Play with new people. People you worship and people you spit on-- people you would not normally play with.

And play with people who like music you hate.

Play for children if you don't, or for old folks stuck in a home, and play what they like.

And listen to all new stuff.

Then when you go back to your old material your mind will have morphed it into something new, as well as picked up new material to do in your older style.

If you sing, don't. Accompany someone else for a bit and go with wherever they take a song.

If you don't sing, do, and put the instrument down for a bit. Just go out back and SING. When you come back to the axe, you'll play differently.

And try that instrument you have always wanted to try.

Now-- what else? What do YOU think you should do, but it feels uncomfortable? THAT's where the TRUE answer will probably be. Write me if you like-- I've pried others out of their ruts. Don't see why we can't get you out of this one.

Me, I know what I need to do. I need a partner, period. I have to be more aggressive about looking, and asking good players to consider me.

~Susan

motormice@hotmail.com