What tips do you have when you almost become bored of what you are churning out at home on your guitar?
Before I went on holiday I was enjoying my playing, but since returning I am just not feeling it.
I am not a student of the guitar in a learning sense. I play for enjoyment and don't grind out any practice routines or scales, I just play what I like be it Hendrix (mainly rhythm) or just making up stuff.
I don't play with effects, just mainly through a small HT1R valve amp with either a Tele or Strat.
So question is, do you ever get these moments and if so what do you do to get back in to the groove...?
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Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
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I try to learn something in a completely different style., even if its just a couple of phrases or a different scale.
Try some Cumbia, some Afro Beat or learn a couple Django runs?
(Note: no guarantee of satisfaction is provided)
JM build | Pedalboard plans
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
Learning stuff in different genres freshens things up I have picked up bits of surf, rock and roll, country, pop, 80s etc
Other times I just widdle, don't know any theory just play what sounds good.
I am a simple man so don't like to think too much about techie stuff when I am playing..
I do think learning some new stuff out of my comfort zone would be good though. And maybe a guitar with humbuckers and a new amp ...
Or “I want to write a book but I sitting around typing is boooooooring.”
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
Try writing a melody and then working out chords for it ... that's a great exercise.
Try a new style ... maybe even one that you don't really like or 'get' ... I hated country till I learned some flash country runs ...
If all else fails: buy a mandoline ... or take up the nose flute :-)
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
And, join a band or find other musicians to jam with. I’m not sure how much I enjoy playing guitar on its own these days but I love playing with other people - preferably on stage but just jamming and rehearsing is still great - it’s what music is all about for me.
With transcribing, even if you do write it down, there's no theory involved, you can just write which note is played without bothering about how it applies to the scale.
JM build | Pedalboard plans
if you only have guitars then consider something that forces you to move outside your comfort-habit zone, obliging you to ask new questions and break new ground. get a new effect, get an ebow, tune it weirdly, play wrong handed, take some strings off, etc.
the aim is not to get results (though that may happen) the aim is to break your habits and reboot your brain.
also important to remember that in this context, frustration, disappointment, despair (feelings that usually have negative connotations) are to be expected. it may well be that it is your avoiding of them that has forced you into the comfort-habit corner you now find yourself trapped in.
so consider them not to be avoided, but accepted and got on with, like nasty-tasting antibiotics that make you better in the long run.
i also recommend these. oblique counsel from a very wise (and oblique) owl. http://stoney.sb.org/eno/oblique.html
dictated but not read, doctor Vale.
If I get a strident tone then I rock, if it is a mellow lusciousness, then I luxuriate, if it is dull and lifeless then I go and cut the grass or paint something...