10 Ways to Break Free of Your
Guitar
Playing Rut
As
guitar players we
sometimes find ourselves
in what can only be called a guitar playing
rut. According to the
dictionary, a "rut"
is a fixed, usually
boring routine. This is
when we get to the point
that we feel that we're
just going over the same
thing time and time
again. In other words:
not growing as a
musician.
When you're in a rut you
tend to get discouraged.
Some people get
stuck in a rut and never
recover. I've talked
with some players who
completely gave up the
instrument because of a
rut they were in.
Keep in mind that
everyone (even the best
players) will often find
themselves in a rut from
time to time. The good
news is that there
are things you can do
that will help you break
free from your rut.
Below are 10 tips that
you use to break free
from your rut and get
back on the right track.
If you need extra help
on breaking out of
your rut, then click on
over to Guitar Alliance
by following the link :
Guitar Alliance
10 Ways To Break Free Of
Your Guitar Playing Rut!
1. Jam With Someone New
If you find yourself in
a rut trying playing
with other musicians.
It doesn't matter what
instrument that they
play, be it guitar,
drums, or trumpet.
Playing with other
musicians can spark
creativity and encourage
you
as a player. Don't be
intimidated by other
musicians, especially
other guitar players (no
matter if they're better
than you). You're
primary concern is to
grow as a musician and
sometimes playing with
other musicians is the
best way to go.
2. Listen To A
Different Genre Of Music
Most people listen to
only 1 or 2 particular
genres of music, but
as a musician you should
be open to all types of
music. If you're
into metal music try
listening to some blues
or jazz. Or if you're
into country music try
listening to some rock
music.
Whatever you do, don't
get caught listening to
only 1 type of music. It's one of the quickest
ways to find yourself in
a rut.
3. Take Lessons
Some of you may feel
that you are beyond
lessons, but that's
seldom
the case. Randy Rhodes
(of Ozzy Osbourne fame)
often looked up
instructors in the phone
book in cities that the
band toured in.
He wasn't the type of
player who you would
think needed lessons,
but he felt that it
helped him grow as a
musician and avoid ruts.
A good guitar instructor
can turn you onto new
things that can help
you break free from a
rut.
4. Learn A New Scale,
Chord, Arpeggio, Etc.
If you find yourself
playing the same things
all the time, then it's
time to learn a new
trick or two. The music
world is full of scales,
chords, arpeggios, etc.
that you may not already
know. Sometimes
learning something new
will help spark your
inner creativity and
break you out of a rut.
5. Learn A New Style Of
Music
Listening to different
types of music isn't
always enough. Try
learning some classical
guitar pieces, or buy a
slide and play
around with some slide
guitar. Are you
primarily a rock or
blues
guitar player? Try some
country licks for a
change.
Don't force yourself
into learning a type of
music that you dislike,
but do try and keep an
open mind. Sometimes new
styles of music will
grow on you-especially
if you start learning to
play some of their
parts. As you get a
better understanding of
how the music is played,
you may get a deeper
appreciation for that
style of music.
6. Listen To Other
Types Of Instruments
A lot of times when I
find myself in a rut
I'll pop on a Miles
Davis
CD. I listen to the
phrases he plays on his
trumpet and try to find
ways that I can emulate
what he is doing on the
guitar.
As guitar players, we
tend to listen to mostly
guitar oriented music,
but if you give it a try
you'll find that
listening to other
instruments
can inspire you to do
new things on the
guitar. Try listen to
some
saxophone playing. It
can be tremendous fun to
emulate a sax solo
on the guitar.
7. Assess Your Playing
I record my guitar
playing on a regular
basis so I can go back
an
listen to it at a later
time. When I'm in a rut,
I'll often go back
and listen to some of
these recordings.
Sometimes I'll hear
something
that I played previously
that catches my
attention and inspires
me
to pursue it further.
Other times I'll listen
and compare it to my
more recent playing to
see if there has been
any improvement.
8. Challenge Yourself
Do you feel like your
playing is stagnating?
Give yourself a
challenge!
Challenge yourself to
learn that new song, or
challenge yourself to
play faster. Don't worry
if you don't succeed.
But you certainly won't
succeed if you don't
try. It can turn a day
that you find yourself
in a rut into fun.
9. Don't Listen To ANY
Music
Forget music for awhile.
Turn off the radio and
put away your CDs.
Pretend music does not
exist. It's harder than
you may think, but it can be very
effective. If you write
your own songs it's an
absolute requirement to
drop all music every
once in awhile. It will
help you get a fresh
perspective on things.
10. Give It A Rest
Sometimes there's
nothing you can do but
lay the guitar down for
a
day or two. Forget about
the instrument during
this time. Think
about other things for a
change. Perhaps go see a
movie or read a
book. Do whatever it
takes to keep you mind
from wandering back to
your guitar. Once you
feel a little refreshed
pick that guitar back
up and start anew.
If you find yourself in
a guitar playing rut, I
hope this article helps!
That's all for now!
Sincerely,
Kenny Mann
Guitar Alliance
1518 McBee St.
Malvern, AR 72104
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