You hit the wall of frustration-things don't sound good-instrument doesn't feel right today-can't get a good groove going-you know,When the Gremlins
get you etc etc.......


Mike the Frustrated

That's why they make "tomorrow"

Trust me,
your guru

Sometimes, you have to go in a different direction. I bet you haven't experimented with and explored the rhythmic possibilities of The Stick.
Or write out some polychords and explore them.
Here's one.
Left hand plays a Dominant 7 chord
Right hand plays a Major 7 one step lower.
You don't have to play all 4 notes of each, just the important notes or the ones that you can reach.
So if the left is fingering D7, the right plays CMaj7
Total is D F# A C + C E G B
1 3 5 b7 b7 9 11 13
A real cool chord. You can find lots of voicings, spread (ambient) and tight (more dissonant).
More importantly you have a harmonic chemistry tool you can almost always count on.
You can also play rhythmic counterpoint between the 2 hands
Take it another step further and play the right hand CMaj7 as an arpeggio line over the D7 during your improvs.
Doing these ideas should open other ideas. That should give you the spark you need.
If not, there's always tomorrow.
Guru

I somehow knew that Steve would have a suggestion-and yes you beez my Guru.
So I will plug into Stickology one moe tyme.....
Mike the now "Enlightened"

Do you have the TrueFire DVD set? Lotsa' good ideas there. It just takes one spark for that "aha" moment. Then you're on your way.
If it helps in the "Been there done that" area, even the more experienced of us have walked that path. Some of my practice time is routine, working on scales, chords, repertoire, timing, etc. Sometimes I do some innovative searching. I'll get an idea from hearing something/someone else and it will trigger my inventive chromosomes to do some experimentation. Even the unsuccessful stuff ends up productive. The cumulitive effect of all your practicing becomes evident at a later date. Granted, we're both into AARP territory and time's short. Have a creative attitude while you can.

Ben Thare and Don Thatt

Yeah AARP-----they Make Synthesizers don't they?
I have all your stuff-videos and the book-and some scratch paper from Fredtap2-
Was workin on polychords and rhythms pretty much-but I still get frustrated on the Melody side,the bass is NO Prob.The chords,no prob...
the melody hand is being anoyingly clumsy-so it's back to scales and arpeggios--and "Friggin Beadgc".......
hope the "AHA"moments start coming closer together..
Mike

I'll make a suggestion from a different direction. When I get to that state I play Bach. Nothing fits together quite like a Bach piece. It's always satisfying and I go back to learning other things refreshed.

Just a thought.

-Eric

Yes I agree at this point I need to concentrate on technique-Bach puts you in that Mode-the melody hand just seems to have a life of it's own-like an old Horror movie!AYYEEEEEE!!!!
Just Kidding....
I really know it's a matter of time spent in practice until I don't have to concentrate on what each hand is doing-let it flow-like any other learned skill.
Keep me pumped up 'Guys-I'll Get it pretty SOOON.......
Mike

How 'bout an assignment.
Easy tune-- "Ain't No Sunshine"- Bill Withers
1-Easy progression
2-Comfortable relaxed tempo
3-Bluesy melody
4-Simple solo

1-Learn the tune
2-fancy up the chords with extensions using polychords
3- Keep left hand bass accompaniment steady while you mess with right hand rhythms
4- Solo- Think some of those Wes Montgomery bluesy stylings.

Be patient, Work on each idea for a bit then combine into a solid presentation. Be patient.
Stay motivated

And remember AARP offers discounts at the movies

Bea Payshunt

I think Steve's approach to this question is great. It would be easy for him to just give some "advice from on high" and pretend that he is beyond all of "this stuff". But instead he reminds us that everyone goes through these periods (and offers some cool advice). He is right of course EVERYONE goes through peaks and valleys.

I often go back to basics. Some of the coolest stuff is based on triads and pentatonics, so going over that stuff to clean up technique is not only basic but also advanced!!!!!!

Good luck Michael and good stuff Steve

Brett