That’s right – musician’s block…
No, its not nearly as well-known as its popular cousin writer’s block, but I believe that most musicians who are serious about their playing will at some time or another come across a point where they no longer feel the motivation to play.
Believe me, I speak from experience
It happened to me about four years ago, and while I welcomed the break from guitar playing at first (I mean, it did free up a bunch of time for me to develop other pursuits,) there came a time when I really wanted to start playing again…or perhaps I should say that I wanted to want to start playing again. It was as if I’d lost all motivation to actually pick up the guitar. And it drove me kind of batty.
For nearly two years I agonized over why I had lost my impetus to play, and in some ways it was fairly painful, because I began to realize just how much of my identity I had invested in being a “musician,” or “guitarist,” or “in a band.” Talk about arbitrary BS! I was in my very early 30′s, and I came to the rather pathetic conclusion that I was still harboring musical dreams from my mid-teens… yikes!
Funny thing is, once I started to put my time into other hobbies I found I really enjoyed the freedom of no longer having to be the musician. And then, in the middle of a very introspective first wedding Anniversary in Hawaii, it hit me hard – I had lost my interest in playing the guitar because I was no longer challenged by what I was playing, while at the same time I wasn’t putting any effort into building my skill level.
In short, I was just plain bored to tears with my own abilities as a guitarist.
The fix was easy (sort of)
After that it was simple: before our vacation was up I had sworn to my wife that as soon as we got home I was going to begin pursuing a lifelong dream that had been haunting me for all of my guitar-playing years, and that I had always put off due to its difficulty – I was going to learn to play flamenco guitar.
That was all it took. I stayed true to my promise even though it meant basically going back to square-one as far as my guitar playing was concerned (I had become incredibly adept at playing “by ear” for some fifteen years, and taking up flamenco guitar meant learning to read music, and learning to read it well: no shortcuts!)
And the great unexpected side-effect was that as I began to learn new things and really put myself through the paces, my interest in playing the electric guitar came back into full-swing, and I haven’t put it down since.
So I guess the moral of the story is this: if you find yourself stuck in a musical slump, you may just need to find a new challenge – something that will really push you – to get you back to where you want to be…
In love with playing music.
[Have any suggestions on beating musician's block? Leave us a comment!]
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April 26th, 2006 at 3:14 pm
I also felt a musician’s block some time ago, specially when I stopped playing the bass in my last band. I didn’t touch my bass for a long time and only played the guitar from time to time, but nothing serious. I thought that I had become bored of these instruments and even bought a piano to learn to play it.
It didn’t work, I didn’t play the piano neither, I wasn’t really motivated.
What has worked for me? I have begun to write a weblog about music gadgets with my brother, and this has inspired me to start again plaing. You know, seeing all these cool gear makes you feel like playing again. I hope it lasts a long time as I’m feeling really creative now.
So, my advice is disconnect for a little while and then try to get a new perspective, this may help you a lot.
April 26th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
Hehe…I couldn’t agree more about the effects of writing about music gear on a daily basis – it really makes you want to play (and own!) all of these great new instruments… it could be dangerous to your pocketbook ;)
I’m looking forward to checking out your blog. Good luck!
April 26th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
Hey Cary, what really struck me about your post is that I believe that as musicians we all go through the same things, and there’s something very good in talking about it. Good post; it made me think (or maybe I should practice).
April 27th, 2006 at 8:22 am
Hey, I started playing the same way myself – I had this cheap little TEAC 4-track recorder, and my best friend and I would just shut ourselves up in one of our apartments for the weekend, and record like crazy… many, many all-night recording sessions.
One of these days I’m going to convert all of those recordings over to digital, but right now they’re all shoved in a case at the top of my closet… hope they never get any water damage ;)
It’s funny you should mention blogging with your brother, because I’ve been thinking about inviting my sister, who lives out of town, to start co-blogging with me over at my iPod blog… seems like a more interactive way to stay in touch.
Thanks for chiming in you guys.
April 27th, 2006 at 7:37 am
I was never a real musician, I just played to play. I had a 4 track for years and would play several times a week and record for the fun of it. Then I got away from playing totally, seems I only played when my brother would visit (playing his part of his life).
Now I am like Madelman, writing helped me. My brother and I started a blog that we work on together (CybersMusic.com). We live in different states and it gives us a way to connect daily. And sure enough, I have been playing more and more again.
And subscribing to blogs like this also bring the guitar back to a daily part of my life.
Thanks Cary, great stuff !!
December 6th, 2007 at 1:02 am
its interesting reading this. i’ve had an approx.2yr block and recently came to the conclusion that i was bored with my relatively limited abilities. learning more in different areas has been helping in that aspect.
However, what i’ve found is that becoming/feeling useless within that 2 yr period has dulled my ability to create how i used to. maybe that will come along eventually, doing what im doing, but im not too sure. the sound doesn’t flow out like it did, nor do i just “hear” it within like i could before.
so, other than regaining the desire to play, if someone has any insight into musician’s block (regarding the creation of sound before a note is strummed) please share the knowledge.
August 17th, 2010 at 7:58 am
It really suprises me that the subject of kids has not come up at all. Since having my son a year and a half ago, I’m lucky if I get to noodle around on my guitar for 15 mins. a day. When I do play, I run through the same old stuck in a rut stuff that ended when he was born. I don’t see myself having the time and energy to actually try anything challenging for at least another year or so when my son becomes more self reliant. I guess playing is still playing and I’m keeping myself from become too rusty. But this had me thinking maybe the 15min a day I have I could work on learning new scales and chords for one week, and then try to improvise with them the next. That might just make me ready to try different challenging pieces when I finally can play more often. Thanks for this article.