from the guitar as in put them all away, try and limber up I feel like I need putting on a rack and stretching.

I wonder if there is a place you get to, as in guitar playing where you will never get past, you can play stuff but you just dont have the skill,talent whatever to get past it, I dont see the point of carrying on with something if you can never get to where you want to go with it.

Anyway Im just having a rant, because it's theraputic to talk.

[Highway Star]

I think it is fair to say that we have all been there. I felt like that only a few weks ago and I seem to remember a post by a certain "Stonefree" encoraging me on! LOL Have a rant, put it away for a week then forget the fast stuff and play some blues! That's my advice for what it's worth. I'd rather play something half decently and slow than attempt it fast and get it wrong. Too demoralising for me I'm afraid. As for never getting where you want to be with the guitar well, I doubt many guitarists, even some famous ones, ever really play as well as they would like to....

Norman

[bigdoug]

I feel the same Rob, I find it very difficult to get motivated to play the electric guitar, I did have a big surge of intrest in the acoustic but even that is wareing thin now. Maybe its just the time of year.

[Rick]

stalk somebody and make a band you concentrate on learning much more because you have to be better for the next rehearsal, just learning to play at home and to maybe record something just doesn't buzz me anymore.
Currently learning at least 1 song every 3 days but only enough to get me through it with the guys, then when they have gone i start adding other little bits in.

[Rob]

Yea guys I hear what you are all saying, I think I feel like this at least once a year, If I was looking back on my posts I think I would find a similar one from me at least twice.

I find the whole play at home thing very constraining (is that a word) at the moment, because my desk and guitars etc. take up part of the lounge I am always (except for a saturday) grabbing small chunks time to try and play/practice hunched over in the corner, it cant be good for my back or my bones in general. All this is adding to my frustration and typing it out here I think, is making my mind up that things need to change in the way I practice and where I practice.
A new regime is needed, so tomorrow the kids are moving into the garage because I need their rooms for a studio project (joking).

Rick, I don't have time at the moment to fit a band in because of work and family commitments even though I would love to go down that route, just for the crack of playing with other musicians.

Farl, even an easy song like 'pretty woman' is getting the better of me so maybe i just need go back to the start.

[daveyravey]

I'm going through a similar phase Rob.
I've not played in 3 weeks now, not even looked at the guitars.

[Stew]

Rob you joked moving the kids to the garage but is there anyway you could kit your garage out for your practice even it was just purely your practice room with your amp but away from the distractions of the net and keep a room for your recording. That way you could stand up while practising or get yourself a good stool that supports your legs and back properly.

Don't worry about the lack of enthusiasm you can see that several of us are at that place just now. I too though buying the N4 would spur me on but at the moment any tones I create with the pod sound harsh to me no matter which guitar I use and no matter what tone i get to it does nothing for my playing and I give up quite quickly. Hopefully it is just a phase and things will right themselves soon.

[Highway Star]

Guys, do not worry. 2 weeks ago I couldn't be arsed to pick up a guitar and when I did nothing sounded that good. Zapp posted some stuff, I got entusiactic and posted that Clapton BT. and hey! 7 minutes long and I didn't even realise, I enjoyed it and so did a few others! Result. Something in you wants to play guitar and it will return. no problem!

That BT is a sinch to play over BTW so.... have a go at it!

BTW Rob. I can't play Pretty Woman either! LOL

Norman

[Guitarpima]

I go through that a lot. I feel my hands stiff in the morning and it take a while to loosen up. When it rains, it is worse. I can't play classical anymore because over slumpin over the guitar and my knees hurt. I guess I'll keep at it though and try and keep it fun.

[Danny Danzi]

Ah Rob my friend, this is all quite normal. Here's what makes you frustrated man.

1. Trying too hard: We all want to be great. But to be great sometimes we have to think great and this is sometimes a hard hurdle to get over. Sometimes a nice break is all we need. Just like athletes can over-tain, so can you on the guitar. When you take a few days off or a week, you usually come back fresh and not as limber. So you don't try for any crazy things which forces you to play a little differently.

2. Genre burnout: Most of your stuff is rock oriented that you work on, correct? Try something different or at least listen to something you might not normally listen to. You'd be surprised what you might get inspired by listening to like a Yanni album or something. Go for something abstract, yet emotional and inspirational. Something that takes you on a journey for a change instead of a rock melt-down.

3. Over challenging yourself: You spent some time on those VH tunes as well as a few others after. You very well could have pushed the envelope a bit too much in that period of time. For every hard thing you learn, try to learn something easy to boost your moral. It's very helpful. Don't EVER over-do it. That's the quickest way to get burned out.

4. Proper Practice habits: Many times we stagnate ourselves by playing the same old same old and we make mistakes while we do it because we either don't know we're making mistakes, or we're just too lazy and don't care enough. Practicing properly and having a small routine is a good thing. Make it a point to learn one new scale a week and one new chord or something to that effect. Then see what types of pictures you may be able to paint using these chords and scales. Download a scale chart or chord chart, or exotic scales, weird chords. Let the animal out of you and just go for something new. You don't have to study it and change your style, just dabble with it for possible new ideas or things you may not have thought of playing power chords, rock or insane lead guitar.

What are your worst problem areas? And don't say "all of them" because I've heard you. ;) Work on a problem area for a little bit and then do something fun. Pay close attention to execution, proper fretting pressure, bends, natural finger tonation, work on vibrato using different speeds and wideness textures. The list is limitless. Just change up your safety zone habits a bit bro. ;)

5. Always practice what you don't know: Jake E Lee told me that at a show one time and I never forgot it. Why waste time playing stuff you already know when you can experiment with something you DON'T know? It doesn't have to be something hard or too challenging, just something different that you don't know. Don't ever try to play above your means even if it seems to be fun and you enjoy it. All you pick up there is possible bad habits. Sure it's nice to test yourself, but think of it like karate...they don't throw you in against a black belt when you're a white belt going for your yellow belt test. ;)

6. Stay Focused: If you have things on your mind that are bothering you, that's the same as trying to lift weights and build muscle while all the while you are absolutely hating being there doing it. If you have to force yourself to play at all, that's a day you don't play. You have to have the right mind-set to get better and improve. Being frustrated like you are right now will not get you to the next level because your frustration will not allow you. You're not inspired, you don't have the desire right now and certainly not the patience. This is when you spend time with your family, go out with friends, take a trip somewhere, go to a park with your acoustic and just play a bunch of chords and admire the beauty we have on this earth, there are lots of things you can do. Heck, see how long you can stay away from your guitar until you simply can't take it any longer. The longest I've went is 3 months. I came back in a way different frame of mind. Lost a little speed and some of my tricks, but it forced me to play differently because I didn't quite have the chops. I was so inspired I wrote a tune. :)

7. Dont be afraid to be human: Way too many times we are soo hard on ourselves when it comes to this freakin instrument, we can literally put ourselves into a serious depression where there are days when we could care less if we ever play again. As soon as you feel you are getting frustrated, see what it is that is frustrating you before you just put the guitar away. Are you sleeping well? Drinking a bit too much? Any family problems? Issues with your job? Financial trouble? Depression? Drug over-use? I'm not asking you these things peronally...my point is sometimes when we are in the wrong frame of mind and are learning guitar, issues like the above can really make us feel bad. Add in a very frustrating instrument on top of all that and you could very well sell all your stuff and never play again if you're not careful. You're human. We all have bad days, we all have the stress of life on our backs. But, the stressful times will pass and that guitar will be sitting there waiting for you. Keep it fun and play because ya love it bro. Don't play purposely to get better or challenge yourself too often.

Sure a good challenge and a will to get better is always a plus. But if we dwell on it too much it can be the death of us. You got great gear, play well and have a passion for it. You're in the gifted percentage right there. Many wish they could play or even afford the gear some of us have. You earned all that you have and worked hard to get there. Nothin in the rules says you need to use it when you've had a bad week or a bad month. Just walk way for a bit and live life a little bro. It will be waiting for you with open arms when you're in a better frame of mind. :) Good luck with this Rob...hang in there man!

[Rob]

Ah Rob my friend, this is all quite normal. Here's what makes you frustrated man.

1. Trying too hard: We all want to be great. But to be great sometimes we have to think great and this is sometimes a hard hurdle to get over. Sometimes a nice break is all we need. Just like athletes can over-tain, so can you on the guitar. When you take a few days off or a week, you usually come back fresh and not as limber. So you don't try for any crazy things which forces you to play a little differently.

2. Genre burnout: Most of your stuff is rock oriented that you work on, correct? Try something different or at least listen to something you might not normally listen to. You'd be surprised what you might get inspired by listening to like a Yanni album or something. Go for something abstract, yet emotional and inspirational. Something that takes you on a journey for a change instead of a rock melt-down.

3. Over challenging yourself: You spent some time on those VH tunes as well as a few others after. You very well could have pushed the envelope a bit too much in that period of time. For every hard thing you learn, try to learn something easy to boost your moral. It's very helpful. Don't EVER over-do it. That's the quickest way to get burned out.

4. Proper Practice habits: Many times we stagnate ourselves by playing the same old same old and we make mistakes while we do it because we either don't know we're making mistakes, or we're just too lazy and don't care enough. Practicing properly and having a small routine is a good thing. Make it a point to learn one new scale a week and one new chord or something to that effect. Then see what types of pictures you may be able to paint using these chords and scales. Download a scale chart or chord chart, or exotic scales, weird chords. Let the animal out of you and just go for something new. You don't have to study it and change your style, just dabble with it for possible new ideas or things you may not have thought of playing power chords, rock or insane lead guitar.

What are your worst problem areas? And don't say "all of them" because I've heard you. ;) Work on a problem area for a little bit and then do something fun. Pay close attention to execution, proper fretting pressure, bends, natural finger tonation, work on vibrato using different speeds and wideness textures. The list is limitless. Just change up your safety zone habits a bit bro. ;)

5. Always practice what you don't know: Jake E Lee told me that at a show one time and I never forgot it. Why waste time playing stuff you already know when you can experiment with something you DON'T know? It doesn't have to be something hard or too challenging, just something different that you don't know. Don't ever try to play above your means even if it seems to be fun and you enjoy it. All you pick up there is possible bad habits. Sure it's nice to test yourself, but think of it like karate...they don't throw you in against a black belt when you're a white belt going for your yellow belt test. ;)

6. Stay Focused: If you have things on your mind that are bothering you, that's the same as trying to lift weights and build muscle while all the while you are absolutely hating being there doing it. If you have to force yourself to play at all, that's a day you don't play. You have to have the right mind-set to get better and improve. Being frustrated like you are right now will not get you to the next level because your frustration will not allow you. You're not inspired, you don't have the desire right now and certainly not the patience. This is when you spend time with your family, go out with friends, take a trip somewhere, go to a park with your acoustic and just play a bunch of chords and admire the beauty we have on this earth, there are lots of things you can do. Heck, see how long you can stay away from your guitar until you simply can't take it any longer. The longest I've went is 3 months. I came back in a way different frame of mind. Lost a little speed and some of my tricks, but it forced me to play differently because I didn't quite have the chops. I was so inspired I wrote a tune. :)

7. Dont be afraid to be human: Way too many times we are soo hard on ourselves when it comes to this freakin instrument, we can literally put ourselves into a serious depression where there are days when we could care less if we ever play again. As soon as you feel you are getting frustrated, see what it is that is frustrating you before you just put the guitar away. Are you sleeping well? Drinking a bit too much? Any family problems? Issues with your job? Financial trouble? Depression? Drug over-use? I'm not asking you these things peronally...my point is sometimes when we are in the wrong frame of mind and are learning guitar, issues like the above can really make us feel bad. Add in a very frustrating instrument on top of all that and you could very well sell all your stuff and never play again if you're not careful. You're human. We all have bad days, we all have the stress of life on our backs. But, the stressful times will pass and that guitar will be sitting there waiting for you. Keep it fun and play because ya love it bro. Don't play purposely to get better or challenge yourself too often.

Sure a good challenge and a will to get better is always a plus. But if we dwell on it too much it can be the death of us. You got great gear, play well and have a passion for it. You're in the gifted percentage right there. Many wish they could play or even afford the gear some of us have. You earned all that you have and worked hard to get there. Nothin in the rules says you need to use it when you've had a bad week or a bad month. Just walk way for a bit and live life a little bro. It will be waiting for you with open arms when you're in a better frame of mind. :) Good luck with this Rob...hang in there man!

Im actually quite speechless Danny, Myself and the Wife read your post and you are very accurate, Doctor Danny LOL. Expect a PM soon. Thanks Sensei!! Thats all I got to say.

[ZappaFan]

I hate my playing at the moment everything I do seems to be a struggle, I thought the new Ernie Ball would get me through it and it did for a few days but now I feel like my fingers are just slowing down, my wrists hurt of a morning (and no its not from W*****G) and when I'm playing sitting down I feel strained and uncomfortable.

Its probably just age creeping up and brain cells dying, but I'm really pissed off and frustrated.

I think I will have a break from the guitar as in put them all away, try and limber up I feel like I need putting on a rack and stretching.

I wonder if there is a place you get to, as in guitar playing where you will never get past, you can play stuff but you just don't have the skill,talent whatever to get past it, I dint see the point of carrying on with something if you can never get to where you want to go with it.

Anyway I'm just having a rant, because it's therapeutic to talk.

I have to say that I get in just the same kind of mood about my playing too Rob. Sometimes it's like banging your head against a wall. I know that we both work in the same type of job and because of the nature of our jobs it makes us think it a particular way. I am assuming that your brain is kinda wired up in a particular way, ie., a very logical way, and it makes us approach the learning process from a particular standpoint. I know in my IT career it involves me learning something once and then I can apply and replicate that knowledge time after time without any effort at all. I do however find that with something artistic and emotional like playing an instrument it takes me much more time to learn and apply the lessons back into my playing and I have accepted that my brain is just wired up that way. So when I hit the wall in the learning process, I sit back plug in my guitar and enjoying playing to the level I have already achieved without trying to force it. The familiarity that I have gained in certain aspects of playing just flow out and I enjoy it for what it is and the level of competence I have. Whilst I would still like to play things that I haven't mastered yet I don't let it become such an issue that it stops me from enjoying the certain level of expertise I have already achieved. Some people I know would kill to able to play like me, and I don't mean that in any arrogant way, but they will never get there. You have already reached a level of competence that If you look back even 12 months you probably thought you would never do. So in a nutshell, sit back play and the immense amount you have already achieved, when the time is right you will soon see that new things start to creep into your playing and the progress will continue. If you try and force it, in my opinion, it will make the whole process such a grind it will just get you down.

So plug in and have a noodle and, above all, have fun. Sometimes it sounds good sometimes it doesn't but on the whole if you just let yourself go I am sure you will be surprised with the results you can turn out. You have managed to get a level of technical understanding and you should be proud of that and not beat yourself up about the stuff that is still left to learn.

One other thing I often force myself to think about is that playing an instrument, either for yourself or others isn't about the hey look and listen to me ego thing. it's about sparking some emotional response in yourself and others to what we play. Let the simple things spark your soul, take a listen to what you play and say "hey thats pretty cool really" and then inspiration will come flooding back.

I know this could be classed as hoity toity philosophical clap trap, but I really do believe it.

Best of luck mate.

[ZappaFan]

Oops, I just read Danny's post, which is so cool, and kinda wish I had read it first, but I still stand by what I said too :-)

[Rob]

Oops, I just read Danny's post, which is so cool, and kinda wish I had read it first, but I still stand by what I said too :-)

Zap!! Ditto what I said in Dannys Post!! Sensei!! LOL You are a true master and everyone know and thinks that about you :thumb:

[ZappaFan]

You are too kind Rob. :thumb:

One other thing I have realised is that I dont have to try and emulate other players. I can be the guitarist I am and that makes me feel more relaxed and confident about it. If other people like what I play then all well and good. If they dont, does it really matter that much, probabaly not, althought it's cool to get great comments and feedback when you do something right. At the end of the day though I play for me really as it gives me a chance chill from the stresses of the job I do and that's such a blast sometimes.

[Rob]

one thing, its late I know, but, I was just thinking after reading Zap's post.

I have not played anything or tried to learn or re-learn anything that I am really into for a long time, hendrix, clapton and dear I say it Paul Weller (I have been a fan since the JAM!!) Ho Hum!!

[Master Tang]

Always practice what you don't know: Danny Danzi told me that at a show one time and I never forgot it. Why waste time playing stuff you already know when you can experiment with something you DON'T know? It doesn't have to be something hard or too challenging, just something different that you don't know. Don't ever try to play above your means even if it seems to be fun and you enjoy it. All you pick up there is possible bad habits. Sure it's nice to test yourself, but think of it like karate...they don't throw you in against a black belt when you're a white belt going for your yellow belt test.


Aside from the jokes, Danny is right, and so Is Jake.

Practicing what is comfortable to you time, and time again makes for boredom.

Try a few rut breakers I use.

String a guitar upside down, and record some random licks played slowly, then try to replay them with another guitar strung correctly. You will learn some unusual fingerings, some creative scales, and some cool melodic lines.

Sounds silly, but works very well for making you think outside the box, and breaking out of a rut.

When I pick a guitar up, I usually can tell if I'm in a rut or not by the first notes I play. When in a bored stage, I usually will play the very same lick every time I start to play. When I notice that happening, I then change the pattern, and make a mental note to play something different.


Then I go try to play "Happy To Be Alive" by Danny, and reality sets in...

:P


We all go through it. Including people like Satch, and Vai.

[bluesgeek]

Rob mate, everyone has time to be in a band... a couple of hours jamming per week with mates, it MAKES you lift your game :) and brings the fun back into it ;) I never feel like I'm improving but I've had recent video evidence of how much I've changed :lol: