Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?
Slipkid
Posted 2007-07-24 3:44 PM (#88977)
Subject: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
I think it started not long after the tour.
I started spending less time with the fingers to the fret board. A year ago I'd rarely walk by a guitar without picking it up. A half hour a day became 15 minutes and then 10 minutes every other day. I find the time to type up the new songsheets I want to work on and end up doing something else.
I would think its normal to experience this type of downtime with a hobby. It just feels weird.
Can anyone else relate??

And I am now going to predict CWK2s one word answer to that question.... "NO!".
Let's see if I'm right.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
cliff
Posted 2007-07-24 3:48 PM (#88978 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
smoke some weed.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
stonebobbo
Posted 2007-07-24 3:52 PM (#88979 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307

Location: Tennessee
Maybe you just need to buy a new guitar. :)

Seriously, maybe you need to change up the way you are approaching it. You may have hit a plateau and subconsciously can't see how to get past it. Instead of typing up your songsheets, how about taking that step in the process out and instead drop a CD into the player and work on learning the songs by ear?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
lanaki
Posted 2007-07-24 3:54 PM (#88980 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575

Location: big island
drop some acid
Top of the page Bottom of the page
lanaki
Posted 2007-07-24 3:59 PM (#88981 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575

Location: big island
sorry brad. cliff's fault.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Waskel
Posted 2007-07-24 4:02 PM (#88982 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
While Cliff's suggestion didn't surprise me :rolleyes: , it took me a few minutes to get past Randy's.... :eek:

...but yes, I can relate, Brad. There have been times when I get to a point where I'm bored with what I know and don't have enough ambition to learn something new. Then the guitars just hang there for a while. Once it was over a year that I hardly touched one.
Then I would hear something, or see someone play something, and it would spark some interest, and I'd pick it back up again.
It may feel weird, but don't worry, it's rarely a permanent condition.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
lanaki
Posted 2007-07-24 4:14 PM (#88983 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575

Location: big island
the weed smokin', acid-dropping days have long expired for me, but cliff's suggestion caused me to flash back to times when my musician friends and i were feeling the same sorta slump brad describes. we tended to lean on drugs for creativity or to escape from it.

slumps come and go as a normal course of events. often learning a new song or playing gigs will relieve that feeling for me...until the next one.

a slump can be a driving force that keeps us from feeling comfortable with complacency.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Tommy M.
Posted 2007-07-24 4:48 PM (#88984 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 627

Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
"Smoke some weed", you'll sound great, but only to yourself. I remember those days or do I. Brad, the lack of inspiration hits us all. One of the reasons that I own different guitars, is to avoid the slump. I pick up the nylon string, the 12 or the archtop or the solid body strat etc.
Each instrument brings out a different style.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Paulcc1
Posted 2007-07-24 5:08 PM (#88985 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 1180

Location: Vermont USA
Brad go to your wife's pocketbook take out a small mirror leave the lipstick alone. Now place the mirror just under your nose that way you can check to see if your still breathing. What ever you do do not take drugs cause your not a thug. If you are still breathing go to a guitar store and play a Fender VG Strat very cool guitar. Walk away from the store with some strings and picks, go home and make mad passionate love to your..................guitar.
This will cure you
Pauly
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Paulcc1
Posted 2007-07-24 5:10 PM (#88986 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 1180

Location: Vermont USA
Oh I forgot put everything back into your wife's purse.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Beal
Posted 2007-07-24 5:15 PM (#88987 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
Change guitars always helps a little but the best thing is to go look at a lesson or take one. Look online at workshoplive or some of the others. I'm getting my charge this week at National Guitar workshop.
I kinda felt that way earlier, in Florida at the Frisky Mermaid you had to play an original new tune every week. There were topics so you could work ahead. That provided a good incentive. Once north and no place to play it really fell off. Looking forward to going back south.

Fooled ya.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
CrimsonLake
Posted 2007-07-24 5:16 PM (#88988 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145

Location: Marlton, NJ
Brad - I'm deep in the middle of it right now. Sometimes it gets hard to tune everything else out and just sit and play. Everytime I turn around here, there is another chore, or I have to drive one of the kids somewhere. I work out of my house, and my customer is nationwide, so I'm almost never "off".

It shall pass... hopefully soon.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jewel's Mom a/k/a Joisey Goil #1
Posted 2007-07-24 5:30 PM (#88989 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1017

Location: Budd Lake, NJ
Actually, you're really in a good place--you're not a concert guitarist where your livelihood depends on whether or not you touch a set of strings, in front of people or not. We recreational guitarists can do what we do out of joy, not financial compulsion. So....it sounds like you need something to rekindle the joy to some degree.
There have been a few times where I haven't played--a broken finger, the onset of the bursitis, a time of guitar fasting to listen to what God might want to say to me. But, those were all outside influences--the joy was still on the inside.
We're all motivated by different things, so what works for me may not work for you--but the words "Child-like abandonment" (the joy of the moment) keep coming into my mind.
Hope this might be helpful,
Karen
Top of the page Bottom of the page
LBJ
Posted 2007-07-24 5:35 PM (#88990 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 665

Location: Tychy, Poland
CL: take guitar with you.
my Crafter travelled over 7000 km over europe in 3 months. if i wouldn't take my guitar with me everywhere i go, i wouldn't even remember how does D chord look like.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
fillhixx
Posted 2007-07-24 5:48 PM (#88991 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833

Location: Campbell River, British Columbia
I'm in the middle of one right now.

But I still show up for practice....

Make a commitment that's outside yourself. Then it doesn't matter how you feel, you just play right though it.

Next week I'm joining a new group of player/writers like CWK. Originals only. No noodling unless invited by another player. Don't know the rules other than that, but it should be a bit of a kick-in-the-ass.

Do something different with someone different. (Disclaimer; this does not work for marriage and it's really really expensive.)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Brian T
Posted 2007-07-24 6:22 PM (#88992 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 425

Location: SE Michigan
Walk away from the store with some strings and picks, go home and make mad passionate love to your..................guitar.
....then be sure to wash your hands
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Paul Templeman
Posted 2007-07-24 7:01 PM (#88993 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750

Location: Scotland
Bill's advice is good... make a change, Try anything different. Might be a different guitar, could be a different tuning, might be something as simple as a partial capo, could be just learning a new song. The Grand Ennui gets everyone eventually, you'll get over it.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
gh1
Posted 2007-07-24 7:10 PM (#88994 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 972

Location: PDX
Lessons, definitely. That is, of course, if you want to shake the slump. Maybe a break is exactly what you need?

Lessons give you a reason to practice. I rarely experience a "downtime". My teacher would kick my A$$.

_____
gh1
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Slipkid
Posted 2007-07-24 7:55 PM (#88995 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
Good advice and perspectives from good people.
Thanks.
I'd hate to buy another guitar just to use like a set of jumper cables. My collection my be small but they are top shelf so it would have to be something reeeeallly special (and probably expensive), to catch my interest. BrianT has bugged me at times to get a wood box.
No... I'm not that desperate yet.

I'm even having trouble picking up my happy little uke.

Yes... I will try farting around with my G-band.

No... it's to late to become a finger-style guy. I'm just not wired for it.

Maybe.. I could learn a few songs written after 1982. :eek:

Learn to play left handed??? Na.

There are many of those little mini-lessons all over You-Tube.

Fire up a doobie??? I lost track of my dealer many, many years ago. Wonder what he's up to??

I'm not knocking BrianT because as I've said before.... I couldn't find a better musican who is as like minded in song choices anywhere in the state. Even after almost 4 years now we still have fun. However... I envy the type of thing that Paul Moody has going on fridays. I tried to get a "guitar club" thing going but it never took hold.
Now... if it could be arranged to have an OFC gathering twice a month, my prayers would be answered.

The Grand Ennui gets everyone
Sorry about being as thick as a brick but... I don't get the refference. :confused:
Top of the page Bottom of the page
cliff
Posted 2007-07-24 8:03 PM (#88996 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
You need a gig, Bradley . . .
Top of the page Bottom of the page
moody, p.i.
Posted 2007-07-24 8:19 PM (#88997 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680

Location: SoCal
Hey Paully, what's wrong with being a thug? Some of us have even become professionals at it.

Brad, I feel for you. I've been there and it's no fun. Why not get out and listen to somebody else play for a while? Go hit the Folkin' Friday and just listen instead of playing. Bet it sparks the desire to get up there yourself.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
alpep
Posted 2007-07-24 8:22 PM (#88998 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583

Location: NJ
I get into slumps all the time. the worse was between 95 and 2000 where I rarely picked up a guitar except to sell it or fix it to sell it. Lost a ton of chops did not care, life was in the way.
in 2000 I wondered into a coffee shop to see an internet friend play and I wound up sitting in with him and other musicians and just remember how much I loved to play and how it was great therapy for me.
unfortunately he passed away last summer and I have the construction project from hell and I find little motivation to pick up the guitar unless my nephew demands I teach him an old cream or hendrix song or he tells his buddies I can do it all and I have to scramble to learn some rush tune or something from internet tabs.

well, I think for me once things get a little calmer, and I put my studio together I am gong to hang out at some blues clubs and coffee houses and see if I can pick up a backup gig again.
it beats paying a shrink.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Paul Templeman
Posted 2007-07-24 8:25 PM (#88999 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750

Location: Scotland

The Grand Ennui gets everyone
Sorry about being as thick as a brick but... I don't get the refference. :confused: [/QB]
Ennui is French for general off-pissment/boredom. My use of "The Grand Ennui" comes from a Mike Nesmith song.......

http://www.videoranch.com/html/grandennuisample.html
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Old Man Arthur
Posted 2007-07-24 9:07 PM (#89000 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR
TURN OFF THE TELEVISION!!!
And the computer!
[Unless you are like me, cuz all my song sheets are on mine]

"Buy a new Guitar" is nice advice,
but going down to the Music Store and playing one of theirs is cheaper!

I don't know what Algonac, Michigan is like... But if you carry your guitar with you, Someone will ask you to play something! Or someone with a guitar will ask you to play with them!

Thanx for the reminder tho'. I need to get on YouTube or somewhere where I can work on some new stuff.

:cool: Oh Randy... There hasn't been any good Acid in Decades!
But Mushrooms and Buttons never change!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
lanaki
Posted 2007-07-24 9:14 PM (#89001 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575

Location: big island
Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:

:cool: Oh Randy... There hasn't been any good Acid in Decades!
OMA ~ there's never been any GOOD acid!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Paulcc1
Posted 2007-07-24 9:49 PM (#89002 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 1180

Location: Vermont USA
moody p.i. posted "Hey Paully, what's wrong with being a thug? Some of us have even become professionals at it."

Pimps make good money, when I was younger that's what I wanted to be. Diamond ring and a Fleetwood.
Pauly
Top of the page Bottom of the page
xnoel
Posted 2007-07-24 10:40 PM (#89003 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 782

Location: Waurika OK
Brad,
Like many who have already posted, I get in the doldrums quite often.
I played for a couple of years with some friends, great guys, still great friends. We met nearly every Friday night. But it became the same songs, not really planning to do any gigs. No challenge, I need to be pushed to grow. Not that I am any good at all.
Have started playing with a friend that was in our band years ago. He plays keyboards, guitar also. He knows music. His musical tastes run more like mine. I am ready to play again.

What I am saying is we can get to a place where we begin to question our purpose, or in this case "Why do I do this?" Same old thing, you need a new challenge, new songs, don't say no finger picking, (keep Brian!!)Maybe you need some new venues for gigs.

Understand, we all go through changes in life and sometimes those things that were so important take a lower priority.

Say, Maybe I need to send my mother to you for awhile, she is a great encourager, she actually thinks I am a really good player. She has been living with us since my dad died in March. hm, maybe that is why I have got back to playing.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Paulcc1
Posted 2007-07-24 10:50 PM (#89004 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 1180

Location: Vermont USA
Brad,
some days it seems like its more work than anything else. Relax after you read all of these posts you will be playing in no time. Bill and Jewels mom had some good things to say as did many of the others. So if you decide to quit playing guitar and become a pimp my address is Northfield, Vt. I will be glad to pay the shipping on the guitars.
Pauly
Top of the page Bottom of the page
xnoel
Posted 2007-07-24 10:50 PM (#89005 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 782

Location: Waurika OK
Go over to Lanaki's OT thread about captioning the bird picture, Northcountrys caption should get you out of the doldrums for a few minutes at least.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Mark in Boise
Posted 2007-07-25 12:00 AM (#89006 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761

Location: Boise, Idaho
I had a slump for about 20 years. The strumming stuff would bore me. Classical Gas note for note kept me going for about a year. I've thought about taking lessons, but my schedule requires me to be on my time.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
alpep
Posted 2007-07-25 12:04 AM (#89007 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583

Location: NJ
Originally posted by lanaki:
Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:

:cool: Oh Randy... There hasn't been any good Acid in Decades!
OMA ~ there's never been any GOOD acid!
owlsley?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
fillhixx
Posted 2007-07-25 12:06 AM (#89008 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833

Location: Campbell River, British Columbia
Lanaki - "There's never been any good acid"

From what some of my 'now straight' friends tell me; we both missed that opportunity.

"You used to know what was in this stuff"
Uncle Duke - Doonesbury
Top of the page Bottom of the page
cliff
Posted 2007-07-25 12:11 AM (#89009 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
Al;

One of the recent issues of RollingStone was dedicated to 1967. There's an article about Owlsley in there. I'll get it to you . . .
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ignimbyte
Posted 2007-07-25 12:41 AM (#89010 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812

Location: Hicksville, NY
I'm glad that I'm not alone on this one. I still continue to play my guitars, but lately, it's only been limited to a few minutes. Sometimes, not at all and it can frustrating as I notice a regression in my ability to play [unless I'm just playing with my head]. Also, I still bring a guitar to work everyday, but it rarely gets out of the case these days, and I also notice a lack of interest among the youngsters that used to look forward to music sing-a-long sessions.

I, too am hoping that's it's only temporary ... heck, I'm beginning to notice that I hardly ever login and post on the board these days.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
MusicMishka
Posted 2007-07-25 12:53 AM (#89011 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567

Location: Blue Ridge Mountains
Take a vacation and take your guitar...find a good place and just let your creative thing go...you might try writing a song for your wife or your kids (if you have either)...or your girlfriend...or whatever you're passionate about...let the guitar become an extension of who you are and what you feel...it will work...a 12 string works really nice for this if you have one...but a favorite guitar is just as well...
Blessings...

BTW, your wife will really like it...read between the lines here! ;)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Phil Wong
Posted 2007-07-25 8:03 AM (#89012 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
June 2003
Posts: 1792

Location: Rego Park, NY,
On the last day at the hotel I caught the tail end of Temp's Gband demo for Brad. That just showed me how much more I don't know how to play.
I feel for you Brad. I just came back from two and a half weeks of vacation. I washome for most of the time but still had to work at the drug store across the street. I only played my guitar one time toward the tail end of the vacation. I felt that I wanted to play more but didn't. I played my ukulele more come to think of it. I am going to play my traveler guitar at lunch time today. I guess I have to start somewhere.

Phil
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Omaha
Posted 2007-07-25 8:40 AM (#89013 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126

Location: Omaha, NE
I was in an extended slump during the 1990's as well...didn't play much at all for several years.

What keeps me going is playing in a group and having a steady stream of new material that I have to learn. Sometimes it is really tough...life gets busy, the kids have to be a million places at once, Angie is on my case for the 8,000 things I haven't gotten finished at home, a piece of equipment is broken in the plant, I've got a new marketing plan to put together for my new company, the IRS is on my case because they lost a tax return I filed five years ago for a company that doesn't exist anymore, oh and by the way...here's three songs you need to get worked up for rehearsal on Saturday.

But it keeps me moving forward! :)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Captain Lovehandles
Posted 2007-07-25 12:51 PM (#89014 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3411

Location: GA USA
Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
While Cliff's suggestion didn't surprise me :rolleyes: , it took me a few minutes to get past Randy's.... :eek:
I KNOW, Waskel! Off color comments by Randy and Music Mike in the same day! Next thing you know, GGG will be posting nude pix of himself.

Sorry, Brad, now you won't be able to play OR eat.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
NostrAdamas
Posted 2007-07-25 1:24 PM (#89015 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 256

Location: chicago
The wife and kids have said to me many times I dont know what you will do when you cant play guitar any more.......I havent written a tune in three years and that bothers me in that they used to invite themselves so esily. Jeff
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Brian T
Posted 2007-07-25 1:32 PM (#89016 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 425

Location: SE Michigan
I think the next frontier for you (and myself I guess) is song writing.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
cliff
Posted 2007-07-25 1:44 PM (#89017 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
Myself as well.

The major problem that I have is time to myself t'do it.

I envy Bill in having a local venue with a weekly "deadline".
Top of the page Bottom of the page
MusicMishka
Posted 2007-07-25 2:56 PM (#89018 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567

Location: Blue Ridge Mountains
I wrote:
Take a vacation and take your guitar...find a good place and just let your creative thing go...you might try writing a song for your wife or your kids (if you have either)...or your girlfriend...or whatever you're passionate about...let the guitar become an extension of who you are and what you feel...it will work...a 12 string works really nice for this if you have one...but a favorite guitar is just as well...
Blessings...

BTW, your wife will really like it...read between the lines here!

Jas wrote
I KNOW, Waskel! Off color comments by Randy and Music Mike in the same day! Next thing you know, GGG will be posting nude pix of himself.

Sorry, Brad, now you won't be able to play OR eat.


Excuse Me? How much between the lines are you reading? I'm suggesting a relationship based on admiration and appreciation for a gift of song...however that may be, how can that be off color? Give me a break! I don't mind being held to a higher standard; I am every day...I accept that, and I try to be helpful...I asure you, my mind is not in the gutter...nor would I suggest anyone else be either!

Blessings...

Brad, hope it works out for you!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
fillhixx
Posted 2007-07-25 2:59 PM (#89019 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833

Location: Campbell River, British Columbia
Okay, all you budding songwriters, here is your assignment for this month.

Buy The Craft of Lyric Writing by Sheila Davis and Tunesmith by Jimmy Webb. Read.

Thus endeth todays lesson.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Paulcc1
Posted 2007-07-25 3:12 PM (#89020 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 1180

Location: Vermont USA
I agree with Mike mine was off color I think it was Mauve
Pauly
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Captain Lovehandles
Posted 2007-07-25 3:25 PM (#89021 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3411

Location: GA USA
Originally posted by MusicMishka:
Excuse Me?
I was talking about the GC soundhole comment. Not too far off color, but a fraction of a shade.

I'm not slamming you Mike. I love you too much.

ji
Top of the page Bottom of the page
MusicMishka
Posted 2007-07-25 3:42 PM (#89022 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567

Location: Blue Ridge Mountains
We're cool,J; its been a tough week...I'll explain later..no problem...maybe I jumped the gun...er, guitar...er, river...er...

(BTW Cliff did you have that cool one for me yet?????) oops, there I go again...

Blessings...
Top of the page Bottom of the page
stephent28
Posted 2007-07-25 5:11 PM (#89023 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066
Originally posted by fillhixx:

Buy The Craft of Lyric Writing by Sheila Davis and Tunesmith by Jimmy Webb. Read.
Got the 1st. The 2nd looks interesting. Might have to put it in my Amazon wishlist! :)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Old Applause Owner
Posted 2007-07-25 6:03 PM (#89024 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922

Location: Canton (Detroit), MI
Brad, I fight the "blahs" by having different instruments and types of music. I go between acoustic guitars (Ovations), electric guitars (Strats) and mountain dulcimers, with a different type of music that each is good for. When I get tired of one, I go on to one of the others. I'm on mountain dulcimers and old-time music right now....having left electrics and blues for awhile.

Songwriting doesn't do it for me, because if I'm tired of a type of music or instrument, I have no inspiration anyway.

Roger
Top of the page Bottom of the page
schroeder
Posted 2007-07-26 6:56 AM (#89025 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413

I think you should give up and retire. Send me the ADII immediately.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
an4340
Posted 2007-07-26 10:25 AM (#89026 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389

Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands
Lack of interest happens in all relationships.

To rekindle it with a guitar get drunk and play it. Look at guitar porn. Read guitar books. Listen to songs you want to learn. Eventually, if you love the relationship, things work themselves out.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
cliff
Posted 2007-07-26 11:03 AM (#89027 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
Put a wig on it . . .
Top of the page Bottom of the page
an4340
Posted 2007-07-26 2:37 PM (#89028 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389

Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands
Well ... there is a hole in the guitar ...
Top of the page Bottom of the page
guitarwannabee
Posted 2007-07-27 11:49 PM (#89029 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1486

Location: Michigan
Brad that has been happening to me alot in the last year.I don't know about you but the stress level of my life is getting tougher by the day and sometimes when I get home what use to be my stress reliever ( my guitar ) I just bypass for a QUIET time on the couch or on the patio listening to nothing.
But on another note I came home tonight and decided to play and I went to my Telecaster and plugged in and turned it up and played electric for a while and it got me going again.
SO JUST CRANK UP AN ELECTRIC GUITAR WITH A LOUD AMP UNTIL MOMMA STARTS SCREAMING AT YOU TO TURN THAT SHIT DOWN .AFTER THAT YOU WILL GO BACK TO YOUR UNPLUGGED OVATION AND THAT SHOULD KEEP YOUR WIFE AND YOU HAPPY AND IT WILL TAKE YOU OUT OF YOUR SLUMP AND GET YOU BACK TO PLAYING AGAIN.
It worked for me.
I think what you are going thru is just a bit of Ovation De-Tox.You will live thru it.GWB
Top of the page Bottom of the page
CrimsonLake
Posted 2007-07-28 10:34 PM (#89030 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145

Location: Marlton, NJ
I seem to have broken out of my funk - at least for tonight. I started going through my guitar playing links on the web and ended up playing along with the White Album - Julia, Dear Prudence, Blackbird. Then I found a classical music guitar tab site and started messing around with Bach's Toccatta and Fugue in Dm. It's so cool when you try and play something difficult for the first time and it sounds halfway decent.

For anyone interested:

Classical Music Tabs
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Thanksforallthefish
Posted 2007-07-29 12:54 AM (#89031 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1374

I just keep an assortment around me, right now it's pretty good..wideneck classical, adamas 12, ute, balladeer, neck through 6, and a hollow body 6, still need a nice leo tho..switch up styles and songs a lot.. and the fingerpicking on the ute and the classical have done wonders for my playing..I have 2 nice little practice amps an old Rock Petros I.. with a new rajun cajun eminence in it sounds like a dirty boogie, and an ac60 with chorus and reverb for the a/e guitars and vocals..

I have guitarpro and about 10000 tab sets on the computer..(which I almost never mess with or use) and pick a lot off youtube vids.. but we run our businesses from home via the computer, and they're always in arm's reach as well..

plus Slydog brings over at least 1 a week for me to check out that he just added to the collection/library so I get my share of Ice Cream.

right now I'm barely touching the electrics, at least lately... been working and practicing with the classical, 12, and ute..

next week... who knows.. might even tune up that new banjo... :eek:

good luck with the slump... it'll go away.

glenn
Top of the page Bottom of the page
guitarwannabee
Posted 2007-08-10 6:53 PM (#89032 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1486

Location: Michigan
Brad what is the update on your guitar slump?
It has been 2 1/2 weeks now?
Your slump has coincided perfectly with our baseball team the Detroit Tigers?
I hope you both get on track soon. GWB
Top of the page Bottom of the page
FlicKreno aka Solid Top
Posted 2007-08-10 9:25 PM (#89033 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491

Location: Copenhagen Denmark
Hello Slipkid and all you other "I do n`t know what to do with my guitars"...move your great white`s and get busy,stop moaning !!

Vic
Top of the page Bottom of the page
FlicKreno aka Solid Top
Posted 2007-08-10 9:30 PM (#89034 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491

Location: Copenhagen Denmark
BTW CrimsonLake,that`s a nice website,gracias :)

Vic
Top of the page Bottom of the page
FlicKreno aka Solid Top
Posted 2007-08-10 9:41 PM (#89035 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491

Location: Copenhagen Denmark
..and now I`ve become immensely impopular ( insensitive beast that I am ) ..yet that`s the best cure..Get On With It !!

Vic
Top of the page Bottom of the page
BruDeV
Posted 2007-08-10 11:07 PM (#89036 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?


Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 1498

Location: San Bernardino, California
"I got dem ol bio-rhythm blues again ...."
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Slipkid
Posted 2007-08-11 9:46 AM (#89037 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
Yep.. things are coming around.
The suggestions listed here helped.

I was just bored. My song book was giving me no real pleasure. I felt I was just playing the songs to stay proficient with them.

Things turned around at the last practice. Instead of bringing "the" book, I brought the secondary book with all new/old stuff in it. These were songs from over two years ago that we may have given up on or meant to work on but just never got to. Some of them were just to hard at the time but now we find we just might have developed the chops to make them work. We had the most fun with an early British Invasion number that we are going to save for the next OFC Tour. It's one of those, "I can't beleive we are really going to do this" type of songs.

So.... I'm thinkin' that I'll make a list of songs that we want to stay fresh on. Then when we practice we'll run through 5 or 6 of them to warm up on. At the next session we'll run through the next 5 on the list. With that system in place we can now spent the rest of the time working on new stuff and not worrying that the other songs we like are going to fade away.

And I don't even want to talk about the Detroit Tigers.

GWB... Folkin' Fridays at Huber starts up in October. Put it on your OFC calendar and lets hook up.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
muzza
Posted 2007-08-11 9:58 AM (#89038 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736

Location: Sunshine State, Australia
If it's any consolation to ya Brad, I'm in the middle of a major slump right now too. No interest in picking a guitar up, bored to the back teeth with my repertoire, not interested in learning new songs or techniques, even my 'local guitar club forum' project/thingy is on hold coz even if I found someone to jam with tomorrow, I just don't want to do it right now.

I've hardly even visited the OFC site over the last few weeks.

However, other than my absolute disinterest in guitar playing, life is good.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Slipkid
Posted 2007-08-11 10:05 AM (#89039 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
Top of the page Bottom of the page
muzza
Posted 2007-08-11 10:26 AM (#89040 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736

Location: Sunshine State, Australia
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Slipkid
Posted 2007-08-11 10:49 AM (#89041 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301

Location: south east Michigan
:D Enough time to fiddle-fart around with photo-shop but no time for the guitar. I've been there brother!!!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
fillhixx
Posted 2007-08-11 11:46 AM (#89042 - in reply to #88977)
Subject: Re: Am I in a guitar slump or is it just a case of Bio-Rythm Blues?



Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833

Location: Campbell River, British Columbia
Originally posted by Slipkid:
Put it on your OFC calendar and lets hook up.
There are RULES about soliciting on the OFC!
I expect so much better from you...
Top of the page Bottom of the page