Don't worry about that too much SK we all have have gotten to a point over the years where our creative juices have seemed to stop flowing.What I used to do when that happened was to listen to music that was way out of the genres that I played( that's more or less how I got to love classical music and music from other countries-especially sitar music from India-but George Harrison had a lot to do with that one.)Try listening to someone like Mozart by buying or downloading a copy of his "Greatest Hits" or best known works.There is also a fabulous guitar CD by Eliot Fisk where he has transcribed every one of Paganini's 24 Caprices for violin, for guitar.It's difficult enough to play these on violin but on guitar it's almost an impossibility.BTW it was Paganini who discovered finger tapping- not EVH...lol.Anyway don't get in a sweat because this creative stagnation won't last long.Cheers.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I know there was a Brian May quote for stuff like this. I always allude to it, but can never find it.

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

One foot keeps the beat the other just does it's own thing, even the cameraman seemed mystified

SK,
Try this out.I play harmonica in addition to the guitar and I know you play multiple instruments.I will lay down some harmonica tracks first and than start layering on top of that.It gets me out of that guitar funk alot of times.I find myself writing something totally different on the harmonica than I would on the guitar.This really helps me when I get in the funk.Sometimes I will pick an effect I don't use alot and start playing with it and trying things I normally wouldn't.Grab a wah pedal or maybe delay and start playing with it.More times than not I will find myself getting really into some crazy sounds which will inspire me.You be surprised when you start playing with a wah and a delay at some of the stuff you can come up with.The other suggestion is simply take a break and put all your time into someting else for a while and that will sometimes inspire me to start playing again.We all need a break once in a while to kind of relax and put your passion into something else you really love.It helps me bro.Good luck
Eric

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1986 Fender Sidekick Reverb 35
1990 Fender Red Knob - "The Twin"
1992 Fender Newporter - Acoustic
2000 Fender American Series Strat - Natural ash
2010 Fender Mustang 1
2011 Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster -Sunburst
2012 Fender Champion

Please. Its not the end of the world. Go out and explore places and do things you wouldn't normally. A songwritter needs experiences to write about after all.

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former user radio_friendly_unit_shifter

Kyle, you are a multi-talented artist and too critical of yourself. Everyones advice is good so far. When I experience the dreaded "guitar players melancholy" if I stop and have a sandwich and a glass of milk I usually feel better after. A massive slice of your favorite pie might work just as well, lol.

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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.

Yes, put it up for a while! Do something else entirely. Put it all in a closet or a room and close the door. Find another interest or activity. In time, you will be back to it, weeks or month, and it will be fresh and creative again.

If you cannot, then its an obscession, and thats not grounds for creativity, but illness and burnout.

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I remember when we were free!

A wise man if ever there was one.

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Rated "M" for meaty.

Every thing said so far is good, but I think you are missing one thing....

You need a girl in your life.

Think about all the songs that come from girlfriends.

Especially songs about love; new love, lasting love, love forever, forbidden love, love gone wrong, love lost, etc etc.

Actually, I think what will help is for you to have new experiences in your life that evoke emotion. I think the best songs are written about strong emotions by the people who feel them.

In addition to taking a break, I suggest you just work on technique and the mechanics of playing and just be ready when inspiration comes.

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'09 Am Deluxe Ash Strat
'09 Mex Standard Strat
'10 Mex Standard Tele
Champ 600
Blues jr.
'65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

Having done extensive research and consultation, I have come to the conclusion that you need to go on a lactose and gluten free diet.

do you ever play for the fun of playing? are you a profesional musician that HAS to write a hit song to buy a new ferrari? learn to do things for the enjoyment of being able to. not all humans can play an insturment. not everybody likes what you like. metal or blues or even rap for god's sake. just love what you can do and work on improving everyday. you will hit a plateau evey so often and it will get depressing but something will inspire you and you will climb higher. guitar playing an't sad. now go crank that amp and piss off the neighbors that's what rock n roll is about.

OK.

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Gary