Well, I am giving up playing guitar, recording and anything else connected to it. I have not been able to do the thing's I like with it, so I really see no need to go on with it. The frustration level has been tremendous lately, I just plain give up. I thought my marriage was frustrating. I just come to the conclusion I have not got the ability I had before I was married and it does not seem to be coming back. Just a general disappointment all around from. Take care guy's and good luck to you in all that you do. Karl Lucas
Goodbye All!
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- Rated: 12 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 9:08 a.m. SJB66:
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- Rated: 34 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 9:24 a.m. Bernw:
Karl - you will regret a decision like that for the rest of your life. I have no idea what your ability is - but even if you can only pick one tune and play two chords that is MORE than a heck of a lot of people in the world can do.
We cannot all be great guitarists - compared to a lot of members here I am very average - but I still play in a band and have had great enjoyment playing guitar for well over 40 years. And evey week I learn something very minor - but it's something new. So I am average now - 40 years ago I was pretty crap.
So don't give up - and one day you'll think - "I'm so glad I didn't pack it in my playing".
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- Rated: 57 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 9:48 a.m. Curt:
Wow now you got me thinking, if I quit EVERYTHING I suck at it would free up a ton of time!
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- Rated: 60 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 10:09 a.m. Bear:
Karl,
I've been playing for more than 50 years and at best, I'm a mediocre player... so what? I play for my own enjoyment and like Bernw said, even a couple of chords is more than half the world can do. Take a short break maybe and reconsider your decision after the frustration has died down a bit.
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- Rated: 29 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 10:28 a.m. jetbunny:
When I'm down and in a rut, I play the guitar. It's your friend. It keeps me relaxed and sane.
All the time.
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- Rated: 37 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 10:44 a.m. MR TROUBLE:
I may be wrong...but I think we have a room full of guitar players here...and I don't remember you ever asking for help. Take advantage of the talent on this board and explain what your trying to accomplish and what the struggle has been. We might have ideas or been in the same boat, we might be able to recommend a good instructional DVD or maybe someone local to you on this board might be able to put together a jam session.
But whatever you do, don't give up. We all hit walls and plateaus with our playing...there are things you can do to get through this.
Buy a new guitar. Sometimes this sparks creativity. Using the same old instrument all the time can get you in a rut. For example, when I bought my 6120W-57 with all its western inlays, it made me want to learn some Chet Atkins stuff. I learned rolling banjo rolls that Eddie Cochran also used and things like that. I'm a much better player because I bought that guitar.
Take some guitar lessons. You might only need 4 or 5 sessions to spark some creativity and learn something new. Professional guitar players take lessons in new styles. I've always wanted to take jazz lessons and learn how to do speed picking.
I don't know your situation, but generally don't blame the marriage. I'm married too, and while I don't get in as much playing time now that we have the baby...I am still able to break away. It's just getting used to managing your time differently. Last night I was on Youtube looking up country tele picking. Lots of good stuff on there.
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- Rated: 25 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 10:56 a.m. billydlight:
One up for you Karl. Its probably best you get out now. Nothing worse than the life time of disappointment and aggravation playing the guitar can bring. Plus it will probably ruin your marriage anyway. Its probably best if you send all of your gear to me, and I will dispose of it properly, thus ensuring that it does not ruin someone elses life. Ultimately the people around you will be thankful as well. Well done.
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- Rated: 25 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 10:58 a.m. billydlight:
Of course you realize how completely ridiculous that sounds.
Never give up. Never surrender. F' em if they don't like it.
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- Rated: 66 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 11:08 a.m. Walter Broes:
Hey, if it's supposed to be something fun, and you're only getting frustrated with it, maybe it's not a bad idea to get away from it for a little while.
But don't sell all your guitars - you'll probably come back to the guitar anyway.
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- Rated: 38 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 11:22 a.m. bobbyrivera:
Walter Broes said: Hey, if it's supposed to be something fun, and you're only getting frustrated with it, maybe it's not a bad idea to get away from it for a little while.
I have to agree with Walter. If it's not making you happy, it may be time move on.
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- Rated: 11 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 11:47 a.m. bigsbyslur:
Well, Karl, people always say, "Oh, you have such a gift." Actually, I believe being musically talented is a curse. For no matter how good you are, you wish that you were better. It's very frustrating for even the most gifted. We don't really go after music. It comes and gets us!!
Like some of the guys said, if you know 2 chords you're ahead of over 1/2 the people in the world. You are hooked, son!! Sorry.
After 12 years on the road, I thought I never wanted to look at another guitar or another musician. I said I was going to go back home, drive a big spike in the wall and hang it (the guitar) up. I hung it up for awhile, but I didn't sell it. It wasn't long before I had it out trying to play some new song that hooked me on the radio or writing a song.
You can hang it up for a while,if you like, but it'll come back and get you.
Good luck Karl!!
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- Rated: 16 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 12:09 p.m. treblebooster:
Hi! Karl,
maybe you just need to have a break... staying away from the instrument could be good for you. Maybe in a few months you'll really feel the urge to play the guitar again.
Maybe you need to focus for a time on your private life(as you mentioned your marriage)?
Sometimes, it's really frustrating to think that after all this time you didn't met the right people or that you had to part ways because things couldn't go further... And that you have to start again and again from the beginning...
I'm not as good musician as I would(still haven't recorded an album after more than twenty years wanking the guitar!)and sometimes all this guitars and amps around me seem a waste of time(I hate thinking that I'm more a collector than a musician!).
Ask for help, nobody will blame you. And again, this is a place with heartful and sensible people.
Don't let go!
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- Rated: 58 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 12:12 p.m. yettoblaster:
Never sell your golf clubs, tools, or guitar.
I quit "the biz," many times, but playing guitar offers me something on SOME level, even if it's just couch noodling through the commercials on TV.
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- Rated: 53 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 12:22 p.m. Ratrod:
Playing shouldn't be that frustrating. But before you give up, cool down for a couple of weeks. You might have hit a ceiling. Leave the guitar alone for a while and pick it back up when you feel like it. As soon as you're having fun with it again, you'll break through that ceiling.
If all else fails: Oh well, there's always the bass guitar. ;) ;)
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- Rated: 13 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 12:31 p.m. Catdaddy1967:
Y'know, I gave up playing for about 5 years when I got heavily involved in the retail side of music. The spark was gone, I was fed up with it, and all that kinda stuff. But I never got rid of all my guitars.
And when I spotted my next guitar hanging on the wall of a music shop, I started again. (The blisters I had were phenomenal!) But since then, I've never looked back.
So don't give up for good - it could be something you regret. Keep at least one guitar on 'standby' for when you decide you want to start it again.
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- Rated: 58 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 12:33 p.m. yettoblaster:
Check yourself for depression.
Giving up things we used to enjoy can be a symptom.
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- Rated: 56 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 12:57 p.m. fieldhdj:
I'm gonna pile on.
After playing for about 6 years, I had an accident and badly damaged some tendons in my fretting hand. I almost quit when I couldn't bounce back, but I kept on. Four years later, had had another accident and lost about half the radius of movement in my right thumb. I became frustrated and depressed. I wasn't getting much encouragement either, so I sold what was left of my gear and quit. I did some sound and lighting work for a while, but gradually I left that behind too.
Flash forward twenty some years: I pick up a guitar and I realize that when I quit, I had made the one of the biggest mistakes of my life - no exaggeration.
I'll never get the years back, and the injuries have not gone away, but I'll never let obstacles, negative feelings and bad influences get the better of me again. And that goes for more than just guitar playing - its a life lesson.
So don't be afraid to take a break, but don't quit. Accept that there will be the bad times, put your head down and get through 'em. Try to be around like minded people. The ideas posted here are pretty good - try some.
Hang in there, Karl.
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- Rated: 39 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 1:00 p.m. Rocketman:
I once completely switched over from guitar to electronics, synths and stuff. The reason? I hated changing/broken strings, I hated the way it's impossible to 100% accurately tune a guitar. I hated that being a guitar player you need a band; bands are horror. My woman (back then) hated the cables and the amp in the living room. And I hated that I sucked and there were millions of players around that were a lot better.
So for about 5 or 6 years I almost quit completely. With guitar.
In '95 I started again. First bought a nice western guitar. Then a cheap squier strat, and then the real USA strat.
And look where I am now: nowhere. Ok I have the Gretsch. And I play "raw r 'n r" at USA car and motorcycle events so my skills are pretty sufficient as long as I don't have to do the sophisticated stuff.
Looking back I think quitting was a dumb decision. It will never happen again. No matter what guitar I play on, or how or where I play.
Even though I think I suck as a player (though I also think I am adequate and I picked the right genre so it doesn't look and sound so bad), people I care about and lots of people that see me live think I am a genius or something like that. Because they just started playing 3 weeks ago, or they never mastered any musical instrument in there lifes.
R 'n r guitar is mostly a bunch of tricks anyone can learn. And when the trick sounds right in the right room on the right amp, and the band is tight.......... It's heaven. I am (again) having troubles with my band, for the 20st time or something, but I will NEVER give up, or I will have to die, and you can book us and everything.
This is it. It's far from perfect but it's r'n r and it's here to stay.
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- Rated: 212 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 1:02 p.m. Proteus:
You might have hit a ceiling.
Which is better than hitting the ceiling fan.
If you can quit, and never pick it up again, you aren't and never were "a musician."
If you are a "musician," you won't be able to put it down for good.
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- Rated: 42 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 1:02 p.m. JC:
I've had my fare share of depression over the years, and still suffer from it today. But i'll tell you this, if it wasn't for the guitar i wouldn't be here right now.
Yeah, i wish i was better ,but we all do,its my fault ,i don't practice enough.
But its always lifted me up when i've been low.I love to play even if its the same old stuff.
Just leave it for a while ,don't give up completely!
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- Rated: 7 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 1:22 p.m. fbama73:
Karl, only you know where you are at in life and with the guitar.
I'm like everyone else here- I say do not give up- make the guitar a source of joy, not a source of frustration.
But, I'm going to play devil's advocate and say that there are some people in the world who won't derive joy from playing guitar, and just maybe you're one of them. I doubt it, but only you can tell for sure.
So, if you want to give it up, go ahead and give it up- just do yourself one favor.
Keep your gear for at least one year. Give yourself that. Pack it away as far out of sight as you wish, but don't let it get away for at least 365 days.
I'd bet a 5120 that you'll have it back out in a month, two tops. But even if you do leave it behind forever, when you get rid of the gear, you'll know for sure, and never doubt your decision.
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- Rated: 8 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 1:55 p.m. Macky54:
Getting married doesn't take away guitar playing ability. There's gotta be more eating at you than your guitar playing Karl. I'd hand your guitars off to a trustworthy friend for a bit, before you do something you'll regret, then sort our what is REALLY is pickin' your butt.
Appears there are some here that care more about your well being than you do. Out of respect for them and this forum you've been participating in, instead of standing on your soap box and announcing your bailing, you should extend courtesy to those who care, and give them the opportunity of helping you sort this out. If it REALLY is all about guitar playing, what better place to get advice man. We all go thru slumps and quitting is NOT the answer. You think playing guitar is frustrating? Try being a parent. Never quit on anyone Karl, especially yourself.
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- Rated: 3 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 2:30 p.m. jc28:
Proteus said: If you are a "musician," you won't be able to put it down for good.
Perfectly put.
Many times my life would(and will) get to complicated, or I would get frustrated with learning something, and wonder " why am I doing this?"
Sooner or later I would always pick up the guitar, always sooner than later, and I would wonder" how can I not do this!"
Good luck with whatever choice you make.
Jeff
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- Rated: 18 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 2:45 p.m. jimmy peters --oldest fart:
Oct 11, 2008 1:02 p.m. Proteus: You might have hit a ceiling.
Which is better than hitting the ceiling fan.
If you can quit, and never pick it up again, you aren't and never were "a musician."
If you are a "musician," you won't be able to put it down for good.
DITTO -
- Rated: 212 ↑
Oct 11, 2008 2:49 p.m. Proteus:
And they're all right about keeping the stuff for awhile, even if you're not playing it.
I mean, if you LIKE the stuff. If it's not the right guitar stuff for you, even if you were going to continue playing, then go ahead and get rid of it.
When the bug bites again, you can get new guitar stuff that suits you better.
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