How do you get out of a musical rut?

Subject: How do you get out of a musical rut?
From: Barry T
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 05:37 PM

All too often I find myself stuck in a style that starts to sound the same no matter what tune or song I'm playing... a kind of staleness... choice of songs, chord progressions, finger-picking styles, harmony. This happens most often when I work on midi sequences, which I enjoy because I'm better at that than playing guitar or singing. But when I sit down for a quiet 'one person song circle' I sometimes get so frustrated that my guitar is back in the case fifteen minutes after I've taken it out.

Anybody else encounter this? And, if so, what tricks do you use to force yourself to reach beyond your comfort zone?

Subject: RE: How do you get out of a musical rut?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 05:52 PM

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

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Subject: RE: How do you get out of a musical rut?
From: pict
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 05:59 PM

Stop playing for a month,set musical goals and devise practic regimes that will achieve them,get to some wild places and fill your head with nature,learn a new instrument get into a new genre,try to play music from a genre you hate but probably the most effective is just to stop playing for as long as you can stand it then when you come back to it your ears will be refreshed.

Subject: RE: How do you get out of a musical rut?
From: bill\sables
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 06:04 PM

Barry, I know exactly what you are talking about, I have found over the years that there always comes a time when I don't seem to be improving in playing an instrument, My way of getting out of the rut is to change instruments and try the tune on another instrument. In the past I would learn to play a new instrument all together and adapt the styles of the new one to the old one which seemed to give the old one a kick start. (For instance I learned 5 string banjo using finger and thumb picks, I now play guitar with finger and thumb picks and that taught me a completely new style). Another thing you might try is to find a new venue for your playing. I play at music sessions these days and after a few years I find I can play all the tunes that are played at that session. The next thin to do is to find a new session where musicians and tunes are all new to me and I start to "learn" again.
I hope this is of help to you.
Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: How do you get out of a musical rut?
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 07:10 PM

Sounds a bit like you're bored. Find a challenge. What has kicked me out of a rut sometimes is finding a tune I really love, but is a bit difficult for me. Also, finding a very strange tune to learn helps. Maybe we should have a "weird but great tunes" thread.

Try playing a different instrument, in a different tuning or style, try a different genre, take a major tune and make it minor, or vice versa. Write a tune in 6/8 that sounds like it's in 2/4. (I did that, too, and it may not be such a great idea.) Try using different instruments in the sequences. Tubas playing slipjigs...I think I've done enough damage here.

Subject: RE: How do you get out of a musical rut?
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 09:05 PM

..gee, I haven't finished exploring my favorite ruts yet..*smile*... I guess I can see how eclectic 'musicians' might always be wanting something new & different, but I DO hope all of you who need 'change' and expansion won't think too badly of us who just wallow in our ruts...which can be shallow or deep...but VERY wide and pleasurable...

have fun, whatever you find

Subject: RE: How do you get out of a musical rut?
From: poor lonesome boy
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 09:51 PM

don't know if this'll help, but when I get like that, I buy a new capo, or new thumb picks or something I haven't tried before. I've got a whole collection of junk I still can't play with that well, but it opens up doors of new opportunities and ideas. Spend some cash and get the creative juices pumping.

Subject: RE: How do you get out of a musical rut?
From: GUEST,chris (washtubbass.go.coolebiz.com)
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 10:17 PM

you need a banjo, uke, harmonica, bagpipes, washtub bass, a cheep electic guitar{no more that $30.oo}, dulcimers{2}, mandillo, accordians{toys R us}, and any "band" instruments you can find at Garage Sales... I NEVER write songs on my "primary" instrument. I keep a "lefty guitar" around whem I'm desperate.

Subject: RE: How do you get out of a musical rut?
From: wdyat12
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 11:23 PM

Try a different tuning. Wdyat12

Subject: RE: How do you get out of a musical rut?
From: Justa Picker
Date: 04 Feb 01 - 11:57 PM

A relationship with a musical instrument is in many ways no different than a relationship with a spouse or someone you truly love. The relationship isn't always smooth, and can be at times confrontational, argumentative, hurtful, and not a white picket fence nestled in a bed of roses, and sometimes you just feel drained and feel there's nothing left to give to it.

When this happens, you need space and you need to get away from the relationship in order to regroup internally; to look at it from the outside looking in - from a point of detachment, and begin to appreciate all that the relationship really means to you.

After a period of time (and only the individual knows how long a period) you return, invigorated, renewed and more open, and once again ready to embrace your old friend who never left you and was always there for you -no questions asked. And you let it all back in and wash all over you, and smile.