What is (was) your bad habit?

[santucci218]

What is or was your bad habit in your playing, and how did you go about fixing it? I was having a conversation with a friend and he admitted his insecurity about his playing in that he often does a specific minor sweep on his guitar when he runs out of ideas. After him admitting it and me watching him play, what seemed interesting became stale. I know there are things I do too. I do a lot of major triplet runs when making music. Too many. And I feel more comfortable moving horizontally than vertically. So tell me yours.

[Natethegreat]

I think in terms of scale patterns and certain shapes on the fretboard too much, instead of individual notes, so opposite of you I am more comfortably moving vertically than horizontally. Good thread idea! lets get more replies

[KalTM]

I used to not use my pinky ever. Then I realized how much it was holding me back. Many lines I once had trouble with became very easy to play. Also, practicing without a metronome used to be a bad habit of mine as well as my bands. Now it's always on hand.

[Billnc]

Self doubt, and I'm pretty good, have fun playing, play in a few bands and freelance, a great player sitting in the audience doesn't shake me up. I'm even very comfortable on stage But doubt is always lurking. Really friggin bad before a gig.

[Marty Forrer]

Reading TalkBass....

[Metalbasshippy]

Originally Posted by KalTM

I used to not use my pinky ever. Then I realized how much it was holding me back. Many lines I once had trouble with became very easy to play. Also, practicing without a metronome used to be a bad habit of mine as well as my bands. Now it's always on hand.

+1
the pinky (or lack of) was my worst habit when I started out

[FreshTrooperXBL]

Originally Posted by Billnc

Self doubt, and I'm pretty good, have fun playing, a great player sitting in the audience doesn't shake me up. I'm even very comfortable on stage But doubt is always lurking.

+1
Yesss!! Its amazing how the mind plays tricks. I'm always glad to be told otherwise tho

[angryclown5]

Whenever I'm called upon to take a solo, I'm confronted once again with the fact that I have not learned the melody of the tune I'm playing.