Random. No more or less

[Daryl Jones]

Last evening I had my friend and jamming buddy/mentor out for a farewell supper. He's the guy I got the S2 from before Christmas, and sort of coincidentally the guy that talked me into a PRS in the first place.
We were doing some acoustic stuff about 4 years ago and I mentioned looking around for another solid body electric; "strat" style but not a Strat. My old Yamaha RGX was a tad wanting in several areas, and I knew I didn't want a Gibson (LP,ES, any of them other than maybe an SG because they're heavy) or a Tele, but I wanted a trem guitar for sure so that mostly left them out anyway. I liked PRS from hearing one but thought they were way out of my self imposed price limits. He schooled me on the SE lines that day and well, the rest is history.
Josh has been such a great friend and I will miss his insight and guidance greatly. He got me to lose the "play behind someone" attitude that he said was holding me back from getting much better. Damn if he wasn't right. Getting out and stepping forward more boldly shed a whole new light on things. My other friends and family that I play with and in front of said it was like an overnight change, as in "what happened to you since you last played?" He made me better. So I owe him big time.
Funny thing is, it's was nothing I didn't know, just something I didn't realize I was (wasn't?) doing. I've told my karate students time and again that when you step onto the mat, sooner or later you have to step it up and if you take one on the chin, shake it off and be better for it next match. Duh.

 

[Lola]

I am playing very sporadically now. Just a few times a week. I hate my life atm because it’s really cutting into my guitar time. I am just burnt out and when I come home I go to my corner of house just to unwind.

I hate to admit it but atm playing is the last thing on my mind.

Sleeping a lot lately. Down on the couch for 5 minutes and I am already fast asleep

 

[Moondog Wily]

I am playing very sporadically now. Just a few times a week. I hate my life atm because it’s really cutting into my guitar time. I am just burnt out and when I come home I go to my corner of house just to unwind.

I hate to admit it but atm playing is the last thing on my mind.

Sleeping a lot lately. Down on the couch for 5 minutes and I am already fast asleep

I am going to suggest that you force yourself to play, even if you don't feel like it! It is not just the good times that make us what we are, it is the bad times to!! To stay true to your love of guitar, pick it up even when you don't feel like it, it shall reward you ;~))

 

[Lola]

I am going to suggest that you force yourself to play, even if you don't feel like it! It is not just the good times that make us what we are, it is the bad times to!! To stay true to your love of guitar, pick it up even when you don't feel like it, it shall reward you ;~))

I took a picture of this to remind myself that not everyday will be amazing.

 

[Daryl Jones]

I took a picture of this to remind myself that not everyday will be amazing.

What I've found over the years is it's the difficult days that end up garnering the greatest steps forward. Work/business, relationships, new endeavors, music, sports, whatever. I look at roadblocks as a challenge. Some just take more effort and time to get beyond them to the clearer sailing beyond.
Personal hurdles are only hurdles once you get past them. Keep the faith my friend!

 

[ruger9]

What I've found over the years is it's the difficult days that end up garnering the greatest steps forward. Work/business, relationships, new endeavors, music, sports, whatever. I look at roadblocks as a challenge. Some just take more effort and time to get beyond them to the clearer sailing beyond.
Personal hurdles are only hurdles once you get past them. Keep the faith my friend!

And sometimes, a shitty day is just a shitty day.

 

[JasonE]

And sometimes, a shitty day is just a shitty day.

I try to treat those days like a dog I once had. I kick some grass on that **** and walk away.

 

[ruger9]

I try to treat those days like a dog I once had. I kick some grass on that **** and walk away.

Yeah, that's when a couple glasses of whiskey does the trick. Or wine.

 

[aphantomvaper]

Or bongses!

 

[Daryl Jones]

Or bongses!

" Aw, no way man, that stuff can give you brain damage!" Bwahahahahaha!
Yeah I know, that's car exhaust...

 

[Lola]

Or bongses!

Now we’re talking lol.

I think I figured out my sh*tty dilemma. I find if I take it in small chunks I am not out of my mind with anxiety. I practiced for 45 minutes today before work and focused on one song, all the parts that are eluding me. I was laser focused on what my fingers were doing and making sure of finger placement. I noticed sometimes I have one of my fingers on fret with very little pressure but it muddies the tone. Baby steps but I will commit myself daily whether it be 6 hours or 20 minutes.

I definitely need to get back into a band situation. I love playing by myself but sometimes!

 

[Daryl Jones]

Good to hear that Lola. Most of us have hit a wall at one time or another.
I take very small passages in a song that I know I can make better and just focus on the little things in it when that happens. Pretty soon (or after much deliberate work) I find something that was previously hidden from me and my playing. Same with vocals. And there is no substitute for recorded study, it never lies. All else fails, try writing something. Be it a whole song or just some riffs. But be sure and listen to yourself. Music heals.
Keep the faith Lola, things will get better all the way around.

 

[Lola]

@Daryl Jones thank you kindly for your supportive words.

 

[Mike J.]

Just going over the recordings from last nights practice session at church. Making little changes here and there on a few things. Nice knowing I've got tomorrow and Saturday to go over it all again and again.

Thinking of replacing the .009 - .046 strings on my SE Standard with a .010 gage. Love the feel but sometimes the higher end seems a bit thin.

Some people say heavier high E, B and G strings makes no difference in output but heavier wound strings do make a difference.
Can't be right. Seems if you went from a 9 to a 10 you'd hear more output due to the tighter tension.

 

[JasonE]

Just going over the recordings from last nights practice session at church. Making little changes here and there on a few things. Nice knowing I've got tomorrow and Saturday to go over it all again and again.

Thinking of replacing the .009 - .046 strings on my SE Standard with a .010 gage. Love the feel but sometimes the higher end seems a bit thin.

Some people say heavier high E, B and G strings makes no difference in output but heavier wound strings do make a difference.
Can't be right. Seems if you went from a 9 to a 10 you'd hear more output due to the tighter tension.

You could hear a bit more output by going to a heavier gage of string. You can also raise the pickups a little bit to accomplish the same thing. You can get great sound with 9s or even 8s. Billy Gibbons uses 8s.

 

[Daryl Jones]

A guitar fanatic told his wife in the morning: "I'm headed over to Long & McQuade, they have one of those new PRS Modern Eagle V's just in. I really gotta go see it for myself."
The wife looked at him sternly "Don't you buy another guitar you SOB, or I'm leaving!"
Smiling sweetly "Don't worry dear, I'm not going to, a promise is a promise."
When he got to the store, he quickly sought out the new axe. He looked at the sales rep and the guy nodded so he picked it up and held it lovingly, much like a new born babe. The salesman walked away but returned with a cable. "We normally wouldn't let anyone play this, but you're such a great supporter and customer have a go at it." The guy plugged in and was soon filling the store with strains of beautiful guitar sounds.
A very stunning lady walked over and stood admiring the music. "My old boyfriend used to play like that, only you're much better than he was all those years ago."
The fellow looked at her and suddenly she was very familiar. "Julie?" he blurted.
She blushed and recognition filled her "Oh my God, Ray?"
Soon they were catching up and talking over old times and reminiscing about their past years. He signaled the salesman and handed over the guitar with regret, but he knew he had to give it up. As he and the lady kept talking, it was obvious the chemistry was still there. She flirtingly asked him to come over to her place for a drink and catch up some more. He knew it was taking things a bit far, but readily agreed.
Later that evening he walked into his house and was greeted by his wife and two large suitcases. "Where have you been all this time?" she demanded.
"Really, it's not what you think. I met up with Julie, my old sweetheart at the store. So we started talking and after a bit she invited me over to her place for a drink. One thing led to another and we sort of ended up in bed. I'm really disappointed in myself, and I know it's bad. But could you please forgive my transgression?"
"You lying bastard!" the wife screamed, tears rolling freely down her cheeks and grabbed her bags. "You bought that guitar didn't you!"

 

[veinbuster]

Strange universe: out of boredom last night, I clicked on an episode of Kids In The Hall and it played Melanie’s Roller skate and key on repeat.

 

[dmatthews]

Strange universe: out of boredom last night, I clicked on an episode of Kids In The Hall and it played Melanie’s Roller skate and key on repeat.

That the one with the DJ in the bunker? Saw it myself.

 

[Lola]

I have always been into nature, flora fauna etc.

I never knew that plants could communicate like this!! Plants can talk to one another.

This is fascinating!

 

[tiboy]

In December we were on a guided hike through the rainforest in Costa Rica. We learned a lot about how plants and trees communicate with each other. Pretty fascinating stuff.