Motivation to play

[dayman0]

I've been playing guitar about 10 years and I was always motivated to play and practice by playing in a band and the potential to become a huge rock star . However now I don't play in a band anymore and I've found it increasingly difficult over the last 2 years or so to pick up my Jazzmaster and play it at all. I'm not really too interested in being in a band anymore, but I've spent a lot of money on equipment over the years and it's something I feel I'm fairly good at doing - so it seems a waste for it to just be sat there. Does anyone else have any similar problems and how do you deal with it?

[davidd]

dayman0 said:

I've been playing guitar about 10 years and I was always motivated to play and practice by playing in a band and the potential to become a huge rock star . However now I don't play in a band anymore and I've found it increasingly difficult over the last 2 years or so to pick up my Jazzmaster and play it at all. I'm not really too interested in being in a band anymore, but I've spent a lot of money on equipment over the years and it's something I feel I'm fairly good at doing - so it seems a waste for it to just be sat there. Does anyone else have any similar problems and how do you deal with it?

I know you don't want to do it but being in a band is what motivates me the most... Especially with Gigs coming up.

[Hoofy]

I know how you feel. Your band gave you a goal and a standard to achieve in terms of practising tunes. You need to find some way of motivating yourself to want to play. Maybe just jamming with someone who plays another instrument may keep you playing?

[suthol]

After gigging 6 nights a week for years I gave it away in 1982 to be a father and husband so in a fairly similar position.

Various nice pieces sat in the shed / cupboard / storeroom from 1982 until last year, no intentions of going back to that grind but have hooked up with a couple of guys I played with back in the day and we jam every Thursday.
( I may or may not have acquired a number of guitars and a couple of amps to add to the herd whilst in retirement )

As a bass player who always had an itch to play a bit of lead, this is the opportunity so both my 4 & 6 stringers get a run we are playing originals and covers with an objective of gigging up to 12 times a year but no more than that.

Bass isn't a problem for what we are doing but Pete Anderson's country flavoured solos are doing my head and fingers in, just about got Guitars & Cadillacs nailed

[vonhoolio]

I'm the other way, I never play in a band and have zero interest in it. I just play to please myself. some times I mess on with garageband type recording stuff, other times I just learn a new song or jam to the radio. If I get bored I just stop playing and leave it alone for a week/month/whatever.

I'm a bass player first, I stopped for a couple of years then got back into it big style when I returned to it. Its a hobby, not compulsory.

[Mastodon2]

As above, don't force yourself to play. The more you try and force it, the less you'll enjoy it and the longer the gaps will get between playing. I'm not in a band and have no interest in being in one, so I only play for my own enjoyment. If I don't want to get the guitar out, I don't, and in doing so I feel much fresher and more inspired when I do play.

[dojo]

Maybe another thing would be to book some lessons, might give you some fresh approaches and you will want to work between the lessons so not to waste your money.

[dayman0]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've decided to get out my recording stuff, throw a few demo's together and see what happens.

Cheers!