One deep sigh!

[Ripper]

Do any of you guys have these kinds of days?

You pick up your trusty six string. You plug in, and you are ready to set neighbourhood on its ear! ;D

and...

You couldnt string two notes together if you tried.

I have been playing since I was 14 years old ( im 42 )
I think im a crafty player, one who can hold my own against anyone. I play every day, either plugged in and full electric, or sitting on the couch watching t.v. softly strumming with my lovely lady at my side. Guitars are my passion, and in my opinion it shows in my playing...Im being humble here!

But sometimes for some reason unknown to me, I feel like a novice. My touch isnt there, my chording is sloppy etc.
There are times when I feel im an amazing undiscovered talant, and others when I dont know why I even picked it up!

I have a routine now...If I pick up my guitar and after 10 minutes im not impressed....I put her away for the night.

[glow=red,2,300]Does anyone else have these days?[/glow]

[UnklMickey]

Blue,

i have more of "those kind of days" when it comes to playing, than the good ones.

on those kind of days, i might actually be creative at the piano instead.

or come up with twisted schemes for pickup wiring.

some days, none of that works, so it's time to visit friends and family, or chase skirts, or just watch the telly and veg-out.

and rest up, for the days when things all seem to happen naturally.


unk

[sumgai]

deep,

Hah, I got you beat. I'm so close to 60 it ain't funny, and have been at it since I was 10. Do you think I ever had one of those days? I'm still waiting for one where I do fire on all 8 cylinders, without medicinal help, instead of crabbing along sideways like a busted turtle.

Enter Kenny Werner, jazz pianist extraordinaire. He wrote a book called "Effortless Mastery". Right, same reaction I had, at first. No longer.

Snag this thing from Amazon for 13 bananas, including CD!! If you don't feel like this was a good deal, after you've read it, I will personally drive to your house, give you twice the money for it, and polish all the knobs you can present - I'll even give you an hour to draw a crowd! I mean it, the book is that good - you will appreciate what I am saying here, even before you finish it.

Hey, you can sit in front of a boob tube and play, even if softly. I can't even say the word TV while looking at my ax in its case, and I stumble over the rug trying to do that. Man, you got it made in the shade, you just don't know it. Now go get that book, come back here after you've read a couple of chapters, and just try to whine - you won't be able to, unless your humor bones are in full swing that day. ;D


sumgai

p.s. If you're near a public library, they may have a copy.

[Ripper]

Sumgai...
You have a deal!...Im working nightshift this week, but when im off ill try and find the book.

[ux4484]

deepblue,

I'm right in the same age group as you, been playing since just before I was 15.
Man, for those first 7 years I was non-stop. Once my band split, I became lax. I don't think I started having those kind of days until then. Not playing Jazz or my fav three minute tunes with a group is quite the downer for a Bass player, so I started playing guitar. Clearly, I was a better Bass player .
I won't lie, I've had the occasional YEAR go by and not played. I really only started picking up seriously again about 5 years ago when my girls started taking piano. It's funny, back when I started learning, I always felt I was short on theory when what I was really short on was patience (25+ years of perspective will do that to you). Our piano teacher is big on theory, and now having an adult perspective, I found I knew more than I thought.
I started playing regularly again (so nice to have my callouses back ), to the point that my old gear started breaking. The Mrs, in endless support of my misery got me a new acoustic, and I re-bridged the Tele copy, and picked up my Squier Strat.
I still suck, but I think I do sound a lot better. My Mrs. isn't quite as supportive as yours (There is NO playing guitar on the couch at our house), but she doesn't begrudge me playing (as long as it doesn't interfere with our family time).
Why the long story?.....
To get around to my change in view.
My goals in playing have changed completely since my younger days. It's no longer about being able to play anything or even to be the best I can be..... It's to have fun.
It's about being able to pick up that axe in the backyard on a summer night and hammer out John Hiatt's "Cry Love" for the neighbors (hopefully without ruining it). Or when my 13 year old (who's actually letting me teach her) asks If I know Green Day's "Holiday" to be able to hash it out while they're in school and show her it when she gets home. Or when my neighbor's kid asks me if I know any AC/DC (of course, not much practice needed for that ) I can show him.

You don't need to be a God. If it ain't workin' that day, it ain't workin'.
John Mellencamp says it best: "Forget about all that macho $h!+ and learn how to Play Guitar".

end philosophical rant...phew!

sumgai,

I'll be looking for that book!

[quarry]

Interesting thread...

I'm a 49 year old, who just recently got back into guitar/recording after years and years of lay-off.

After a few months, I'm finally getting my "chops" back, and that feels good!
Like ux4484, my wife has been amazingly supportive of my new "habit" and doesn't even kill me when I spend money to satisfy my Gear Acquistion Syndrome (GAS)...

Sumgai, I too will be checking that book out - the reviews I've read on Amazon support your claims that it's a "must have"! ;D

[sumgai]

Guys,

You won't be sorry, that's all I can say.

I won't BS anyone, but the fella that brought it to my attention said one night, more or less, "If you can whine about being such a crappy player after you've read this book, then I'll know you haven't read it." That got my attention, youbetcha.

My Gawd, was he ever right. Two months later, and we're still discussing it every week after the jam.

Now, where do I submit that request for payment for shilling this thing? ;D


sumgai

[pollyshero]

deepblue said:

You couldnt string two notes together if you tried.

You mean there are other kinds of days?

Seriously - Yes. But then again, what about those days when you just flippin' RIP - Wank out stuff you never believed you could do, or discover ("Every Breath You Take" note for note, after 20 odd years of trying) an old fave that has you wondering what all the fuss and frustration was about?

THOSE are the days I like to dwell on.

PH

[Ripper]

Hey Pollyshero...

Thats exactly my point. I know what I am capeable of, so why are there times when it just doesnt click??

One of my favourite songs to play is " Manic Depression" ...I am spot on most of the time. A little sloppy some of the time, and I blow it big time some of the time too!

I know the chops, but the execution just isnt there.

It makes me respect classical players, they have to be perfect 100% of the time.

[sumgai]

Here's the link to Amazon for Effortless Mastery

Sadly, I note that they want $20 again - when I got it a few months ago, it was only $13. But if you wait for it to go on sale again, you lose that much more time before you catch the gravy train! Try the library, try used book stores, nag your buddies, you know the drill. ;D

I just checked, Barnes and Noble has it for $18 (if you're a member), here. Otherwise, it's $20 too.


sumgai

[tacobobbo]

UPDATE: Amazon now has the book for $13.60. Might just hafta get a copy mydamself.
Bob