Mannemarak
Hi all,
I seem to have a weird problem regarding my guitar playing in general. The thing is that I can't seem to progress at all anymore, or I don't seem to have the interest, although I always want to play guitar when at work or so but when I actually have the time then I don't play or don't want to play.
I also see loads of discussions regarding tone etc. and it makes NO sense to me at all. My guitar has 2 tone knobs and turning them changes the sound but I don't seem to care at all what tone setting it is on, I just play. I might distinguish between a warmer sound or deeper if I can call it that and other sound, but in general I never play with those settings.
So my whole issue here comes down to one question, should I play at all. It seems there is so many people out there that has LOADS of time to play and practise and I never do even when I get the time. Does anyone else feel or have felt this way. Am I in some sort of rut or am I just someone that can play a bit guitar and not a guitarist?
[deleted]
Quite possibly a rut, yes. Don't despair. These ruts will happen more often and more severely when you're in the earlier stages of playing, because you can't figure out how to break out of them on your own - you just may not have the knowledge to do that. I can remember many times having a "fight" with my guitar, throwing the thing down, storming out of the room, and just not feeling like playing any more. But then we'd kiss and make up. (At other times we'd be inseparable, and I'd even fall asleep with a guitar in my hands.)
I think this can probably happen more when you don't have a teacher (as I didn't) because a teacher may (should!) be able to keep guiding you to new techniques, new sounds and new songs that'll keep you expanding. What did generally work for me was listening to something new, or just downright taking a break from the instrument for a while so that, by the time I approached it again, I'd have a new perspective on playing, and it would almost feel like I was starting over. These days if my desire to practise lessens, I know I have to seek inspiration somewhere (without forcing it) to get me moving in a new direction - absorbing new skills, new ways of thinking about playing the guitar. I don't really get those "ruts" any more, as a result. Or at least, if similar things happen, they're much shorter-lived and much less frustrating.
The technical stuff can be overwhelming, but don't worry about all that for now. Get a DVD or a book on a favourite player; scour the internet for something to spark off a new direction; don't beat yourself up about it.
Bob-Dubery
Sign up with a teacher, or find a regular playing partner(s). This will give you a goal to work towards, a direction to follow. Maybe even take yourself along to some open mike nights - but make sure you're prepared so, again, you will be working towards a goal.
Nothing wrong with packing in it either, if that's what you want to do.
inflames
I understand your time issue, I work 10 to 12 hours a day, so I only get time to play on weekends.
I know, there are so many things to do on a weekend, but I force myself to sit down and play.
Try and get the tabs / chords of your 3 favorite songs. Learn to play them, this way you will feel that you accomplished something on your guitar.
I went through the same thing a few years ago, the fact that you can play a few chords and the fact that you are part of GFSA makes you a guitarist.
Chin up, keep playing. You will become a better guitarist. It just takes time!
TomCat
Don't despair.....I feel just like you do. I'm playing now for about three months and I get very frustrated at my lack of skill, knowledge and just about everything else.
But I know that by persevering I'll get through and get better. I'm busy arranging lessons with a teacher and that will also get me more structured and disciplined.
Keep at it. If I can start at my age, you can do it too........Bobs advice of getting a teacher is good advice.....
Mannemarak
Thanks all.
I see myself as a new guitarist even if I have been playing since I was 16. I'm 30 now, so I guess that might put my situation in a bit more perspective. I think I'll try and find a guitar teacher and see where that goes, time permitting (irony). None of you okes maybe live in Nelspruit???
aubs1
Mannemarak, sometimes I don't know what to do, work on some new challenge, or just sit and jam, or maybe even just "clean" my guitars, or just change the strings and enjoy them.
I make a point though, (also just out of habit) to at least just touch my guitars on a daily basis, even if I don't have the time.
What I find motivates me, is learning (get books) new chords, I love chords. A partner is always a great idea, especially when you're working out songs...... but ultimately you have to enjoy what you're doing...... Sterkte boet !!!
Squonk
All very good advice
But stay on the forum , lots of motivation , I am in my forties and learning guitar like I have never done before.
As Stratisfear says, dont worry about the technical stuff yet. Just enjoy playing, learn a couple of easy songs and take it from there.
I have always bought "Guitarist" and basically just looked at the pictures, the articles were way over my head. But as I am learning, the articles have understanding now.
hang in there
[deleted]
This is the critical question everyone faces. And it's good to question why you are doing it. And more than likely you'll come up with A LOT of reasons not to play. What I say in times like that, despite all those reasons (and trust me we all have reasons not to play) is "HELL YEAH, BRING IT ON". Sometimes the worst situations bring out the best in you.
aja
Would you consider giving up electric and moving onto something like nylon or steel string?
A friend of mine took up slide guitar to experiment with something new
I am a student who works part time and has a girlfriend who lives on the other side of town - so I also have little time too
Gearhead
Mannemarak wrote
I also see loads of discussions regarding tone etc. and it makes NO sense to me at all. My guitar has 2 tone knobs {..}
The discussions are about Tone not tone. The knobbies on your guitar should have been called 'treble rolloff' because that is what they do, it's just that that did not fit...
Tone with a capital is slang for how interesting, rich, dynamic, balanced etc. a guitar sounds. It is a good slang word since describing the ultimate guitar sound would be impossible even if there were such a thing. Because every guitarist wants something else we have agreed to call the combination of desirable things Tone, so we can still talk about it 8)
AlanRatcliffe
Yes, what we glibly refer to as "tone", is more accurately called "timbre". Timbre is commonly used to describe the differences in sound between different instruments, but it can (and is) also used to describe the more subtle variations in the character of the sound between makes and models of guitar and the myriad of variables like woods, pickups and hardware.
DonovanB
Gearhead and Alan are you trying to scare the poor oke off? ?
I also never knew too much about Tone, or timbre, but the more I played, the more I fiddled and the better things seemed to sound. The better it sounded the more I played and so it snowballed into my current interest.
Jackson-C
Get a real job because 99% of people that play music don't even make a dollar at it.
That is the unfortunate reality of life, my dear.
Keira-WitherKay
playing music is an art......... and i believe all art is only created when the artist desires to create it........ so regardless of your level or lack of technical knowledge on Tone knobs...if playing guitar is a desire and brings you some sort of feeling of joy and satisfaction...just play.... where does it say all guitarists need to be at a pro standards..... well thats expected only for pro's heheheh ..
my opinion is if you have fun with it stick to it and have fun and when the fun stops pack it away .........
and yeah if you wanna learn as Bob and many others posted get a tutor...... since you can spend years tryingf to discover for yourself what a tutor can teach you in 3 months .......
good luck
peace and light
keira
Riaan
and yeah if you wanna learn as Bob and many others posted get a tutor...... since you can spend years tryingf to discover for yourself what a tutor can teach you in 3 months .......
How true! If I look back at my entire time playing the guitar, it is characterized by years of no progression during which I've just played the same old things over and over including my mistakes, and a few brief periods during which I had the opportunity to play with good guitarists. Each time I had that chance, it put my playing on a new level within a short period of time.
I wish there was someone in my town who gave lessons! Well actually there is, a good classical guitar teacher and a friend. But she's quite a classical purist - as opposed to my happy-go-lucky-rock/blues-anything-goes attitude...she refuses to take me on as a student, says it will spoil the friendship!
But yeah, just hang in there, get some guitarist mates and go for lessons. Don't Give Up (Peter Gabriel) ?
