This article is inspired by Dimebag Darrell

Right now i feel kinda stuck with some stuff, every time i pick my guitar i find myself playing the same thing over and over again, different notes, scales, etc but the riff idea its always the same… the riff’s great but it sucks to don’t come with new stuff.

Today i was reading again a great guitar book that always helps me a lot, it’s Dimebag Darrell’s Riffer Madness and it kick ass, if you play metal you have to read it.

Dimebag’s a dude that i admire a lot and i want to share what i learned with my own words… the message its really inspiring and i want to inspire you to become a better guitar player too.

When you find yourself playing in a rut remember this two things:

1- You’re not the only dude with the problem… we all go through this from time to time

2- Don’t schiz out and quit guitar! right now i’m feeling stuck but i know i won’t be like this forever… it’s just a matter of work. Keep playing, learn more stuff and the rut will disappear alone… its up to you.

The logical solution is to take a real look at what you’re playing, find out what are you repeating and say “i won’t do that anymore”, if you have a cool riff or lick don’t give it up! This is not about stop playing your old stuff forever… this is about break your old rut to learn new stuff, take the good things of your old rut and move forward.

Find inspiration in others, jam with friends or your band!
Jamming with other people creates some kind of “energy” that is really hard to find alone and that energy push to find stuff you never imagined. We all have different playing styles and that’s great!

Mix your own style with your drummer’s and your bassist’s playing style and you can create new awesome stuff.

Don’t play always over the same sort of stuff, sometimes a change of mood and pace can give you fresh ideas.

When you find yourself stuck in a rut just be yourself, keep playing and you’ll get through it.