is it possible to lose your skill in an instrument?

[jajjguy]

right on, junokane. but for the record let me just point out that wing doesn't suck, at all.

[junokane]

I am now, and forever will be, Generalissimo Extremo in the GARVIS Army. Listening to Garvis has completely re-wired my brain. My avatar is a constant reminder to myself, and all true believers, of the earth-shattering and life-changing power of Scandinavian psych/folk/oompah rawk. Skenvjekiastriijian Haaaaasgurviislicht is my god. And a mighty fine-looking chappy. And a snappy dresser.

Ask Bobbydj, he will back me up on this.

[maggot]

Sometimes suckiness comes from overthinking. It happens to me when play guitar, which is easily fakable compared to drums. The drums are such a physical instrument that if you start thinking you can become a little alienated from your body and a little bit spastic and laggy. I'm a terrible drummer, but I do play, and sometimes when I think too much I fall apart completely. Same with guitar - sometimes I feel like I'm Shaq shooting free throws.

It'll go away and your playing will show improvement from having thought about what you're doing a little more.

A week off is a pretty good cure for plateuing and frustration.

-By the way, I put a Garvis picture up on my fridge and my wife made me take it down because it freaked her out too much, and she's not easily spooked.

[bobbydj]

Ask Bobbydj, he will back me up on this.

He's right, everyone. Oompah psyche prog is the new emo.

Get with the programme.

[lsn110]

This may be a stupid question...but are you getting enough sleep? I know that I've gone through periods like what yr. describing, and invariably they seem to be in times when I'm so damn busy that I'm not getting enough zzzz's.

I recently read somewhere that it was discovered that many folks dream about what they're learning to do in their sleep. My theory is that if I'm well rested, I've gotten some good subconscious practice. I once solved a Java programming problem during dreaming. Somehow, I woke myself up went straight to the computer and implemented the solution. It worked perfectly. I had been puzzling over this particular problem for 8 hours. My "dream" solution was certainly non-linear, but it was still elegant and workable.

I keep meaning to leave a tape recorder next to my bed to capture song ideas.

Paul