I'm unmotivated...

WilliamSandoval · #1 08-02-2011, 11:31 PM

I'm trying to learn "Celebration Day" by Led Zeppelin by tabs, but it seems like every time I look at the tabs, I will play a few notes, then go to Facebook or something. I mean, it's not that hard of a song, I'm either easily distracted, unmotivated, lazy, or a combination of the three. I don't get it. I do this with every song too. Once I actually learn the song, I will think it's easy. Look at me, I'm on TB when I should be learning a song...

bassinplace · #2 08-02-2011, 11:36 PM

Focus, danielson. Try getting away from the paper and learning it by ear instead. For myself, I find it's much more fun to learn a piece that way.

Venom of God · #3 08-02-2011, 11:37 PM

Unplug the internet when you're learning bass parts (unless you're using YouTube of course, in this case, close your Facebook tab or any other distracting sites).

Stumbo · #4 08-02-2011, 11:39 PM

Could be a physical problem.

IME, low vitamin levels(B12/complex, D3) can cause loss of focus/concentration. Also, poor sleep can do the same.

When I increased these over-the-counter vitamins for a few months I was able to increase my ability to stay with a project much better than before.

Make sure you get a good 7 hours of sleep.

YMMV.

WilliamSandoval · #5 08-02-2011, 11:44 PM

One click and it's open again!

Usually I will learn a song by ear, but for this song there is that one complicated part that I would like to get right. The rest is just "A" "A" "A" "A", then throw a "G#" in there every once in a while.

Journey55 · #6 08-02-2011, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Could be a physical problem.

IME, low vitamin levels(B12/complex, D3) can cause loss of focus/concentration. Also, poor sleep can do the same.

When I increased these over-the-counter vitamins for a few months I was able to increase my ability to stay with a project much better than before.

Make sure you get a good 7 hours of sleep.

YMMV.

You're saying with just a pill I can be motivated again? :O

WilliamSandoval · #7 08-02-2011, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Could be a physical problem.

IME, low vitamin levels(B12/complex, D3) can cause loss of focus/concentration. Also, poor sleep can do the same.

When I increased these over-the-counter vitamins for a few months I was able to increase my ability to stay with a project much better than before.

Make sure you get a good 7 hours of sleep.

YMMV.

School is out, so I sleep as late as I can. I usually go to bet about midnight and get up at 10 the next morning, so I don't think sleep is the issue...

Colorado Springs has one of the best school nutrition programs, so since school has been out, I hardly eat anything that's worth eating! You might be on to something...

Stumbo · #8 08-04-2011, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamSandoval

Colorado Springs has one of the best school nutrition programs, so since school has been out, I hardly eat anything that's worth eating! You might be on to something...

IME, food quality in the U.S. is so poor (due to farming practices) that vitamin deficiency/insufficiency is the norm. IME, unless supplements are implemented to boost your vitamin levels, you'll never know what it feels like to be in the "optimal" range rather than in the "normal" range.

IME, my family's experience, and based on some research, many behavioral issues can be resolved in this way.

No downside to trying. IME, even if you get your vitamin levels tested by your doc, they can only tell you if you're not "out of range", not what is optimal for you.

No Malarky · #9 08-04-2011, 12:00 PM

Use your ears, coffee up, and remember you are the future of music in the free world.

WilliamSandoval · #10 08-04-2011, 12:09 PM

It's been two days and I still haven't learned it...

No Malarky · #11 08-04-2011, 12:25 PM

Do it for the children!!!

WilliamSandoval · #12 08-04-2011, 12:33 PM

How many children like Led Zeppelin?

turbo chicken · #13 08-04-2011, 01:22 PM

well my 9yo does... so at least one!

It comes down to dicipline that is hard to master for some myself included... what i have found works is checking email, facebook, craigslist, guitarcenter used stuff, ebay, here ... before I practice helps to keep me from clicking on the facebook button.

and at the same time... if you really really wanted to learn the song you would... you have to make the decision to stick to the task at hand and make it happen ... i'm 30 and still trying to dicipline my self to stay on task for just about everything i do...

Here... let me give you an example of someone wanting to do something but never following thru.
My wife: I'm fat... I need to loose weight. I need to exercise.
^she say's this ... and knows what she needs to do even up to the point of making a meal plan and workout schedule so I can watch the kids while she does her thing... a few weeks later she isn't working out... now i can support her and even give her a little nudge by asking if she is going to do her workout... but ultimately it is up to her to follow thru. She has to make the decision to workout... I can't do that for her.

Just like we can give you all the advice and encouragment you could ever want... but ultimately its up to you to make it happen.

Structure your practice/learning time... use a timer... warm up on a fun song, practice the scale/key/mode the new song is in ... practice arpeggio's of the chords in the song... then let that hard work pay off by learning the song. Only work on the song for 10 mins or so at a time... Print the tabs... then turn off your pc ....

personally if i get bored using guitar pro ... i just download or youtube the song and pllay along to the best of my abilities a few times... just playing along is often rewarding

Icey101 · #14 08-04-2011, 04:36 PM

its a now generation thing, hormones, sleepiness, its normal dont sweat it, when it comes time you will cram it and get it done

MarkMcBass · #15 08-05-2011, 02:08 AM

Try printing it out and walking away from the internet altogether and do not come back until you have the song down! Hard copies have a more positive and simple effect on a person than do the overstimulation of the internet! Trust me i had ADD my whole life, and theres something special about hard copies..they have more substance and the internet gives you distractions without even asking for them.. (ads..popups..every little interesting thing imaginable..) Or sometimes.. if you need to trick your attention problems, go into solitude (just you and your song) but provide yourself with ONE potential distraction at all times while you focus (put different music or a movie that isnt that good in the background, etc) and when your brain drifts, youll automatically drift into the ONE distraction you put ther eyourself..get bored with it and drift back to your work! Helped me my entire life!!