Embracing the Guitar rut.

The Guitar rut: A place where progress and ideas stop. How did I get here? Is it really that bad? As it turns out, I’ve never enjoyed the guitar more!

Learning guitar: The path of least resistance

When I first picked up the guitar, I learned scales, chords, even whole albums, just for the fun of it. Today, I simply don’t have the time. I gave up on the four hour+ daily practice regimes almost immediately after I started, deciding I didn’t need or want to go down the technical virtuoso Vai/Satriani route. My heroes instead were the ‘feel’ players: Your Knopflers, Mays and Gilmours. As a Lazy Guitarist, this was not only the quickest path to entry, it was the best incentive to learn.

So I picked up enough theory and technique to allow me to play through Queen: Greatest Hits, Wishbone Ash: Argos, Dire Straights: Money For Nothing, and that I suppose was that.

Building my guitar chops

Of course, along the way, I joined a variety of bands, both covers and original, adding to my knowledge by picking up songs I wouldn’t normally play, whilst working on various original recording side-projects, which exercised the creative/theory side. It was never a fast-track toward guitar mastery, more a slow, winding road, gradually building my experience and comfort on my instrument.

Contrary to the ‘gunslinger’ culture of the guitarist world, learning and playing the guitar doesn’t have to be a competition. You can focus on certain aspects (creativity, phrasing, theory, technique, even speed), but the beauty of the guitar is that you get to choose, and learn at your own pace. Path to entry is arguably lower than most other instruments due to its accessibility.

Welcome to the guitar rut.

So here I am. At this point, I’ve probably learned all I need to know to function as a gigging guitarist. I don’t practice scales anymore and any new material is learned as and when it’s required for the set. Sure, I still need to make sure I’m well practised for gigs, just-in-case things are forgotten, but I’ve largely put my feet up as a practising student. I’ve never enjoyed the guitar more in my life!

Here’s the thing. Why do we learn to play? To join a band? To play in front of thousands? To have a chart-topping hit? I’m happy with being in a band, as explained in the little things I miss about being in a band, releasing an album This is Who I Am and playing in front of, quite literally, tens of people!

Ending the search for the ultimate guitar tone.

The guitar rut doesn’t just apply to practice, it’s also put a stop to my GAS (or gear (guitar) acquisition syndrome), which can be nothing but a good thing. Back in the day, I always had issues, complication, worries. Now, for over the last year, I’ve used a Squier Telecaster Custom (P90’s), a BOSS Katana 50, and a BOSS ME80. This setup simply works, and I can spend my hard-earned on other things.

Developing your playing in the guitar rut

Once you’re in a position to be in a gigging band and have the songs off-pat, Guitar playing becomes even more of a joy. I have a lot more confidence in my playing, provided I have at least a pre-gig brush up of the set. Confidence is, of course, invaluable in a gig scenario. Any hint of nervousness is amplified ten-fold in a live setting, but being at the top of your game feeds into your technique, your phrasing, and simply makes everything better. It becomes less about scales and theory and more about tone, performance, and passion, which has always been the end-goal anyway. And the more you do it, as in everything, the better you’ll get.

In other words, once you’re out of the shackles of gear worry and practice regimes, you’re free to hone your skills in the areas that really matter to an audience. I’m not there yet, not by a long shot, but at least I’ve started on my journey.

Be the lazy, cheap guitarist

So, why not check out my tips on being the cheap guitarist,  embrace your laziness, put down the theory books and practice regimes, get out there, have fun and just PLAY with what you’ve got.

Isn’t that why you picked up the guitar in the first place?

And so the adventures with the Cosmic Space Pirates continue. Feel free to like our Facebook page below: