You’re dedication to the guitar is unmatched. You’ve practiced and practiced; yet it seems like you play the same old lick, the same old song over and over again. You’re time with your instrument is just a waste of time lately. Sound familiar? I’m coming out of a stint where my playing was pissing me off to be honest. I felt stuck and frustrated and when I’m in this state of mind, I am left uninspired and not wanting to pick up this six string addiction. I have found ways to break free from the repetitive guitar playing rut and thought I would share with you and maybe you’ll find them helpful.
Record Your Guitar Playing
This suggestion sounds cliche and it works! I’m going to throw a bit of a curveball here and suggest not to record just the audio but video as well. Why you ask? I have found that seeing me playing the guitar gives me insight on more than just what I’m playing. It’s giving a view of how I’m playing it. Do I look comfortable playing or do I look strange? How’s my posture? Do I look cool? These questions will give you insight and inspiration in your guitar playing.
Grab your phone, record yourself and then get a notebook and take notes. Critique and compliment yourself in the process. You’ll be surprised on what you will get from this. I usually come to find that I’m playing better than what I give myself credit for.
Jam With Pandora and Train Your Ears
Yes, I said Pandora! Yes It’s still a music streaming service and for this purpose my go to. I don’t want you to play along with songs that you know but also with songs you don’t.
- Pick a song on Pandora and seed it with a song/style your like. This will start an interactive playlist where you have to listen and play.
- Play along. Take note of the progression, minor/major and how the melody works with it.
- Do whatever you like but try not to look up the tab because this is to train the ears. If I’m truly stumped, I’ll look up the tab.
- You don’t have to know the song completely. Let the playlist guide you like a teacher would if you were in a lesson. If you like something, make a note and add it to your repertoire.
- Extra Credit: record yourself doing this.
I chose Pandora because in my experience, the song suggestions are more diverse than Spotify. Even though Spotify is the #1 streaming service, their dynamic playlists tend to play songs you have already heard or the same old stuff you already listen to. They goal here is to get outside the box and Spotify really sucks at that.
Walk Away For a Couple of Days
Maybe you’re just burned out and setting down the instrument might be the best choice. When you come back, your head will be fresh and new ideas will come. Take notes mental and physical on what you might like to work on once you get back on the horse. Technique, songs, theory, etc.. You’re hands will also benefit from a rest as well.
Getting out of a playing rut is a frustrating thing to overcome. However, it’s doable and finding ways out of the slump is a good way to improve in the process.
