Post Gig Blues

Toledo Bob

New Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2014
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66
Location
Upper Columbia River Basin just south of Canada.
Nope, not the title to another original Blues tune. About three weeks ago I finished a weekly 7 month gig. Hung up the guitars and haven't practiced much at all. Not a lot of interest in doing so right now. I have diagnosed my self with PGB...post gig blues. Anyone else experience this puzzling malady? Maybe too its because I have been working 7 days a week for the last 93 days. Wonder if the two are connected???? :iamconfused: Thanks all.
 
I've had it for about three years now. I left the last band I was in at the end of 2010 to have my right knee replaced. Long story short, it threw my balance off, and while it got rid of the pain, I'm not getting around like I used to. I'm lucky to be getting around at all, actually, but I can hardly carry my guitar case, much less my amp. I used to play every day, when I had something to practice for--any more, I'm fighting feelings of "why bother". I know that's an excuse, and not a very good one, but there it is. When I do pick up the guitar, if I play long enough to get the hands warmed up, it becomes enjoyable again, but keeping up the motivation is tough for the first time in my life, and I've played for over 50 years, a good part of that time professionally. The gigs haven't been out there either, but that's been going downhill for decades, so that's not a good excuse either. If you had a steady gig for seven months, you've been very lucky--I haven't seen that kind of work since the early '80's. I'm basically retired (not out of choice) and getting a little bit of nothing from disability.
Your post has got me thinking, though--I think I'll go pick up my guitar; I've always been able to play myself out of being depressed before--if I do it every day, at least I'll have some chops again!
 
Well it sounds like you don't "need" to practice or play right now for an upcoming gig, to maintain your chops, or learn new material. So from the outside, it's perfectly easy to see its as simple as you've just finished a long stint of doing the same thing for an extended period of time, and have no need or motivation to keep doing it every day when you don't absolutely have to at this point. Seems pretty normal to me. But, you know you love music and guitar, and soon your itch and muse will return on its own. In the meantime, don't obsess with it, enjoy yourself, and let nature take its course.
 
I understand completely. Like you I have played for years. However in the last year or so I have switched from my beloved tube amps to smaller solid state versions. Why? No roadies [hahaha] and the dern tube amps seem to have gotten heavier and more difficult to maneuver on and off stage. Additionally the area in which I live has precious few venues for the musical style I play. I felt very lucky to have had the long term gig I did. Like you, I'll get over it ending and start up my backing tracks again and get back to basics with the licks again. Right now I have to get the house painted. Sigh. :) Best wishes.
 
I know the feeling. If I don't have something like a gig to motivate me, I rarely play nowadays. Breaks can be good, though. I come back feeling fresh and sometimes my playing actually improves because I get back into the mindset to learn again.

Last night I found out I have a gig on the 27th, so I better get to pickin'!
 
Excellent! A pending gig always gets my attention too. Talked with a fellow musician I know yesterday. He's starting a new project doing [gulp] recent Top 40's music. Don't know if I will go perform in this format - its so outside of my style. But, he is sending me a tune list so I'll see. A new Casino is being built up here and they want musical acts that will get people up dancing, etc. I got the chops but, wow, it will take a lot of practice. Wait! Maybe that's a good thing! LOL
 
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