Not playing much

I've been in ruts, it's normal. The past few years have actually been brutal. It doesn't help when outside forces are at play, or people waste your time. Like John said about buying a Tele to try something different, I think the best thing I did was to buy a couple of nice acoustics and an old archtop in the past couple of years. With the amount of pain from nerve damage I'm dealing with lately, they are the most comfortable guitars to play that I own. I can go twenty to thirty minutes with no issues. I've actually been writing again, which is a huge plus. Lately, I've decided I don't want other people to influence my attitude, and ruin something I love to do. Maybe something simple as getting a cheap lapsteel, or other cheap guitar with a crappy action, and setting it up for slide could be something to amuse you. It takes you outside of what you normally do, and you can mess around without trying to create a predetermined end result. Instead, the end result was having a good time messing around with no expectations. And you ended up learning something new, which can always have it's own positive results on your psyche.
 
I've been in ruts, it's normal. The past few years have actually been brutal. It doesn't help when outside forces are at play, or people waste your time. Like John said about buying a Tele to try something different, I think the best thing I did was to buy a couple of nice acoustics and an old archtop in the past couple of years. With the amount of pain from nerve damage I'm dealing with lately, they are the most comfortable guitars to play that I own. I can go twenty to thirty minutes with no issues. I've actually been writing again, which is a huge plus. Lately, I've decided I don't want other people to influence my attitude, and ruin something I love to do. Maybe something simple as getting a cheap lapsteel, or other cheap guitar with a crappy action, and setting it up for slide could be something to amuse you. It takes you outside of what you normally do, and you can mess around without trying to create a predetermined end result. Instead, the end result was having a good time messing around with no expectations. And you ended up learning something new, which can always have own positive results on your psyche.
New gear isn’t the answer for me.
In the last couple of years I think I’ve bought a dozen or so guitars, a few amps and cabs, and a closet full of pedals and miscellaneous gear.

I’ve been going at it pretty hard since about the beginning of the pandemic. Doing various lessons, learning a ton from all you fine folks here about recording and playing techniques. Posting riffs pretty regularly, mostly to monitor my progress and apply anything new I may have learned.
I’ve been teaching my grandson guitar. Helping my son play drums. Recorded a few songs with Ramo and Iron1. Did guitar flipping, repairs and refinishing.
I think I’m slightly burned out is all.
 
I've been through a few slumps before. Especially when it's 112 outside...zaps all the fire out of me.
Most importantly, Don't stress about it.

There's no pressure to get back, so just wait until whenever you feel like it.

And when you do, let me know and I'll talk crap about your fender ....heh heh heyyyy!
 
I didn’t realize I did anything.
i was on the edge & the thread had me revisit why i am not playing. Started last week when my buddy stopped by & we said we should be playing. epecialy into the winter when we dont go outside as much. Put it all in motion again yesterday. No expectations than play that whole first Cd live a few times before we can't
 
I try to play a little every day keep the callouses up. Last thursday or friday I busted a string on my second acoustic, first one has had a busted B for three months now. So i'm here I'm now plinking away on an unamped Hamer upstairs. My electrics stay mostly in the basement gear grotto, or one or two in the straplab. I'm more driven to play acoustic about 75% of the time up here on the main floor. Trying to work out acoustic songs on a solid body is so unsatisfying. Then I realize I spend at least two hours a day on forums like TTR and I could have easily changed strings on both my acoustics, instead of frickin moaning and weeping about it. I love building, maintaining is my weak point. One thing I do find can bust me out of a Guitar Depression Syndrome (my term) is frick around with an alternate tuning or force myself to write a new song.
 
New gear isn’t the answer for me.
In the last couple of years I think I’ve bought a dozen or so guitars, a few amps and cabs, and a closet full of pedals and miscellaneous gear.

I’ve been going at it pretty hard since about the beginning of the pandemic. Doing various lessons, learning a ton from all you fine folks here about recording and playing techniques. Posting riffs pretty regularly, mostly to monitor my progress and apply anything new I may have learned.
I’ve been teaching my grandson guitar. Helping my son play drums. Recorded a few songs with Ramo and Iron1. Did guitar flipping, repairs and refinishing.
I think I’m slightly burned out is all.
Have you had a good vacation lately?
That seemed to help me a little and someone suggested playing bass guitar.
Amazing how much fun that is but hard on the fingers.
 
I don’t know if it’s the heat sapping my will to live.
Or maybe I’m in a playing rut.

I haven’r picked up my guitars for more than 5 minutes. I pluck the strings a little and put it down.

I do feel like I’m kinda playing the same ole, same ole all the time.

Maybe I just need time away from it a little.

Anyone else get into funks like this?
Yes .. I haven’t played in 3 weeks.

But I have a gout problem in my right wrist.. but it still sounds like I am playing the same thing over an over, seems to me I have been in this rut for the last couple of years.
 
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