I don't enjoy playing my instrument any more?

Question

I used to practice everyday and I played at clubs and got many compliments. I made so much progress that it seems like a huge shame to quit playing but I don't feel like it as much. What do I do to get back into it?

PS Playing for fun is good in its own right, but I play more to better my skills. Should I just force myself to play?

Answer 1

It depends what your goals are.  If you are hoping to bring your playing to a higher level, it's unlikely to happen if you stop playing.  If you're content with what you've achieved to date, maybe it's time for new adventures.

Maybe you're finding that your goals are still what they used to be, but you're not feeling inspired to go through what it takes to reach them.  If this is the case, don't forget practice is hard work.  There will be times you'll need to do this work even when you don't want to - and this might happen often, if you choose to be a professional musician.  Life and hobbies are important, as much as music.  The idealist notion that "true' musicians want nothing more than to play all day, is a little bit of a dream made up by non-musicians!  Life happens, too.  There will be times, for this reason, where the best thing for your playing is actually to put your instrument away for a few days - or weeks - and get back to work when you feel the inspiration returning.  That's how true artists have lived and worked - for centuries.  Good luck.

Answer 2

You need to find a very difficult song/playing style to try to master.  The more you try, the more you will love to play your guitar and masterful licks and riffs.  When I start to lose interest, I will do this.  Also, you should never be satisfied with the way you play.  Always try to better yourself.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Don't force yourself to play, that'll only make things worse. You got a case of musical burnout, which is normal for everybody.

Whatever your goals were to achieve, they have to have reasons to them: why do you want to better your skills? Is it to be able to play tough solos? If you have a goal but no reason as to why you want to achieve that goal, then there's no point in trying to. And that's how you get unmotivated and lazy. When there's a reason to why you want to achieve your goal, that'll be your focus when you practice everyday.

Once a goal of yours is achieved, don't stop thinking of other ones.

I suggest you read this article. It's pretty lengthy, but this tailors to your specific problem (and where I got most of my answer):

http://www.cyberfret.com/practice-motiva...

Answer 4

If it doesnt make you happy, dont play. Take a break and find something else to do. Maybe one day youll feel like playing again!

Answer 5

If you don't enjoy playing anymore why are you playing? Music is all about letting your passions come through. You said you want to better your skills, why? If you you better your skills that leads to becoming really good which leads to this instrument (which you don't enjoy) becoming your life.  If your going to spend your life doing something, you don't want it to make you miserable. It's not a shame to quit playing, just think how much you enjoyed learning. All the time you continue playing this instrument, you could be learning something else that you find just as intresting as you thought playing an instrument would be (try clog dancing or something)   Just ask yourself why your still playing.

Answer 6

I think you should get yourself motivated again by listening to other great musicians who play your instrument.  LOTS of times I will hear songs that just get me so excited, so I write out all the notes and play with the CD.  I have a great sound and tone, and when I apply that to other beautiful music it is Amazing!!  

Maybe even record yourself just to critique your sound or technique.  

Good Luck! Thanks for reading!