Road Blocks
Thanks to everyone who made yesterday's post a success. I appreciate the positive comments, and I've taken them all to heart. . . . But I still laughed my ass off. Still laughing as I write this. Good grief, I hope someone else is enjoying this as much as I am.
Now's a good time to bring up a post that's been sitting in my drafts. It relates to that one about frustration.
A road block is a blessing in disguise. This applies to more than guitar or music. It could be in your career, writing a song, building a structure, etc. The disguise is obvious: your progress is obstructed. The blessing is that once you're through it, things won't be business as usual. You might have a new position in your career, a new outlook on that song, or a new idea for that structure. Whatever your path, surpassing a road block will change you.
Fighting through a road block is when my endeavors are most important. It's a pain when it persists so long, but there's always a hint of excitement about the road beyond. Getting through it is more often like a slingshot than an incremental improvement, and my conviction that this process will have a positive result gets stronger every time I experience it.
Reaching a road block is a time to push through, but patiently. Expecting immediate payoff is exactly what causes disappointment. It's like running blindfolded through a tunnel. There's a light at the end of it, but I can't see how far. I need to trust that it's there and that I'm going the right direction. When I eventually reach it, it'll be obvious. And glorious.
I've seen hints of speed beyond my temporary limit for that lick mentioned in the frustration post. Time to push through it and find out what I can do.
patty (2 Apr 2008 at 4:38pm)
hey yo,
at least you've got all your fingers and both hands!
love!
Stratoblogster (3 Apr 2008 at 4:37pm)
Way back in the 80's, Steve Vai had wrote a column for GP called "Martian Love Secrets", (not to be confused with his later album "Alien Love Secrets").
In one issue he talked about playing one lick/riff/phrase over and over and over again, as a means of breaking out of ruts. Although that might seem like the manifestation of a rut.
I also once read something similar in an interview of jazz keyboardist Cecil Taylor. The interviewer asked Taylor how he prepared for a performance-- did he practice scales, runs or difficult sections from his set list? Cecil Taylor responded with:
"... I just sit down at the piano and play ONE NOTE over and over until it plugs into the universe."
EVH has talked about sitting in front of the TV with guitar and constantly noodling to what's on the screen, and getting cool new ideas that way.
Or, if there's some other creative outlet you like, why not spend some time doing that, while your guitar zone re-balances itself.
You'll be fine!
Joe (3 Apr 2008 at 4:49pm)
Vai's entire lesson section is awesome. I've read through it many times. I like that approach to dealing with a rut. It's more like digging down into it until you uncover something new rather than jumping out to something else.
And don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm in a rut at the moment. Just trying to push through these audition pieces and get them recorded by the end of the month. Deadlines and patience don't often mix well. But you're right, I'll be fine. Thanks.