Buzzgrowl
Strat-O-Master
1. Learn a new song, better if it is complex
2. Play with people
3. Buy a new Strat
2. Play with people
3. Buy a new Strat
In a rut: What do you do to break out?
- Thread starter grritz
- Start date
As a student taking lessons, I find something that I like to learn that is beyond my abilities, and go for it.
Steve Vai -- For The Love Of God
Gary Moore -- The Loner
[ As examples of what I am pressing myself to completely learn. ]
Way out of my abilities. But it's fun, and I learn new things.
If it's fun and challenging, you may find a new appreciation for what you get out of it. And what you are absolutely capable of.
You guys are awesome players, and Fantastic coaches // critics.
I admire you guys and some day hope to participate in the SoundCloud things posted.
YMMV
Steve Vai -- For The Love Of God
Gary Moore -- The Loner
[ As examples of what I am pressing myself to completely learn. ]
Way out of my abilities. But it's fun, and I learn new things.
If it's fun and challenging, you may find a new appreciation for what you get out of it. And what you are absolutely capable of.
You guys are awesome players, and Fantastic coaches // critics.
I admire you guys and some day hope to participate in the SoundCloud things posted.
YMMV
Baelzebub
Dr. Stratster
A rut is just a groove from but viewed from a different perspective.
dogletnoir
V----V
Play something totally different from what you usually would.
As someone who generally does jazzy stuff like this
or spacey stuff like this:
was both a challenge and an interesting change of pace:
working on this:
was both a challenge and an interesting change of pace....
J.S. Bach on an electric bass.
As someone who generally does jazzy stuff like this
or spacey stuff like this:
was both a challenge and an interesting change of pace:
working on this:
was both a challenge and an interesting change of pace....
J.S. Bach on an electric bass.
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myredstrat
Senior Stratmaster
take what ever it is that you know, ie: a minor pentatonic riff in box1 and find other positions to play it in. learn to play it backwards, then limit yourself to 1 or 2 strings. Do what ever it takes to break you out of your comfort zone
I also enjoy watching Chris Buck Play (just thought I'd throw that in)
I also enjoy watching Chris Buck Play (just thought I'd throw that in)
I have this problem. I personally think it's a combo of things but mostly not enough practice invested in both technique and theory. I've been doing a lot of experiments with additional notes and chord progressions to break out of that A minor pentatonic comfort blanket and it's doing ok. I've probably improved mostly by finding a simple chord progression with minor, major and 7 chords. Just 3 or 4 is enough. I've ventured into chorus and verse territory but am still wrapping my head around bridging. I play a chord, experiment with a short solo/riff type thing, next chord and so on. I look at the notes in these chords to see where I can play different notes in the little solo/riff (we're talking 3-8 notes). I seem to be unable to not bend notes a lot, so have been trying sliding notes too.
Sometimes I hit something that sounds great to me and develope and repeat.
I'm very much an amateur but find I've been a lot less frustrated using this method.
Best advise over and above anything else is to stick with it. These hurdles are pretty normal but definitely not permanent.
Have fun. That's all I try to achieve now.
Sometimes I hit something that sounds great to me and develope and repeat.
I'm very much an amateur but find I've been a lot less frustrated using this method.
Best advise over and above anything else is to stick with it. These hurdles are pretty normal but definitely not permanent.
Have fun. That's all I try to achieve now.
Go after a melody and a groove. Start with one note and try to groove it. Dam, dam, da, tap, tap, dam, dam, ta-daaa, dam, dam, da, tap, snap, …
Do not engage in a blues scale!!! Forget blues scales! Melody and Groove! This is your new religion!
then add a scale in the solo part!
Do not engage in a blues scale!!! Forget blues scales! Melody and Groove! This is your new religion!
then add a scale in the solo part!
jball85
Strat-O-Master
Study Classical, Folk, and Blue Grass.
If those aren't your thing, then just stick to the 3 Kings.
BB, Freddie, and Albert.
NHFlyCaster
Strat-Talker
Find a concert video on You Tube and play to it.
uncle daddy
Senior Stratmaster
Jam along with either of the first two Fabulous Tbirds albums.
dspellman
Senior Stratmaster
I play or learn a completely different kind of music for a while.
Jimbo99
Senior Stratmaster
I go ride a bike, that clears the mind. Endorphin rush of a healthy lifestyle. Having a good loyal dog does that too.
StratUp
Dr. Stratster
To break out? I work on this song:
circles
Resident Pinball Enthusiast
When I'm in a rut, I turn on the radio and try to play along with stuff I normally wouldn't listen to.
CountryStrat
Strat-Talk Member
Things I do if I feel like I'm in a rut:
Get a different overdrive out of the drawer and make it sound a little different.
Play slide guitar - change it way up
Ask myself if I'm playing musical things and not just grabbing the same licks that come easily to the fingers.
Try and sing what I play more, tap into what I feel like playing.
Slow down a bit and don't try and cram as many notes into my phrases - play like I would if I was playing on someone's album.
Record myself - listen back and decide what I need to work on. What is out of time? What could I add into my playing that would make me enjoy it more? Can I make it more rhythmically interesting? I look for idiosyncracies in my playing: Am I always beginning phrases the same way? Too much pentatonics?
If I feel like I'm in a rut I'll just accept that I'm human and I'm just not playing my best today and I'll continue practicing and I give myself the mental "attaboy" for continuing to do the work required that will make me sound lucky on days when I'm not playing in a rut.
It's a muscle, gotta keep after it and make yourself lucky on the days that are inspiring.
The worst thing to do is just give up (take a long break) in my opinion
Get a different overdrive out of the drawer and make it sound a little different.
Play slide guitar - change it way up
Ask myself if I'm playing musical things and not just grabbing the same licks that come easily to the fingers.
Try and sing what I play more, tap into what I feel like playing.
Slow down a bit and don't try and cram as many notes into my phrases - play like I would if I was playing on someone's album.
Record myself - listen back and decide what I need to work on. What is out of time? What could I add into my playing that would make me enjoy it more? Can I make it more rhythmically interesting? I look for idiosyncracies in my playing: Am I always beginning phrases the same way? Too much pentatonics?
If I feel like I'm in a rut I'll just accept that I'm human and I'm just not playing my best today and I'll continue practicing and I give myself the mental "attaboy" for continuing to do the work required that will make me sound lucky on days when I'm not playing in a rut.
It's a muscle, gotta keep after it and make yourself lucky on the days that are inspiring.
The worst thing to do is just give up (take a long break) in my opinion
On the contrary, I think it depends on just how deep and uninspired the rut is.
CountryStrat
Strat-Talk Member
I wouldn't discourage someone from playing... Just doesn't seem very neighborly.
I like to hear stories about people fighting through their adversities and coming out victoriously.
amstratnut
Peace thru Music.
Ive been learning 10 Steely Dan songs for a developing tribute band. I get to try to be ten different dudes in one "style". Its super fun and Im learning a ton.
