How to know if its time you stopped playing?

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bass_reaper

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I've been playing bass and guitar for 4 years today and I've been thinking more and more about how I'm frustrated with it. I can't feel the music anymore. what should I do? should I stop?
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

I've been playing bass and guitar for 4 years today and I've been thinking more and more about how I'm frustrated with it. I can't feel the music anymore. what should I do? should I stop?

I do it automatically without much thinking, just like any habit, when i get home I just grab the guitar and start shredding. This is not particularly useful to my wife and kids, this is no music to them (and neither me), but keeps me in shape if ever it happens and music passes by. After the last album by "system of a down" I haven't found anything to touch me any more.
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

yeah that too. I couldn't wait to go home and grab my guitar before but now I dread picking it up for any sort of practice
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

Maybe step away from it for a while. You might be making matters worse by forcing yourself to play. Give it a rest, then your interest might pick up again. It happens from time-to-time. I find it always passes in time.
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

I should tell you that I've already tried that before. it worked a few times before, not sure if it'll work this time but I'll try.
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

If you don't have any obligations to a band or something, then I would think it seems pointless to force yourself to play. If you don't enjoy it anymore, then why do you do it? I wouldn't rush to selling anything off, but a break, even an extended one, might be what you need.
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

ok I have a gig the day after tomorrow with my band. after that I'll request some time off from music
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

Try a different instrument for a while. It lets you get a different appreciation of songs and arrangements, and mixes things up so they don't feel so stale. I've learned to play bass, mandolin, drums, and tenor guitar to keep creating music while not feeling the guitar for short periods.
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

It's just guitar playing. Hang it up for a while, or hang it up for good if you're not feeling it anymore. It's not the end of the world. I've been playing about the same amount time, btw. I get tired of it sometimes too and take 2-3 days off, usually when I'm really busy with something else like work or whatever. But I always pick it up again.

I've actually been thinking of taking up the bass too, as I think it will open up other opportunities. The reality is there are way too many guitar players out there and way too few drummers, singers, keyboardists, and bass players.
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

Hey, on the bright side, this might keep you away from GAS for a while :) which is definitely good for your pocket!
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

that's actually great advice. and yeah as a guitarist/bassist I'd recommend taking up the bass, it opened up a whole new perspective for me :)
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

Usually, when I get bored of the guitar riffin'/soloing stuff I pick my acoustic and sing for a while. I suck at singing, but at least I keep my fingers on a fretboard.

Cheers.
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

Try a different instrument for a while.

+1

This will help if you are feeling jaded about some technical aspect of playing guitar/bass. It will not help if you are struggling with learning the pieces that you are supposed to be playing in an ensemble.

As Crusty Philtrum often points out, music is something best shared - with fellow musicians and, ultimately, with an audience.

If you have no-one with whom to share the enjoyment of music, get out and make contact. If this forces you into an unfamiliar genre, so much the better.

"Share and enjoy." (Douglas Adams)
 
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Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

Try a different style of music

Something drastically different

If you play a country or metal

Try jazz or classical



*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

Ask your neighbour.

no jokes please :/

Crusty was not joking.

If you live close enough to non-musicians that they can overhear you learning/practicing/rehearsing and your playing is in any way çr@p, those people will not hesitate to tell you so … right to your face … with extreme prejudice.

If people in your community value your opinion on instruments, related hardware and matters of musical taste, this infers that they rate you highly.

NOTE: Take both the positive and negative opinions of non-musicians with a generous pinch of salt. You might be attempting forms of music that are beyond their comprehension.
 
Re: How to know if its time you stopped playing?

Maybe some one pinched his funny bone.

I gave more dedicated time to playing keyboards when guitar started to feel a bit lack lustre, but that was after about twenty years of guitar first.
 
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