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Posted by: opeth.db Mar 23 2009, 08:08 PM

Not sure if anyone new I had stopped playing in a metal band a few months ago because of me having a new baby and just really didn't have the time for it. NOw my church is going threw some stuff and I have decided to step down from playing guitar for them. It was the only thing I had time for these days...

Sucks...Really.

Now I am playing just to play. I never not played for people or it has been a while.

I was just sitting here contemplating what to do..

1. Do I just keep practicing till my so called next "gig"?
2. Do I quit playing guitar? Really I mean I only play just for my own benefit now.
3. Start writing again? Keep doing my technique tabs and improve? And for what?

Its obvious I will not quit..It just really sucks right now.

Posted by: jer Mar 23 2009, 08:51 PM

When we spoke about you leaving the band you didnt seem to miss it at all.

So really this post surprises me.

What do YOU want to do? Right now you are unsure?

I'm right there with ya. I don't know what my next move is. I knwo what wasn't working for me. So I trimmed the fat there. Now until it becomes clear what my next focus is I am sort of in limbo. So I'm choosing a few songs to learn and just learning them. Paying attention to the stuff that I've learned in the past so I can learn from it too. Keys, scales, progressions, counting etc.

You can learn something doing ANYTHING on the guitar.

I dont mind playing for just me. As long as I can play entire songs. (at least one of the guitar parts, I'll start with rhythm first)

Do you see yourself not enjoying playing just for you?

Posted by: opeth.db Mar 23 2009, 09:52 PM

I was content leaving the metal band but now the church band has dried up so now im in a state of limbo and just not sure what to do. Im just venting and speaking out loud..

Just taking it day by day right now..

Posted by: jer Mar 23 2009, 09:56 PM

Do you see yourself not enjoying playing just for you?

Posted by: opeth.db Mar 23 2009, 10:11 PM

Ya know I never done that. I created tunes for other peoples enjoyment.

Not sure really. LOL

Posted by: Marek Rojewski Mar 23 2009, 10:14 PM

I often have problem that when I don't know something, I just can't think of the answer ( some psychological barrier... ).

So... - simple actions can give an answer. Maybe don't play for few days - week, and see how much You miss "guitar time". If You don't than get back to thinking about it. If You do, than keep playing;)

Posted by: GuitarMonkey Mar 23 2009, 10:19 PM

Whoa! Please don't stop playing. There is nothing wrong with playing for your own benefit. Keep playing and use the time to really reflect on what you want to do with your playing. I think if you completely stop, you are going to look back with nothing but regret for the time lost. Many,many, many very talented players play "only" for their own benefit.

Posted by: berko Mar 23 2009, 10:31 PM

I guess you've come a long way already and IMO every second dedicated to an instrument and music is never a waste of time. However, there is still a long way to go as well. I think playing guitar only for itself is still worth it! I mean, ofc you can cherish dreams that you become a guitar hero one day and that has it's benefits, but playing guitar is fun just on its own. Even if you have very little time atm (like me, 1 h max a day ) it's still a great one hour to play late at night. Do some improvisation, play your favorite lessons or songs. Or just strum chords. 3 chords over and over creates a whole new world - and they don't have to be fancy ones either.

If you don't feel inspired - it doesn't matter. Once I left the guitar for 2 whole weeks without touching it although I could have picked it up whenever I wanted. Sometimes we need a bigger pause but after all it's always great to pick up your axe and continue into the vast distance. It's adventure after all!

Posted by: Andrew6 Mar 23 2009, 10:33 PM

I really only play for myself I guess, there are no people in my area that really share my taste in music so I just jam a long with CDs all day and it is really a huge stress relief

Posted by: jer Mar 23 2009, 11:12 PM

Thats how I am.

Whenever I try to involve other people it doesnt workout.

All of my music hobby is just for me.

And thats fine.

Posted by: sigma7 Mar 23 2009, 11:15 PM

haha ironic

neway if you dont want to just practice, apply for competetions urself or try to get 1000+ views on youtube etc

Posted by: Outlaw2112 Mar 23 2009, 11:17 PM

I think you have to play for yourself... thats what i do, play to get better and dont worry about what other people
think or say... you must enjoy playing or you wouldnt have put soo much time into it to get where you are at the moment..
Plus we do have to get this metronome thing down, so its a challenge to get better and figure this out..
Just play because its fun and challenging...

Posted by: lcsdds Mar 24 2009, 01:05 AM

I've played for 20 yrs. and until 7 months ago NEVER had any kind of musical interaction with anybody. I totally play for myself. I came very close to getting rid of my guitars and gear because I felt the same way you do Dan. Glad I didn't. I guarantee you that if you put the guitar down for awhile that it will suck you back in. This site is full of guys who quit playing for awhile...some for a long while...but they all came back eventually.

Being a guitar junkie is like being in the mafia.....there is really only one way out.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 24 2009, 01:52 AM

Life is strange and we all have bad moments in it, all kinds of bad moments. If you want my advise - don't stop playing, just play the guitar and enjoy music. You don't have to be a superstar or anything, just play for the fun of it, and start from there.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 24 2009, 02:23 AM

I think if you leave guitar now you will get much worse feeling then the one you have right now. Why do I say that ? Simply because you will see people playing guitar everywhere (both real life an media) and will have those flashbacks how you did great one way or the other. It will just eat you inside and you will feel even worse.
Don't be a quitter it simply is not good thing to do. Watch Rocky movies if you need some inspiration

Seriously , don't quit guitar, sit down and remember why you started playing in the first place ! Make a list of your favorite songs, play them , learn new favorite ones, start writing your material, if you miss playing in the band call them up and arrange a free gig once a week somewhere close to you all etc

There is always way to do things right , you just have to think positive !

Good luck

Posted by: opeth.db Mar 24 2009, 03:04 AM

Thanks Guys... Really.

I was just merely venting to anyone who cared to listen. I have no intentions of quiting. Im just bummed out at the moment.

Its just a series of events.
-Not progressing as fast as I am practicing.
-Writers block because I have been practicing to much theory, scales.
-Being a new Dad again and the stress of not bein able to sit down with my axe as often as was.

Thanks guys for listening.

Posted by: grathan Mar 28 2009, 07:08 PM

Just get a bigger amp so your neighbors can enjoy your playing You bring up an interesting point that i wonder sometimes if I would play guitar if I was the only person in this world.

Posted by: Trond Vold Mar 28 2009, 07:12 PM

I prefer playing to myself. I miss being in a band and all.... but i kind of prefer just making stuff for myself. It gives me total freedom and i dont have to listen to the drummer complaining about time signatures