Taking breaks.

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Monday May 14, 2012

You know, I've been taking a break from playing. For about 2 years or so, I quit playing gigs, really got tired of playing all the time. I didn't have that feeling of wanting to play, or even interest in drums at all. I needed a rest. Well anyways, I just jumped back onto the drum stool and started playing again and I noticed something. I got that great feeling again, like I WANT to play. It's really something else, to lose it and gain it back. It's crazy what some time off will do to you. Playing again, I realize that it's my craft. It's what I'm good at. I didn't miss it, but I realize that I missed it greatly! And that's a good thing my friends.

Anyone else take a break and come back to it, to find that it's like being re-introduced to the love of the instrument? I feel good.

Mysterytrain · Post by **Mysterytrain** » Monday May 14, 2012

Hey Rob, best of luck to you!

Great running into you again!

CMOR · Post by **CMOR** » Monday May 14, 2012

Hey Rob,

I can relate. I stopped playing after Choking Faith ended. I sat behind the board for almost 3 years, not touching a bass for the last 2. Now, I've got a new project and feel good about playing again. Yeah, it's covers again, but I found a challenge in attempting some of the current pop songs. I think that was what was missing...excitement and challenge. Like you, it's what I do, but now I'm trying to make different sounds that incorporate my playing style.

Hopefully, you'll find a group and our paths will cross again.

Steve

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Monday May 14, 2012

That's exactly what I did for the last 3 years myself. I just quit playing and sold a bunch of my guitars. I havent got that tingly feeling in my loins like you have experienced, but maybe I'll get back into it again. Thats is good to hear Rob, I'm happy for you.

Hawk · Post by **Hawk** » Monday May 14, 2012

I'm excited to hear that Rob. You're one of the best drummers on the East Coast, having great chops and great taste with grooves and fills. Every time I saw you play I was motivated to go back to the wood shed and get to work. (I need some more influence

)

I understand your "break" as well. Your family and job have become your primary focus, as should be. And as you get settled into that new life style, the itch to play comes back. As a friend once told me, "Every man needs a hobby. Something to relieve stress and ENJOY !"

ToonaRockGuy · Post by **ToonaRockGuy** » Monday May 14, 2012

Rob, same thing for me. I left Scream to get sober and I didn't touch drumsticks for over 2 years. I needed to focus on myself and my family, and I really enjoyed them. I didn't play at all until I contacted WhiteDevilOne about the drum throne in NailDriver, and that was only with my wife's blessing.

Sometimes you have to get away, because the fire needs time to just be at the ember level. You can't throw gas on it all the time. Taking time away also ups your passion level for your instrument.

Granted, my reasons for putting down the sticks were different than most, but the break made getting back behind the cymbals most satisfying.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Monday May 14, 2012

I never really quit playing, but I did take time away from any particular project, between 1999 and 2001. I still sat in with a bunch of bands, but no band of my own. I also did the solo acoustic thing, which was lucrative compared to being in a band, but I was meant to be in a band, one leg on the big chair.
The first Rockpage Jam convinced me I should put a classic-rock project together, and I had a blast! In the background, though, I was getting deep into old country, honkytonk and bluegrass, and when we put .00 Buck together, I was in high heaven (despite the fact that nobody knew we existed). By the time Mama Corn came along, it was a done deal. Musically, I've never been happier, and that's saying alot. I'm in a band where I'm the musical weakest-link, and it challenges me and propels me. Such is the evolution of a local music career.
Rob, it'll be great to see you back out there, you turned me on to some awesome music.

nakedtwister · Post by **nakedtwister** » Monday May 14, 2012

Finally!!!!!!!!!! Rob, it's great to see that the old spark has flared back up. We can't wait to see you back out rippin' it up. Here's to You, brother. B

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Monday May 14, 2012

A break helps, touring artists take em too. We are taking July and Aug off here this year.

skipisode · Post by **skipisode** » Monday May 14, 2012

Yes, been there...did it...done it several times. A break sometimes helps you to refocus. If it's in your heart, you'll do it again (i.e. play again).
Good Luck!

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Thursday May 17, 2012

Sometimes a break is one of the best things a musician can do for himself or herself. I know that when I went to North Carolina a few years back, it was the best thing I could have done for my relationship with music. I was completely burned out before leaving. Aside from a tour of the Roscoe shop in Greensboro, NC, I didn't touch a bass for six months. It was a great feeling at 8 o'clock on a Saturday to be lounging with a pizza and a beer, watching a movie, and knowing I wasn't wheeling a cabinet into a club somewhere.

Then when I came back, I felt rejuvenated and went back to the music thing with a vengence.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Thursday May 17, 2012

We're talking about personally taking a break here but how bout the whole band taking a break. I see some major issues from burnout happen. Lets face it we aren't making enough to quit our jobs and life continues to go on around us wich can sometimes make this difficult. I think sometimes this would help a band a great deal.

DickShackBass · Post by **DickShackBass** » Thursday May 17, 2012

I didn't touch my bass for 2 years. I just began playing again this past month and it feels really great. I feel a renewed interest and a strong desire to learn as much as I can.

Andrea

witchhunt · Post by **witchhunt** » Friday May 18, 2012

bassist_25 wrote: It was a great feeling at 8 o'clock on a Saturday to be lounging with a pizza and a beer, watching a movie, and knowing I wasn't wheeling a cabinet into a club somewhere.

.

I hear that. If all we had to do was show up at 10:00, play, and leave at 1:00. What a wonderful world this would be.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Friday May 18, 2012

I usually take a 17 minute break.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Monday May 21, 2012

I covered up my synthesizer about 6 years ago and haven't played keys at all during that time. One of the nice things about having a great PA is that you can instantly have a super keyboard amp!

So, I plugged the Alesis QS6.2 into a powered EV Sxa360 cab and went to it...sounds incredible!

Unfortunately, after 6 years off, I won't be doing any piano man lounge acts any time soon. Breaktime is over...

Naga · Post by **Naga** » Thursday May 24, 2012

I'm glad to hear you're back behind the skins Rob, you're definitely a talented individual, and it would be a bad shame to never see (/hear) so much of that come into play again!

My unfortunate story is that I take breaks too often in music, although they aren't exactly as planned as I'd like. But it seems like I, unfortunately, can't catch a break into breaking back into it either

When I started my current job, my drive to really do anything was shot in the leg. It kinda still is, but I'm coping with it each day. I remember some days even having a hard time walking up or down steps because of how weird it was to be doing a physical job that I'm on my feet 8hrs a day, day in, day out. This was also much to the chagrin of my roommates of the time too, and for that, I sincerely apologize

Around a year ago, I started playing bass, and was really willing to go somewhere with it when I split from my X, and haven't had much space since. Then, to complicate matters, after starting on an acoustic kick, I recently strained my back at work, and am hoping that I can find some compromise past the aforementioned two issues

It's sad to me too, that I have so much potential. I started to think I was really getting the bass thing, and know I was getting somewhere playing guitar for the longest time. I was sloppy at it, but I definitely have the point to grasp. I just really wish I could find the place (I lack space) and the time (I'm pretty often busy, rarely taking a day to just sit) to push that urge out, because aside from computers, I don't have much else in a frivolous pastime right now

Asundor · Post by **Asundor** » Thursday May 24, 2012

I had taken about 2 years off myself. It was something I defienlty needed, but my band cyphin has just gotten back together and I cannot wait to get back out doing what i love to do. Best of luck to ya Rob!!!!

onegunguitar · Post by **onegunguitar** » Thursday May 24, 2012

Asundor wrote:I had taken about 2 years off myself. It was something I defienlty needed, but my band cyphin has just gotten back together and I cannot wait to get back out doing what i love to do. Best of luck to ya Rob!!!!

I gotta give you credit Jason...you're one persevering mo fo with your band! Hope it works out(again),hahaha!!!

TheBMC · Post by **TheBMC** » Friday May 25, 2012

I had played instruments my whole life starting at age 3 and when I graduated HS I laid down my instruments for about 8 years.... then finally picked them up again about 5 years ago.. I remember when I first got back into it how exciting it was (and still is). The only thing I regret about not continuing my music during those 8 years is how much I lost but i'm relearning which is also fun.