How much do surroundings affect playing?

[J-man]

I've noticed for a long while now that when I play guitar at school I enjoy it so much more than I do at home, I ususally play by myself both at home and in school, now when I'm in school I play with a completely different setup (Cruiser Fat Strat - Carlsbro 4 input amp), you can find my setup in my signature.

Whenever I play at home I play in my room which is pretty small, no real space to move in it so I'm always right by my amp and I usually play sitting on my bed, and lately I just havn't been enjoying doing it at all, my room has all the harmonics of a dead sheep and is much less inspiring.

What do you reccommend I do about it?
And what inspires you to play? Any certain places, times?

[Big Cookie]

I find it difficult to play the blues in a smoke free bar, it just ain't natural.

Best Blues,
Cookie

[trag-o-caster]

I don't play much around the house, and when I do, it's usually the Tele with no amp - ear down close. You play more aggresively that way because no one can hear you (you can barely hear yourself). That's usually the way one would play live, in a band setting. At home, with an amp, you may find yourself being somewhat self-conscious, because EVERYONE can hear you fishing for something new and, to the non-musical ear, your musical fishing may not sound very musical. Being aware of that can make one play with less aggression, enthusiasm, etc...

Being alone at home, I have found myself doing things that I really wouldn't want to admit to others . Like using my Digitech RP100 (the poor mans POD) with headphones. That can be a lot of fun sometimes and, still no one can hear you.

Sometimes, when playing ampless, I've moved from one room to the other, creating a whole different atmosphere, and can be inspiring to play. The bathroom, with the headstock leaning against the wall is always cool. You can hear the sound being amplified into the wall, making it a little easier to hear. Sitting atop of the basement stairs with an acoustic guitar is GREAT! The kitchen is always good to - amped up, or otherwise.

Change your surroundings, change your setup, change guitars, change your strings... just try something different and you'll be suprised. If you're using an amp, go ampless, or acoustic.