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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Stop Yourself Playing The Same Old..

Posted by: Ben Higgins Nov 9 2012, 11:30 AM

If you wondered what one of the best ways to stop yourself playing the same old licks is.. it's incredibly simple. Just stop yourself as soon as you notice yourself about to go to the next note or chord and force yourself to go somewhere completely different. Say to yourself 'NO - I have to put together a combination of notes or chords that I've never done before.'

A lot of answers that we seek or often in the questions themselves. 'How do I stop this or that ?' Answer: Literally, stop doing it.

How do I do this or that ? Literally, start doing it.

Looking at things at its most simple, these are the answers we get.

However, when we delve deeper and deeper.. we find... the very same answers !! smile.gif

Happy guitaring !!

Posted by: Opetholic Nov 9 2012, 11:43 AM

Hey Ben, I completely agree with you. On the other hand it is extremely difficult to do what you are saying, for example while improvising something. Improvisation happens without thinking so how can I think that I should stop doing something and do something else when I am doing something automatically without thinking tongue.gif tongue.gif

Posted by: Chris Evans Nov 9 2012, 11:52 AM

QUOTE (Opetholic @ Nov 9 2012, 11:43 AM) *
Hey Ben, I completely agree with you. On the other hand it is extremely difficult to do what you are saying, for example while improvising something. Improvisation happens without thinking so how can I think that I should stop doing something and do something else when I am doing something automatically without thinking tongue.gif tongue.gif


you are right and sometimes when improvising we always tend to go for the "safer" option.

what I do sometimes after I`ve learned a bunch of new licks etc is think about a solo before its coming up and almost say to myself "I`m going to try that little lick I learnt" or a particular sweep or tapping pattern (in the right key of course lol), then try and work it in, doesnt always work, and I can certainly be guilty of "over doing" it and adding in just about as much as the "new" stuff I`ve learnt all into one improvised solo, but something may work and the next time we play that song I`ve laid down a standard solo that I`ll probably play more or less the same again each time.

all that is best done in the practice rooms of course! heheh

Posted by: Ben Higgins Nov 9 2012, 11:52 AM

QUOTE (Opetholic @ Nov 9 2012, 10:43 AM) *
Hey Ben, I completely agree with you. On the other hand it is extremely difficult to do what you are saying, for example while improvising something. Improvisation happens without thinking so how can I think that I should stop doing something and do something else when I am doing something automatically without thinking tongue.gif tongue.gif


Ah, improvising is a different story. Our capacity for improvisation is mainly to do with how much we've put into building up our repertoire of licks and how well we know the fretboard. Of course, true improvisation is going beyond even our library of licks and making stuff up on the spot but in terms of trying to break out of a rut and add more to our repertoire, we've just got to do it ! smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 10 2012, 07:25 PM

Well, I see improvising like this: You are in the house and guests are supposed to show up in about 1 hour. You have a few things in your house but no idea what to cook, so you round up your possibilities in a heart beat and as a true warrior you make a decision within 7 breaths and use what you have to amaze your guests.

Improvising occurs when you take what you got and come up with something great out of it smile.gif I think it all comes down to this. Of course, experience in cooking will always prove more than worthy! biggrin.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins Nov 10 2012, 07:38 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 10 2012, 06:25 PM) *
Well, I see improvising like this: You are in the house and guests are supposed to show up in about 1 hour. You have a few things in your house but no idea what to cook, so you round up your possibilities in a heart beat and as a true warrior you make a decision within 7 breaths and use what you have to amaze your guests.

Improvising occurs when you take what you got and come up with something great out of it smile.gif I think it all comes down to this. Of course, experience in cooking will always prove more than worthy! biggrin.gif


If any of you guys show up to my house in short notice you'll probably be enjoying a cup of baked beans ! biggrin.gif


Posted by: ztevie Nov 10 2012, 08:08 PM

This is my main problem. When composing new stuff I end up combining the same old licks, altough in different modes and scales.
I analyzed parts Paul Gilbert's Fuzz Universe. He does stuff that I would probably think of doing once in a while. The difference is when I come up with that kind of thing I would feel "nah, this doesn't sound very nice". He plays licks in a way and speed that makes those licks sound simply awesome and completely in place. SO when I practice those and manage to play them as they should sound, they are actually very cool, but if it would come from me I would probably ditch them before I get so far as to put them in context with other instruments...

I don't know if you understand what the hell I'm trying to say here, not sure even I do, but it's the best way I can explain it.
I guess the only way to get around this is to increase my technical abaility and speed?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 10 2012, 08:36 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Nov 10 2012, 06:38 PM) *
If any of you guys show up to my house in short notice you'll probably be enjoying a cup of baked beans ! biggrin.gif


If its seasoned with friendship, it must taste awesome! smile.gif

Posted by: mroberts70 Nov 11 2012, 04:42 AM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Nov 10 2012, 06:38 PM) *
If any of you guys show up to my house in short notice you'll probably be enjoying a cup of baked beans ! biggrin.gif



After a cup of beans, I can imagine what notes you must be playing shortly there after!!! smile.gif DOH!

It may go something like this...

Guest: Hey Ben, that was an interesting riff you just fired off. Where'd that come from?

Ben: I don't know, I just pulled that one out of my... uh... newly acquired repertoire. biggrin.gif


--------------
Sorry Ben... couldn't resist that one. smile.gif








balls

Posted by: Dieterle Nov 11 2012, 09:03 AM

laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 11 2012, 11:52 AM

Imagine what will happen if sausages will be added to the beans! It's like some fusion metal thingie cool.gif

Posted by: mroberts70 Nov 11 2012, 02:21 PM

Or maybe like adding shrapnel to the mix. smile.gif


QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 11 2012, 10:52 AM) *
Imagine what will happen if sausages will be added to the beans! It's like some fusion metal thingie cool.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins Nov 11 2012, 02:53 PM

QUOTE (mroberts70 @ Nov 11 2012, 03:42 AM) *
Sorry Ben... couldn't resist that one. smile.gif



No comment !

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 11 2012, 10:52 AM) *
Imagine what will happen if sausages will be added to the beans! It's like some fusion metal thingie cool.gif


Yeah, If you're really lucky I might have the tins of beans with little sausages in as well.. biggrin.gif

Posted by: mroberts70 Nov 11 2012, 05:24 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Nov 11 2012, 01:53 PM) *
No comment !

What?!? Since when? I was expecting Higginistic comment... biggrin.gif



Yeah, If you're really lucky I might have the tins of beans with little sausages in as well.. biggrin.gif


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 11 2012, 06:44 PM

Wise words Ben, sometimes the answers and solutions are easier than what we think...

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 11 2012, 08:42 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Nov 11 2012, 01:53 PM) *
No comment !



Yeah, If you're really lucky I might have the tins of beans with little sausages in as well.. biggrin.gif


Is there such a thing???

Posted by: Ben Higgins Nov 12 2012, 09:30 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 11 2012, 07:42 PM) *
Is there such a thing???


Oh yes sir !! biggrin.gif



This isn't the brand I've had.. but is the only clear pic I could find of the product itself wink.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 12 2012, 06:12 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Nov 12 2012, 08:30 AM) *
Oh yes sir !! biggrin.gif



This isn't the brand I've had.. but is the only clear pic I could find of the product itself wink.gif


Oh my... Ben! You should taste the home made bean stew and sausages made by my grandma biggrin.gif With pickles or beetroot salad!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Nov 12 2012, 07:32 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 12 2012, 05:12 PM) *
Oh my... Ben! You should taste the home made bean stew and sausages made by my grandma biggrin.gif With pickles or beetroot salad!


Dammit, I'm getting a flight to Bucharesti right now !! biggrin.gif

Posted by: WeePee Nov 12 2012, 08:52 PM

Into food again biggrin.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins Nov 12 2012, 09:22 PM

QUOTE (WeePee @ Nov 12 2012, 07:52 PM) *
Into food again biggrin.gif


Oops tongue.gif

How do we always manage to do this ??

Posted by: BTrian Nov 12 2012, 10:01 PM

you just can't have baked beans and sausage without the spam !

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 12 2012, 10:47 PM

Well said! JUST SAY NO!!!! smile.gif Try to put the guitar down for maybe one day, pick it up again, then concentrate on playing something outside of your comfy zone!

Todd

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Nov 9 2012, 05:30 AM) *
If you wondered what one of the best ways to stop yourself playing the same old licks is.. it's incredibly simple. Just stop yourself as soon as you notice yourself about to go to the next note or chord and force yourself to go somewhere completely different. Say to yourself 'NO - I have to put together a combination of notes or chords that I've never done before.'

A lot of answers that we seek or often in the questions themselves. 'How do I stop this or that ?' Answer: Literally, stop doing it.

How do I do this or that ? Literally, start doing it.

Looking at things at its most simple, these are the answers we get.

However, when we delve deeper and deeper.. we find... the very same answers !! smile.gif

Happy guitaring !!


Posted by: Ben Higgins Nov 13 2012, 09:48 AM

QUOTE (BTrian @ Nov 12 2012, 09:01 PM) *
you just can't have baked beans and sausage without the spam !


I see you've also had to feed yourself on a budget ! Respect ! biggrin.gif

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