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Post by Steve Reynolds on Nov 9, 2017 9:56:28 GMT
Morning All.
I seem stuck in a rut with my guitar playing at present and i wondered if any of you ever feel the same and how to get around it and advance? I am trying different styles and sounds etc but nothing seems to be clicking at present. Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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Post by Charlie Hall on Nov 9, 2017 10:24:22 GMT
Hi Steve,
Have a listen to some of my favourite players, like Chet Atkins and Larry Carlton. You don't have to learn every piece all the way through as you can cherry pick certain phrases to use for other things.
Regards,
Charlie
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Post by garyallen on Nov 9, 2017 12:31:41 GMT
Hi Steve,I got like that from constantly playing Shads stuff,as much as I like it.You should record something non Shads as a little break. regards gary
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Post by Steve Reynolds on Nov 9, 2017 12:58:18 GMT
Thanks Gary and Charlie. I am listening to lots of different styles etc at present. I wonder if i am a bit all guitared out at present! Maybe i need a break!
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Post by mojolomjl on Nov 9, 2017 13:36:01 GMT
Hi Steve,
Sounds to me like you need a fresh challenge, why not try something
you would not normally play.
Regards,
Maurice.
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Post by Ove Kalander on Nov 9, 2017 13:48:51 GMT
Hi Steve,
Try to take a break from all guitarplaying and soundexperience for a while. I hope that will help you to get back inspiration to start playing again very soon.
Best Regards,
Ove
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Post by mikeab on Nov 9, 2017 14:11:32 GMT
This happens to me every 3/4 years or so - a new piece of kit usually solves it!
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Post by shadfan4 on Nov 9, 2017 14:13:29 GMT
I got something like that with Shads music a while ago, having recorded nearly all the old stuff and not really intertesed in slavishly following everything Hank does ie: loads of movie themes and slow ballads etc.
If you look at my postings you will see some different styles and "genres" I have always liked the blues, and latin rhythms ie Santana, my current project prob 85% finished is a lovely Joe Satriani number that I felt I could reasonably have a go at. This is stuffed with slides, bends, and lots of notes all played on one string which takes a bit of getting used to.
There are unfortunately some who will never get away from the safety of Shads music, but if you have an acoustic guitar that is a decent player, go on youtube and watch some of the best guitar tutors out there giving free advice/lessons. The mark of anyone who wants to claim he is a musician/guitarist should be able to play an acoustic to a reasonable standard. So switch off the amp and go "unplugged" for a while then try some jazz/blues/country etc and get out of the rut.
Mike.
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Post by mikeab on Nov 9, 2017 14:15:01 GMT
This happens to me every 3/4 years or so - a new piece of kit usually solves it!
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Post by allclaphands on Nov 9, 2017 17:09:31 GMT
I think it's a phase a lot of us go through from time to time and there is NO one certain answer
it's down to each individual some leave altogether others go for periods without playing some
even lasting years.The one thing I remember was said to me was if your no longer for one reason
or another enjoying it pack it in for a while and see how you feel later on it's not worth forcing your
way through things don't sell your kit just try and look after it
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Post by asimmd on Nov 9, 2017 18:24:24 GMT
The best advice is to take a break from playing for a while
I have just taken 3 months off and picked up my guitar today.
It was like it was the first time.
How much time you need is up the the individual but you will know when
it's right to start again.
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Post by sixchannel on Nov 9, 2017 18:39:27 GMT
Hi Steve
You follow my Posts so you will know I took a break and backed off for a while.
I think I got caught up in the "Must do it better every time" thing.
After a short while I found myself "wanting" to play again but importantly I would play what grabbed me - hence my last two quite different SFs.
Just be yoursrlf, my friend.
Ian
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2017 20:47:31 GMT
Hi Steve, Have a listen to some of my favourite players, like Chet Atkins and Larry Carlton. You don't have to learn every piece all the way through as you can cherry pick certain phrases to use for other things. Regards, Charlie I didnt know you were a chet atkins fan charlie. That man was a living guitar legend being in the company of people like chet atkins and scotty moore would have been an incredible experience im. Sure Richie |
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Post by shawbridge on Nov 9, 2017 22:42:18 GMT
Hi Steve,
I'm not sure how often you play, at home or in public but I have found the more you play, it can get tedious, if possible, its better not to play to often, that way you keep it fresh and more motivated when you do play.
It also helps a great deal, to have other intrests and to indulge in those thing too, that way you get a good mix and the guitar playing becomes less monotonous, so to speak.
Pete
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Post by Charlie Hall on Nov 10, 2017 0:17:29 GMT
I didnt know you were a chet atkins fan charlie. That man was a living guitar legend being in the company of people like chet atkins and scotty moore would have been an incredible experience im. Sure Richie Yes, I have been since I started learning to play around 1960. I can play a lot of Scotty Moore's parts, but Chet is much more difficult. Regards, Charlie |
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Post by glyderslead on Nov 10, 2017 0:58:55 GMT
Hello Steve,
I’m on a sort of a break myself just now as I haven’t been so good of late. So I thought I would try to put together a couple of guitars from bits and bobs. It’s quite rewarding, you might want to give it a try.
Hello Charlie,
That’s about the time I started, initially with classical guitar. I soon stopped the dots and lines business though, because the sheet music only contained the piano lines and chords - the things you didn’t need the sheet music for - but not the guitar breaks where some help would have been useful!
That’s also about the time I bought Chet Atkins Workshop. Very gifted player in his style.
Cheers
Mick
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Post by lw on Nov 10, 2017 1:07:52 GMT
I'm going to say something contrary to the other comments, your solution is not to take a break from playing. Musical ability is a "use it or lose it" skill. A great pianist once said that if he skipped a day of practice he could tell it in his playing, if he skipped two days of practice his conductor could tell it in his playing, and if he skipped a week of practice the audience could tell. I would think that rather than stopping playing for awhile, you should look for a new challenge. Maybe take some crazy rock song and try to create a new arrangement for it in your style of playing, or try some jazz, try some new equipment and look to add new tones and styles to your playing. Strive to squeeze that last increment of excellence into your performance, try to not just play properly but to play with virtuosity. It's not that difficult to play "correctly", the challenge is to infuse your playing with emotive energy and musical excellence. Being able to comprehend and see those goals as something to strive for and as being achievable would hopefully be a path out of the rut. For me, I know those are beyond my realistic expectation, but having seen your playing I think they are within your reach.
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Post by Ed Cornish on Nov 10, 2017 8:11:04 GMT
I am a very amateur player but I get where you are coming from Steve. If you are going to take a break as Ove suggests I wouldn't do it for more than a couple of days. Otherwise you will find yourself relearning bits of song you thought were seared into your brain. Even then you will make the odd mistake you never thought possible! It's like your fingers are no longer connected to your brain!
Otherwise I agree with what lw says. You could try playing a song (from memory) you haven't touched in ages. Or go back to something you started, then put aside. What I do is mess about a bit with a try at some composition. I have discovered a few 4-6 note hooks which I then try to play around. I am not familiar with scales but I know when the note is right! Also having seen you play I re-enforce what lw says adding that I think composition is well within your reach.
Ed
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Post by Cruachan on Nov 10, 2017 8:32:18 GMT
Speaking of Chet, back in 2013 I recorded and posted this one: app.box.com/s/tibsn2m1qmgrycx2k0yiTook me an age to work out how to play it so you might like to give it a try, Steve 😉 When I finally succeeded I do recall feeling very pleased with myself. Give it a shot, it's quite tricky in places. Winning over a new challenge is often the way to extricate yourself from a rut. I too have been a lifelong fan of Chet Atkins. I believe I have most of his albums on vinyl. His playing inspired me to pick up the instrument....not that I've ever been able to master his techniques or even get close! Sometimes it's best to just sit back, appreciate, admire and dream rather than beat yourself up over stuff that will forever remain beyond reach. Regards, Mike |
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Post by Steve Reynolds on Nov 10, 2017 10:25:30 GMT
Thanks all for the comments, glad i am not alone. Guitar playing has taken over my life these last few years with the band etc i think i have probably over done it a bit. We have a couple of gigs next few weeks but then i may take some time away from guitars and start a fresh in the new year. Hopefully the enthusiasm for it will come back again!
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Post by baz on Nov 10, 2017 11:32:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2017 12:41:32 GMT
I didnt know you were a chet atkins fan charlie. That man was a living guitar legend being in the company of people like chet atkins and scotty moore would have been an incredible experience im. Sure Richie Yes, I have been since I started learning to play around 1960. I can play a lot of Scotty Moore's parts, but Chet is much more difficult. Regards, Charlie Hi charlie yes i agree chet is and was an incredible player . I love his yakety yax And mr sandman 😁 Richie |
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Post by tolo on Nov 10, 2017 14:16:45 GMT
Hi Steve You follow my Posts so you will know I took a break and backed off for a while. I think I got caught up in the "Must do it better every time" thing. After a short while I found myself "wanting" to play again but importantly I would play what grabbed me - hence my last two quite different SFs. Just be yoursrlf, my friend. Ian This is good advice Steve. We have been moving house and I had to dismantle my studio - and will only be putting it back together this weekend after nearly two months! So I have had an enforced break that I kind of enjoyed! Looking forward to getting back in the chair now. I think with music - it cannot be forced and the more you fret (sorry) about it - the more tired it becomes - and you can hear it. Take a while - get some energy back - let the guitar call you when the time is right and all will be well. |
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Post by rogercook on Nov 11, 2017 11:38:03 GMT
If you grew up listening to western popular music then this will influence what you play when you improvise. Much of our popular music includes simple chord progressions (eg C, F, G7 or C, Am,F, G etc) which are pleasing to the ear. It becomes quite intuitive to improvise, say, a "blues" solo over these chords.
I think there are a couple of options to help break out of this:
1. Listen to other genres and learn some different riffs and arpeggios and see how these can be used and adapted in your improvisations.
2. Learn some theory so you can "calculate" (yes, it is mathematics!) what will work over a given chord sequence. This might be as simple as learning how chords are built from a scale and using the chord tones or extended chord tones in soloing or seeing (hearing) how flattening or sharpening a note in a chord affects the sound (creating minor, major, diminished, augmented, maj7 etc harmonies).
Ultimately you would aim at combining these 2 approaches.
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Post by bor64 on Nov 11, 2017 23:40:17 GMT
Hi Steve, Bin there, done that, got the shirt  At times I can't stand my own playing and or shad music....so I won't play for a few weeks... Sometimes a kinda GAS attack can bring the mood back and the new kid on the block, can keep me playing for weeks or months again... Listen to more gifted guitarplayers is sometimes a great drive to play and try to go above and beyond my playing standard.... When I was a guest in Tommy Emmanuel's dressingroom, it was such and humbeling event, it toke me weeks to get enough courage to try to pick up the guitar again Trust me holding a strat while Hank is looking isn't a ego boost either  Cheers Rob |
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Post by ha2he on Nov 13, 2017 22:22:17 GMT
Hi Steve, If the rest of your life is OK then at some point in the future all will be well again with enjoying your guitar playing. I guess we all go through times where we loose interest in whatever we choose to pursue for many reasons. I know I have. Occasionaly if at home with the radio on something will spur me on to pick up a guitar and play along with something, sometimes in the same key  It's a bit of fun and sometimes will stretch you playing wise. Good luck Regards, Tim. |
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Post by philc on Nov 14, 2017 8:10:32 GMT
Steve, when I get to your situation and I have been there a few times, I get back to my other hobby for a while, the "wanting to play again" WILL come back, but don't force it!
Phil
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Post by noelford on Nov 17, 2017 23:20:52 GMT
Doing something different definitely works for me. A while back, I set about working out arrangements for solo guitar, no backing tracks, using chords and individual picking together. I don't do fingerstyle, and it was a bit of a challenge doing it with a plectrum, but great fun and very satisfying. I am slowly building up a small set of these instros, with numbers like Classical Gas and Windmills Of My Mind. They fit nicely into my main repertoire, which is still mostly using BTs. It's also nice to be able to just pick up a guitar, anywhere, and play something solo, without the need for anything else.
That aside, though, I find it helps to ring the changes on the tunes you play to BTs - don't play them note-for-note the same every time; play around with different phrasing. Mind you, I've never been one to play anything exactly the same twice!
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Post by scanners on Nov 21, 2017 4:37:15 GMT
I alternate between Hank and Eddie Van Halen style haha, I've tried finger picking Chet, Mason Williams, Tommy Emmanual I my thumb and finger wont work in unison
Matthew
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Post by philc on Nov 21, 2017 8:19:10 GMT
Try putting an elastic band around them, it give more spring Phil |
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