I can’t be the only one experiencing this

[Emil]

Why is it that some days when you pick up a guitar nothing works?
You’re left hand wont sync with the right hand.
You are placing pretty much alla fingers wrong.
The strumming is off.
You lack the sense of tempo and beat.
Not even a simple chord sounds good.

I know that tomorrow i’ll be back as usual but i just know that there’s no use playing any more today. It’s like the brain and muscles needs a reboot i order to start working together again.

Why is this?

[llew]

It happens to everyone. Walk away for a while and do something else...it'll pass!

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Emil

…Why is it that some days when you pick up a guitar nothing works?
…Why is this?

Hi Emil
Here are some I've experienced over the past 57 years of playing…

• Tension
• Tiredness
• Mental Fatigue
• Lack of focus
• Trying to cram guitar into the busy cracks instead of enjoying playing
• Stress
• Worry
• Distractions (work, family or other issues)

Cures:

• Take a break for an hour/day/week/month
• Find someone else to play/sing with

[stokes1971]

Ever since a motorcycle accident in 2013 that mangled my left hand,and the ensuing surgeries, everyday is one of those days for me.After about 55 yrs of playing I seem to be on my first day all the time.Like groundhog day from hell.

[mattwood]

That only happens one day a month for you? Lucky guy!

[Earl49]

It just happens sometimes - no rhyme or reason. I can pick up a regular guitar from my stable and start playing a piece that has been reliable for years, but get a case of “fumble fingers”. I have learned not to force things and practice errors. Just put it down and come back another time.

[musicman1951]

Could be almost anything, but the bottom line is that it's the price you pay for being human. The hard part is acknowledging the obvious and being kind to yourself while you do. It's not as easy as it sounds.

[Dru Edwards]

We can't always be at peak performance levels. Larry posted some great reasons why. In addition, who knows, perhaps even diet can be an impact (too much sugar, too little sugar, lack of a nutrient, etc.).

[Earl49]

A few years ago when work load was overwhelming, I would have nothing left for evening practicing. Deciding to “pay myself first” I tried playing in the morning before starting my work day. Not successful!

[archerscreek]

I disagree with those that advise one to walk away and come back later or the next day. This issue is addressed by performance psychologists. Everyone I’ve ever read advised you to keep playing, practicing, training, and essentially learning how to perform when you don’t have your best stuff, which will increase your confidence and comfort when you have to perform and can’t walk away. If you perform live, you need to know how to play when you don’t have your best stuff. You might as well start learning how to do that at the early stages.

[Slothead56]

Some times when I go to the range to hit balls every club in my bag goes the same I distance....120 yards. PW, 7 iron, driver...all 120 yards.

There’s no powering through that. Leave the balls and walk away.

Same thing goes here. Walk away, do something else, don’t obsess and try again tomorrow.

[Emil]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi Emil
Here are some I've experienced over the past 57 years of playing…

• Tension
• Tiredness
• Mental Fatigue
• Lack of focus
• Trying to cram guitar into the busy cracks instead of enjoying playing
• Stress
• Worry
• Distractions (work, family or other issues)

Cures:

• Take a break for an hour/day/week/month
• Find someone else to play/sing with

I’ll sign off to that. Still, todays Saturday!
As soon as i woke up i was longing to play. I had i great nights sleep, a good workout, family was away etc.
And above all - no plans for the day except enjoying some time with some guitars.
The stars was pretty much aligned.
But today felt like the first time i picked up a guitar 30 years ago.

[TBman]

Happens to me often. The other night it happened so I pulled out a book of easy fingerstyle pieces and played a bunch on my classical.

[KevinH]

When that happens I usually blame the guitar, and start looking for a new one

[HFox]

Originally Posted by KevinH

When that happens I usually blame the guitar, and start looking for a new one

This is close..... I either try another guitar or I walk away.....then walk back and restring with new strings.......works about 1/2 the time......the other 1/2 , I drink a couple of adult beverages and and look at the AGF classifieds .