I haven't felt like playing all week.

[Bill McCloskey]

For some reason, I just have not been motivated to practice this week. Bothers the hell out of me. Spending the day online, watching youtube (not even steel guitar youtube videos) and I'm angry at myself.

Before this, I was practicing for hours every day. Now I can barely strum the guitar for a few minutes before I stop.

Maybe it is the change of seasons, the fact I just started a new diet, or the holidays.

Anyone experience this? how long did it last?

[Doug Earnest]

Put a cover over the guitars and amps, turn off the Steel Guitar Forum or better yet turn the computer completely off. Go outside. Breathe some air. Do something completely different. Anything. You need a reset. You will come back feeling better and your playing will probably improve when you start again. Steel guitar or anything else 24 hours a day for months or years at a time is not good.

Just my opinion of course. Been there, done that.

[Bill McCloskey]

Thanks Doug. Good advice.

[Howard Parker]

Band rehearsals?

[Bill McCloskey]

I'm taking a year off from playing in band. I was in two this year and while they liked my playing, I didn't. I decided to take the next year going through every Jeff Newman lesson and building repertoire. And now that I have an ETS it will make it easier to actually GO to band rehearsal.

[David Wisson]

Hi Bill Have you recently been prescribed Beta blockers. I am on them temporarily until I get a minor heart op. Can't concentrate for to long. Haven't recorded anything for quite a while until recently posted The Snowman. Doug has the right idea. Dave

[Barry Yasika]

Ever since I hit my mid‑60s, the doctors always ask if I’ve lost interest in any lifelong hobbies. I say no, but honestly, the steel has been harder to keep up with. I know they’re checking for depression, but I’m not really depressed—just a little reflective about getting older.

The good news is I’ve been playing a ton of guitar. Grab a Les Paul, plug into the Boogie, and let it rip! Jamming has taken over in a way I never expected, even pushing the steel aside. I did just restring both necks, polished it up, and started playing again—though not like before. For now, it’s mostly a bedroom instrument, but I’m hopeful that will change. That's been a little better than 6 months now, so I know what your going thru. Last paying job I did was back in June 2025, the band did a lot of Jimmy Buffet stuff but I really wasn't content so I left. It just wasn't at all why I started playing steel, fun but somehow hollow and empty. I think a combination of things lead up to my stall. Sad;y, I just don't love it anymore, not like I once did.

[Don R Brown]

We are all different, but for myself I think it helps to have multiple unrelated interests. I'm also a "car guy" restoring an old Corvette and an old Chevy truck from the 1960's. I'm writing a couple books about all the experiences I had in a long railroad career. We have lots of property maintenance on the "to do" list - wood to cut, mowing in summer, painting and rehab.

It seems I'll really "get into it" one at a time and will back burner the others for a bit. Then when I shift focus, it seems to be with renewed intertest and accomplishment. There's no set time for doing a given thing, but several days to a week or so would be typical. Yet many times I'll do 2 or 3 in the same day.

The rotation frees up my mind and keeps me from getting burned out. Bill mentions practicing several hours a day. Yes I have done that, but not day after day after day. Pushing myself to the point of getting burned out is counterproductive and no longer fun.

Again, "Your Mileage May Vary" and one size does not fit all.

[Pete McAvity]

That's a drag, Bill, and I'm sorry to hear it. As recommended above, I'd say walk from it for a bit. The magic WILL come back. Always does. Seasonal depression is NO JOKE. You may want to see about taking a high quality 5-HTP (I have Orthomolecular Products version on hand). 5-HTP is a byproduct of L-Tryptophan, an amino acid found in turkey, cheese, milk, eggs... so it essentially behaves like a dietary supplement version of an antidepressant (it's a precursor, or building block, of the neurotransmitter serotonin). Do NOT take it if you are on ant antidepressant currently, and check w/ your doc before taking any supplement. That said, you may get as much milage out of getting direct expose to sunlight for 10 min right when you get up (outside, not through a window) and not following any politically themed news for a bit. There's so much of that currently that it will suck the joy out of you if you engage with it too much.

[Bill McCloskey]

Thanks Pete. Yes I do suffer from seasonal depression that always starts around thanksgiving. And thanks to everyone for the sage advice.

[D Schubert]

Believe me, you are not alone. Most of the "seasoned" musicians that I know have to take a break once in a while. Lots of possible causes, but a few weeks or months away from the instrument -- or the band situation --or chasing bookings -- can be healthy and you'll get back to it soon enough.

[Colin Boutilier]

I know on my 6 strings at least, a prolonged break has often led to increased creativity and whatnot when I return. I seem to pick up new tricks from the music I listen to over that period, and they come out in my playing later.