[gigatron]

Originally Posted by bobkat

Argh Travis picking or Chet picking has got me flumoxxed! Maybe my brain ain't wired up right! I can't seem to play the bass line and get my fingers to do the opposite motion!! Maybe I just need more time and less cofffee!!!

Here's a nifty little tune that's not too hard to learn, once you get the independent thumb and fingers going:

Linus and Lucy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQvU54YpMQU

[dafreeze]

Really love to Bob. On the way I'd like to stop in VA and spend a couple weeks w/GF in his shop.

you know I bought one of Cousin Harleys vids...watched it once...very impressed (seems like a real Prince, too) but just muttered SOaB to myself and put it on the shelf...maybe I'll watch it again

[S. Rock]

Mark, if you're going to be as close as Iowa, come on up here and we'll go running around. we can visit some old friends. as a matter of fact, Dick was asking about you when I saw him a few weekends ago. don't worry about playing. it'll come back. I went for several years without writting. it wasn't untill I got back in touch with my friend in Austin that I started writting songs again. and now I've got one being recorded. don't force yourself to play. that'll take all of the fun out of it. pick up your guitars when you want to. there's my 2 cents.

[MGllm]

Mark,
I remember you tuned out of forums a few years back. Maybe not for exactly the same reasons but you returned strong, centered and with your usual worthy comments.

My guess is that this will pass, especially once you stop thinking about it.

Take up Gypsy guitar. Now that might be a challenge!

[Farmerbrown]

Mark, I'm going through much the same thing as you, my mom has been having health issues, my best friend's mom (that I play with all the time) is terminal with bladder cancer, so we haven't gotten to play nearly as much this winter. On top of that I have suffered from depression this winter as it has been cloudy so much, hopefully Mike and I will get to play tomorrow afternoon. Hang in there, as Red Green says "we're all in this together"!

[Sarah93003]

I'm still waitin' for Bobkat to ask you to hang on to the Prom Queen for a while.

[dafreeze]

Sarah, that's terrible...(whatta ya think he'll do with the N?)

[Sarah93003]

Originally Posted by dafreeze

Sarah, that's terrible...(whatta ya think he'll do with the N?)

I shudder to think! You just never know with Bobkat! He's been Jonesing for it for an awful long time though, and so far tried ever trick in the book - to no avail.

[dafreeze]

no, no...was trying to be funnier than you...Syncs 6120'N'....was (mock) chastising you for swiping the icecream then saying 'gimme a taste'

[Cory045]

Synchro, I agree that looking into another genre would help. But, look at a genre that you have never even considered. I'm not sure of your musical tastes but if you like rockabilly/country go to something like punk rock. It is just a suggestion.

[Sarah93003]

I'm guessing he's yet to fully master Polka.

[Sarah93003]

Originally Posted by dafreeze

no, no...was trying to be funnier than you...Syncs 6120'N'....was (mock) chastising you for swiping the icecream then saying 'gimme a taste'

See what happens when you try to be funnier than me. Why I oughtta....

[dafreeze]

nyug nyug nyug

[bobkat]

Did someone say PROM QUEEN????? Slobber Drool! ARGH my precious, he keeps her from me! Nasty Hobittsez! My precious, My precious! Gollum!!

[Sarah93003]

Oh look! Here comes Mr. Drool now!

[stole_life]

What about a different stringed instrument? Or even a different style (not genre) of guitar like a Portuguese fado instrument?

I also think that pursuing astronomy or some other type of physics that interests you is a great idea. I'm gonna speak about me in order to hopefully speak to you. I do visual art. Sometimes I'm just not feeling it with music. Then, I go work on an etching or linocut or painting and after awhile I'm ready to go pick a little. Lately, I've been as balanced as I've ever been in my life with my interests: doing some art I feel good about, doing some experimental/noise gigs through the artist friends I've made, meeting new musician friends through these events who challenge me musically. So, through another outlet, I've created interesting opportunities to challenge myself in music again. I mean, I'm pushing 40, I get weirded out thinking about how old my parents are and how I don't have a family of my own, and it sometimes puts me in a negative head space. I've also buried my grandma, two high school friends and a good friend's seemingly healthy 45 year old wife in the past two years. One high school friend died of a burst aneurysm (36) and my friend's wife, just last month, went into cardiac arrest at work out of nowhere. Boom! They were both literally here this morning, gone tonite. So, I guess my point is, life is short and uncertain, and you obviously love guitar, but, right now, for whatever reason, you're not feeling it. Either take one of the many new approaches to music suggested or of your own devising, or put it the f-iretr-uck down and get on with something that's stimulating you now. Whatever you decide to do, do the hell out of it. You're too bright to just languish in front of Discovery Channel (I like Dirty Jobs ).

[ishtar]

Mark, I am sorry about the sausage pizza comment. I went against my principle of being apolitical and not using ad hominem arguments on the board here. I don't know what got into me. It is just something I feel very strongly about, and, perhaps if we could have visited in person, I could have simply shaken you until you truly understood my point. Your shoulder would hurt, I'd have a bloody nose, but we probably would both feel better.

Truly, though, I hope for the best and wish you well. Maybe it's just a phase you are going through?.... (...and maybe, hopefully phasers were set on "Stun"...).

[bobkat]

I don't think he is listening any more. He is probably off chasing ring tailed cats! Mark!! watch out for the jumping cactus!!! They jump, really, they do!!

[Jukebox]

Maybe you need to do what I did, get off this and other forums for a while and breath some fresh air. Put your life back into perspective, you can always come back? Do what you want to do.

[Mark W]

I have given this more thought. Perhaps a new hair style or color? That could scare you right back in to the old you!!!

Seriously, I knew a guy who died his hair blonde but it turned out orange. He had been in a real funk prior to that and everyone razzed him (gently of course) so badly and the ladies (he was recently divorced and a good looking gentleman) wanted to hear about the orange hair that in no time he was back to normal with his distinguished silver gray locks and with all his usual swagger.

Oh he never played guitar though!

[Lizardkinged]

I do feel this way when I'm tinkering too much, and find music and instruments to be overwhelming me.
I'm also in a music theory and piano class right now, so I'm learning a new language, I have some projects going on, and I need to learn new pieces on a few instruments. I come home from a day and dont want to even play just for myself. then i have some days where i dont want to stop playing or tinkering, and find time and sleep deprivation to be overwhelming.

I think we all have our good days and our bad days. Maybe you could try going back to some of your roots of music on different terms, kind of like when people renew they're wedding vows.

[workknot]

Mark: As you can read by your many admirers in this post, we all feel what you are going through at times I believe. Maybe it is just the fact that some of us are perfectionists in an imperfect world. I for one would like to be perfect but doubt it can ever be achieved with my guitar playing skills but even at that I am very happy to be able to do what I can at this point in my life and hope to be able to improve as I go. I have a little thing that I tell myself at times when things go south. "Never Give Up". That seems to snap me back to reality. Maybe you do need a break from the guitar and could just case them all up, put them and your amps all out of sight and see what that does for you. Good luck with it and hopefully this is a short term stage you are going through.
Wayne

[Synchro]

Originally Posted by bobkat

Did someone say PROM QUEEN????? Slobber Drool! ARGH my precious, he keeps her from me! Nasty Hobittsez! My precious, My precious! Gollum!!

I'm still thinkin'.

[roadjunkie]

he drools!

[tyguy]

That's all I played was disco and songs like "Feelings for 2 yrs(4-7 gigs a week).I finally had to quit(was losing my mind,working full time and gigging so much).I couldn't look at my guitar for 6 mos. and when I did start playing again,I could't remember any of the songs we played.Brain block I think(good thing).I've been playin' 53 yrs. and yes the interest has slacked off.It may be a natural phenom as Chet A. said this happened to him.Take classical guitar lessons.I did in 1980 and it helped pique my interest.The Best Ty M. "TROLL"

[Synchro]

Originally Posted by roadjunkie

he drools!

He usually does.

Originally Posted by tyguy

That's all I played was disco and songs like "Feelings for 2 yrs(4-7 gigs a week).I finally had to quit(was losing my mind,working full time and gigging so much).I couldn't look at my guitar for 6 mos. and when I did start playing again,I could't remember any of the songs we played.Brain block I think(good thing).I've been playin' 53 yrs. and yes the interest has slacked off.It may be a natural phenom as Chet A. said this happened to him.Take classical guitar lessons.I did in 1980 and it helped pique my interest.The Best Ty M. "TROLL"

I've been down the classical path already. I loved it but these days there's no way I can spend the sort of time required to keep up a classical repertoire.

[Sarah93003]

Originally Posted by Mark W

I have given this more thought. Perhaps a new hair style or color? That could scare you right back in to the old you!!!

Seriously, I knew a guy who died his hair blonde but it turned out orange. He had been in a real funk prior to that and everyone razzed him (gently of course) so badly and the ladies (he was recently divorced and a good looking gentleman) wanted to hear about the orange hair that in no time he was back to normal with his distinguished silver gray locks and with all his usual swagger.

Oh he never played guitar though!

Yeah, I could see Mark with orange hair, as long as it's Chet orange!

[dafreeze]

Oh yeah, and maybe one side of the head shaved w/a G brand

[bandstuff8385]

Hey Synch!!

You just need some groupies!

Seriously, I laid off for 17 years from age 25 to 42 'cause I was so fed up
with bands.

Right now, I've only done one gig in the past year and am a little bored.

I can leave the guitar alone for a couple of weeks at a time.

When I get around to playing, I usally just run through a bunch of stuff from memory.

One thing that seems to work is to write my own tune. That is more fun
than bothering to learn a cover ...

Your friends here have offered plenty of good advice.

I suspect you've still got a touch of the February blahs. You'll be fine once you
sample some green beer and play some Celtic music later on this month.

[rick31797]

order a new Gretsch..

[getbent]

Hey Mark,
Go work on yer truck. Get a welder. Plasma Cutter, Air Grinder and maybe a 35 year old divorcee.... who wants to go four wheelin and here you say words like "antipathy" while wearing a kimona, a sly smile and your eyebrow arched like Hef.

everything runs for awhile and then it doesn't,then it does again... my proctologist told me this...

[Synchro]

Originally Posted by ishtar

Mark, I am sorry about the sausage pizza comment. I went against my principle of being apolitical and not using ad hominem arguments on the board here. I don't know what got into me. It is just something I feel very strongly about, and, perhaps if we could have visited in person, I could have simply shaken you until you truly understood my point. Your shoulder would hurt, I'd have a bloody nose, but we probably would both feel better.

Truly, though, I hope for the best and wish you well. Maybe it's just a phase you are going through?.... (...and maybe, hopefully phasers were set on "Stun"...).

A good fight over pizza usually does lift my mood.

Originally Posted by bobkat

I don't think he is listening any more. He is probably off chasing ring tailed cats! Mark!! watch out for the jumping cactus!!! They jump, really, they do!!

I walked right into one of those once in Denver. It still hurts to think about it.

[tyguy]

You will come back and be a more tasteful,sincere player and a better person and that means more than anything.This may sound crazy and please don't be offended.You,me and a lot of people who have been playing for many years,have lost our EGOS.Think about our reasons for playing guitar in the beginning.I started(14 yrs. old) to get away from dysfunctional family(lots of time to myself),and later I'm sure to look cool,be cool,impress my friends,try to impress other musicians,get girls,get out of the house,make money,need to hear how great thou art,etc..We are much better people and musicians,once we shelve our ego and I believe this is what's happened to us.We need a reason to play.The reason should be to make beautiful music.You will play music from your heart now and I will too.Nothing wrong with that.Well maybe playin' to pickup girls is alright(just kiddin' sorta)."We're ALRIGHT now". God Bless, Ty M. aka: "TROLL"

[Fox Rox]

Synchro I think a lot of guitarists go through phases like this. I once went through almost a decade when I didn't play a lot. I am confident your passion will come back and you will rediscover your love for the guitar.

On another note your thoughtful posts are always greatly appreciated. Your insights helped me decide on getting a DRRI and an MXR Carbon Copy, and I couldn't be happier with both.

[Renegade]

Synchro,
I think most people have or will go through what you are going through...I know I have, so about the only thing I can add to what everyone else has said, is:

You are familiy and we are here for you.

[ishtar]

Originally Posted by Synchro

A good fight over pizza usually does lift my mood.

As is a good fight over a flat circular hot dish that most confuse with pizza....

In any case, as with eating true pizza and it's approximations, it is important to let the pizza cool a bit before fighting over it. Serious burns have been inflicted by piping hot tomato sause, and, while it might be okay if your opponent falls flat on a thin crust well done pepperoni pizza (or some other flat, circular hot dish, as you described when you mentioned sausage...), but if you are the fallen,... well, yeow!

I am sorry to keep harping on these points of proper naming of things, Cinco.

[Telefan]

Sorry to hear about the hard time you're having Synchro, hope things get better for you soon.

[guitarmaker]

I myself am going through a similar situation right now. From the time I started, all that I ever wanted to do was play my guitars. A few years ago, I came back to work from vacation to find out that a close co-worker and fellow guitarist had shot himself... over a breakup. At the viewing, his parents placed his B.C. Rich in the casket with him. It was a guitar that he had asked me to fix for him. Needless to say, I never got to. I haven't had much of an interest in playing since then. Of course I'm still around guitars (repairing and building) and I do occasionally go through spurts when all I want to do is play. I also have a genuine interest in the instruments themselves, but I can't say that my playing has improved since then. I hope to soon get back in the saddle and enjoy it thoroughly, but I seem to be satisfied with the tech. side of it for now.

Synchro, I know how you feel. I'm sorry that I don't have the answer for you, but it's a damn shame to let anything with the "Gretsch" name on the headstock sit idle.

[guitarfarm]

Originally Posted by getbent

Hey Mark,
Go work on yer truck. Get a welder. Plasma Cutter, Air Grinder and maybe a 35 year old divorcee.... who wants to go four wheelin and here you say words like "antipathy" while wearing a kimona, a sly smile and your eyebrow arched like Hef.

everything runs for awhile and then it doesn't,then it does again... my proctologist told me this...

Actually, that's excellent advice. Speaking of proctologists, I recently had my physical which included the prostate exam. My doctor (whom I've known for many years) told me to just relax. I told him that I was more nervous than a gerbil in a gay bar. He had to leave the exam room he was laughing so hard.

[guitarfarm]

Originally Posted by dafreeze

Really love to Bob. On the way I'd like to stop in VA and spend a couple weeks w/GF in his shop.

Now, you know you don't like my acerbic sense of humor.

What circuit would you like to build while you're here?