Taking a break

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Taking a break

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ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

Taking a break

So this is sort of related to other posts ive been reading about lengthy
practice sessions.

Recently, ive had some things happen in my life that made me take some
"Inventory" of my life. Namely, my father passing away on March 30th.
Also, a combonation of the Flu, and horrible allergies took me down pretty hard
as well.
So i ended up putting the guitar down completely for a couple of weeks.

I must say, its been a bit depressing, but i started playing again yesterday, finally, and wow, my hands feel absolutely revived. I can feel that i have lost some stamina, and some calluses, but i feel ive gained more than i lost.

So dont underestimate the benefit of taking some time off once in a while.

Cheers all,
TK

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 10:47:55

xirdneH_imiJ

Posts: 1889
Joined: Dec. 2 2006
From: Budapest, now in Southampton

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, Todd, my condolences.

it's happened to me a couple of times, that due to work and other things i didn't touch my guitar for days, never weeks though and always found that after picking it up again there's more inspiration, more creative energy and especially a clear way of hearing - not sure how to put this into words...but i agree, that every once in a while a break is much better for your playing than hours of practice day after day...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 10:55:54

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

hey todd, i'm very sorry for you loss. and i hope you've recovered well from the flu.

about practice sessions, i think it's a good idea to stop at a point where you're left wanting a little more. just like eating, it's bad to stuff yourself beyond what you're able to handle. doing this has helped me stay super focused and inspired the next day.

and i find that if i decide to take a break from guitar, it's good to go all out and completely forget the guitar and do something totally unrelated.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 11:04:46

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Hey Todd,

Wishing you well amigo and that you get over this rough patch.

Even Napoleon said that there were times to advance and times to dig in.

cheers,

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 11:10:26

minordjango

Posts: 918
Joined: Feb. 26 2005

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

hey Todd,
im also wishing you the best,and just positive thoughts every video you have posted was gold , in any genre, and your advice is just numero uno.

hope u relax and do what you need to do , the world needs u, i think PDl himself is wanting to play sonique like you !.
ill never forget that upload or your SRV

take care rest well

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 11:14:34

Doitsujin

Posts: 5078
Joined: Apr. 10 2005

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Stay sharp Todd. We are waiting for more brilliant playing! Yes,.. sometimes breaks are necessary. You also get rid of pain in the arms and your nails can heal up.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 13:32:15

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Taking a break (in reply to Doitsujin)

Thanks for the support all. Much appreciated.

Im doing really well all things considered.

Yeah, Doit, my nails were so overgrown, i was filing for a half hour
to get them back to normal.

TK

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 13:36:01

Ailsa

Posts: 2277
Joined: Apr. 17 2007
From: South East England

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Hey Todd sorry for your loss. I remember when my father died and even though that's years ago, I know it was a tough time.

Good advice as always. I recently took a week off to take an intensive dance course and I felt I should concentrate properly on that. I was worried that I would lose the progress I had recently made. When I came back to it I hadn't forgotten anything and really felt good about playing again.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 13:49:19

KMMI77

Posts: 1821
Joined: Jul. 26 2009
From: The land down under

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Sorry to hear about your loss Todd, Best wishes to you.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 17:02:58

duende

Posts: 3053
Joined: Dec. 15 2003
From: Sweden

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Sorry about your dad Todd.

I´ve had a "flamenco break" since November. Maybe its time to start playing again.

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This is hard stuff!
Don't give up...
And don't make it a race.
Enjoy the ray of sunshine that comes with every new step in knowledge.

RON

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 20:59:04

HolyEvil

Posts: 1240
Joined: Nov. 6 2008
From: Sydney, Australia

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

hey mate.. sorry to hear about ya dad.. hope you're holding up alright.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 23:05:17

mrMagenta

Posts: 942
Joined: Oct. 25 2006
From: Sweden

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

I am saddened to hear about your loss, and wish you strenght to get through the difficult times.

I too recognize the good feeling in the hands, and ears, after taking a break. If i play every day in the week for a long period, it feels as though someone has put a large wet towel through the soundhole.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 11 2010 0:22:40

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

My condolences Todd. It's a a tear in the fabric when a parent passes away.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 11 2010 1:09:27

Ramirez

Posts: 243
Joined: Apr. 16 2005

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Hi Todd,

Though of course, we don't know each other, the nice thing about the foro is that all the main contributors feel like old friends - I've found your contributions to this forum inspiring over the years.

I'm sorry to hear about your loss, and I wish you strength.

And as for taking a break once in a while - I've found that you always return refreshed and invigorated...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 11 2010 2:09:02

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Thanks all. Your warm words mean so much to me.

They really do.

Thanks so much!

TK

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 11 2010 9:51:06

Francisco

Posts: 879
Joined: Jun. 13 2005
From: SW USA

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Really sorry for your loss, Todd. Wishing you the best!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 11 2010 11:39:29

sean65

Posts: 414
Joined: Jan. 4 2010
From: London

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Hey Todd,

Sorry you had to take a break under those circumstances but you're absolutely right.

I've only been playing since the beginning of the year and was making steady progress until I was faced with the 4 finger rasgeo technique. After a month of daily exercises dealing with that technique I gave up through frustration and went on to something else.

Now that I gone back to it, it's very nearly there. No more pumped burning forearm either. Still some way to go but the break was really good.

Interesting eh? Perhaps we push too hard to nail something and forget about the breaks.

Anyway, hope things are moving on for you.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 16 2010 10:00:03

jg7238

Posts: 2869
Joined: May 11 2009

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

My condolences. All the best.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 17 2010 6:24:37

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Thanks guys.

Hey JG, i saw your post about your recent sinus infection. Im just getting over
on too. They are so painful and nasty. Yuk!

TK

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 17 2010 11:25:05

cathulu

Posts: 950
Joined: Dec. 15 2006
From: Vancouver, Canukistan

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Very sorry to hear that. My condolences. Something in life we all go through and can relate with eventually. Take care

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 17 2010 18:23:04

guitarbuddha

Posts: 2970
Joined: Jan. 4 2007

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

I just read this and my thoughts are with you.

I don't know if you feel this yet but I am sure you know he will always be with you.

D.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 18 2010 6:10:34

jg7238

Posts: 2869
Joined: May 11 2009

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

They are horrible. I'd rather not eat for 2 days than have this. You can't describe it really.

quote:

Hey JG, i saw your post about your recent sinus infection.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 18 2010 9:59:28

Jamey

Posts: 187
Joined: Jul. 7 2004
From: Winnipeg, Canada

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Hey TK, it's been a long time. Very sorry to hear about the loss. I know mine is just yet another posting on the internet and of little comfort, but behind it is real sentiment. Know that your dad is still with you, watching over you, smiling with pride and bragging to the others around him that "hey, that's MY son right there".

Take care,
Jamey

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 20 2010 18:45:19

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Your warm comments really mean more than you know. Seriously.

Thank you. I definately feel my dad is still with me, and watching over me
and the rest of my family.

Cheers all

TK

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 20 2010 19:57:25

a_arnold

Posts: 558
Joined: Jul. 30 2006

RE: Taking a break (in reply to ToddK)

Condolences, Todd.

I play a lot -- maybe 4-5 hours a day every day. But when I take a day or 2 break (usually not voluntarily) I find that I come back noticeably stronger, faster, more precise. This phenomenon is so reliable, I've started taking the day off before an important gig. I think that keeping the muscles constantly fatigued without giving them a chance to recover may be counterproductive in some ways. Playing daily is good for the brain, maybe, and good for learning, but bad for the hands?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 5 2010 12:18:17