This just blows my mind

[Jesse Salmons]

So for the past month (more like 3 weeks but whatever) ive absolutely stopped any and all technical practice. Meaning sweeps (been struggling with 5-string sweeps), eco picking, alt picking, etc. and just been jamming. Playing solos i know how to play and can play well, just havent had time to really sit down with my metronome and grind it out lately. Well tonight, i turned on the metronome, and started grinding, only to find the things i was struggling with so much easier. Like, i was in disbelief like “no fucking way.” Gave me the boost i needed to get back into the groove of sitting with a metronome. Im still absolutely no where near where i want to be but im closer!

Just figured id share this story with you guys. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I cant be the only one!

 

[carlosmqr]

That happened to me a couple times, I feel like my brain needs to stop worring about something I cant play or I put a lot of "pressure" to play. Then I go back and Im way better at doing it. And it doesnt happens just with guitar.

 

[Calvin Phillips]

This is your fingers building strength. Ans And confidence. I always change up my stuff all the time. You dont want to bore yourself. The jams are the best part it's a free style. I feel you should jam full atleast once or twice a week. Spend a day or two if you can on techniques you are working on..and a day on one you are confident on.then fill in he gaps however.

I'll spend a day on my own material. The next.on my set list with Ryan. Then new songs or techniques. I gotta refresh on sweeps so thatll be back in my warm ups as well.

In a way you're always working on your finger work whether its horizontal or vertical but either you it should improve your overall playing and timing. Changing it up always is nice cause when you visit it feels like you're gonna further just cause your timing is better.

 

[Ed Seith]

Yeah, man, sometimes a break gives your head a break from the potential anxiety of not improving. That anxiety holds you back. Funny thing, the brain. Brilliant and a horse's ass all at the same time.

 

[Dominik Gräber]

I think that's kinda how it went with me and downpicking master of Puppets. I didn't try that for weeks and was Just jamming different Tunes and when I tried with a backing track again it actually felt slow! (Not Like easy, more Like doable)

 

[Jesse Salmons]

That happened to me a couple times, I feel like my brain needs to stop worring about something I cant play or I put a lot of "pressure" to play. Then I go back and Im way better at doing it. And it doesnt happens just with guitar.

Same man! Except welding. If you dont use that, you lose it

 

[Jesse Salmons]

Yeah, man, sometimes a break gives your head a break from the potential anxiety of not improving. That anxiety holds you back. Funny thing, the brain. Brilliant and a horse's ass all at the same time.

“Brilliant and a horses ass all at the same time” damn i was a senior in high school again i wouldve made that my senior quote you’re right ed!

 

[Jesse Salmons]

I think that's kinda how it went with me and downpicking master of Puppets. I didn't try that for weeks and was Just jamming different Tunes and when I tried with a backing track again it actually felt slow! (Not Like easy, more Like doable)

I dont know if you’ve seen it but theres a guy on youtube who made this video talking about either creeping death or MoP and his best tip for getting it up to speed was to actually play it faster than the recording! And then the recording is easy

EDIT: Here’s the video, he was trying to play creeping death at concert speed

 

[Lindsey]

I have this every once in a while. I mostly learn through playing songs, I don't always finish learning them at full speed.
Sometimes I go back to songs I used to play or just haven't played in a while and I notice a lot of progress. It's a great feeling.

 

[Matt Wildcat]

This!! I've gotten this a lot, particularly recently when I was working on economy picking. First few days, I just could not wrap my head (or fingers) around it, started driving me absolutely crazy, so I went off to play something else for a bit. Came back to it as my college deadline for a video of my attempts came up, and suddenly it just clicked.
Since then, I've always tried to tell myself that it's okay to not get it the first time round (perfectionist brain hates that, but y'know) and that it's good to take breaks from it and come back. Helps with preventing burnouts, too.

 

[Nocturne]

That's the same for me. For the first time since I started playing guitar, I have trouble picking it up and playing and that's kinda stressful because I didn't know it could happen. But I told myself that it was okay, and that I was because of exceptional circumstances and that I don't have to feel guilty about that, and when I picked it up again today I noticed some great improvements on my technique. Sometimes taking some distance seems to be good for you growth.

 

[AGA]

Brilliant and a horse's ass all at the same time.

My new favourite quote!

 

[AGA]

I've experienced this many times too, one of my music teachers said sometimes your brain and hands just need time to soak up the knowledge. We understand the concepts mentally a lot faster than our muscle memory can incorporate it.

 

[carlosmqr]

I've experienced this many times too, one of my music teachers said sometimes your brain and hands just need time to soak up the knowledge. We understand the concepts mentally a lot faster than our muscle memory can incorporate it.

Ive heard that a lot too, and how important is good sleeping because thats when your brain and muscles rest and get everything youve done during the day together. Dont know if its true because obviously I dont study brains and stuff like that but I believe that theres some truth in that xD

 

[AGA]

Ive heard that a lot too, and how important is good sleeping because thats when your brain and muscles rest and get everything youve done during the day together. Dont know if its true because obviously I dont study brains and stuff like that but I believe that theres some truth in that xD

I agree!