Are you Guitired?
Tips and Tricks to Beat Guitiredness aka Guitar Fatigue and Get Back to Rocking.
Guitired | ɡəˈtäː(ə)rd|… The word itself conjures images of scrolling through endless YouTube tutorials and guitar memes instead of actually playing the instrument. As the mastermind behind Guitar Fail, I often find myself trapped in this cycle. Creating content, writing posts, promoting for Guitar Fail has an unexpected side effect: sometimes, my own motivation to practice guitar takes a hit.
One moment I'm inspired to grab the guitar, the next I'm deep into a rabbit hole of memes, laughing at the same guitar fails I'm supposed to be learning from. In other words, it’s guitar fatigue or guitiredness!
If you're like me and have found yourself guitired, don't fret! Here are some practical dos and don'ts to help you overcome guitar fatigue. While these tips may not be revolutionary, they just might resonate with you and help you get back to rocking out.
Dos to Overcome Guitiredness!
Jam with Friends: Nothing beats a good jam session with friends to reignite your passion. Plus, you might learn a thing or two from each other. Keep the beers at bay though! you don’t want your jam session to turn into an endless party night! Even if you don’t jam with ‘em, engage with other guitarists and musicians (in person or online, it doesn’t matter). It’s always a good idea as long as you avoid debating them on the technique vs feeling topic or which tubescreamer clone is the best.
Switch Up Your Routine: If you’ve been practicing the same scales or songs, it’s time to mix it up. Try learning a new genre or a challenging riff to keep things fresh. You may want to start with this tip first if your routine looks like the Guitar Fail Practice Routine!
Who's got a shortcut to 'Actual Guitar Practice?' Asking for a friend. Set Small Goals: Break down your practice sessions into manageable chunks. Aim to master one lick or technique at a time. Celebrate the small victories. Keep the beers at bay though! You don’t want your small victories to become your worst hangovers!
Take Regular Breaks: If you’re lucky enough to be able to go for long guitar sessions, avoid burnout by taking short breaks during your practice sessions. Stretch, grab a snack, and come back re-energized. A warning though : Snack time is not slack time! Keep it short and healthy. Don’t go for a McDonald. It won’t re-energize you, au contraire...
Explore New Gear: Sometimes, a new pedal or guitar can inspire you to play more. If it’s within your budget, treat yourself to some new gear. Just remember : scrolling through Reverb’s pages is not guitar practice!
Record Yourself: Record your practice sessions and listen back. It’s a great way to track your progress and identify areas for improvement. Yes. That screeching sound is you bending the shit out of that B string. Don’t worry, you will improve.
Learn from the Pros: Watch tutorials from your favorite guitarists. Their tips and techniques can provide new insights and inspiration. I said watch tutorials, don’t binge on them (see point 1 of the don’ts!)
Don'ts to Overcome Guitiredness!
Don't Binge on YouTube Tutorials: Watching endless guitar tutorials without actually playing your guitar is like trying to learn to swim by watching videos. Dive in and start strumming (or swimming depending on what you are trying to learn)!
Don't Compare Yourself to Virtuosos: Comparing yourself to guitar legends is a surefire way to feel guitired. Actually, don’t even compare yourself to your friends or anyone for that matter. Comparison is the ego killer, always! You don’t want your ego to be murdered by that riff you never managed to master. Yes, that riff that your cousin’s kid (who just picked up the guitar last month) is already playing!
Don't Practice in a Rut: If you’re always practicing in the same spot, it can become monotonous. Change your environment; practice in different rooms, or even outside. Just avoid the bedroom when the spouse is napping, or your neighbor’s living room (or any of your neighbor’s room actually).
Don't Overload on Theory: While music theory is important, getting bogged down can kill your creative buzz. Balance theory with practical playing.
Don't Stick to a Single Style: Limiting yourself to one genre can make practice feel like a chore. Explore different styles to keep things interesting. **No, switching from Brutal Death Metal to Technical Death Metal isn’t a style switch. It’s merely a little step on the side.
Don't Neglect Your Gear: Playing on rusty strings or a badly set-up guitar is a motivation killer. Plus, it could be a hazard for your health! You don’t want that dirty rusty string to give you a bad disease, don’t you? Imagine explaining an infection from guitar strings to your doctor! Keep your instrument in top shape.
Don't Ignore Physical Fatigue: If your fingers feel like they’ve been in a wrestling match with a cheese grater, it’s time to rest. Overplaying can lead to injury.
Don't Isolate Yourself: Practicing alone all the time can be lonely. Join a band or a local music group to share the joy of playing.
So, dear strummers, remember that guitiredness is just a speed bump on the highway to guitar greatness. Whether you’re switching up your practice routine or jamming with friends, the key is to keep things lively and fun.
And speaking of fun, why not treat yourself to some Guitar Fail merch? Our June,21st Summer Flash Sale is the perfect excuse to snag a tee, cap, or mug that screams, "I'm a dedicated guitarist who sometimes needs a break!"
And don’t forget to follow Guitar Fail on Instagram for your daily dose of guitar memes and fails. Because let’s face it, a good laugh at someone else’s stringed misfortune is also a cure to guitiredness... as long as you don’t overdo it.
Keep rocking, keep laughing, and keep practicing (just not to the point of guitiredness)!