Resetting yourself.

Davey · #1 05-31-2007, 05:09 AM

I've been thinking about this for a couple of months and it seems that I really want to stop playing the same tired old crap that I play in favour of something similar but different. It's like whenever I'm noodling away my fingers always go for the same patterns and I think my playing has become stagnant.

The kicker is that I don't get much time to practice these days (although that will change eventually) and whenever I look online for new stuff it takes away from time where I could actually have a guitar in my hands. It seems like there is so much CRAP to trawl through on the net to find some good shapes to shred on (and yes it's easy to say "Figure out your own patterns" but if I make 'em up they sound too similar to what I was playing before.)

So yeah, I sort of want to try and forget what I play now and start playing something fresh.

SURELY there are loads of guitarists out there that feel the same way, so has anyone got any long scale runs or boxes or whatever that they fancy sharing? I guarantee it wouldn't just be helping me out.

Cheers

Rekuss · #2 05-31-2007, 05:17 AM

Hey,

I know what you mean, I think we all get that from time to time and whilst I don't think my playing is currently stagnant, I do need to learn some more runs.

Check out 'Altitudes' by Becker, There's some cool runs that are variants of Gilberts playing and some cool runs that have seven-uplets (sorry forgot the word).

Davey · #3 05-31-2007, 05:21 AM

Cool, I remember hearing that a while back so I'll check it out right now.

Gilbert is a major influence, and to be honest, sometimes that's actually a bad thing because he's too much of an influence if you know what I mean.

David McCarroll · #4 05-31-2007, 07:09 AM

All the time!

The only advice I can offer is find a really good teacher who will push you in directions you won't go yourself - it doesn't really matter which direction, be it jazz, country, classical, whatever, but your technique, and your sense of harmony/melody will shift, and you will find unlimited ways to fold what you learn back into your main musical direction - heck, you might find a new direction altogether!

Davey · #5 05-31-2007, 08:07 AM

Good idea. The thing is, I just don't have time to get a teacher, and the time I do have I wouldn't want to mess them around with schedules, etc.

Personally, I feel I've got good technique, I just need more stuff to practice/play.

JJEMMER777 · #6 05-31-2007, 08:16 AM

Just change it up Davey

Get outta the rut. Make a mental note to NOT play the same patterns, etc. I've just been into writing new all original songs. No covers at ALL anymore. It's really been eye opening and rewarding.

Also just play around with different scales / modes. Change it up and STICK with only the new modes on said days (or week) and don't play the old stuff AT all.

Also as a mental, color association with different modes for more feeling.

example -

Week one - Locrian (dark and ominous)
Week two - Dorian (my x-gfriend

)
Week three - Lydian (Blue skies and whispy clouds)

etc, etc. Assoicate a (color/mood/theme) with each different mode to really enhance the whole mental approach and mindset you get.

Also I HAVE to lay down a rhythm first and then work over that to really get into the scales/modes. Just a simple rhthym for backing (3 or 4 chord) say in the key of B minor for Lydian, etc, etc.

Side note, I have some new songs with my band I'll be sharing with you guys as soon as my new baby gets here (if it EVER gets here

) tick tock

Tone clips of the 20th

BTW - I hardly EVER practice "dorian" anymore

Never cared much for it anyways

**GilkyBear** · #7 05-31-2007, 08:24 AM

http://www.jazzguitar.be/jazzguitar_licks.html
Try some of these Davey. Just click on the guitarist and some info and some tabs will come up at the bottom of the new page. Nothing incredible, but quite different from what we usually play. Some really cool ideas in there just for a fresh look at the instrument. Good overall site too.

Davey · #8 05-31-2007, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJEMMER777

Week two - Dorian (my x-gfriend

)

That'll mean I'll be using a minor scale then

Davey · #9 05-31-2007, 08:29 AM

KIDDING! honestly!

Davey · #10 05-31-2007, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilkyBear

http://www.jazzguitar.be/jazzguitar_licks.html
Try some of these Davey. Just click on the guitarist and some info and some tabs will come up at the bottom of the new page. Nothing incredible, but quite different from what we usually play. Some really cool ideas in there just for a fresh look at the instrument. Good overall site too.

Thanks bud