Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychedub Dude
Try learning some covers that are styles that you generally don't play and or have some techniques you've never messed with. There is always room for improvement on any instrument, dont just settle on what you know and just try to keep thinking outside the box trying new things and expand your musical horizons
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This is really the best advice you can follow as the definition of a rut in playing an instrument, especially guitar, is relying on muscle memory, playing styles, and musical cliches that your mind and hands have taken on throughout the learning process and now naturally gravitate toward.
I'd also add, when you noodle around, try playing in keys that you don't usually play in, especially ones you don't like to play in. I know that I automatically gravitate toward A major/minor, and I had to consciously break myself of that to progress. Try giving B flat or F a run for it's money for a session or two and see if it doesn't take you places. You can also go in the opposite direction and see how many complex variations you can come up with on songs that you currently play. Change the key, play the progression as an arpeggio instead of just strumming out the chord pattern, or vice-versa. Make your guitar solos more rhythmic, play single string melodies instead of chordal patterns, change the rhythm, et al. All of those will force you to be more conscious of what you're playing while you're playing it. If all else fails, learn to play an instrument that's entirely new to you, which can have a tremendously positive and creative effect when you return to the guitar.