Am I alone?

[Nafees]

Am I the only one who doesn't like to play when I'm not learning new stuff? I will drop from playing 3 hours a day (when I have a nice new challenge)to 15 minutes a day (When I have to practice the same song over and over).

[krowbot]

I don't think you're the only one. It all comes down to inspiration. Or if you are a working musician and practice is needed whether you like it or not because without the gig you can't pay rent.

Getting stuck in a rut is not a good feeling. I was lucky enough to take lessons at an early age and then later go on and study music composition and performance in college. So I always had challenges thrown at me when it came to the craft.

I think what might help is finding a good teacher, buddy, book, or video that can inspire you to tackle more challenges, and most importantly keep you playing. Good luck!

[DoodlySquat]

I know what exactly what you are talking about. I don't know a whole lot of songs all the way through but I know the first half of a whole load of songs hahaha.

[krowbot]

Originally Posted by DoodlySquat

I know what exactly what you are talking about. I don't know a whole lot of songs all the way through but I know the first half of a whole load of songs hahaha.

Haha that's the best thing ever. Especially when someone says something like "Hey man, can you play (insert song here)"

You play the intro, make it through the first verse and chorus then totally bomb the bridge. (Their dreams have been crushed)

[daniel89]

i sense some sarcasm? an old gigging musician once told me this "if you're going to learn a song, learn the entire thing from front to back". some of the most important advice I've ever received in my musical career.

[DoodlySquat]

Originally Posted by krowbot

Haha that's the best thing ever. Especially when someone says something like "Hey man, can you play (insert song here)"

You play the intro, make it through the first verse and chorus then totally bomb the bridge. (Their dreams have been crushed)

Hahaha! Story of my life.

[klasaine]

Originally Posted by krowbot

I don't think you're the only one. It all comes down to inspiration. Or if you are a working musician and practice is needed whether you like it or not because without the gig you can't pay rent.

Getting stuck in a rut is not a good feeling. I was lucky enough to take lessons at an early age and then later go on and study music composition and performance in college. So I always had challenges thrown at me when it came to the craft.

I think what might help is finding a good teacher, buddy, book, or video that can inspire you to tackle more challenges, and most importantly keep you playing. Good luck!

+1 on all of that.

Thankfully I have to learn tunes all the time. Usually that coaxes me to 'go somewhere else' with my playing. And many times I end up neglecting what it is I'm supposed to be doing.

When I don't have anything to 'learn', sometimes I don't play for days.

[john2223]

Originally Posted by Nafees

Am I the only one who doesn't like to play when I'm not learning new stuff? I will drop from playing 3 hours a day (when I have a nice new challenge)to 15 minutes a day (When I have to practice the same song over and over).

You're definitely not the only person that doesn't get motivated by practicing the same pieces over and over again. When practicing songs it's always important to keep trying different songs and challenge yourself.

[Scott57]

We're all alone....really.

[Hoopermazing]

Originally Posted by Scott57

We're all alone....really.

Happy [belated] 420 day!

[Jagg76]

True. You're never quite as motivated as when you learn new material/licks.

-Jagg

[OlRedNeckHippy]

Yup. My band mates complain often that I bring too many new tunes. "We havn't perfected the one we have and your bringing more!?"

[MatTele]

When I'm practicing by myself, I usually just make stuff up and improvise if there's nothing new that the band is working on.

Sent from my Telecaster through my AC15

[ricach]

I started off learning guitar by learning all the famous intros and licks, so I've hundreds in my arsenal now. But I learned quite quickly that doodling on those licks during a gig gets a lot of people upset if you don't play the whole song.

[TeleKato]

Originally Posted by Scott57

We're all alone....really.

And at the end you die in your own arms. (Livia Soprano)

*ahem*

I actually enjoy playing the same learned songs and improvising to keep it fun. I don't gig ... So only I know when I'm hosing the song! Plus I'm mostly rhythm ... It's all the same 8-12 bars anyway!!!!