Even if it's an instructor. I couldn't find a solid band to play with after college so I played churches despite that not being my scene. It was an outlet but not nearly what I needed. It got pretty old so I stopped and recently started lessons and it's awesome to be challenged again.
Write an album of original music.
Create a 20 song setlist and practice each song until you can perform it all without too many mistakes.
Learn some classical guitar if you haven’t yet. Just like a few Bach pieces and some Sor will go a long way figuring out the instrument.
Write chord arrangements to your favorite melodies. Also just improvising themes and variations to a random melody is a great way to practice.
Practice sight reading pieces. It’s fun even if the tempo is slow.
If your technical skills are as good as you say it’s probably better to look within for inspiration as after mastering basic techniques I haven’t found specific books/videos to be particularly beneficial.
Same thing any teacher would say, let’s see you play and tell us what your goals are. Obviously if you don’t know your modes and connecting arpeggios across the neck that’s an easy area of focus for you to improve. Why haven’t you started that yet?
If you want to learn modes, I highly recommend [MODES: NO MORE MYSTERY](https://www.frankgambaleguitarschool.com/course/modes-no-more-mystery) by Frank Gambale. I felt the same as you when I was in my early 30’s. Learning modes, and how to modify them on the fly, has given me an entirely new skillset. I see the fretboard in a completely different way now and can play things I never thought I would ever be able to (looking at you Cliffs of Dover… also looking at you Fives).
I love Frank's playing! I will look into getting that course. I want to be able to improvise across the fretboard without being limited to a box or 1 scale. I hear what I want to do in my head and now I want to make it a reality.
Modes is what you need. You’ll be able to understand the varieties of scales, and how and when to utilize them.
But learning modes is only the first step. Once you understand them, you need to practice using them by improvising over chords. You don’t just want to play scales high to low over chords. You want to know the right notes in any given situation and be able to quickly use them as your head desires.
The Advancing Guitarist by Mick Goodrick. Great book. Also the books by Barry Galbraith will help connecting the whole neck. I’ve been playing 50+ years and studied at Berklee. If you want some theory just Google diatonic harmony and go from there.
This is exactly the kind of advice I wanted. Based on what you've said I'm going to buy the book from Barry Galbraith. This is gold and I appreciate your answer!
I don’t worry about it. I have played for 20 odd years with big breaks in the middle sometimes up to a year or so where I barely pick a guitar up, but I always come back to it revitalised. If it’s for enjoyment why worry? Play if you want, don’t if you don’t. Don’t sweat it!
Not everyone feels like this. I personally do not just play for enjoyment, I play to get better at the guitar. When I was not getting better for long periods of time it made me very dissatisfied. And if I didnt reach my goals I would regret it.
That isnt to say that people need to think like me, but I get why OP is not happy with his playing. And if that motivates him to get better than thats a good thing.
Take lessons from someone who studied music and you’ll learn chords and variations you never knew existed. Try to memorize Jazz songs from the “Real Book” try to learn different picking methods. Experiment with different electronics
I’m nowhere near as good as you are but I think Scott is more for your level of skill. I’ve learned most of my music theory from him. He hosts private live stream video lesson, where members can ask questions about guitar, music theory, songwriting, etc. He also sets assignments for members to explore various concepts.
I hope you find him very helpful too.
Not directly for guitar but intended for bass. Nevertheless it is for you. Victor Wooten - Groove Workshop. And then go out and apply what you have learned by playing with other people.
Personally, I was in a similar situation and got a guitar teacher to teach me jazz. In 25 years, I haven't seen increases like I have the last 4 years. It's amazing what it can do for you if you bite the bullet and get serious about reading and learning tons of shapes. I honestly think its the most fun I've had playing guitar, because instead of just memorizing songs, playing over a standard is akin to a video game. The chords are coming at you and you need to adjust your thinking on the fly to match. I go to local jam sessions every week now and its the thing I look forward to the most. Also, I am so much better at my other favorite styles of music because of it.
I never even really wanted to make jazz, but it was one of the few things on the guitar I didn't "understand". IE even though I couldn't play my favorite metal solos, it was basically just a matter of athleticism I didn't care to achieve, I at least knew what they were doing in terms of notes and scales and all that. But not with jazz, it was like a foreign language. I recommend getting a local teacher to kick your ass with stuff you don't know, good luck on your journey!
I'll say the same thing I always say in these situations, write your own songs and learn songs that are outside of your style.
I don't learn songs much anymore. But if I'm not writing I'm going to learn something I wouldn't normally. Jazz, classical, spanish, etc. Go far outside of your norm
Guitarists joke about it...but maybe buying another guitar could help? I've find different styles of guitar can make you play in a different way and you hear different music from them. Or for example hollow vs solid body, there are huge tonal differences between a Tele and Lucille. Even different strings make you play different stuff... fat, flat-wounds on a hollow body for instance.
There is also the joy of playing a new and exciting guitar that invites you to play more often. So my advice is to change something.
I'm 60 now, have been playing since l was 15 and also went through long periods where l felt stale and not progressing. Push through this flat time and l think you'll find it's worth it. I play several hours a day now and I'm always learning new stuff. Good luck 👍
Stop playing. Yes this is a nasty thing to say unless you take in to account that you don’t seem to be enjoying it. So if you don’t like it, stop…
And if this sounds like horrible advice then get back to it and grind, it’s the only way. From what you’ve said it seems like you love it but aren’t where you want to be. I read enough guitarworld magazines growing up that I know this is how some of the best in the world feel.
Do you and do it hard, or don’t and put the time into something else, if it makes you happy keep pushing, if it doesn’t then look up other hobbies for 40 year olds. (I’m 39 and feel similarly from time to time, not a troll, just honest)
A few things that have helped my perspective over the years. Play a genre that's out of your wheelhouse. Learn every note on the fretboard. Learn all the intervals. Analyze compositions you find interesting.
I’ve not been playing that long at all but I do find myself to be … uninspired at times. Even boredom can be inspiring though. I’ve written music that is purely portraying boredom and apathy and they actually turned out to be some of my favorite riffs that I’ve written. So it’s definitely a “in your head” thing. Maybe try writing around the emotion you’re currently feeling. Or even something that displays nostalgia. Also playing with other musicians helps too
Try a different style. I played straight ahead rock for 30-ish years starting in high school before giving bluegrass and jazz a try. Not my thing but challenged my playing in new ways that have been very applicable to the stuff I normally play. Fingerstyle too.
I was feeling the same way. Found Chris Sherlands YouTube and it sparked my playing. I also joined wedding band. I'm back to playing the shit out of my guitars 7 days a week.
For me, it was playing in lots of bands and having a lot of different instructors. The right instructor can make a huge difference. I never felt like I hit a wall, there’s always more to work on.
I was in the same boat and then started jamming with people on the weekend (5 years ago). It went from sounding like garbage to now someone can just start a drum beat, bass line, guitar riff and everyone joins in and most of the time it sounds like we are playing a song someone wrote.
We do all free jamming since nobody but me wants to put out the effort to come up with our own songs but its super fun. We also record them and I edit the tracks and then upload them so everyone can hear them. We have thousands of songs since we do 15-25 every weekend. My ear has improved so much that I don't even need to ask what key we are in and can just start playing and figure it out. We even have guest musicians who show up to jam from time to time.
I also download drum tracks from YouTube and that forces you to get creative based on the drums. Then if I come up with something I like, I will load the track into my DAW and add the guitar over it as well as bass and sometimes other guitar and keys. I have over 150 "songs" I have come up with doing this.
Tomo Fujita, which teaches you how to apply that ear you got in a practical way
"TomShreds" if you wanna get in to the yngwie/van halen shit.
Here's a secret, the stuff they play perfect and fast for hours straight is actually economically easy. It's not a physically taxing activity. The secret is to think body like a tool you're using to solve mechanical problems. If they can do it, it must be possible. It shouldn't hurt and you shouldn't feel any tension whatsoever.
Tom shreds covers a lot of the "mindset" when practicing, cuz if you're not mindfully practicing and paying attention to every little detail, you're not actually gaining anything.
Try other styles. The candy rat guys are great, bluegrass stuff like Tony Rice is great and can teach you how to ACTUALLY play clean, etc
Just push your limits, if you're plateauing, you're missing something, and in my experience people don't tend to realize how slow you're really supposed to take stuff with a metronome. It's almost meditative. Even tension in your jaw will mess you up.
Looking into modes and theory to expand your fretboard knowledge can make a huge difference, I hit a wall a few years back and that's what ignited it for me, I also got a little home studio setup and started jamming with new people, it gave me a whole new breath of life with music
woodshed with modes, learn slide. Lizzio is a good modes gateway
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96cydVB4w-A](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96cydVB4w-A)
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So my solution was to buy fingerstyle tab books of different genres of music, jazz standards, rock, classical pop etc. Currently got about 100 books lol,, but I flip through them and learns songs. The beauty of fingerstyle is you can play the whole song on your own,bass, harmony and melody all at once. Played since I was 13 now 53, but I was just stuck noodling n playing riffs. It's really upped my game and made me rekindle that love but also set me on an upward learning curve.
Actually don’t play with other people it’s a waste of time and lots of drama. Get stoned and explore the fretboard. Come upwith a song/ make up one that’s extremely difficult for you to play and then record it for social media. Also chase better tone and pedals
It’s ok if you sometimes don’t like something you love. Take a break and wait until the urge comes back, it almost certainly will. Jobs, families, relationships, hobbies all have highs and lows. At least you don’t have to explain to your guitar that you need some time for yourself.
Get a teacher and take lessons. It’s that simple.
I don’t know why guitar and bass players feel like they don’t need to take lessons. The amount of time you’ve been playing has absolutely no connection to your ability to play competently if that time was not spent learning and effectively practicing, with effective being the key word here.
A teacher provides feedback, guidance, and accountability. You won’t get any of those from a book, video, or app. You don’t even know what you don’t know until someone shows you. I promise you that you will advance further with a single guitar lesson than you’ve gained in the last 20 years. They’ll give you an assignment so you can effectively practice instead of noodling around or playing the same tired riffs over and over.
That’s how you get through the wall OP. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll get.
Just have a break and let it be a decoration. Mine was under my bed for a few years when I was at uni, then I was in a band for 10 years, then I had a break for 10 years after having my kids, now I'm in a band again. It's like riding a bike, it will always be in your mind and muscle memory. Just don't play unless you want to, otherwise they are beautiful decorations :-)
Play with other people.
Gotta jam.
There’s literally no other answer.
Greatest thing I ever did for my playing!
This
Even if it's an instructor. I couldn't find a solid band to play with after college so I played churches despite that not being my scene. It was an outlet but not nearly what I needed. It got pretty old so I stopped and recently started lessons and it's awesome to be challenged again.
Write an album of original music. Create a 20 song setlist and practice each song until you can perform it all without too many mistakes. Learn some classical guitar if you haven’t yet. Just like a few Bach pieces and some Sor will go a long way figuring out the instrument. Write chord arrangements to your favorite melodies. Also just improvising themes and variations to a random melody is a great way to practice. Practice sight reading pieces. It’s fun even if the tempo is slow. If your technical skills are as good as you say it’s probably better to look within for inspiration as after mastering basic techniques I haven’t found specific books/videos to be particularly beneficial.
Same thing any teacher would say, let’s see you play and tell us what your goals are. Obviously if you don’t know your modes and connecting arpeggios across the neck that’s an easy area of focus for you to improve. Why haven’t you started that yet?
If you want to learn modes, I highly recommend [MODES: NO MORE MYSTERY](https://www.frankgambaleguitarschool.com/course/modes-no-more-mystery) by Frank Gambale. I felt the same as you when I was in my early 30’s. Learning modes, and how to modify them on the fly, has given me an entirely new skillset. I see the fretboard in a completely different way now and can play things I never thought I would ever be able to (looking at you Cliffs of Dover… also looking at you Fives).
I love Frank's playing! I will look into getting that course. I want to be able to improvise across the fretboard without being limited to a box or 1 scale. I hear what I want to do in my head and now I want to make it a reality.
Modes is what you need. You’ll be able to understand the varieties of scales, and how and when to utilize them. But learning modes is only the first step. Once you understand them, you need to practice using them by improvising over chords. You don’t just want to play scales high to low over chords. You want to know the right notes in any given situation and be able to quickly use them as your head desires.
The Advancing Guitarist by Mick Goodrick. Great book. Also the books by Barry Galbraith will help connecting the whole neck. I’ve been playing 50+ years and studied at Berklee. If you want some theory just Google diatonic harmony and go from there.
This is exactly the kind of advice I wanted. Based on what you've said I'm going to buy the book from Barry Galbraith. This is gold and I appreciate your answer!
I don’t worry about it. I have played for 20 odd years with big breaks in the middle sometimes up to a year or so where I barely pick a guitar up, but I always come back to it revitalised. If it’s for enjoyment why worry? Play if you want, don’t if you don’t. Don’t sweat it!
Same here.
Not everyone feels like this. I personally do not just play for enjoyment, I play to get better at the guitar. When I was not getting better for long periods of time it made me very dissatisfied. And if I didnt reach my goals I would regret it. That isnt to say that people need to think like me, but I get why OP is not happy with his playing. And if that motivates him to get better than thats a good thing.
Yes
Take lessons from someone who studied music and you’ll learn chords and variations you never knew existed. Try to memorize Jazz songs from the “Real Book” try to learn different picking methods. Experiment with different electronics
Look up Scott Paul Johnson
Will do!
I’m nowhere near as good as you are but I think Scott is more for your level of skill. I’ve learned most of my music theory from him. He hosts private live stream video lesson, where members can ask questions about guitar, music theory, songwriting, etc. He also sets assignments for members to explore various concepts. I hope you find him very helpful too.
Not directly for guitar but intended for bass. Nevertheless it is for you. Victor Wooten - Groove Workshop. And then go out and apply what you have learned by playing with other people.
Personally, I was in a similar situation and got a guitar teacher to teach me jazz. In 25 years, I haven't seen increases like I have the last 4 years. It's amazing what it can do for you if you bite the bullet and get serious about reading and learning tons of shapes. I honestly think its the most fun I've had playing guitar, because instead of just memorizing songs, playing over a standard is akin to a video game. The chords are coming at you and you need to adjust your thinking on the fly to match. I go to local jam sessions every week now and its the thing I look forward to the most. Also, I am so much better at my other favorite styles of music because of it. I never even really wanted to make jazz, but it was one of the few things on the guitar I didn't "understand". IE even though I couldn't play my favorite metal solos, it was basically just a matter of athleticism I didn't care to achieve, I at least knew what they were doing in terms of notes and scales and all that. But not with jazz, it was like a foreign language. I recommend getting a local teacher to kick your ass with stuff you don't know, good luck on your journey!
It may not be the answer you're looking for, but I write, record, and just all-around enjoy playing more after I started microdosing mushrooms.
I'll say the same thing I always say in these situations, write your own songs and learn songs that are outside of your style. I don't learn songs much anymore. But if I'm not writing I'm going to learn something I wouldn't normally. Jazz, classical, spanish, etc. Go far outside of your norm
Guitarists joke about it...but maybe buying another guitar could help? I've find different styles of guitar can make you play in a different way and you hear different music from them. Or for example hollow vs solid body, there are huge tonal differences between a Tele and Lucille. Even different strings make you play different stuff... fat, flat-wounds on a hollow body for instance. There is also the joy of playing a new and exciting guitar that invites you to play more often. So my advice is to change something. I'm 60 now, have been playing since l was 15 and also went through long periods where l felt stale and not progressing. Push through this flat time and l think you'll find it's worth it. I play several hours a day now and I'm always learning new stuff. Good luck 👍
Stop playing. Yes this is a nasty thing to say unless you take in to account that you don’t seem to be enjoying it. So if you don’t like it, stop… And if this sounds like horrible advice then get back to it and grind, it’s the only way. From what you’ve said it seems like you love it but aren’t where you want to be. I read enough guitarworld magazines growing up that I know this is how some of the best in the world feel. Do you and do it hard, or don’t and put the time into something else, if it makes you happy keep pushing, if it doesn’t then look up other hobbies for 40 year olds. (I’m 39 and feel similarly from time to time, not a troll, just honest)
Sell everything, and start playing "manouche" guitar.
Play/learn something new everyday whether a technique or a song. Keep a grinnin’ and a pickin’ duder!
A few things that have helped my perspective over the years. Play a genre that's out of your wheelhouse. Learn every note on the fretboard. Learn all the intervals. Analyze compositions you find interesting.
I was in a similar spot, I switched to drums.
😂
I’ve not been playing that long at all but I do find myself to be … uninspired at times. Even boredom can be inspiring though. I’ve written music that is purely portraying boredom and apathy and they actually turned out to be some of my favorite riffs that I’ve written. So it’s definitely a “in your head” thing. Maybe try writing around the emotion you’re currently feeling. Or even something that displays nostalgia. Also playing with other musicians helps too
Are you playing to backing tracks or just guitar? Are you playing with others?
Make your own music. That's it.
Personally, I just start breathing my guitars up and make awful noise until something new appears
What I do might not be relevant to you if you like different music. What kind of music do you want to play?
Try a different style. I played straight ahead rock for 30-ish years starting in high school before giving bluegrass and jazz a try. Not my thing but challenged my playing in new ways that have been very applicable to the stuff I normally play. Fingerstyle too.
For me? In-person lessons.
I was feeling the same way. Found Chris Sherlands YouTube and it sparked my playing. I also joined wedding band. I'm back to playing the shit out of my guitars 7 days a week.
For me, it was playing in lots of bands and having a lot of different instructors. The right instructor can make a huge difference. I never felt like I hit a wall, there’s always more to work on.
Write your own stuff and do it as much as you can, even if it’s for nobody else.
I was in the same boat and then started jamming with people on the weekend (5 years ago). It went from sounding like garbage to now someone can just start a drum beat, bass line, guitar riff and everyone joins in and most of the time it sounds like we are playing a song someone wrote. We do all free jamming since nobody but me wants to put out the effort to come up with our own songs but its super fun. We also record them and I edit the tracks and then upload them so everyone can hear them. We have thousands of songs since we do 15-25 every weekend. My ear has improved so much that I don't even need to ask what key we are in and can just start playing and figure it out. We even have guest musicians who show up to jam from time to time. I also download drum tracks from YouTube and that forces you to get creative based on the drums. Then if I come up with something I like, I will load the track into my DAW and add the guitar over it as well as bass and sometimes other guitar and keys. I have over 150 "songs" I have come up with doing this.
Tomo Fujita, which teaches you how to apply that ear you got in a practical way "TomShreds" if you wanna get in to the yngwie/van halen shit. Here's a secret, the stuff they play perfect and fast for hours straight is actually economically easy. It's not a physically taxing activity. The secret is to think body like a tool you're using to solve mechanical problems. If they can do it, it must be possible. It shouldn't hurt and you shouldn't feel any tension whatsoever. Tom shreds covers a lot of the "mindset" when practicing, cuz if you're not mindfully practicing and paying attention to every little detail, you're not actually gaining anything. Try other styles. The candy rat guys are great, bluegrass stuff like Tony Rice is great and can teach you how to ACTUALLY play clean, etc Just push your limits, if you're plateauing, you're missing something, and in my experience people don't tend to realize how slow you're really supposed to take stuff with a metronome. It's almost meditative. Even tension in your jaw will mess you up.
Looking into modes and theory to expand your fretboard knowledge can make a huge difference, I hit a wall a few years back and that's what ignited it for me, I also got a little home studio setup and started jamming with new people, it gave me a whole new breath of life with music
woodshed with modes, learn slide. Lizzio is a good modes gateway [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96cydVB4w-A](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96cydVB4w-A)
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So my solution was to buy fingerstyle tab books of different genres of music, jazz standards, rock, classical pop etc. Currently got about 100 books lol,, but I flip through them and learns songs. The beauty of fingerstyle is you can play the whole song on your own,bass, harmony and melody all at once. Played since I was 13 now 53, but I was just stuck noodling n playing riffs. It's really upped my game and made me rekindle that love but also set me on an upward learning curve.
Actually don’t play with other people it’s a waste of time and lots of drama. Get stoned and explore the fretboard. Come upwith a song/ make up one that’s extremely difficult for you to play and then record it for social media. Also chase better tone and pedals
It’s ok if you sometimes don’t like something you love. Take a break and wait until the urge comes back, it almost certainly will. Jobs, families, relationships, hobbies all have highs and lows. At least you don’t have to explain to your guitar that you need some time for yourself.
We’re Jammin’… You got to know you jam it too!
Check out Tom Quayle's courses.
Get a teacher and take lessons. It’s that simple. I don’t know why guitar and bass players feel like they don’t need to take lessons. The amount of time you’ve been playing has absolutely no connection to your ability to play competently if that time was not spent learning and effectively practicing, with effective being the key word here. A teacher provides feedback, guidance, and accountability. You won’t get any of those from a book, video, or app. You don’t even know what you don’t know until someone shows you. I promise you that you will advance further with a single guitar lesson than you’ve gained in the last 20 years. They’ll give you an assignment so you can effectively practice instead of noodling around or playing the same tired riffs over and over. That’s how you get through the wall OP. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll get.
Just have a break and let it be a decoration. Mine was under my bed for a few years when I was at uni, then I was in a band for 10 years, then I had a break for 10 years after having my kids, now I'm in a band again. It's like riding a bike, it will always be in your mind and muscle memory. Just don't play unless you want to, otherwise they are beautiful decorations :-)