Does anybody ever get into this rut when playing

[Erock4455]

I used to always feel like when i played I should be learning something, a new song, practicing scales technique etc. Any way right now I have maybe an hour a day if I'm lucky to play guitar and when I play I just play the same stuff over and over same songs, or just fuck around with some blues improv. Just to blow off steam. I always feel better after playing but I kick myself because I'm not progressing anymore right now. I don't want playing to feel like a chore, between work, wifey, wedding, life etc i have enough jobs I don't want music to become one of them. Anybody have any suggestions how to get out of this rut or is it just a cycle and I should be happy just to have time to play now and then? Idk stupid topic I know

 

[Steinmetzify]

Happens. Take your time, man. If you're not doing it for a job, and you're having fun, fuck it.

 

[cyndicate]

I used to always feel like when i played I should be learning something, a new song, practicing scales technique etc. Any way right now I have maybe an hour a day if I'm lucky to play guitar and when I play I just play the same stuff over and over same songs, or just fuck around with some blues improv. Just to blow off steam. I always feel better after playing but I kick myself because I'm not progressing anymore right now. I don't want playing to feel like a chore, between work, wifey, wedding, life etc i have enough jobs I don't want music to become one of them. Anybody have any suggestions how to get out of this rut or is it just a cycle and I should be happy just to have time to play now and then? Idk stupid topic I know

I don't think it's a stupid topic since I have the exact same feeling every time I pick up the guitar now. I would be interested to hear other people's thoughts on this as well. The gear merry go round ended for me a few years ago and I really want to improve on my playing but the further I move up in my career the less time I have for guitar. Also recently got married and bought a house so between work, commuting and household things I have no time to do anything. When I do have time I just want to veg out I feel like unless you join a band or have people you can regularly jam with you end up stuck in this rut. Maybe make it a goal to write and record a song? I've been thinking of doing that to get some motivation regardless of how shitty my playing and writing skills are

 

[IceMan]

I say don't sweat it. Sometimes these "ruts" are important to growing as a guitar player. The fact that you have recognized you're in a rut means you are cognizant of your playing. I find that I also will use guitar to just blow off some steam or melt away from the world for a bit and just noodle around. If I feel like my playing is getting stagnant, I might just explore some new music to listen to instead of trying to force myself to try and learn new scales/cords/techniques, and usually the new music or style will work it's way into my subconscious and will come out in my "noodle sessions". Don't be afraid to just let guitar be your escape instead of your job or chore.

If you are trying to break out of the rut and are having a hard time, sometimes something simple like getting a new pedal effect can inspire some new ideas as well. I also do this from time to time. Exploring a new tone or effect can really light the fire again.

Hope this helps!

 

[Erock4455]

Cool thanks for the ideas guys, I'm glad I'm not the only one that experiences this.

 

[PBGas]

You don't have to innovate or learn something new every time you play. Just go with what you enjoy because playing an instrument is supposed to bring some enjoyment to oneself. This happens to me as well. I hardly have the time to practice or do what I used to do with 2 small children at home but when I get a few moments to play, I equate it to relaxing.

 

[Ventura]

Before I'd started this 2 year surf sabbatical, ya man, I was going through plateaus of playing all the time. I knew what my ears liked to hear, and I knew what guitars and amps/amp settings got me what I wanted to hear, but alas, therein layed one of the problems - nothing changes till it changes. I found unplugging, or going "clean" channel with some different tones changed up my style. Swapping out guitars too. Furthermore, as to not add insult to injury, I sucked at 7 string playing at first (and likely will suck at all playing when I return, eventually), so rather than play plugged in, I'd just hang with my lady on the sofa, chillin', talkin', and just going over scales and fundamental progressions, silently, but getting my fingers "acquainted" with the extra string and neck width/scale. I always favoured Lesters, but played my ESPs for speedy shit. So, I'd mix that up too - play speedy shit on my Lesters and played bluesy, smokey, slow shit on my ESPs. Different amps, sometimes an FX here or there for "inspiration", sometimes no amp at all. Just play for the sake of playing...next thing I'd know? Hey - new lick here, new progression there, new tone here, new style there.

I also have to say in my PARTICULAR case, new music (new "good" music, needed to qualify that) always inspired me too. And man, I don't know if much has changed but before I left to hit Central America, there wasn't anything that caught my ear other than the latest Deftones and AIC albums. But there wasn't anything that made me go "I gotta nail that lick!!". So, hey, listen to some different stuff, not the normal stuff.

Hope this helps, and bottom line? Everyone who plays an instrument plateaus - everyone. It's part of the game. Those who rip are those who keep picking it up despite their lack of enthusiasm; those who end up sucking and getting worse are those who don't push through. Simple.

 

[Chubtone]

I haven't progressed in 25 years. I still have lots of fun though

 

[neilli]

I have 2 young kids, which means finding time when I have the actual circumstance, motivation and energy is pretty fucking tough. It goes in phases, but right now I've not plugged in for a week. But I pick up a guitar every day and just doodle around. I justify it to myself by calling this period a 'holding phase' - as long as I'm not getting worse, I'm happy LOL

 

[Badronald]

Never. Every time I pick up a guitar a streaming flow of endlessly inspired badassery comes out.

 

[worldcatalyst]

I had one of those moments as well a few years back. It ended with me selling a bunch of gear and buying some synth gear. That phase came and went but I'm back into the guitar thing and I feel like I'm playing better than ever. I feel like changing gears for a while helped me look at playing guitar differently and has made me enjoy the instrument even more while looking into genres that I never would have listened to before. So don't give up, With time you might end up finding something that will inspire you and you'll be back at it again.

 

[mooncobra]

watch on of your favorite players on video in concert and watch them just light it up. that usually gets me plenty fired up. learn something new you always wanted to learn, on youtube alone there must be tens of thousands of lessons plus every one of the old and newer reh vids. young guitar always has really cool lessons, the gus g lesson is cool, same with kiko loureiro. he has a few actually. there are a bunch of cool young guitar lessons. check them out on youtube, there are a lot in many different styles.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Never. Every time I pick up a guitar a streaming flow of endlessly inspired badassery comes out.

You need goals or you stagnate
Example goals could be perfecting an yngwie solo, recording a complete tune, Internet jam solos, in person jams, Flight of the bumble bee at bpm 900
Find out makes you happy and go full tilt

 

[technomancer]

Fortunately I only play for fun so as long as I'm enjoying myself I don't worry about it.

 

[legend71]

I feel the same way as the OP. Only I did a 1 hour gig with my new rock project last Sunday and I sucked. My vocals were terrible and my playing was off. It was our first gig out and everything seemed to be going too fast for me. I was really down on myself afterwards and questioning why I even do this. Still battling it. I know I am not a professional musician but I sued to be better. I guess I need to practice more.......

 

[Lampshade1973]

start learning some new songs and solos...I feel that way all the time but jamming new songs with the guys makes it fun again...

 

[VH4_BigRig]

All the time. Part of the reason I never developed shred chops is because I never had the time or discipline to sit down and practice for extended periods of time, which seems mandatory to get to any sort of higher level...

The main thing I do when I feel I'm in a rut is try to learn a new cover song by ear. I mostly play my own riffs and try to come up with new stuff when I do play guitar, so playing covers is rare for me- when I learn them by ear, it helps me stay focussed on a goal, trains my ear and maybe gives me ideas to move forward with!

Bottom line is it happens to everyone, don't sweat it

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

I don't get into ruts. You have to play to get into ruts. I'm too busy looking at "the next guitar"

 

[155]

smoke a joint and you'll pop out of the rut guaranteed...

 

[GtarLover]

Nothing like a rut and playing the "same old thing" to dampen the spirits.
For me, THE most fun is playing with others. That often requires me to learn some tunes that are "new to me." I learn something new, AND I get to play it with others.

As far as the plateau thing goes. For me, it's still about learning something new.
Taking myself outside "the box," forces me outside of my comfort zone.
That said, different genre of music is another way to break out of the box, regardless of the box you feel you're in. If you play rock, check out and learn some jazz licks. If you play country, check some blues players, for example.

Anyway, there's no right way do any of this. Playing is fun, do what is fun and DON'T do what makes playing less fun. It's supposed to be relaxing, fun, expressive, etc...if it's not you may be doing something wrong. Try not to put stipulations on playing...then when you're excited again, maybe slowly introduce a practice regimen...forcing never works for me, just sayin'.