New guy here, but may be gone soon?

[hondasurf92]

Hello, everyone. Seems like a nice place. I have some concerns so I thought I’d sign up and ask for advice. I’m in my late 40’s. Played guitar in my early 20’s in a band for about two years. We’ll say it was rock music. I never really learned any proper way to play or had any lessons. Life took over after that band ended and I haven’t done anything “serious” since then. I’ve bought and sold new gear a few times over the years, but I need to play and create music with other people and where I live there’s not a lot of options. So I sell the gear because to me if it’s not being used it’s not an asset and I could use the money elsewhere. Over this last year I’ve repeated this process three times! I just sold the last batch of gear last weekend.

I can’t justify the cost of gear to barely be used other than noodling around at home. I considered switching to bass thinking maybe I’m just bored with guitar and guitar playing and the expectations of the role of playing guitar. So I go check out bass gear. Again, I can’t bring myself to justify the expense. I consider buying a midi keyboard and messing around with some software to totally change it up and maybe get a new interest and then find my way back to guitar later. I can’t even bring myself to pay $100 for the keyboard because I don’t think I will actually do anything with it. I feel like maybe I am just done with music altogether, as far as trying to make music goes. Then at times I think I want to dive in and really work at it and get better and that that will make a difference. I don’t know. I don’t know what the issue is. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Am I just done being a “musician” and maybe it’s time to find new hobbies? Thanks for reading and any advice or insight.

H

 

[Tarkus60]

Buy a Harley

 

[hondasurf92]

Buy a Harley

No offense, but I’d never buy a Harley. Too many better bikes out there.

H

 

[teletail]

Does sound like you have much interest in music. There are plenty of other ways to spend your time; I’d find one. If you keep selling all of your gear, it doesn’t sound like you have much of a commitment.

 

[Ricky D.]

Can’t make your heart feel what it won’t. Time to move on.

 

[getbent]

your name is hondasurf... so you have lots of interests... some guys go all in on one thing. some dabble. If you dabble, get a cheap acoustic and have fun once in awhile.

 

[StratDal]

Life's short and goes quick these "daze". Do whatcha gotta do.

 

[johnny7]

We are GAS enablers and it sounds like you sold all your gear. Did you at least keep a guitar? If your choice is either in a band/constructive playing or no gear, I would say you are cheating yourself and that you lost the desire to play music. I don't know how you get that desire back. I have been playing guitar since I was 12. Next to my brother, who is five years younger than me, the longest relationship with anything I have had has been the guitar. I may have questioned why I have gear but I have never questioned my relationship with the guitar. I may have sold all me gear at one point but I never sold my first two guitars as they have stayed with me through thick and thin.

I don't know what else to suggest to you other than pick up a guitar and play. Rediscover why you learned to play in the first place. Good luck in your journey.

 

[schmee]

Music is a ton of work for sure. Especially playing a more up front instrument like guitar. The rewards are minimal, but some of us need that space, that reward. If your head is not sending you there, it's OK, find something else.

 

[mikeRI]

OP asked if “anyone had been in a similar situation.” I go through phases of not playing much, and I do get bummed sometimes thinking maybe music isn’t my thing. I had some buddies I grew up with go on to play with National acts, so I feel like a failure in comparison.

Recent health issues have reminded me that I basically have to play music though. I’m hollow without it. I’m not successful in music by any stretch (I have a 9-5 job) but I feel better after playing.

Unrealistic expectations can kill the joy. I don’t know if that’s your situation. Does it make you happy?

 

[Red Ryder]

Just do something else or nothing at all. Doesn't really matter.

 

[Alex_C]

What is the goal? Be in a band? Be able to play jazz? Write your own music? Impress friends and family? The goal I chased for years was to become a better player. It worked for me but others didn't understand it. A reason to play is a motivator, imo.

 

[hondasurf92]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I don’t and never had aspirations of being a famous musician. I just remember when I was younger I enjoyed just hanging out in the basement with friends and seeing what we could come up with. I guess I mostly enjoyed the hanging out and creativity. Just banging out chord progressions alone at home brings me no joy.

H

 

[telemnemonics]

Stop with the gear already and get yourself a dad band!

Seriously, unless you do the solo fingerstyle or classical or singer songwriter crooner thing, playing guitar alone is, well you know, playing with yourself...

 

[Dan German]

I play like crap and I have never tried to be a professional player. Mostly just sit at home and noodle. Never had any problem justifying the gear I need to do that, though. And I can justify my two Hondas with my hands tied behind my back…

 

[bender66]

A lot of us can understand this. If I held myself to your strict(er) limitations I'd have nothing. It's there for when the mood strikes. That goes for all my toys.

I'll add-I dont deserve all the awesome gear I've acquired. Its comforting knowing I have it when the mood does strike.

 

[ficelles]

Maybe find a music teacher and learn to play a classical instrument (which could be guitar of course). Some focus is a good thing.

 

[Alex_C]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I don’t and never had aspirations of being a famous musician. I just remember when I was younger I enjoyed just hanging out in the basement with friends and seeing what we could come up with. I guess I mostly enjoyed the hanging out and creativity. Just banging out chord progressions alone at home brings me no joy.

H

When I got back into playing after a 20 year break, I found a couple of guys who wanted to get together and hang/jam. It was fun, they also reintroduced me to weed. We spent as much time laughing as we did jamming. Maybe the OP would like that type of situation.

 

[Recce]

The

No offense, but I’d never buy a Harley. Too many better bikes out there.

Then buy the motorcycle you think you would like out there. Maybe a Honda Monkey.

 

[guitarsophist]

Guitar playing is one of these things: a career, a hobby, an obsession, an insanity, or relatively inexpensive therapy. It doesn't sound like it is any of these things for you. If it was, you wouldn't be asking this question. You might try hanging out on Bad Dog Cafe for a while. Ideas big and tiny get discussed there. Lots of non-telecaster-related content, but good folks.