Very good! It seems like it's already offering you the needed support for your mind to work without any outside distractions, so it's a great step!

Absolutely. I need to get it more cozy up there, but it's coming along

Step by step mate I for one bought 2-3 floor lamps that are giving way a cozy dim light which is perfect for evening practice. They add a lot to the atmosphere and they are very cheap - about 20 EUR a piece:



I know there's the electricity issue, but you need to think of what sort of decorations would make you feel good about being there and then apply, if possible

This post has been edited by Cosmin Lupu: Mar 17 2014, 08:33 AM

Hard task You have there Ben...Without electricity it's hard to supply anything with higher power consumption - like guitar amp or regular monitors. Unless You're planning to purchase an oil power supply

I've got my laptop working now and I can use that for practicing and recording, so it's all good

I will be watching this thread, because I am very curious about the moment in which you will say: 'Man, I thought long and hard and I will take Cosmin's advice on pulling a cable out the window, because as Darius suggested, I need my speakers and a guitar amp'

I found out that they will be redoing a lot of the pipes come August. They will also be working in my apartment from 7 to 5 each day for a month, so I will have to find somewhere else to stay, maybe with my girlfriend or parents. I'm hoping they forget a plug up there which I can use. Or that they put electricity up there while they're at it.

Save some money and rent a room at Your parents house I suppose they have electricity for sure

Maaan, even the thought of staying with my parents for a longer time scares me! I appreciate them, but I've just spent like 5 days with my mom living in my apartment. I'm about to go crazy with constatnly having to entertain her and talk to her. I'm used to silence!

Oh yeah...they do talk...talk and talk and talk in the breaks from talking :PAnd the worst...talk about the same all over again

Ben - maybe you can convince the workers to pull up some electricity Raise some money and pay them something to do it - is that how it works there too?

Let's not get into the parent zone, shall we?

I don't think it works like that here unfortunately, and if anyone (like the owners of the apartment block) found out I'd be in big trouble, I think.
It's annoying, cause I've heard that lots of people in other blocks have electricity in their attic storage or basement storages. Just not here. But as said, I've now got a rechargable lamp and my laptop seems to be working as it should, so it's all good!

I'm finally free to play guitar in about 20 minutes

But have you thought about talking to the owner and explaining your needs?

... thats way we love them so much




Man, why you do not simply practice in your apartment? ..
I understand you all too well being a really nervous character myself .. always searching for a quite and cosy place in the house in believe to be finally calm there. Moving things back and forth, but at the end it will not change anything as it's again just something which distract you from what you actually want or need to do. Just saying .. move things temporarily out which distract you the most (TV, games, ...) .. you might be bored at some point and will return more regular to the guitar up to you find a routine and get easier "in the practice zone"

I know what you mean, but I just find this a more peaceful solution. I'm easily distracted by the computer, TV, my cat, food or anything else really. And it'd be more of a hassle taking a 50" TV four floors up than just taking the guitar up.

I like the focus I can gain when away from all these things.

I don't want to interfere with your plans, but i hear myself talking with your arguments
You suppose to have an peaceful environment at home .. thats why you call it “home” actually.

No need to move the TV, just hide away the electricity plug … everywhere else but at home ofc

I like my home, but it's very easy to get distracted here. That's what it feels like anyway. I know from back in the day when I went to a school where you live for a year and play music that it was a lot easier to concentrate without the possibility of TV, computers or what not. We weren't allowed to bring computers or anything, but they had 8 really nice practice/rehearsal rooms fully equipped. So I'd go there for a few hours every other day or so and just sit fully focused and concentrated. That's 10 years back and from where I got the technique I have today as I haven't really practiced properly since then.

I'm not sure what else to say really. I hear what you say, and it could obviously also be a question of having the right mindset.

Yep, then maybe the attic will work for you to bring your mindset back in practice order and then move back to the apartment … good luck !

Of course, the environment can help, but the true factor is you If you have the right mindset, you can practice ANYWHERE and I mean that. Not in a burning building of course, but for instance, in a hotel room, if you are always on the road.

I'd probably find it a lot easier practicing in a hotel room with little else to do.