Burnt?

Punkinhead · Post by **Punkinhead** » Saturday Mar 12, 2005

I have a question for everyone on here:

How many of you have had to deal with musical burnout? I'm being honest here, seriously.

I recently had to go through a spell where I couldn't even listen to music for about 2 - 3 months, let alone play an instrument. Has this ever happened to any of you?

What did you all do to get out of it?

I found that just letting myself come back to it on my own terms was all I needed.

Just curious as to if I'm bi-polar or if this happens frequently. I've talked to my old teachers about it and they said it happens to everyone so I figured I'd ask you all about your experiences with it.

red · Post by **red** » Saturday Mar 12, 2005

Yep, it happened to me. I couldn't even stand going to practice anymore.(with my metal-core band). I thought I would just quit and bury myself into my work. After doing that I picked up the upright bass and started just jamming for fun (when I had the time). All of the sudden we are playing 3-4 nights a week and It's like I never got "burned out". Maybe a change of musical styles could help you like it did me!

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Saturday Mar 12, 2005

I think whatever you do you have to enjoy it, if you let it become too serious or stress out on stupid issues then that can be a cause of burnout. Also sometimes when you're expectations are high and you get let down then you can get burnout.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Sunday Mar 13, 2005

I played the Moose/Elks/VFW/American Legion circuit for a number of years. I know burnout. I agree with Red... do something completely different... I jammed with the Hurricanes when I got the urge to play. They got me through some low times, those fella's did, both musically and personally. Every show they do, hell every song, is different every time, so you don't get fatigued. After being away from the grind for awhile(it took me almost 5 years to get over burnout that bad) I was ready for SideStep, and I never went more than a month or two without playing out. Now the little sh*t stays little, and even the bigger stuff doesn't really bother me.
As far as listening burnout, try going to your roots, or even your Dad's roots. You'll be amazed what you missed by not listening to his music... amazed by how much you're influenced by your parents music without even knowing it.--->JMS

Mo Lester · Post by **Mo Lester** » Sunday Mar 13, 2005

Damn Johnny,That's some serious riggin burnout yer talkin' about there!
but yeah, that is what I was thinkin b4 I read the other replies, listen and challenge yourself to play other styles and even other instruments. I still enjoy silence as much as anything LOTS of times in the course of a week or month.

It is great when yer feelin it, and you wonder how you could ever lose the "feeling" , but sometimes its just time to do something else with your day. Read a book, go for a walk, or just look for God to speak to ya or thru ya in some other way. I usually start by getting away from the god dang computer!

Punkinhead · Post by **Punkinhead** » Sunday Mar 13, 2005

Yeah, I had to get more into jazz to get back into playing, which I had not done much of previously (only here and there). Plus my daughter is getting to the age where she wants to learn so that helped.

ToonaRockGuy · Post by **ToonaRockGuy** » Sunday Mar 13, 2005

I got burned out after trying to put together my own band, so I ended up putting my drums away and not playing at all for about 6 months. I just had to get away from it.

Then I decided to put an ad here on Rockpage just hiring out as a part-time drummer, and *BOOM*. I'm enjoying it now more than ever, doing one-offs with some really cool bands like Shift, HF1, Felix, and now the reunion of the original lineup of Banditos.

I think I enjoy playing now more than in the past, since I really don't have to deal with the whole "band dynamic" thing. I bust my butt to learn the music for the gig, come in, do the gig, and go home, no politics, no band junk to deal with. I'm sure down the road I'll want to find a permanent band, but right now I'm having a blast.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Sunday Mar 13, 2005

Glad to hear the freelance gigs are working out for you, Kevin. I once considered going that route. I've learned that to become a better player, you have to play with as many people as possible.

Anyways, in response to the question: I usually want nothing to do with music after a gig. I often listen to Art Bell on my way home. Sometimes he has some government conspiracy quacks on, but other times, such as last night, he'll feature some very interesting stuff.

CHICKSINGA · Post by **CHICKSINGA** » Sunday Mar 13, 2005

I think what you went through is really pretty normal whether it's music-based or life based. The best thing I can think of to do is ask yourself what triggered it and see if you can analyze how much importance it really had over the scheme of things in general.
OR - you forgive yourself for just letting go fo awhile. Inspiration is a big part of music, at least for me. Maybe you weren't inspired and needed to understand what did that for you, or how important that it was.

I think we as musicians or artists are just hyper-sensitive at times. Bi-polar people are like this (at least without meds) most of the time. Two of my family members are diagnosed bi-polar and it's always there.

Just some thoughts...

homerski · Post by **homerski** » Sunday Mar 13, 2005

songsmith wrote: As far as listening burnout, try going to your roots, or even your Dad's roots. You'll be amazed what you missed by not listening to his music... amazed by how much you're influenced by your parents music without even knowing it.--->JMS

I agree wholeheartedly. I remember listening to polkas with my dad every Sunday, and thinking.. boy this is really stupid music. As I got older, I really appreciated the wholesome happy feeling I get while listening to polkas. Remember, if music can't change your mood or your attitude, it's just noise.

I got burned out in 1992 after playing (professionally/semi-professionally) for over 24 years. I quit playing or seriously listening to music for 12 years. Then, last year we started Homer's Army - and I feel refreshed and renewed and excited about going out to perform for appreciative audiences.

John

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Sunday Mar 13, 2005

Polka, to me, is like cajun music, or a rollicking fast bluegrass. Like it or don't... I dare you not to tap your foot.
My dad's music was gospel and bluegrass... I'd be useless playing either one professionally, they're too close... I have to fight tears sometimes, they're so much a part of my fabric.

We have some great local roots around here... go to a Polish wedding, and you'll see what I mean. Or an AME church. Or an arts festival. Or a state park bluegrass show. Or a fireman's carnival. Or Peter C's. Be proud. I've been to Nashville... they aren't necessarily better, there's just more of 'em.----->JMS

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sunday Mar 13, 2005

I went through the burn out spell last summer. I was playing in a band that never changed the song list and played the same town and the same clubs. it got very old. I was with one of the musicians for 10 years total we had our last band for about 6 years and nothing in that time period changed exept that we got older. I knew that I had to do somthing. I started to play some solo gigs just to get away, and it help then I would do sound for other bands around my schedule just for somthing differant and it did work to a point. then the scheduling started to conflict so I decided it was time to move on and get involved with somthing differant and that was when I met John Homerski and got in Homer's army. and that got me back in the groove of things... and to add people you are around make the differance also. John cracks me up and makes every job worth going to he is funny to be around.and fun to work with, also knowing the main thing is when we are happy we know our crowd is happy as well and that is the best fealing knowing you pleased the crowd