Is it a good idea to take a break from guitar?

Rayza1983

I've been playing for 5 years and play every day, I'm feeling my fretting hand is a little tired and I guess I'm a bit burned out mentally and bored. Who's felt like this? Is ok to take a few weeks off? Would it refresh me again? Daft question but just want to know opinions

professorben

Absolutely.
I found taking a week off refreshed my love of the instrument, and by day 4 I'll bet you will be thinking about it again.
Everyone needs a bit of time to consolidate and regroup.

breakstuff

I've been picking mine up less and less lately due to lack of progression,leading to lack of interest.


On the other hand,my wife,kids and neighbours are most grateful.

octatonic

Yes, especially if you are flying an airplane.

littlegreenman

I've taken a few years off on several occasions!

Each time, once I've gone back it's been with a renewed passion for playing. And the muscle memory comes back pretty quickly.

I'm 18 months into my latest "off" period (still do a few sessions a week of basic exercises and noodling, but no proper playing), but the guitars are all still there, waiting.

Don't sweat it, unless you're just about to go on tour.

Rayza1983

octatonic said:

Yes, especially if you are flying an airplane.

Put it on auto pilot

Chalky

No.

quarky

Unless you are a professional (or want to be), sure. It should be fun and enjoyable, not a chore. If it stops being fun, give it a break, and come back to it later.

JezWynd

My guitar playing got into a huge rut but I was loath to put it down as it would seem like defeat. In the end I switched over to bass and got all my enjoyment back. Stuff that I'd learnt on the guitar came in very useful and I've more recently started on learning some classical pieces which I find incredibly demanding but give a lot of satisfaction.

Short version: a change is as good as a rest.

Dominic

start fingerpicking an acoustic -it is very refreshing and you will develop an alternative advanced dexterity

TheBlueWolf

I've had a few lays offs due to being bored or stuck in a rut and I came back with renewed interest

Clarky

I take time off guitar too…

at least a couple of hours a day...