Members knockwood Posted January 15, 2006 Members Posted January 15, 2006 I'm stagnating. I find that every time I pick up a guitar lately, I run through the same old repertoire. It feels I've hit a certain level of proficiency, a kind of wall, that I can't seem to get beyond. What helps you when you feel like that? Are you able to force a breakthrough? How?
Members brahmz118 Posted January 15, 2006 Members Posted January 15, 2006 I am able to force a breakthrough when this happens, though I think it's because of my preferred repertoire -- fingerstyle with simultaneous melody and rudimentary accompaniment. To get unstuck I pick a song I don't play and try to figure it out by ear (maybe looking up chords on the internet, but no tab). After about 3 tries I find one I can play. It will be simple, but still decent as a solo performance piece the next time someone asks me to play. That's enough ego fuel. These things haven't worked for me: trying to add more difficult techniques; changing keys, rhythms, arrangements of music I already play; purchasing or downloading tab / sheet music; playing other instruments; buying yet another guitar. But that's just me. If I were a flatpicker, or an ensemble player, or someone who accompanies myself singing, I don't know what I'd do. brahmz118
Members JasmineTea Posted January 15, 2006 Members Posted January 15, 2006 If you are limiting yourself to a few styles of playing, or certain types of music, don't. Leave all the doors and windows open. I don't recall if I've ever forced a breakthrough. Seems like I've always just let it flow how it will. But I've always been fairly wide open to any song that has some interesting chords or melodies. So, there's always some new material to figure out. Trying to figure them out keeps me busy, moves me in new directions I otherwise would'nt have gone, and the new chord/melody stuff I lift from the songs adds something new to my musical vocabulary.
Members lalatingstrings Posted January 15, 2006 Members Posted January 15, 2006 usually if im in a rut,the first thing i do is try a different tuning.if that doesent work i try a different guitar,or a different insturment(i have lots of little "secondary"inst.laying around)if none of this works i just take a break.never try to force anything.music is fun.it should never be stressful.that's what real life is for.dont worry.you ALWAYS get out of the rut.i find that after a rut i end up playing something that again makes me feel like i rock.until the next rut.ruts are cool cause then you appreciate when you are on a learning streak!
Members Cldplytkmn Posted January 15, 2006 Members Posted January 15, 2006 at this point, when i'm not performing at all, i just wait til next week. If i'm performing regularly, that usually takes care of it too.
Members nylon rock Posted January 15, 2006 Members Posted January 15, 2006 To get out of a rut, I schedule in a Saturday or Sunday morning. Get a fresh start on the day without the mental distractions of the work week. I just don't have the focus during the week, and tend to go through my repetoire then to keep the material "close." But a Saturday morning, with peace and quiet and hours to go until noon...usually I can get a breakthrough on something I've been working on, or try tackling something new. Then you're psyched up the rest of the weekend with your newfound "toy."
Members eyeball987 Posted January 16, 2006 Members Posted January 16, 2006 I put some random music that I would not usually listen on the stereo and jam over it. Figure out the melody lines and whatnot. My favorite is to download some techno type music and play to that. It really helps to open up the thought process again.
Members knockwood Posted January 16, 2006 Author Members Posted January 16, 2006 Thanks, folks. I really appreciate all the good suggestions. Most are things I haven't tried much or at all in the past. Will give 'em a shot.
Members Magpel Posted January 16, 2006 Members Posted January 16, 2006 In my case, the most reliable rut buster is writing a new tune. Playing a different instrument for a while is the other one. I double on bass and keys, and the year I spent focusing on bass ('cause I was getting gigs on it) had a nice rut busting effect on my guitar playing (except that it really breeds contempt for that damn B string )
Members Harmonycat Posted January 16, 2006 Members Posted January 16, 2006 A bottle of Whisky or Tequila and several other musicians!!!! There is nothing like a good old fashioned Jam Session to bring you back!!! I bet you even know a bunch of guys like those! Just don't get Unless you are not driving home.
Members riffmeister Posted January 18, 2006 Members Posted January 18, 2006 new tuning, capo, figuring out the chords/riffs for a backlog of songs, are things that get me out of a rut.
Members martingibson70 Posted January 18, 2006 Members Posted January 18, 2006 Play an old favorite in a new tuning. For me open D was the easiest, though open E is a close second. Drop D is a great bluesy tuning and I'm just getting a handle on some Black Crowes style open G. I'm loving that.
Members kwakatak Posted January 18, 2006 Members Posted January 18, 2006 There's no set way that i get out of ruts. It's usually due to something else, like stress from other committments. My worst rut was actually the result of letting the maintenance of my acoustic guitar severely lapse and the neck joint and bridge both nearly came off the guitar. Now I find that a change of strings or some other upgrade on my guitar is the best way of getting out of a rut. OTOH, I'm a fingerpicker so it's easy for me to fall in a rut just by breaking a nail!
Members Bender69 Posted January 18, 2006 Members Posted January 18, 2006 Listen to something different. I switch between my electric and acoustic. Last couple of days I haven't touched either guitar, but I went through my CD collection last night and dug out king crimson's red and blue CD's. After listening to fripp I feel like trying different stuff. Not that I can copy him, but I wanna try some things out.
Members rhat Posted January 18, 2006 Members Posted January 18, 2006 Originally posted by knockwood I'm stagnating. I find that every time I pick up a guitar lately, I run through the same old repertoire. It feels I've hit a certain level of proficiency, a kind of wall, that I can't seem to get beyond.What helps you when you feel like that? Are you able to force a breakthrough? How? I know what you mean about the rut .... i am an old geezer....been pickin the same old tunes and the same old style for years ......what did it for me was to bite the bullet... get a good guitar instructor that was willing to work with an old geezer who was stuck in his ways and styles...... I met with my potential instructor and played a little number.... and said well this is how far i have gotten on my own ..... and now i wanna learn to play the blues ......Things are working out well.....new jazz blues chords ,,,scales,, licks .. and lots of add lib solo skills have been forthcomming.........This has forced me from finger picking to using a flat pick. I find all of my playing has improved.....i guess the key is dont be scared to switch styles of music....and dont be scared to spend a little money.......rat
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