48 posts
I quit playing the guitar last week after 10 years of never miss a day daily practice. My hand and wrist bones just hurt too much with daily practice. And frankly I don't miss the daily grind. At 66 years old, I think I can let music go into my past as a loved memory. My hands don't hurt any when not practicing. So I gave the music making up. No big deal.
I did not play much during the 1990's either, but before that it was 4 hours a day minimum.
I ain't a slave to my guitar any more.
u need a new instrument? rusty trombone? ;D
Nah I lost interest in making music, and truthfully it was becoming a chore. So I just up and quit, and so far I don't miss it a bit. Not even a little bit.
So let's see if my memory is correct... You have now put yourself in a situation where you're caged with a female in a 400 square foot home without any way to release your tensions? :-? ::)
That can't be good... :D
.... and the Lonestar??? :-?
cgtrox 8-)
cgtrox — May 07, 2009.... and the Lonestar??? :-?
It went back
CraigBert — May 07, 2009So let's see if my memory is correct... You have now put yourself in a situation where you're caged with a female in a 400 square foot home without any way to release your tensions? :-? ::)
That can't be good... :D
She is out working and making money, what's bad about that?
Damn. I just started strokin the monkey 10 years ago when I got married. I better watch out. :o
;D ;D
Sorry to hear it - but whatever makes you happy, DO IT. Regardless of the activity/hobby/craft people enjoy, my theory has always been 'use it or lose it', sounds like one of yours no longer makes you happy, no reason to continue I suppose....but just in case, KEEP your gear! ;)
I think his wife found the receipt to the Lonestar and gave him an ultimatum!! :D
cgtrox 8-)
Kabala — May 07, 2009
Sorry to hear it - but whatever makes you happy, DO IT. Regardless of the activity/hobby/craft people enjoy, my theory has always been 'use it or lose it', sounds like one of yours no longer makes you happy, no reason to continue I suppose....but just in case, KEEP your gear! ;)
;D ;D ;D
:( DBM, D, while I'm sorry to hear this, I understand. I broke my left wrist while playing basketball years ago. I COULDN'T play for almost 10 months. When I tried to play again, I was so far behind where I was, that I tried for a while, got discouraged, and quit. I didn't play (but one or two times a year) for 10 years. Too me, at that time, playing slow and easy, and playing "rhythm" guitar was not what I wanted too do. I sold all my gear except my Ibanez Artist, and the only reason I kept that, was that it was my graduation present from my parents.
After 10 years, I decided I could not stand NOT playing. I told my wife that I wanted to start playing again and she responded by buying me a PRS for our anniversary. Even God couldn't overlook someone who had a PRS and didn't play it (of course he WOULD), so I started playing again. I got excited again, started playing, and started buying gear. A couple years after that, I was in a wreck and had nerve damage to my neck. It affects my coordination in my whole left arm, and very much so with my ring and middle finger of my left hand. I once again thought "I can never do that stuff again that I used to do" and I ALMOST quit again.
Here's the funny part. The two things that kept me going, were that I got a L6 Flextone, and suddenly had lots of cool stuff at my fingertips, and 2) one night while downloading an update for my amp, I noticed a forum they had. I signed up, started talking gear and playing with other musicians, and THAT kept me interested enough to try to keep playing. Yes, I believe that if not for the Line 6 forum, where most of us met, I would have given it up again.
I now fully realize I will never be able to play like I used too. If I agitate my neck (which happens regularly when playing basketball and softball) I can go days where I really can't play that well. But I now realize that as frustrating as that is, I still LOVE playing guitar. So even if I can't play that well, I can still enjoy playing.
I say, take a little break. But don't go on any "selling all my gear" binges, because if it's in your blood, you will later regret it. Perhaps we go through stages, and you'll adapt to something that doesn't cause pain and you'll still enjoy what you CAN do.
But that's just my opinion.
DreamTheaterRules — May 08, 2009 :(
I say, take a little break. But don't go on any "selling all my gear" binges, because if it's in your blood, you will later regret it.
Sorry to hear about your hand problems DBM but I think DTR is giving some wise counsel above. I'm also getting some arthritus in my arms and hands, and I take anti-inflammatories for it now and again - you might want to try some yourself.
It would break my heart not to be able to play, as it's my passion - but obviously you're OK about it which is cool, and if you really aren't enjoying it anymore there's no point - you're quite right, it shouldn't be a chore.
Rich ;)
yeah, if you don't enjoy it anymore, then quit (for a while), but if it's just that it hurts, or that your frustrated because of the pain, then try to find a solution and keep playing.
I'm with Rich. It's a passion. I really don't want to be without it.
Thanks guys. I would not sell all of my gear, I would not mind selling off some of my less favorite instruments if I can get my price. Otherwise everything is staying where it is, and will be kept up with string changes etc.
That's a real shame. From experience with my frozen shoulder I know what it's like when it is really painful when trying the play the guitar. Last year I "couldn't" play at all for about 7 months as I just could not move my left arm into a position where I could play. It's a lot better now, but still damn painful if I play for too long in one session.
Wish you all the best DBM.
Keep your gear DBM !
Maybe some day... :)
All the best,
Marco
I have no problem walking away from the whole thing. I did it, I lived it, and I can let it pass, it is no big deal to me. It is time.
Jon, I feel your pain. :( Ok, actually I don't, but I did. When I quit the first time, it was simply too painful for me to bend my wrist into playing position. I still can flair up, but I have to hold my guitars in the "geek" (or classical) position. I have to "hang em high" or I can't play for long. No Jimmy Page low slung, cool looking poses, except of course for photos! ;D
DBM, if you really think you can walk, and it's no big deal, then do it. I tried. I couldn't. I NEED to play, even if it only amuses me.
I can't imagine ever walking away from music...but if it's given you that much enjoyment for that long, well, you still have the memories.
Good luck!
Tripper
DreamTheaterRules — May 09, 2009DBM, if you really think you can walk, and it's no big deal, then do it. I tried. I couldn't. I NEED to play, even if it only amuses me.
I don't need to play, I just liked it so it is something I can leave behind easily. In fact I have not had a single urge to pick up the guitar since I stopped a week ago. If I want to play I have the gear so I will play, if not I still have the gear.
ok, then one question: Why were you just two weeks ago trying out a $2,000 amp?
Was it nothing more than a quest to see if something of that magnitude would renew our desire to play? When I got discouraged I'd play less, and less and less until I wasn't playing. You were just buying a "super amp" a couple weeks ago. Did this happen SINCE then? Or was that a last gasp effort to renew some enthusiasm?
DreamTheaterRules — May 10, 2009ok, then one question: Why were you just two weeks ago trying out a $2,000 amp?
Because he COULD! :D ;)
CraigBert — May 10, 2009
Because he COULD'NT resist! :D ;)
Fixed. ;)
There doesn't
have to be any dramatic reason or explanation if you ask me, sometimes people simply lose their enthusiasm for stuff, happens. I knew a guy once that was a monstrous player, skills beyond everyone esle in our area, then one day out of the blue without a word of it, he simply put the guitar down and picked up piano/keys instead, joined a club friendly type "pop" band, never looked back.
DreamTheaterRules — May 10, 2009ok, then one question: Why were you just two weeks ago trying out a $2,000 amp?
Was it nothing more than a quest to see if something of that magnitude would renew our desire to play? When I got discouraged I'd play less, and less and less until I wasn't playing. You were just buying a "super amp" a couple weeks ago. Did this happen SINCE then? Or was that a last gasp effort to renew some enthusiasm?
I am not that emotional about it Howie, I wanted a new amp, got several, was not impressed, sent them back, then I decided it was not in my best interest to keep playing because my bone joints are worn out, and I did not want to wear them out any more than they are. A pretty simple line of events really.
Throughout my life I have been able to stop any behavior when it threatened my well being. For instance when I was using cocaine, I did at least an 8 ball every single day for 10 years. Most of the days much more than that. One day I decided it was hurting my mental health as well as physical health and I simply stopped. The urges stopped after a few weeks and I resisted them easily. I never snorted another line and I never missed it. Same with tobacco. I smoked from the time I was seven or eight until I was 33, one day when running on the beach with my kid Nick, I got 4 blocks and started coughing up some yellow goo from my lungs and I stopped that immediately, I resisted the urges for a some months easily, and then it was over.
No big deal !! My life is not as
dramatic as other folks
seem to be (looking at them from the outside) I have a high degree of control over my emotions, and changes in my life are simple for me to make. So when I say it was no big deal, it really was no big deal to me. I simply turn the page and look at the next adventure.
I may use my producer skills to produce others, since I have a decent level of understanding of the recording process. A few grand, and I can upgrade my recording capabilities to the latest home/pro level gear, and I can resume my musical interest that way. However I can see no benefit from it. I tried to elicit interest in my songwriting and playing, no one seemed to care for it very much, so I knew there was no light at the end of that tunnel at this stage of my life, and I turned the page.
However I will still keep up my posting on these forums for a while at least, as I have made decent friends around these parts.
I have a high degree of control over my emotions
Live long & prosper DBM!
I ain't quite up to Spock but if anyone is my hero Spock is the one (even though he is a fictional character, I get the beauty of his depiction of emotive control).
So......................
WHEN.....do you stop fucking ????? :D 8-) ;D
Tigerbill — May 11, 2009So......................
WHEN.....do you stop fucking ????? :D 8-) ;D
You will know when.
But I will just give you a little clue, when your pecker don't work like it used to. And for 98% of the men, that day will surely come, and when that day comes, you really won't give a shit about it.
DBM, I didn't mean it was any big dramatic event. It's just that as long as I've known you, you spend a lot of your time either playing or talking about music, gear, playing, etc. That usually infers a level of passion if someone dedicates that much time to it. And usually that type passion has to fade away over time. I was simply surprised that one week you were looking at $2,000 amps, and the next you were quitting, just as I'd be if my brother were to suddenly decide to quit racing right after he just bought a new race car, or Jamie to get married right after he found a free apartment in Chinatown. ;D ;D
desertbluesman — May 11, 2009 ... And for 98% of the men, that day will surely come, and when that day comes, you really won't give a shit about it.
That's exactly how I felt when I decided to stop paying my bills! ;D
I have a related question. This goes along with the age old question of, if a tree falls in the woods and nobody is there to hear it, does it make a sound. If Craig B starts a thread saying "I quit" does anybody read it? If so, how do we know the difference? How do we know it's not just a desperate cry for help? And last, who will take over the position of The Official Bert Cave Wig Wearing Dude? Is Johnny on deck for that title? ;D
Man, you sound exactly like a coke addict who can't quit. ;D
If you don't need to play, and your in control of your emotions....why the drama about it here? ;D
CraigBert — May 11, 2009[quote author=desertbluesman link=1241714129/25#28 date=1242056584] ... And for 98% of the men, that day will surely come, and when that day comes, you really won't give a shit about it.
That's exactly how I felt when I decided to stop paying my bills! ;D
;D ;D
I Kinda got that feeling when my wife yold me she was pregnant a few months ago. Damn, if you want to have kids, go ahead......have sex.......it works. ;D
To hell with sex. To many headaches to get it, and afterwards.....obviously. :D
I stopped having sex with myself, I couldn't remember where I've been! :-?
Quat is the blues the past tense.
I quat once
And quat a second time
But don't have time
to qua - aa - aa t agin.
There you go - mr blues.
CraigBert — May 11, 2009[quote author=desertbluesman link=1241714129/25#28 date=1242056584] ... And for 98% of the men, that day will surely come, and when that day comes, you really won't give a shit about it.
That's exactly how I felt when I decided to stop paying my bills! ;D
CraigBert — May 11, 2009I stopped having sex with myself, I couldn't remember where I've been! :-?
Damn, there's only 5 choices to consider. :o
So I picked up the guitar day before yesterday (never said I wouldn't, I just said I was giving up my daily practice routine) Anyways I am so pleased with the HRD tone I just can't get over it, and I don't gotta spend any money to get that tone, all is paid for. 8-)
I still quit daily practice however, my wrist joints and finger bone joints demand that. But a little pluckin once in a while (which I always knew I would do) to ward off the boredom is cool.
Nice to see your playin again. ;D ;D
Hookbender — May 12, 2009Nice to see your playin again. ;D ;D
Not that much really, I kinda lost interest in the whole thing, that could be temporary, or it could be for real. Right now I am cherishing the freedom from the daily grind.
Getting back to playin because you love it, not because your obligated to it? I dig it if this is close to correct. :)
I do love playing that is true, I always did. However I am not "getting back to it" really, just noodling once in a while out of boredom more than anything.
You need some pussy. ;D ;D ;D
DBM, playing should not be a "grind." Unless you are on tour.
I go weeks where I play 10 minutes a day a couple days in a row, don't play for a couple days....
Of course, that's why I'm not very good. But I enjoy it, so I ain't quitting.
DBM, Sex should not be a "grind." Unless you are on porn films.
I go weeks where I fuck 10 seconds a day a couple days in a row, don't fuck for a couple days....
Of course, that's why I'm not very good. But I enjoy it, so I ain't quitting.
Fixed. ;D ;D ;D
With my Blood Pressure Meds giving me trouble having an orgasm, and the Viagra giving me endless wood, I only need to fuck once every three months or so. I need the time between to recuperate from my two hour hard f'kin bouts.