So, I've been a bit blocked lately. Where a few months ago I was rushing home to spend time with my guitar, lately, even when I have a whole evening free, I've kind of been avoiding picking it up.

It's probably an inevitable part of the relationship, when the euphoric honeymoon period wears off a bit and you have to get down to the hard work that long-term relationships require.

And sometimes I feel like the body of work I have to master is too big - how can I spend time working on hammer-on techniques when I might forget my blues shuffles, or not make as much progress with barre chords? Faced with the whole pantheon of guitar styles to learn, I couldn't break it down into small pieces and focus on just one thing.

I have a good book called "The Artist's Way" that I used to turn to back when I had delusions of being a novelist one day (blush), that talks about writer's block, or any kind of creative block, and I found a quote in it today that was helpful for my guitar block so I thought I'd share it just in case anyone else is feeling unmotivated to practice. A bit new agey but good advice, I think:

"Focused on process, our creative life retains a sense of adventure. Focused on product, the same creative life can feel foolish or barren....Fixated on the need to have something to show for our labors, we often deny our curiosities."

This quote reminded me I need to keep playing my out-of-tune chords and stuttering scales and little partial songs out of a love of the journey, and not out of a focus on being an awesome shredder one day, because too much focus on the end result is too much pressure, and takes the fun out of learning.

_________________
2008 MIM Strat w 3-tone sunburst
2002 LP Special Ebony Faded
2008 G-Dec
'59 Reissue Bassman 4x10 combo
TS 808
DS 1
Gretsch 6120DS (on loan)

Ellen
There are times that most of us go through a period (sometimes very short, sometimes longer) of time when you hit a plateau that just has you stopped. You don't feel the rush you normally feel and often want to avoid your guitar.

I recommend the book "Zen Guitar" by Philip Toshido Sudo. There are some very cool words of wisdom in that book.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Ellen,

It is going to depend on what you want from your guitar... For me (A returning beginner) its all about the relaxation and fun. When I hit a wall or if I make bad chords or if a practice session feels like I got worse... I just put it down for awhile, trust me it will call you back, and you will play better than ever. I try not to let my bad playing ruin the journey...

I hope this helps,

Bill

_________________
Hey, Boy Blue is back!

I know where you're at Ellen, sometimes a short break can be good. That's what works for me anyway, cool words of wisdom though. The book Chet mentioned sounds intereting too, I think I'll go to amazon for a look see.

Hi Ellen: there's your problem right there.

Actually, you don't have "the whole pantheon of guitar styles" to learn. You're terrifying yourself by setting up a mountain range you think you have to cross.

World's full of very fine players who only focus on one area of the instrument. There must be some who can do the "whole pantheon", but not many.

World's also full of not particularly fine players who nevertheless get vast pleasure out of doing the stuff they can do and not worrying too much about all the stuff they can't.

Damn, I'd love to be able to do some of that Chet Atkins/Doyle Dykes finger twisting business. And if I'd started at the age of five and worked a shedload harder maybe I could.

Let's enjoy what we can do and only concern oureselves much with the next step or two on the road. It has to be fun!

Stick with it: you're doing fine.

Cheers - C

This.


Oh......remember. How do you eat an elephant????





One bite at a time.






(something I have to keep reminding myself)

_________________
Will

Ellen,

All of us go through periods where we need to take a break. Just try to pick it up and play once in a while (more often is better) and play.

Learn one style at a time. Don't focus on too many styles at one time as it will be overwhelming. Remember that the goal is to play like you not another artist. Focus on the style you want to play and then make it yours. Keep the faith and I hope you get re-invigurated soon. RK

_________________
RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Very cool anyone got any elephant recipes.I cant figure out if you would need to braise it or if you could roast it .Grilling is probably out because you would think it would be tough.
All good advice Ellen ,ive been playing for about 3 years and I have had a great experience, this forum is a big part of it.

try this!

ELEPHANT EARS

1 (10 can) refrigerated biscuits
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

1. Open can of biscuits. Press 2 together and roll out between 2 sheets of wax paper until thin as possible.

2. Heat vegetable oil (enough to cover bottom) in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry elephant ear one or two at a time until golden brown on one side, then turn and fry other side. Drain on paper towel and sprinkle with mixture of the sugar and cinnamon. Serve warm. Makes 5 large elephant ears.

Ellen my sister bought me a copy of the artists way a number of years ago.

my advice is to try break up what you want to do. I recently started playing again, and I am in the process of knocking off some rust. what i did was chart out some long and short term goals in order to more efficiently use my 'woodshed' time. This enables oyu to set aside time to work on specific tasks, like certain scales, or techniques. But still budget time to work on a couple different areas (including just jamming for fun.) Steve Vai says to set aside 5 minutes every day to try something you have never done before.

_________________
I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I still feel that way and I've been playing non stop for the last three years. The best thing you can do is stay focused on one thing at a time. Don't worry about the whole book, worry about the page you're reading. It's hard to do, but it works.

_________________
Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird

thanks!

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

I am in the midst of finishing the edits on the manuscript of my first book, and I sympathize with your experience of writers block. I didn't think about how the same phenomenon could be applied to playing guitar, but it certainly works in my head now.

The best advice I have is that sometimes writers write, and sometimes they don't. The same goes for guitar playing. Learning scales, chords, whatever, can be as daunting as sitting down to write a book. If you find you're having a hard time, the solution is -- as simple as it may be -- to get up and walk away. Go do something else for a day, and don't even think about the guitar. Before you know it, you'll crave it; you will find yourself playing without even thinking about it. And good luck!

I haven't practiced in about a week, Ever since my amp blew out i have been very reluctant to play since it pisses me off when i cant really hear hammer ons and pull ofs in action.

Hi Gratz: I saw Gordon Ramsey cook an elephant on TV just the other day. Seems the modern Michelin Starred way is to cook it whole and extremely slowly in a vacuum sealed plastic bag submerged in water at 62C / 144F.

Obviously, this isn't a short order dish.

Cheers - C

I was just about to fix myself some lunch, don't think I'll bother now. I have this mental image of Dumbo on a spit, roasting his hinney off If nothing else Ellen, this thread will take your mind off your temporary block