The Wall
 

I've hit it this week.

I started to write couple of things, halfway through them I tossed them, either too corny sounding or not even a hint of melody.

One tune I posted I realized was garbage and I pulled it down.

All the covers I'm learning are stuck in quicksand, too clumsy sounding and I feel like I lost my touch.

This is a bad one, usually its my composing that takes a hit or I'm crashing on my covers. I've never had both go bad on me at once.

:(

Oh well, that's just your inner critic having it's way with you. I doubt your writing or your playing is as bad as you think at the moment. And if you don't like it, fix it. Your skills are strong.

What's the rush. Take more time working up a composition.

Hi Barry

I used to keep a folder on my computer with works in progress - partial lyrics, partial licks, partial progressions etc.

I've never felt the pressure to complete creative projects all at once. I still hang onto to experiments.

Take a walk. A long one. a slow one. Go dancing with your significant other... especially if you can't dance. Put the guitar down. Leave it until you can't stand to be away from it. Then leave it a few more days. Write an article about your favorite song. Enjoy the morning sunshine... or rain... or snow. Do nothing. Don't be productive. And enjoy that too.


BE, don't do.


It will come back.


Bob

For all creative people, the well gets low sometimes. (Ever hear of writer's block?)

That's when you put down the pen/guitar/paintbrush and go forth in search of that which inspires.

As others have said, go do things that bring you joy, wonder, connection, fulfillment. After a few days or maybe a week you'll feel a pull to play again.

You may be hitting a plateau. These can go on for months and it can severely shake your confidence. Resist the urge to pack it in at these times. A plateau often precedes a big growth spurt.

I find that after an enforced long weekend of not playing, I come back fresher. Trying locking your guitars away for 3 or 4 days. No cheating.

Thought this was for a lesson on the Pink Floyd song...:)

haha - me too!

Lot's of good advice here Berry......you'll get past this.

Thanks everyone, it might be a good time to map out triads in a few different tunings and play with some eq'ing on old tunes I did.

Sometimes you just need to put everything down and go and find a dandelion patch.

Hi Barry,

Far be it from me to give advice to one of my "virtual mentors", but let's see...

April....end of tax season.

May....expanding household including multiple teenagers.

June?

I would break out something that you can do on autopilot and work on refining it. That would be rewarding without burning up too many brain cells, get your mojo back! Maybe something in the Woody Mann blues book or Richard Saslow's ragtime book? Lot's of fun to be had there :D

Best wishes,

Bob, I know what you mean. My J-45 keeps looking at me like, what the..... :D

In standard tuning, put on a half capo and mess around a bit. IOW, while you're disconnected try new stuff.

I am, thanks. I just posted something that's a little "off the wall" in Show and Tell, :D

I'm just entertaining myself and trying to get through a slightly stressful time. :)