Guitar playing?!

Guitar playing?

I've been playing about 4-5 months now. My style is metal and hard rock. I play hours on end every single day. (up to 8-9 hours daily). Some of my friends think I'm insane for playing this long. I have really dedicated my heart and soul to becoming a better guitar player, but to be honest, I don't feel like I'm improving!

Is there anything that can help? DO NOT say practice, because believe me, that's ALL I'VE DONE this summer. I barely ever go outside! I confine myself to my room for weeks on end, my mom is even worried about me!

Is there anything I can do?

Yeah,,,QUIT.

Seriously,,,lay off for a few days or even a week.

Everybody hits a wall so to speak which ya cant seem to get past.
Everything sounds the same,feels the same,,,and it seems like ya cannot progress forward.


By taking a break,,,you sorta erase the mental inertia,,,the loop ya get stuck in.

Then when you resume,,,it's like starting all over again but from a Higher Level.

The Feel and sound,,,finger memory of Chords & notes,etc will still be there.

But the familiar Progressions and sequences will have faded from your memory.

So One note doesnt automatically suggest what the NEXT note is "supposed" to be according to what you've sorta "hypnotized" yourself to do from extended practicing without a break.


It's a lot like when a goofy song gets stuck in your head,,ya catch yourself humming it,whistling it,,,ya may not even LIKE it,,,but it wont go away.
Sing or say or play it BACKWARDS in your head will Totally erase it,,and instantly.

Laying Off of practice has a similar Effect.
You dont forget what you've learned,,,but it Does break-up the "organization & order" that gets sorta stuck in your head.

Try it,,even a couple days,,,and you'll see how easily you come back,,,and move right past where Ya were & on to next level.

You'll find yourself hitting the wall MANY times as you progress and learn.
You simply CANNOT force yourself past that.
But a short "vacation" of even a couple days will fix it.

Somehow it makes it all seem new and fresh again,,,,
but with the Bonus of everything that ya Been working on then seems Familiar and comfortable.

Some people listen to Different Music---that can be TOUGH if ya dont like Country or Soft Jazz or whatever.

But as You learn more about Playing you'll find yourself thinking,,"Gawwd I hate such & such Music/song,,,,but that Guitar Player is SMOKIN' IT!! on that song,,,what the heck is he DOING???!!"


Take a Break,,,do something else for a while,,,no kiddin'.
You'll be surprised when ya start back up again.

Good Luck,,,,Stick with it!!
And,,"quit" once in a while,too :)