Lacking Inspiration

A. B. Traynor · Posted 25 May 2004 3:13 pm

Does anyone ever lack inspiration to practice? What are these rough spots caused by? How can they be overcome?

Emmett Roch · From: Texas Hill Country

Sometimes by listening to tapes of your last performance.....

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

After working very hard to achieve the musical success, your goal, that you've established for yourself, a number of audio failures that you hear, tend to discourage you.
I've found if I walk away from it for several hours, or days, and then pick a new song that I wish to learn and master, that my enthusiasm is recharged and progress is once again noted.
When first starting out, there are so many different things the student has to learn that little successes are everywhere.
As one becomes more schooled and proficient
those "gains" often are harder to come by and thus, less noticeable. Just keep working at it; don't ask too much of yourself for each set-down at the guitar; and, note each little success in proportion to the effort invested in it.
Good Luck. You're not alone in this dept.

Tim Bridges · From: Hoover, Alabama, USA

Buy a new PSG. It worked for me. Went from a 30+ year old SB Professional to a killer 8X8 D-10 Derby. That'll inspire anyone!

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

Lack of inspiration can come from being bored with your present level of knowledge, technique, or both. So you may feel that you're on a plateau, musically.

The way I break free of those bonds is by choosing a song I know but haven't worked out, either from recording, sheet music or tab, and getting after it. Sometimes one little lick will be the key that unlocks the door to several dozen more related phrases and a whole new way of approaching the neck is the result.

What I often use is Buddy's tab from some of his Swing Shift albums with the accompanying rhythm tracks. But that's me, that's Big E material, and that's swing. I also use Jimmy Day's Steel and Strings album for E9 inspiration.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Marco Schouten · From: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

I found that just listening to Bobbe Seymoure's Priceless cd gave me a mental boost somehow.

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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud LLG; Guyatone 6 string lap steel; John Pearse bar; Emmons bar; Evans SE200 amp

Jim West · Posted 26 May 2004 3:16 pm

Sometimes you just have to take a break and let it set a while. I once took about a ten day break because I just wasn't in the mood to play and what I was playing ust lacked any energy. When I sat back down my playing was actually better than before (at least it sounded that way to me). I felt more rested and the things I played before had time to settle in. Maybe you just need to give it a rest and not force it. JMHO

A. B. Traynor · Posted 26 May 2004 3:22 pm

I think I will do just that- take a break for a few days and come back to it later. When you are frustrated it seems to be such a chore to play, but when you take a step back, every thing seems very fresh a couple of days later. Do you think that physical condition has anything to do with it (smoking, drinking coffe, eating junk food, etc.) I think it plays a pretty big part. Anyways, that is just my opinion and I may be dead wrong!

[This message was edited by A. B. Traynor on 26 May 2004 at 04:23 PM.]

Robert Porri · From: Windsor, Connecticut, USA

I think if you are doing things (some you mentioned) that may make you feel tired you are more apt to skip practice in favor of a more "mindless" activity. (I speak from personal experience.)

I know for myself with not just PSG, but 6 string practice, or songwriting, and musical projects in general, I'm either "on a roll" and get pretty much consumed, ("are you going to spend ALL DAY in that room?") or I get off track. It's often difficult to get back into it again. Then, I'll start feeling cravings, guilt, something is missing etc. etc. Once I force myself to spend some time after a week or a month or two of not getting much done musically, I fall back into it once I get started again. Then I'm happily back to "the room" for hours and hours a day.

I guess the suggestion I'd make, not that I have my act together, is not to spend too many days away if possible. I think it gets harder to get back into things the longer you're away. On the other hand, sometimes a longer period is OK to get in a different mindset about things.

By the way, I've been pretty regular with my PSG practice, I just started in December. If anything for me, it's the other things right now that are taking a back seat for awhile.

Bob P.

Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

Emmett made the comment about listening to your last performance. I liken that to what I heard a preacher say. There were 2 things that made him want to preach, hearing a good preacher and hearing a bad preacher. It works the same way with the steel.

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

I always get inspired to practice more after attending a Steel show. I hear a lot of songs that I don't play or I hear songs that I used to play but don't anymore, I get inspired to come home and learn them. I also realize for the most part, I could play as well as most of the pickers if I would just put the time into it.

Charles Curtis · Posted 27 May 2004 5:26 am

I personally believe that, simply put, "effort equals desire"; when I get in a rut I'll pick up a tab of what I like most.

Robert Porri · From: Windsor, Connecticut, USA

I agree that effort equals desire as Charles said. I take that to mean that if you have the desire, you'll make the effort. I look at it the other way too. That once you start making the effort, it builds the desire to do more. Spending the time becomes more important to you and easier to do.

Bob P.

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

I like that listen to yourself of tape... I did a set at the Saluda, SC steel show a year or two ago and it totally sucked. I'd been playing lead guitar in a band for a couple of years and not keeping up with my steel chops. When I heard a tape of the show I couldn't believe it was me. I had old cassette recordings of shows I'd done twenty years earlier that sounded 100% better. My steel had just been staying in the case and I'd take it out to do an occasional gig. When I got back from Saluda I made sure my steel was always set up to play at home and started going to jam sessions or played with other bands for free when I could. I'm playing part time with another band now and am getting close to where I once was. I don't want to be embarrassed like that again. I have my drum machine set up at home and practice bluegrass, shuffles, rock, and play with all kinds of rhythms. I think that steel's one instrument you have to stay on top of or you'll lose it quick. Have a good 'un..JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Tim Whitlock · From: Colorado, USA

After a weekend of gigs and back to work on Monday, I sometimes lack the energy to set up the steel in my practice room. Then during the week if it's not set up, it becomes easier for me to slack off on practice. So I try to make sure to set up my guitar as soon as I can on Sunday. If it's set up and ready to go, I will practice. The inspiration is always there. For me it's more of a question of energy.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I took a little break..it turned into Rip Van Winkle ! 13 years..that was a mistake..

Generally now, the Steel, the guitars, an amp and the recorders are always setup and 1 button push away from on.

Go see a few players, even if you have to drive 100 miles..go to Nashville see whats going on..play some stuff thats totally out of your mindset..way out of your comfort zone..
take a few days off but not more than that..

Jam with the satellite music channels..go to an open mic jam and play with someone who's playing a Country tune or two..

I think the message is to do something different than what you are doing..

Listen to a Brad Paisley record, one of the first two with Mike Johnson..play along with him..that'll get your blood goin' !

I play with 2 bands..and I still get weary..sometimes I go 2 or 3 days without touching the Steel ..but usually not more than that..

Many times we get in a big rut because we really are not sure what to do next..whats the next move ? How do I progress..what do I progress to ? It happens to all of us..

relax..take a deep breath..
Ok times up..
now get back to practicing..

t

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

My best practicing is totally uninspired. It's gruntwork. I know that if I'm going to be a better player, I need to develop my muscle memory better. I grudgingly sit down and work through Joe Wright's "Technique Bundle" for an hour, maybe two, in headphones.

It's mindless stuff, like washing the dishes or mowing the grass, but it really pays off the next time I sit down to play some music. That's when the inspiration kicks in.

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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Rick Johnson · From: Wheelwright, Ky USA

I'm reminded of what Joe Wright said
last year at the Lexington, Ky Show.

"Quit your day job, that will motivate you"

Needless to say, I'm still working, too much.

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Rick Johnson

[This message was edited by Rick Johnson on 28 May 2004 at 04:22 AM.]

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