Hi PoppaGator,

"Minimalist" was the best way I could think of to express in a few words for a thread title "as few notes as possible, as few chords as possible, as much space and silence between the notes as possible." I am a zen student.

As you can imagine, I'm feeling kind of frustrated right now and unspeakably sad: imagine your own playing decimated if you will and you will have some idea of where I am. I want to play and I can't get clear notes and chords in many cases in songs I have played for years and was ready to record before I broke my hand.

I need to experiment with different players, different sounds, to get something that I like while I work on my own playing. I may need a hiatus from recording. I don't know what I need, I'm casting about for alternatives.

Nothing against your skills. What I like to hear other people play is different than what I want to hear when it's my stuff. I'm feeling my way. Have patience.

I need somebody who loves what I do -- or what I used to be able to do. I never said I had advanced skills of any sort, just that I had a distinctive style of playing, which I like because it is mine, Now I may have to build something new: it seems wise to look at a range of construction materials and techniques.

Perhaps this post is better continued in a personal conversation or a PM. Thank you for your input.

Sharyn