What do you guys do when you hit a plateau?

heartben · Post by **heartben** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:29 am

I am just curious what you guys have done in the past when you get that "Man...I am not getting any better anymore" feeling.

I stopped playing guitar for a long time but it only really took a few minutes for me to basically get back where I left off. I know when I stopped I felt like I wasn't really advancing anymore and I am back to that point.

Any of you jazz masters or master shredders got any tips?

01010111 · Post by **01010111** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:42 am

I either:
1. Study more theory and get better
2. Make noise

I fall on the noise side of the fence more often than not...

hollowhero · Post by **hollowhero** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:54 am

-Listen to new/different music and try to play the parts and incorporate their style into your own playing
-Study scales/theory
-Practice advanced techniques

Basically just try new things, so you can break out of your rut.

Uncle Grandfather · Post by **Uncle Grandfather** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:31 am

I'll transcribe a solo from a jazz horn player...say joe henderson, for guitar and learn it. that usually will give me tons of inspiration.

Then there's a really good book called the Advancing Guitarist, by Mick Goodrick(i think spelled right). It has alot of really really really really good ideas for exploring your guitar in new ways. Helps if you can read music but not really necessary. His personal theory on life/music/guitar is worth the price alone.

Then there is the master tome, The Jazz Theory Handbook, by Mark Levine. get this too and you'll start to understand music on a deeper level. Each lesson uses examples from recorded jazz, so you'll also widen your jazz musician horizon, while picking up interesting new ways of looking at how you compose for ex.

Also there's another cheap book called "Mickey Baker's Complete Course in Jazz Guitar" Its not very thick, but it has a lifetime's worth of knowledge in it and right off the bat you'll pick up some maybe unfamiliar chord voicing's that can inspire you.

or i'll just work on inversions and substitutions to progressions or the changes.

also delving deep into noise is a nice cold splash of water on the face to get my inspiration flowing.

The4455 · Post by **The4455** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:32 am

I just started playing doom.

Then building pedals.

Then I learned Mandolin.

It's always nice o start something new.

Twangasaurus · Post by **Twangasaurus** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:45 am

I capture various animals and ask them about the secrets of the universe.

jasonmitsch · Post by **jasonmitsch** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 4:03 am

Twangasaurus wrote:I capture various animals and ask them about the secrets of the universe.

Do you have animal tabs?

tuffteef · Post by **tuffteef** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:44 am

2 steps back 3 steps forward

Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D. · Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:13 am

i feel like especially with guitar, you can play and play and play and not feel like you are getting anywhere.

then all of a sudden one day you will pick it up and be like WHOA SHIT LEVEL UP!

keep at it. experiment. HAVE FUN.

ryan summit · Post by **ryan summit** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:30 am

whatch the william burroughs documentary
and then stop giving a fuck

Haki · Post by **Haki** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 10:04 am

Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D. wrote:i feel like especially with guitar, you can play and play and play and not feel like you are getting anywhere.

then all of a sudden one day you will pick it up and be like WHOA SHIT LEVEL UP!

keep at it. experiment. HAVE FUN.

So much this. Also it helps if you have a specific goal you can work towards.

Grrface · Post by **Grrface** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 10:10 am

Haki wrote:
Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D. wrote:i feel like especially with guitar, you can play and play and play and not feel like you are getting anywhere.

then all of a sudden one day you will pick it up and be like WHOA SHIT LEVEL UP!

keep at it. experiment. HAVE FUN.
So much this. Also it helps if you have a specific goal you can work towards.

Yep, pick a new song you want to master, or a new genre whose techniques you want to learn. Or take a break, switch instruments. For me, I switched from bass to guitar for a while, and all it's really done is make me want to play bass more.

D.o.S. · Post by **D.o.S.** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:08 pm

Find a(nother) band or start a different project.

Big Mon · Post by **Big Mon** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:25 pm

jump off the plateau, or write "outside yourself"- like everybody has their staple stuff that they play. But when you write in a different style from what you normally do, it can be quite refreshing while leading you down a new musical corridor.l

skullservant · Post by **skullservant** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:28 pm

I completely jump styles, pick up a different guitar, switch to bass for a while, play through a different amp, listen to different music. Really anything that will let me think outside of the box. When I record black metal albums I don't listen to black metal for months beforehand so that I'm not rehashing old ideas

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What do you guys do when you hit a plateau?

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