Ok, I started typing this a load of times and then stopped, because I don't find it natural to talk about this, but strangely, I am more concerned about it as it involves playing guitar than I might be for some other parts of my life.
I am a bit stressed at the moment, work issues, a bit of a health matter, some family stuff all seem to be leading to a lack of ability to play guitar. I mean, the desire is still there, but I sit down pick up a guitar and..........nothing; can't even focus on the simple riffs. (and even can't be a**ed to play them)
I 'm a home player, but I get (got) a lot of joy, and,ironically wind down, from picking up a guitar and spending time just playing. In my own way.
That seems to have completely stopped at the moment. Anyone relate to this, or, do I need therapy?
Comments
Happened tonight.
When "Shit" get's above a certain level I could smash the guitars against the wall just for looking at me
I fall into ruts quite easily and that always impacts my playing.
Practise?
Ha.
These days I focus on "Do I want to play at all and if so, will it last more than 5 minutes?"
On a good day I enjoy it but if it's not a good day, someone else can play......I often hear myself saying out loud.."What's the point?"
As for therapy, if you find one that works,...let me know?
I thought that when you stop doing what you normally enjoy, it's a possible symptom of depression, which is pretty commonplace and treatable. Having said that, if circumstances are extreme, it could be a short-term reactive issue that will heal itself anyway
@ToneControl -thats how i used to be, but just now its like, pick up a guitar and after a few half hearted strums, put it down again.
I'm not usually a moaning sort, just want to know if anyone else has felt like this and got over it, and how?
I obviously know nothing of anybody's personal circumstances so I'm not suggesting this as anything other than something to consider, but depression has a hideous knack of destroying your enthusiasm for the things you love. It is a recognised symptom so, if you have even an inkling that you may be experiencing depression then please consider asking for help. Your GP or local branch of MIND would be good first ports of call.
It is really important to talk about this stuff and keep ourselves well.
you just need to work out if it's a long-term or a short-term thing
based on experience with those close to me, if you are finding it hard to be amused by DVDs of your favourite comedians, you're in the club with a large number of people, and need a visit to your GP to get rebooted, rather than putting up with it
if not, it's probably just a short-term phase that you will move on from on when the external stress decreases.
I struggle to link that to medical depression but welcome the thoughts and advice.
I just want to get back to enjoying my guitar......
I regularly feel like i need to try new music but that desire is also lost with my lost desire to play guitar.
I will add that I still function perfectly well at work .
Those are the types of things that have helped me freshen things up and reinvigorate in the past.
I practice martial arts and what you learn is that process and repetition of process is the key to learning, not because you do one thing more but because you do everything else less. If the guitar is stressing you out stop and mow the lawn. We’re pretty primitive beasts it’s just about balancing the things we do
@Roger - I really don't think its the guitar stressing me, I am concerned that it is other things causing stress and putting me off playing guitar. Hadn't thought of it the other way around.
Somehow all of that is not working right now.
Exercise-wise it's hiking with the dog for me. A good audio-book (Moby Dick atm) and I'm away. I come back with all manner of creativity going on. Then, when I'm shattered, full of endorphins and good ideas, that seems to be the best time to play guitar.
Start with a chord progression and then add some lead/embellishments. Then work out some other sections, verse/chorus/bridge, etc. If you can't sing, work out some melodies with a cheap 25-key midi keyboard and a piano VST.
I actually lost complete interest in guitar playing due to a lack of focus, but doing this simple thing brought me back. I've also turned into a bit of a handy composer, which I never ever expected!
Last time I was in a rut a couple of new VST plug-ins helped massively. Got me thinking in different ways. Previously getting my hands on a 12-string electric did the same. Oh, and an ebow.
Unless it gets to that point where your mind is disproportionately obsessing about certain things to the detriment of everything else. Unless it gets to the point that the curtains come down and you exist within a very restricted space where the main objective is to get to the end of the day, so you can go to bed and sleep for a couple of hours, before fear of the next day and what mundane things it might bring keep you awake in a puddle of sweat for the most of the night.
If it gets like this, then you need to seek assistance. I did.