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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:57 pm
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Strato, Jeebus, SA and others have touched on it.

Do something else!

For me, it's jazz, or country, or classical .... anything except what I normally do.

I don't Care if it's a different style or a genre or a day of the week or a time of the day or an inversion of your body (play upside down) just do something different. Something that interests you, of course, outside of your normal interests. Put a significant amount of energy into something different from the norm. IMO, there simply is no other way to break out of a plateau or 'Mesa' as they them call out west. Forget what ever it is that you want to achieve or learn. Consider it it shyte. Consider it less than shyte. Value something else. Learn something else. Grow. Stretch. In places you don't even care to grow or stetch. Once you have achieved something of note, something of worth in an area you normally do not habit, then and only then can you go back and realise that whatever it was that was blocking you is no longer of any consequence. This scheme has lead me out of many a valley. Some people will say, "Force it," but I say there are different kinds of force.

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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:03 pm
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If you have a iphone or ipad, download the app "star scales". It's about 3 bucks and has a huge library of scales.

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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:15 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
Strato, Jeebus, SA and others have touched on it.

Do something else!

For me, it's jazz, or country, or classical .... anything except what I normally do.

+1

I would also like to pass a last tip ; How about recording yourself ? Skip those backing tracks- make your own ! Minimum a single track with a rhythm guitar. There are plenty of cheap devices out there letting you. Might be on a laptop. Even your cellphone ! The best is to get one that can record more than one track , and offering you the opportunity to having a ''click'' (metronome) to play along with. I guess you'll find this so amusing and inspiring, that you soon will get out buying a bass to complete your sessions. Then there is soon to be a hit on it's way 8)

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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 12:46 am
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Hou-Tex wrote:
I know that's the correct answer, but $95 a month for 2 hours, half an hour at a time is too much for me.

Perhaps I'm just being too lazy.
So, only sign up for 1 month of lessons. Having shelled out some hard-earned cash can certainly be an inspiration to play! Personally, I think some lessons and music theory is good for everyone. Or look for a one-day or weekend clinic to go to, to learn some other music genre or some other playing style.

How often do you play? I know you said you’re concerned about losing your chops, but maybe you need to put your ax down until you CANNOT STAND to NOT play.

Hou-Tex wrote:
All good suggestions, thanks guys and gals. I have pretty much done everything suggested above and am not either new, nor a bad guitar player, I just want to go to the next level and am having a hard time motivating myself. I had signed up for some online blues lead lessons awhile back and am going to start that back up. I think I lost interest when I didn't see where learning pentatonic scales meant anything.
What I think it means is that it gives a foundation for coming up with music. It can tell you why certain things work and others don’t. And then you get to break the rules! :D

Hou-Tex wrote:
And after thinking about it, I wasn't following a suggestion I have given many times over the last 47 years. And that's not to worry about playing other players songs and trying to do it exactly like they do. Maybe there's nothing wrong with "Noodling" and seeing where that goes? Write my own tunes using my own style and who cares if I can't play any SRV?
NOW you’re getting it!

Hou-Tex wrote:
… and make my own music.
YES!

Hou-Tex wrote:
A mans gotta know his limitations. Ill never be better than Stevie Ray or Clapton. Lol
Who gives a rat’s patootie? If you aren’t playing for YOURSELF first – because you love it, why are you even bothering?

Hou-Tex wrote:
Thanks yall. I'm going noodling. :lol:
EXCELLENT!

Monalst wrote:
One other thing that noone mentioned is I really enjoy going to small venues and watching live bands play where I can watch the guitar player..who hopefully doesnt think Im a crazed stalker from staring so intently haha!
My teacher suggested that I go out to some open mic’s. Not to play, necessarily, but to find other people to play with. Watching them perform is an easy way to get a sense of whether or not their style / approach would work with mine. Based on what you’ve said about your experience, maybe you should commit to hitting some open mic’s to play – that might challenge you enough to inspire you to play. :shock:

BMW-KTM wrote:
Strato, Jeebus, SA and others have touched on it.
Learn something else. Grow. Stretch. In places you don't even care to grow or stetch. Once you have achieved something of note, something of worth in an area you normally do not habit, then and only then can you go back and realise that whatever it was that was blocking you is no longer of any consequence.
This kind of change will “inform” your playing when you go back to your preference. I don’t much care for jazz, but I’m studying bass with a jazz bass player because it can only make what I play elsewhere more interesting.

asgeirman wrote:
...you soon will get out buying a bass to complete your sessions
Actually this might be a very good idea. Play a different instrument for awhile. Maybe drums – see how much music you can make using just the different notes of the different drums (and where you hit them), and messing with different rhythms.

(It was mighty nice of all these fine people to give me all this stuff to add on to! :lol: :lol: :lol: )

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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 7:16 am
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I agree with the people saying take lessons in person. Your problem might be technique, and online lessons won't fix that. Find a very experienced teacher who will let you take lessons as you can afford them, twice a month, for example, instead of weekly.

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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:58 am
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I haven't taken the time to read all three pages of posts so pardon me if it's been mentioned already but get yourself some kind of looper... Boss Loop Station or other such device... far and away the most inspiring pedal purchase ever. You want to jam out on G,C&D for 2 hours? Perfect... good luck finding a guitar playing friend with that kind of patience :lol: Seriously though, it's a great way to experiment with strange sounds and practice layering sounds, scales, and just jamming out. It may be worth looking into... there's nothing wrong with noodling friend!


Here's a link to my videos, it's nearly all noodling.
http://www.youtube.com/user/FunkyMrFresh?feature=mhee


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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 1:18 pm
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Hou-Tex wrote:
Hit the wall is a term that runners/cyclist use describing "Bonk". Confused?

It's when you run out of fuel and come to a crawl. I am in "Bonk" mode with my guitar playing right now. Back in the early 80s I was in my prime with my playing, but I was young and had others to jam/learn from since I was gigging. Then marriage, kids, I was away until about the year 2000, and picked some of that back, then I get busy and am just recently getting back into playing, but I'm having a hard time being motivated and am constantly "Noodling". I don't think I can play a whole song correctly right now.

At 54 years old, this might be my last chance to be a "Well Rounded" guitar player/music maker. I have always played by ear and I doubt I can sit through lessons. I'm sure others have gone through this same sort of progression and I'm wondering what yall did.

I'm even considering learning Tab in combination while progressing using my ear as much as swore I would never use Tab.

Part 2. This is what I'm thinking. Learn Tab, and pick one song a month to perfect using YouTube.


a resurrection. I did not expect. What to do.

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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 2:58 pm
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>>I would also like to pass a last tip ; How about recording yourself ? Skip those backing tracks- make your own !

This is exactly what I was going to suggest. I initially got a used Tascam DP-006 for $50 and a mint used Focusrite Scarlett interface for $50 as well. Either are great starter multi-track devices! I've only been playing for a little over 2 years and am getting ready to self-release my 5th CD. I initially just started recording myself to I could hear what is important and what I need to improve on. Oddly, I found that what is often most important isn't what's hardest to play! (But when you're playing you tend to concentrate on what's hard.) My gf messes around with a looper... that's another options, but I like putting my own songs together... either way, it expands what you're probably already doing.

Regarding I-IV-V chord progressions and the Pentatonic scale... covers like 90% of all Western music and is dead simple... then, in my mind, you can think of everything else as being based on this, but with other notes added! :)

Anyway, I have very basic recording equipment... could probably gotten away with being under $100 total (but did add some extras that upped the cost)... If you're playing electric with with lineout, just a cable is needed. My instrument mic is a Chinese SM57 knock-off that cost me $15... anyway, I like making recordings and I even get played on the local radio station now and then!

Best!

:)

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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 11:36 pm
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mh2000 wrote:
>>I would also like to pass a last tip ; How about recording yourself ? Skip those backing tracks- make your own !

This is exactly what I was going to suggest


I'm not sure this is good advice. If you feel you've hit the wall, you're probably not going to be satisfied with your own playing, which makes recording the last thing you want to do. That's only listening to your own mediocre playing over and over again, and a reminder that you're not getting better.
Doing more self-recording is for people who like their playing.

I'm more inclined to agree with BMW-KTM here. Try something new, where you won't have any expectations. Learn fingerpicking or flamenco strumming. Try a mandolin, hand drum or other instruments. Read a book on medieval music. Anything that is still music will give you new directions, and opens up new paths for your guitar playing too, long term.


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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2017 2:22 pm
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I suggest do something different, about 6 to 7 years ago I hit a wall with my harmonica playing, been playing harp since 1971, so I bought an electric guitar 7 years ago, and played and played and now I own several guitars. Last year I picked up my harps again, man was I rusty, needed to get my armature back, but it was like an old pair of comfy PJ's and I was enjoying it again. Not only did I get my chops back I feel I got better, now I practice my harps 40 to 45 minutes a day while driving to work and my guitars 1 to 2 hours after work, soon I will combine them, not while driving though
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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 11:21 am
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arth1 wrote:
mh2000 wrote:
>>I would also like to pass a last tip ; How about recording yourself ? Skip those backing tracks- make your own !

This is exactly what I was going to suggest


I'm not sure this is good advice. If you feel you've hit the wall, you're probably not going to be satisfied with your own playing, which makes recording the last thing you want to do. That's only listening to your own mediocre playing over and over again, and a reminder that you're not getting better.
Doing more self-recording is for people who like their playing.

I'm more inclined to agree with BMW-KTM here. Try something new, where you won't have any expectations. Learn fingerpicking or flamenco strumming. Try a mandolin, hand drum or other instruments. Read a book on medieval music. Anything that is still music will give you new directions, and opens up new paths for your guitar playing too, long term.


I guess this has more to do with what you are focusing on, the negatives or the positives. For the most part, when I'm not playing, but listen to my recorded self, I tend to focus on the parts that "aren't too bad!" and not the parts that are! :)

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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 11:35 am
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mh2000 wrote:
I guess this has more to do with what you are focusing on, the negatives or the positives. For the most part, when I'm not playing, but listen to my recorded self, I tend to focus on the parts that "aren't too bad!" and not the parts that are!

In that case, I'd say that you have not hit the wall.


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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 11:28 am
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Thanks, for resurrecting this, Rollie. All good stuff (much of what I intend to put to use as well).

On a related note, I agree that a change in instrument or genre can be a motivator. I once took a week seminar with Ludwig where a headlining Pro taught us how to mix genres such as Latin on the left hand and Rock on the right and vice versa simultaneously on the traps. Harder than it looks when adding the feet so I left the full effect to the Pro. :P That, however, was a change for me that pushed me to play more at the time. Today, I'll hit the skins with a big band track, and mix it up with some rock for interest and motivation throughout. After a workout I'm ready to wind down to pick up the Strat within easy reach. After the traps jam I can relax and focus on guitar practice with renewed interest.

I find that recording/mixing can, at least for me, reveal my strengths and weaknesses. It can, at times, remind me to practice. It's a great tool that repeats the areas for attention that otherwise would be left to, perhaps, questionable recall in the noggin. YMMV. There are times when I'll have a momentary thought that all the practice in the world will not get me to that pie in the sky goal. Because, I'm long over that Buddy Rich goal with the drums, :lol: I'm better off with the guitar reality than I would have been otherwise. :wink: Time is my enemy. I haven't conquered that yet. :wink:
FSB

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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2017 4:39 pm
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Cool post FSB. I still daydream about a set of vistalite's even though reality knows that playing them is only a daydream lol. If you figure out the conquering time thing please let me in on that :lol:
I've stopped hitting the wall because it is just too hard. Much easier to keep playing the guitar, and, less painful :lol:

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Post subject: Re: What did you do when you "Hit the Wall"?
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 6:42 am
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The last time I had any success playing drums with the 2 time thingy was when I belonged to Navy bands leading parades (like the Calgary Stampede and marching down the Main Street in Banff, Alberta for the tourists). Try doing that in a different tempo with bagpipes behind you. Hah ha! It must have been equally hard for the pipe band behind our 100 strong nationally collected brass band. :lol: Thankfully, we had a louder accomplished bass drummer dedicated to keeping time. Wish I could incorporate him with my traps. Of course, that's where a good bass player comes in.

Since you asked, SBLS, this is really a basic beginning for you. It gets unreal when fully up to speed in the technique:

lt's sort of like playing the rhythm and lead guitar at the same time. So next time that drummer drops a beat or tempo please sympathize. :wink:
As for the topic at hand, I don't think anyone should run out and buy a kit just to break down the wall. Sometimes I'll go dabble with the keyboard and try a song backwards for inspiration, or experiment with technique. Sometimes it'll be just the harmonica. Maybe I'll try a song in different styles to break up the mood a little bit. I might try a vocal version with or without effect.

But. laying on the sofa and chilling with the Strat often is all that is needed.

FSB

I did get to try out cool Tivoli Vistalites at that same '72 Ludwig seminar, SBLS. You might find this of interest:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vistalite_Drums


I can easily wrap my hands around my 6A sticks. Now if I could only manage to do that with my Strat neck, I'd be a happy camper.

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