im kinda bummed

When this happens to me I force myself to write an original, no matter how simple or silly or work out some crowd pleasing old pop tune ...
For me I think the feeling I accomplished something tangible on guitar rather than hours of unstructured lick 'n riff noodling (which is an all too common thing for me) does good things for my motivation. Reboots my head for a time... this is all just me 100%... your situation may be different, but try it sometime.

Getting chops and finger pads back after a hiatus is sure not fun though.
 
If you don't play for a while you need to build those calluses up again first which is something we can forget and makes us feel like we can't play anymore and it hurts.

Little kid "So what's it like being an electric guitarist!"

Electric Guitarist "Oh it's a lot of fun! You have your heart ripped out by people around you who think you play like a howler monkey, your back gets warped, your fingers hurt, you lose your hearing, you spend huge money on gear that doesn't do what you think it should do, you have to learn songs when you could be working and earning from something else, your gear breaks, you get tone one day and it's gone the next, your axes get stolen and people laugh at you 99% of the time... but there is that 1% moment when it all makes it worth it."

Little kid "Ugggg... I am going to be a Hockey player instead."
 
TheToneDig said:
If you don't play for a while you need to build those calluses up again first which is something we can forget and makes us feel like we can't play anymore and it hurts.

Little kid "So what's it like being an electric guitarist!"

Electric Guitarist "Oh it's a lot of fun! You have your heart ripped out by people around you who think you play like a howler monkey, your back gets warped, your fingers hurt, you lose your hearing, you spend huge money on gear that doesn't do what you think it should do, you have to learn songs when you could be working and earning from something else, your gear breaks, you get tone one day and it's gone the next, your axes get stolen and people laugh at you 99% of the time... but there is that 1% moment when it all makes it worth it."

Little kid "Ugggg... I am going to be a Hockey player instead."
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Well said!
 
RVA said:
In the end, the only thing that has proven consistently correct, is that in the big picture, there is a benefit to perseverance through the rough patches - with guitar, in relationships, in business, with health, and the rest of life.

This too shall pass
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Lots of other good advice and summaries to go by, Helter.
In the long run, I hope all your concerns that weigh on you pass by like the clouds, and the sun reappears.

I truly did mean it when I said, " when do you start with Iron Maiden?" You really do possess the ability to play great things.

As for what RVA said above. I am DEEEP in the heavy role of caring for my elderly parents. We almost lost my mom to a stroke almost 3 weeks ago. I finally had some sleep today, as I woke for the last time of sleep sessions at noon. Concern sure can make one tired.

Anyway, Helter, don't give up hope. I am hoping to convey this to my mom too, so she does not get sad or scared or feel hopeless to try to get back her ability to talk, and use her right side or to ever walk again. I sure hate seeing her struggle and to entertain the thoughts she may be suffering and sad and scared and unable to speak her feelings so we can understand her.
 
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When I got out of the hospital after my botched surgery and suffering a Pulmonary Embolism, the first thing I did was pull out my guitar and discovered I could not play, everything was backwards, my left hand couldn't form chords and my right hand couldn't pick. I was floored, but I kept trying. Forward to now, I can play much better, not quite where I was before, but still relearning things and I've made good improvement.

!!!!DON'T STOP PLAYING!!!!
 
I quit for 30 years but I always kept one guitar. I don’t know exactly why but ten years ago I started playing again. I now regret that long lapse in playing. It took me a few years to get back up to snuff. I’m nowhere near as good as I used to be but I think I am a better musician. Now when I get in a slump I try something new. Monte’s improv challenges on Strat Talk have been a big part of trying something new. Most of them are way out of my wheelhouse. Another thing I’ll do is pick a song in a genre I don’t normally like and learn the song. I hope you get out of the slump soon. Whatever you do don’t sell of all your gear. When you do get the inspiration you need at least one guitar ready to go.
 
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Mitch Pearrow SJMP said:
Bro I am always rusty.
And I have quit and sold everything twice, but I am playing again, I am not much better than I was in 83.
But I am having fun.
This will pass ..
Thanks
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Helter,
DO NOT sell ALL your GEAR. DO NOT GIVE UP.

If you feel like reduced OOOOMPH to want to play, think about the big picture and sell one guitar or one amp or something if you must. DO Not Sell ALL of your good stuff.

I am coming from a low to moderate income type a man who never had abundance in life. If one were to have ever told me, I would have 10+ guitars despite being essentially a lifetime beginner at playing skill, I would have said, " when pigs fly. " But now I do have multiple guitars and basses. Drums too. Granted, some are $300-$400 guitars, and some $500-$1000/$2000 ones. But, if it came down to economics and being practical about my funds on hand vs. guitars to noodle on, I could live with making the hard choice to sell off everything up to and until I got down to one last " Keeper" in my bunch. Every single guitar I have is more than capable of a real player making real music with it. The point is, to at least keep one, means I did not give up, like when I sold my first and only guitar I purchased when I was 18 years old.

At 57 years old, I no longer have any aspirations of being a big rock star. BUT as Sp8ctre said, it is about fun and enjoying my accomplishments however small they may be. In 1990 or so, I stupidly SOLD my BEST guitar ever. My 1979 Les Paul Std with T Top Pickups. All my guitars I own now, or the half dozen I have owned and sold since then, have never given me that feeling of my first. I am sure you know that sensation, that smell and almost taste of my bond with that Les Paul.

The guys who can notice the smallest of nuances between a fair, good, or golden nugget NUMBER 1 type guitar that should never be sold, know what I am saying. The guys who put each gem into "wear it out" for session and/or live stage playing and just go for it. Guys like Robert Herndon who uses his tools and sees no reason to even bother having a bunch of others to choose from.

I guess I am trying to say, only you can assess your scenario and do what you feel is right to do. But don't give up and sell ALL. Pretty sure you'd regret the result later on as you didn't just sell, you gave up.

Good luck whatever you do, Bro.
 
Helter, I reiterate:
DO NOT sell ALL your GEAR. DO NOT GIVE UP.

As I typed that the first time, I think about how I now must use the Do NOT GIVE UP words on myself and TO my own dear 82 year old mom who had a stroke and currently lies in a nursing home bed. She is unable to move her right side and even lost ability to speak so we can understand her. She has every right to just tell herself, " I will never get better" " I am scared" "I can't do it" " I can't even make anyone understand what I need or have to say..."

If I let this happen, then she will give up and hit the ledge of her last TRY. At this point there will be no return and I will likely see it is my time to make the hardest decision ever unless she passes quietly.

Whatever you are wrestling with Helter, I hope it is a piece of cake to conquer and have hope compared to what mom and other stroke, cancer, tragic accident folks must face.
 
chilipeppermaniac said:
Helter, I reiterate:
DO NOT sell ALL your GEAR. DO NOT GIVE UP.

As I typed that the first time, I think about how I now must use the Do NOT GIVE UP words on myself and TO my own dear 82 year old mom who had a stroke and currently lies in a nursing home bed. She is unable to move her right side and even lost ability to speak so we can understand her. She has every right to just tell herself, " I will never get better" " I am scared" "I can't do it" " I can't even make anyone understand what I need or have to say..."

If I let this happen, then she will give up and hit the ledge of her last TRY. At this point there will be no return and I will likely see it is my time to make the hardest decision ever unless she passes quietly.

Whatever you are wrestling with Helter, I hope it is a piece of cake to conquer and have hope compared to what mom and other stroke, cancer, tragic accident folks must face.
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that sucks about your mom man.
ill be fine....for the last 6 months, ive had a normal heartbeat for the first time in my life, and im just doing other things besides just playing the friggin guitar all the time. im sure ill get back at it.
 
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