New guy here, but may be gone soon?

[Matthias]

Perhaps keep an acoustic around the house. Find one that’s nicely playable but affordable. I never understand people who can play an instrument but don’t keep one. It’s fine to have an instrument and just noodle every so often. Think of all the people who used to keep pianos!

 

[Chester P Squier]

Just be a bedroom player. There's no shame in that. You'll become a better player if you play some every day and if the opportunity arises to play with other people or in public, you'll be ready.

Plus, a daily dose of music is good for the brain and may even delay the onset of dementia.

So, welcome to the TDPRI! And make yourself at home!

 

[DrASATele]

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

Now there's a statement I can speak to. i have been through a couple of periods like this and I am in my late 40s. . . .I did, do too. Hanging with friends and creating. Very mind stimulating. I've felt how you do now. The only advise I can give you is to seek out the same folks or another group to play with semi regularly. The reason your bored with your own guitar playing is that there's no other musicians pushing your limits. I know a couple of people like this, they consider themselves hacks but the truth is they are players but the kind that thrive off that interaction with other musicians.
The reason I say any of this is because I stopped playing (guitar and then bass) during those periods and despite how I thought I felt, I always came back. Now I am contemplating recording songs with the guys I currently play with. It's like life the ebb and flow of it all.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

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

Maybe just simplify and get an affordable, good playing acoustic, just to see if you really have the interest to play? Do you really just like the sound of 'the naked guitar' ( no distraction from effects/amps/'dialing in my tone') and just enjoy playing? The drive to learn?

I just come from this angle as I learned how to play on an acoustic, 50+ years ago.
No lessons, but, I have a really good ear, and I looked at guitar songbooks ( to learn chords from songs in book, then associate those from a learned song, to those you hear on records or radio...)
But i did have a passion and love to learn the guitar and i did in my own way. It was all I thought about.

Now gig 50/50 acoustic or electric guitar jobs, and can't keep a guitar out of my hands when at home.

If you don't have that love and thirst, then maybe you do move on...

 

[Steve Holt]

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

I think you have to chase what brings you joy. For me that used to be playing. Now I play a lot less but I love building guitars. I build them and they sit in my basement to be played here and there. There's a cost to that sure. But I love it.

Life is short and I could be gone tomorrow. When building stops bringing my joy I'll stop.

 

[unixfish]

I've been there. At some point, you decide what helps reduce stress and spend a bit of money on that. Music? Cars? Art? Tiddlywinks? Whatever works.

 

[arlum]

I'd say buy one simple cheap electric guitar with a low action that won't fight you, (because acoustics tend to require proper calluses and that just puts one more road block to picking it back up), and an inexpensive modelling amp, (possibly a lower wattage Yamaha THR model). Ibanez makes some very inexpensive electrics with low action in both solid and semi - hollow bodied models. Then .... just don't sell it. Consider it a low priced setup that's easy to pickup and put down. This setup won't take up much space. The whole thing would fit under a twin bed. Consider this gear a fallback. Don't invest any more in guitar gear unless you find yourself constantly taking it out and playing it for maybe a year or more. Simple to maintain. Like .... virtually zero maintenance. When you're going through a period of disinterest you won't even know it's around. When you find your desire bubbling up just side it out from under the bed and you're good to go. Starting and stopping is easy and never expensive. Buying and selling involves work and consideration and you always come out on the losing end financially. When you're burned out put the guitar in a cheap soft shell case and slide it away to collect dust until it's time to give it another go.

 

[Stringbanger]

Welcome to the fold!

Sb

 

[hondasurf92]

Lots of good advice here. For what it’s worth, I was just on Reverb and bought a chorus pedal I had been wanting before I sold everything, so the desire must still be there. I couldn’t pass up the price. My early playing, and when playing off and on over the years has involved a lot of distortion. I’m interested in more mellow stuff these days.

H

 

[cousinpaul]

Where exactly do you live? There might be others in your area looking for someone to jam with. Put out some feelers here.

 

[Papanate]

Don't by and sell gear unless you like doing that - it's easy to find people like who just want to relax and enjoy the creativity - as a full time Pro I don't like to practice - I like playing with people - I like the connection - that sounds like what you want - but it seems like you having a hard time find similar minded guys - keep asking around - they are out there - and most likely just like you.
Of course the other side is you just aren't the musician type - in which case forget about the gear - and find something else that scratches your itch.

 

[hondasurf92]

Don't by and sell gear unless you like doing that -

I most definitely DO NOT like doing that. It’s such a waste of time and money. I don’t mind losing a few dollars here and there which I why I always just sell to Guitar Center. It’s easier. Walk in with unwanted gear, walk out with cash. You take a loss, but it’s an instant sale and no weirdo’s hassling you. The problem is the closest Guitar Center is around 80 mile away so it’s a huge waste of time.

I’ve went years with no gear then someone will say hey we should jam so I go get new stuff. Then the jamming never happens and I get disgruntled and sell the stuff. Last time I did that I swore would be the last time, but over this year I’ve repeated the process exactly 3 times. Marshall, Fender, multiple guitars bought and returned or sold for a loss. Pedals. So many pedals.

If I get more gear the sound in my head is a Fender guitar and a Vox amp with some light crunch but mostly cleaner sounds. An overdrive, chorus, reverb. I’ve done the Marshalls and Mesas in the past. Lots of pedals, no pedals. Weird pedals. I just don’t know if I should try one more time with some new stuff or just call it a day. I don’t want to repeat buying/selling again.

H

 

[Danb541]

Why do you need people to jam with? Get some good speakers and jam along to youtube videos.

If you're not even wanting to spend $100 on a guitar then maybe forget about it. It really bothers you to have a $100 guitar sitting there not getting played? So you take it to GC and they give you maybe $30 for it?

If someone gave you some inexpensive gear for free would you keep it or sell it to GC? Be honest, is it really about the $$$?

 

[hondasurf92]

Why do you need people to jam with? Get some good speakers and jam along to youtube videos.

If you're not even wanting to spend $100 on a guitar then maybe forget about it. It really bothers you to have a $100 guitar sitting there not getting played? So you take it to GC and they give you maybe $30 for it?

If someone gave you some inexpensive gear for free would you keep it or sell it to GC? Be honest, is it really about the $$$?

I never said a $100 guitar. The gear I’ve bought and sold has been significantly more than that. It’s not about spending money or making money. If I’m not using something then I’d prefer to turn it into something usable. Gear collecting dust isn’t being used, cash is always useful. Do I need the cash? No. No I don’t. I just don’t like unused clutter. It’s not about having or not having the gear. My question was am I over playing music? Has anyone else been in this spot? What do you do? Should I find a new hobby? I was just looking for some friendly advice. Not really sure where your attitude is coming from. Thanks.

H

 

[Danb541]

I never said a $100 guitar. The gear I’ve bought and sold has been significantly more than that. It’s not about spending money or making money. If I’m not using something then I’d prefer to turn it into something usable. Gear collecting dust isn’t being used, cash is always useful. Do I need the cash? No. No I don’t. I just don’t like unused clutter. It’s not about having or not having the gear. My question was am I over playing music? Has anyone else been in this spot? What do you do? Should I find a new hobby? I was just looking for some friendly advice. Not really sure where your attitude is coming from. Thanks.

H

Didn’t mean to come across with an attitude. Sorry about that.
To answer your question. Since you do not want gear sitting around until the next time you are musically inspired. Yes, it sounds like you are over playing music and should find a new hobby IMHO.

 

[hondasurf92]

Upon deeper thought I have determined that my issue is I’m buying gear that outweighs my ability and usage. I think I’m going to buy some cheaper gear and when I do play, I’m going to focus on actually getting better. Give myself this whole year and then see if I’ve improved or played enough to justify better things.

Thanks for all the advice. Looks like I’ll be sticking around awhile.

H

 

[Dimbulb]

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 ...

- learn Keef's style of playing from records and videos

It'll open up a 2nd life for your playing. You'll enjoy playing along to records or sound clips at home and learning the material, and you'll enjoy playing out if you get the opportunity.

- dedicate one cheap electric guitar to open-G tuning

- if you only have one guitar, keep it in standard and pick up a $100 tele style from Rondo or a local store; a few bucks more will get you one with a humbucker neck pickup - Keef's setup

#1 - it'll keep you interested and stoked

- interested - it's a broad catalogue of great songs and riffs, enough to keep pursuing for the half-a-lifetime you got left

- stoked - you'll be stoked that Keef's entire deal falls right under your fingers in that tuning, you just barre and hammer on and off with 1 or 2 fingers and it's all right there:
instant Keef, I swear

- capo as needed (watch a couple Stones live concerts and note where he capos and for what key; keep a list)

- youtube has guys posting lessons that make it even easier; look up the one on Stray Cat Blues, it's in open-D but you only re-tune a couple strings, and you'll be amazed you can play such a cool-sounding song with 1-finger barres and a couple hammer-ons

#2 - if you do get to jam with friends, or if a casual band pursuit sets up, you bring a wealth of classic-rock catalogue to the table by being able to play that style and have it sound correct (guys playing Keef's parts in standard tuning don't cut it for the most part)

#3 - also sets you up for much of the Black Crowes and Rich Robinson material, Georgia Satellites, etc

You can keep the 6th string on, it's useful in spots (big D-chord by barring the other 5 strings at 7th fret and letting the low D ring out); also, check out Ry Cooder to see how he uses it for walk-ups into the G).

You can damp the 6th string with the tip of a finger to keep it from ringing when you don't want it to. You're usually barring 5 strings with your index finger, you just make sure you're over to the bass side of the neck enough that your fingertip mutes out that 6th string.

Or you can take it off and go full-Keef 5-string, your call

Find a singer that likes to sing the material and you can spin a couple songs at open jams if you like, drums and bass can follow along easily because everybody knows the songs and they'll be able to hear and make the changes. With a singer and a Keef-style guitarist, the rest of the band can materialize around you ... at a club or backyard barbecue

New lease on life, I swear

In the meantime, in standard tuning, capo at 7th fret and look up a youtube lesson on Midnight Rambler, key of B

Again, you'll be stoked you can play a really cool song and have it sound correct-to-spec with real simple playing technique (1st position cowboy chords)

Keef is a true master

 

[Chicago Matt]

Upon deeper thought I have determined that my issue is I’m buying gear that outweighs my ability and usage. I think I’m going to buy some cheaper gear and when I do play, I’m going to focus on actually getting better. Give myself this whole year and then see if I’ve improved or played enough to justify better things.

Thanks for all the advice. Looks like I’ll be sticking around awhile.

H

Sounds like a plan! Go for it, and have fun.

 

[Teletubbie]

I think I’m going to buy some cheaper gear and when I do play,

There's lots of great "cheaper" gear and plenty of pretty good really cheap stuff out there so sounds like a great plan.
Hope you find joy in playing whichever way you decide to go.

 

[Vibroluxer]

You didn't say what kind of gear you have or how much of it. I actually did exactly what you are contemplating. It wasn't long before I was regretful that I didn't keep at least one guitar and one amplifier. So without knowing what kind of gear you have or how much you have of it my advice would be to keep one guitar, keep one amplifier, keep one cord, and keep one pick.

You can always sell that small amount of gear tomorrow.