Off Topic Help a Knucklehead Out - Stuck in a Rut!

[ScoobySteve]

So with my bone grinding 12hr a day job I've been seeing less and less time playing and practicing guitar. And I think it's what's causing and contributing to my musical stasis. I'm stuck in a musical rut. Even worse, I think I was spoiled living in Southern California for the past ten years before I moved to Korea, being able to just hop into a club, bar or venue to enjoy a good gig. Music scene is very isolated and selective here, it's hard to get a good ear for inspiration.

I was wondering if there were any songs, licks, riffs, sections, solos, etc. that you guys would recommend for practice. I'm open to everything at this point. I'm a fairly eclectic person so fire away. I apologize if it feels needy, but I could use the advice if ya'll don't mind.

Help a Knucklehead out ya?

 

[Colin]

why not learn the 2-5-1 jazz progression and then learn to solo over it?

 

[TNT]

well, the thing about it is "improving" on guitar does require time to practice, however playing and enjoying the guitar doesn't. Don't fret, maybe just try and stay "current" with your level of play (that way you won't regress). And, just play songs you already know with the little time you do have for yourself (that's what I do when time is limited.)

As far as the rut goes, I can only very honestly suggest adding God in your life thru Bible reading, it will certainly deliver you from any rut anywhere!!

 

[agt]

Steve, have you considered focusing on something out of the ordinary (for you)? Jazz composition, classical guitar (PIMA), film scoring, music theory, ear training, piano or other instrument, singing lessons. All are music-related and ultimately have strong potential to enhance and complement your musicianship and guitar playing in the long term, but since the focus isn't directly on the guitar, you may find that when you get back to it, you will be inspired all over again and have a fresh perspective. These sort of breaks have worked for me in the past. I don't know about the availability in Korea, but here in the US I have at various times taken classes at community colleges in scoring, composition, theory, singing, ear training etc. And of course there are various study-on-your own materials available. Some things to consider. Best wishes and enjoy the journey!

 

[kbaim]

In one myself...but you may try your hand at composing if you havent already gone that route.
Try a different tuning -- DADGAD low to high is a popular one (be prepared to experiment though)
Laurence Juber has a few instructional dvds and books that I guarantee if you're a fingerpicker will have you playing stuff none of your friends can.
Maybe start a band too.

 

[bkrumme]

In one myself...but you may try your hand at composing if you havent already gone that route.
Try a different tuning -- DADGAD low to high is a popular one (be prepared to experiment though)
Laurence Juber has a few instructional dvds and books that I guarantee if you're a fingerpicker will have you playing stuff none of your friends can.
Maybe start a band too.

+1 DADGAD is fun, especially on Acoustic guitars. It gets you thinking differently about the instrument and how you play it, which gives you a little inspiration for standard tuning as well. There have been times I've written a piece in DADGAD just to find myself transposing it to standard tuning which is a learning process in itself.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

You have youtube? Go to a song you like and just wander around. When you find something you want to play, decide that you're going to learn it. Find the tabs, if you can. Find a .....song....guitar lesson on youtube. I do this literally all the time (between learning songs for services). Doing Dust in the Wind right now, which is total departure for me as I'm not a finger picker or acoustic player, and need to do both on that one.

I also have to go back and relearn stuff that I've learned and forgotten. I don't know how many times I've learned the Hotel California solo and Clapton's Crossroads, forgotten how to play them and had to relearn.

 

[Roubster]

Just watch and listen to music that is inspirational to you. I love a variety of music, and sometime find myself in a rut as well...but that is also because I tend to have certain musical moods for an extended period of time. For the past half year it was all instrumental and prog rock guitar based crazyness. Now I am listening to a lot of Classical music, jazz, even New Age and when all else fails, I just listen to Steve Morse. Every time I listen to his compositions and concentrate on the music it just makes me want to run to my guitar from whatever else I am doing. Try to change up the routine...try to write some pieces, learn new scales and incorporate them into your playing by improvising over a simple progression.

 

[metalmarty]

I know the feeling, experiencing the same thing now. Totally stuck, not feeling a lot of joy in playing. Monday I accidentally came across a really nice version of Mayer's "Slow dancing in a burning room" with really nice tabs and I have begun practising. Me being the metalhead that I am, it's something completely out of the box and I'm loving it! And DAMN that song is HARD to play! But I found my focus again, a goal:

YouTube - Slow Dancing in a Burning Room Two Rock John Mayer Signature amp Tutorial (Full HD Lesson + TABS!)

 

[Jonny Dubai]

I understand. I am just getting out of one. I watched some Richie kotzen teaching vide on YouTube and have added a jazzy vibe to myblues playing. Add in a bit of Eric j and a bit of robben f, crank the dirt a little and that's where I am heading. Also getting a lot from a player called philip sayce

 

[CHill]

Youtube search for "Dave Weiner" and check out the riff of the week videos; got me out of my slump. Great player and instructor. Plays non-EBMM guitars but the strings are EB Slinky's I recall. Also pick up Ted Greene's "Chord Chemistry" and get blown away with chord construction.

 

[robelinda2]

Stuffing around improvising is probably the worst thing to do if you havent got much time.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Stuffing around improvising is probably the worst thing to do if you havent got much time.

That's what I figure. Thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate the advice.

Any advice Rob?

 

[ScoobySteve]

In one myself...but you may try your hand at composing if you havent already gone that route.
Try a different tuning -- DADGAD low to high is a popular one (be prepared to experiment though)
Laurence Juber has a few instructional dvds and books that I guarantee if you're a fingerpicker will have you playing stuff none of your friends can.
Maybe start a band too.

I love Juber's music, but I feel I need to improve my finger style technique first at a more basic level! Do you have any recommendation for Beginner - Intermediate level? I'd love to play Juber style music.

 

[Andrew Whitmore]

why not learn the 2-5-1 jazz progression and then learn to solo over it?

This is one of the most important things you could practise.

 

[LawDaddy]

I love Pandora internet radio for help getting out of low spots. Start a new channel by seeding a song or artist that might inspire me - then see what it plays next. Sometimes new artists or something I haven't heard in a long time can get the juices flowing again. I'm surprised how often I end up purchasing tunes on Pandora to woodshed on.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Try playing a different way - uese you pic and fingers like Albert Lee or maybe no pic at all.
Also you might not want to play in a country style but theres loads of licks you can use from that music genre.

 

[straycat113]

Steve I think we all go through these downslides no matter who or what level you are at.I am basically a rock/blues guitarist but I have dabbled with everything from shred,jazz to country and if I like a song whatever it may be I will go and learn it or pull out of it as much as I can. With all the hand issues the last three years it is almost impossible for me to play at 70% and bending is just about out of the question so I got into a lot of Paul Gilbert style string skipping arpeggios, sweeping and this week of all things pulled out one of three country DVDs I own. You will be shocked to see what you can come up with when you are not in your comfort zone and playing around with a lot of different techniques . Do you use the harmonic minor scale a lot ? If not learn it and run three note per string scale runs and mix it in with the natural minor and ideas will just start popping. Want to get into DADGAD Zep has a lot of songs in that tuning and learn the basic chord shapes and run with that or play around with open G. The bottom line is the guitar is infinite but hear something that clicks with you and gets your juices flowing and pulls you somewhere you normally would not go.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I really appreciate it. I think one of the reasons I have been stuck in a rut is because I'm so used to scale/chord patterns and predictable chord progressions mixed with good chops and a sizable library of licks. I haven't expanded my horizons the way I need to mature.

I think, a good deal of this has to do with the fact that I've been putting off mastering the CAGED method in all 12 keys, and practicing them to memory. I know this will open up massive doors musically in the guitar world, but maybe because I work so much these days, putting in that much work on top of work, just feels like more work? Ahhhhhh!!!

 

[lukeuser78]

I hear ya, i have a 10 month old Daughter and a wife, practice time is precious when you can get it!!!!