Hesitation whilst playing...

Dougie Douglas

Dougie Douglas

Cheap Gear Enthusiast
Hey guys.

I'v recently been having this problem when I am about to play something on guitar... say, a solo or a lead part of some sort. I am starting to hesitate a lot before I play it... its really throwing my playing off and I don't know whether this will effect my playing in the long run.

Any ideas? Suggestions? Personal experiences? I'm kinda starting to feel really sloppy in my playing now...

Cheers for any help guys. :thu:
 
Are you playing with a band, along with a backing track, or just solo when this happens? Need some more information here.

Why do you think you are hesitating?
 
I'm usually just playing on my own, but it has happened in a band situation. As for why... erm, well... its difficult to explain... when I go to play a riff or any lead part, sometimes I hesitate to start playing it... I have no idea why...
 
Dougie Douglas said:
I'm usually just playing on my own, but it has happened in a band situation. As for why... erm, well... its difficult to explain... when I go to play a riff or any lead part, sometimes I hesitate to start playing it... I have no idea why...
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Is it a physical or mental lapse? Like, you have to stop and think about the part you're about to play? Or you physically cannot get your hands to start playing the part?
 
Hoople Head said:
Is it a physical or mental lapse? Like, you have to stop and think about the part you're about to play? Or you physically cannot get your hands to start playing the part?
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Physical... I know what I have to play, and sometimes have even played it before, recently.

Cheers.
 
I'd have to say practice is probably your answer. And by practice, I don't necessarily mean playing by yourself. I mean practicing in the exact situation where you are experiencing the problem.

Do you think you might be just overthinking things since you are in front of your bandmates? If you practice with them more often, it will get easier. I find that I do my best solos when I don't really have to think about it as much - when my fingers just do the work, and I can concentrate on the groove or the song as a whole.

Does that sound right? Or am I off base?
 
That sounds about right cheers Jaxn :thu: As I said though, it happens whilst i'm trying to play riffs which i'v previously been able to play flawlessly sometimes... its really weird. Thanks a lot though :grin:
 
Dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggggggggggggiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I believe it's 95% mental - it happens once or twice, then you start to think about it, then it happens again, and you think "oh noes! wots hoppuning to me chops?", then it kinda feeds on itself.

You can try to play and practice your way through it, OR take your mind off it altogether for awhile:

Put the guitar down for a day or two and walk through the forest.
Swim the Channel.
Watch some porn.
Eat some really spicy food.
Walk around Liverpool with a Man U shirt :wink:

Then, with your mind clear, pick it back up with NO expectations, and see what blooms :thu:
 
I've noticed that some people learn mistakes into a song while they practice. In other words, they make a mistake while practicing and they repeat it again the next time in the same spot. Maybe, since you've hesitated a few times in that spot, it's becoming almost like finger memory. So, your body repeats what it's learned. So, in your case, your body has learned to hesitate.

What I do is slow everything down when I practice. Sometimes, I play so slow it's almost ridiculous,. But, I'll go as slow as I need to play the part perfect. It's better to play it slow but perfect when you practice, so you don't end up learning a mistake or hesitation into the tune.
 
jrockbridge said:
What I do is slow everything down when I practice. Sometimes, I play so slow it's almost ridiculous,. But, I'll go as slow as I need to play the part perfect. It's better to play it slow but perfect when you practice, so you don't end up learning a mistake or hesitation into the tune.
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:thu:
 
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