What to do when your playing hits a wall..?

[UniversalGenesisShock]

Hi all, I was wondering what are some methods you guys use when your playing hits a brick, such as you feel you are repeating yourself when you write, or your technique is not improving, id love to hear some suggestions.

 

[Justin890]

try listening to something you swore you would never listen to, and see if you can pick up anything new...

 

[11thDay]

Some ideas in no particular order:

1. Take a break for a couple of days.
2. Buy a new CD.
3. Buy a new instructional book or video.
4. Buy a new piece of gear.
5. Tune up your guitar (clean, strings, neck, action, intonation, etc.)
6. Transcribe a favorite lick or solo.
7. Force yourself to learn a DIFFICULT exercise.
8. Work on a technique that you never really work on.
9. Justin890's suggestion.
10. Listen to jazz.
11. Record.
12. Jam with others or join a band.
13. See live music.
14. Listen to James Murphy. <-- This always works

 

[Eat Pop Slop]

Yeah pretty good list there 11thDay - I think the key is not to let it get ya down. If I'm stuck finishing a song, I'll just come back to it another day, cause if ya force it, it will sound forced.

 

[control-denied777]

learning new licks and scales worked for me so far

 

[DeMysteriisDomCanuckus]

Start at the roots of all heavy guitar music, the blues, then work your way back up the evolutionary chain to rock, then to metal.

 

[Razorjack]

I got stuck in a rut for almost 2yrs, eventually I got out of it by throwing myself into learning some songs I knew were well above my level (at the time) and after learning a couple of them well enough my creativity came back to me and my playing changed for the better.

 

[DevWil]

try playing something you are convinced is impossible for you to play.