I play guitar and now I cant?

Question

I have been playing guitar for over 20 years now. It is my passion. Two years ago I bought an Ibanez Road Master for $2500. I have only picked it up twice. Two years later I sill have no desire to play. Why do you think that is

Answer 1

I've been going through the same thing for the last three months. I had went out and bought a new classical guitar, and while I was there decided to also buy an acoustic, so I came home happy as can be, and I think I played for about a week, and haven't touch them since. Playing has also been my passion since I was about nine years old. I use to practice eight hours a day, somethimes I even set my alarm for four in the morning so I could get in a couple hours before work, I've played for over thirty five years and never had this before, that's why I'm so concerned. I do have a disk problem in my neck that does give me a lot of left hand pain, but I still always tried to play at least twenty minutes a day. Lately I just can't figure it out, I keep saying to myself I'll start playing tomorrow, but I haven't. I've been driving myself crazy trying to figure this out, and the conclusion I came to is it must be something like writers block, or how many times have you heard of artist that just stopped painting for a while. I'm sure it's just a thing to do with hormones or some kind of chemistry thing. I'm going to force myself tomorrow to start playing just a little every day and see if my desire comes back, hopefully it's just a temporary thing, I hope it is for you as well. I'm glad I answered your question because now I know this happens to other people and I don't feel like I'm alone in this. P.S. Someone told me it could be a form or depression because of my neck and hand problem, and in my subconscious I'm depressed without realizing it. I'm wondering if that's it. Have you had something bothering you health or otherwise ?

Answer 2

It is obviously to do with you, and whats going on inside you. You are losing (or have lost?) the desire for music, or playing music on guitar at least, for whatever reasons. You can't force yourself to love playing guitar, even though that may be hard for you to hear since you have loved it for so long. It may be a temporary thing, it is easy to lose connection for whatever reasons temporarily, or it could simply be perpetual, being that you just simply don't have the passion for it anymore. Just wait a while, and try to get some more inspiration from watching all kinds of guitar players (different styles, guitarists you love, and guitarists you have never heard of), and you may find your desire return. Try picking it up and playing new music you have never played and just experiment a bit.

It may just be that you are just depressed, in that case it is hard to connect with anything that is going on, no matter how much you love it.

The people who say we all feel like that sometimes and is just a thing that happens, well I sort of disagree. I am totally in love with music and playing the guitar, it is all I ever think about or am doing, but it is true that even when that passion was there, there have been times when I couldn't connect with it, simply because I was depressed, although I still knew deep down that I do love it a lot, and always will. I expect that is the same with all the world class guitar players. They LOVE music/playing guitar and always have, but sometimes it is inevitable to not touch their guitar for days, weeks, maybe even months for whatever reasons and whatever is going on in their life at that period.

You need to ask yourself honestly whether you still love it, and don't expect to find the answer right away, but it will come.

Follow your feelings and your heart, and wherever that takes you is wherever you should be, it may not even be with guitar, and music, or it may be with guitar and music, but you can be happy either way!

Smile! :)

Answer 3

Ok, we've all been there. I've been playin' for, like, centuries. But sometimes I just don't feel like picking up the dang thing. So this is what I do; I go and buy me a nice bottle of whisky or rum, a couple liters of something to chase it with. Once I get a little mellow [but not too mellow or I can't find my guitar], I get out all of my old favorite CD's and just jam out. Usually I don't worry so much if I'm dead on or not, because, well what the hey, I'm just loosenin' up you know, but it's a great way to rekindle that desire to play. Nothing like jammin out with Clapton, Hendrix, Stevie Ray, or Lightnin' Hopkins to get me back into the right state of mind. But I gotta say, the neighbors sure do hate it. Then once I've done all that I calm down a bit and start THINKING about how I feel and what it would sound like and stuff so before you know it I come up with new ideas. But that's just me and I haven't, like, sold any gold records [or do they make gold CD's now days lol] so it might not work for you. Playing guitar should be fun and flow natural like, sometimes the tediousness of technique stiffles the creative spirit and dampens the joy. Loosen up a bit, try to work up new styles, anything to break up the monotony. Good luck! PS I got an Ibanez also, a lovely little guitar, much under-rated.

Answer 4

I seldom perform any more although I currently teach guitar. Playing for oneself gets boring as if only the walls and the rocks will listen. I understand those times of disinterest. Living rurally doesn't help finding a jamming partner, but if you could locate another guitarist willing to get together once a week and play it could regenerate your interest.

Although I didn't go for two years without playing as you have done, I had acquired my most recent guitar, an HD-35 Martin, which is just right for me. Yet I had times of disinterest to play. Apparently, we all go through such times of leaving the guitar in the corner.

Answer 5

you lost some of your passion for it but somthing will inspire you to play again. For me I could not write my own music I would never play the guitar, I cant stand playing other peoples music, maybe your the same way. I feel by playing other peoples music on a dead end road going nowhere but when I write I feel, well just really good.

Answer 6

Im in a phase like that also. Ive played for 12 and havent touched it in about 1. Every once in a while i pick it up for an hour or two. Personally Im stressed and dont have alot of time. ive also gone thru depressed phases where i wouldnt play for months. I assume it's different for everyone.

Answer 7

I think it's because you do not like the guitar, or you do not feel like playing it.

Answer 8

i get that alot. its a phase where you lose inspiration. dont wory about it nd dont stress yourself. start listening to good music now and again to try tune back into inspiration. cool breeze walks help as well. if you loved it so much, you'll get it back. ive had phases that last for 2 years so i know the feeling. take care

Answer 9

maybe you're just preoccupied...or you have lost your desire to play anymore....or its just that your heart is not conditioned to play..its just a matter of choice...i know you cn stll bring back your passion for guitar playing...or maybe you're just focusing your attention ito something/someone else....think of it...the matter is with you....

Answer 10

lack of desire ? i kinda have the same problem maybe we suck?lol ..kiddin , maybe you need to find someone to play with.. the more you do it the better you strt sounding againt.... hope this helps ....... peace