Have you ever felt like you suck at guitar?

[C.Thep]

Sorry if something similar has been posted before.

I'm a good guitarist. I know it. I've only met around 3 people that I could say they were better. I out-sweep, out-shred, out-solo all of my friends, guitar center people, and local bands. but maybe that is the problem. I don't know anyone that can keep up with me.

For the last month it seems like I took a huge step backwards.

I never can dial in a satisfying tone, my distortion that I have been using for years is giving me a headache, I keep rearranging pedals searching for a certain sound, I keep adjusting the pickups and fiddling with the trem. I spend more time looking at gear than playing guitar.

Worst of all, I just feel stuck, like I'm playing the same thing over and over. It's like I have no creativity, but I do. I'm so bored now. My playing doesn't sound as clean as I used to, and my sweeps sound all muddy. I'm having trouble playing things I normally could play, and I get so depressed when I listen to my new Deicide CD (the stench of redemption, wonderful album) or go on youtube because the solos are so awesome and I can't play them. It makes me furious on the inside, and a sudden urge makes me polish my guitar and put it in the case. I just played right now, before I posted this and I indeed, totally suck. If you would see me play right now, you would think I've been playing for 5 months. (probably not, but thats how I feel)

Maybe it's because I'm a little stressed, or the cold weather, or I'm not getting enough fresh air, but it has never happened to me before. I always progressed until now, and I've been playing music for 7 years.

If anyone knows how to snap me out of this slump, please tell me.

[Hobo Dan]

Hey dude, i know exactly what your writing about. Actually i've been going throught that myself, but when i feel im not making progress or can't find the tone I like I usually either take a break from playing and work on other aspects of music, or sometimes i just pick up the old acoustic because it's a different sound from what i usually hear.

[ibanezdiehard]

you don't say whether your in a band or not?

if not join one.

i went 05-06 without being in a band and it was the least i had ever played guitar since i started. i just felt depressed and bored with the guitar

but now that i'm in a band again it's all good

[crevis]

The cold is your worst enemy, you have to warm up alot when its cold or your fingers will be asleep and wont want to move. Very detrimental if youre a sweeper like myself.

Got any clips of yourself?

[Lefty Robb]

I'm the same way, but my problem is I'm left handed and teacher's run at the sight of me....so I had to learn everything I know on my own, which is a good and bad thing...

[jemplayer55]

It's not uncommon to reach plateaus in your playing and writing. Sometimes you need to play less from a technical point and focus on being more "musical" if that makes sense. If your technical skill is as high as you describe.... you may have overlooked other aspects of your craft in those 7 years. Put down the electric and pick up an acoustic. Learn to write on piano. Same goes with sweeps, arpeggios and playing scalier runs. Great tools but if you're over-using them you'll surely get bored of your own skill level. Nothing sounds "new" or "fresh". As far as tone..... and equipment obsession, go back to basics. If you're using 5 or 6 stomp boxes figure out why..... are they really all that necessary to "sound good"? There is also a balance that has to be maintained between interaction with other musicians, Practicing your chops and writing something that stands on it's own merit unaccompanied. (again back to that acoustic) Don't over-think your playing. You can't force playing in the pocket. Technical skill is nothing without the application of a healthy dose of theory also. Great music is not all about soloing. Soloing is only one tool used buy a well rounded guitarist. Hope this helps some.

[David McCarroll]

Sucking on guitar is my default state - I'm aiming to be the master of guitar suckage someday........

[Demogorgos]

All the time when I see a Pablo video... but *only* when I see him.



JP

PS: Pablo is gawd

[crevis]

Originally Posted by David McCarroll

Sucking on guitar is my default state - I'm aiming to be the master of guitar suckage someday........

You'll have to work pretty hard (or a lot less) to suck more than this guy lol

http://www.jemsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54645

sorry i had to say it

[Distantshore]

Originally Posted by crevis

You'll have to work pretty hard (or a lot less) to suck more than this guy lol

http://www.jemsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54645

sorry i had to say it

Where did you find that video of me??

[JJEMMER777]

Every time I pick it up .......

Actually, we are just on a break from practicing tonight.

Sounding alright. I think we are getting somewhere

Good thing I have the other members to cover for me

We all go through slumps now and then.

Slumps = learn

Originally Posted by Distantshore

Where did you find that video of me??

Your famous ~D

Didn't you know

[Distantshore]

Superstar!

[Patrick Deno]

Duder,

I've been playing for ... CHEESE AND RICE! ... going on 25 years now. I can't sweep, I haven't the foggiest notion of how to truly "shred", soloing is a mystery I have yet to unravel and I've never gotten that "perfect tone" I've been on a constant grail quest to find for over 20 years now.

I'm more a rhythm player and I do alright. I've been in several bands over the years but in a technical sense I'm the proverbial garage hobbyist nowadays. I've never had a lesson in my life and I still can't keep up with 95% of the folks who post here. But, I have a good sense of tempo and folks have been telling me for years that I've always known how to make the guitar "talk" when jamming.

Slump? Yeah, we all get 'em. It's part of the art and madness we bought ourselves into when we picked up the "wire and wood". Sounds like you're light years ahead of me technically but I have a style all my own which is more than many can say.

My advice: don't be so hard on yourself and count your blessings. Take some time off and don't take yourself quit so seriously. Take a week, a month, a year ... however long it takes ... and force yourself NOT to play until the itch becomes so bad you can't stand it anymore. Pick up an acoustic and try to shred for an hour or so .... then grab your main axe and watch those fingers fly. You'll be amazed what you can do all of a sudden.

Good luck,

LJ

[TongueShredder]

Every single minute. You never know....

[sers]

hi, be unhappy it`s the best thing for me, it keep`s me moving my mind in 1000 differents directions looking for new things to do.
if i were always happywith my playing. i`ll do all the same. think about that.