Mind over matter (and sleep)...

[Willie G. Moseley]

Has anybody ever thought about a riff, chord progression or lick at all hours of the night (or at least, for a very extended time when you could concentrate) WITHOUT ACCESS TO AN INSTRUMENT, and the next time you got ahold of a guitar, you could play it??? I would presume that the more pro someone is, the more he/she would be capable of such, but I had a type of epiphany about how I could make myself do such (if given the opportunity) in a unique way:

In 1970 I was at basic training in the military, and more times than not, pulled guard duty in the middle of the night. Sure you'd battle grogginess, so I imagined myself playing "Blister on the Moon" in E ---I was a Taste/Rory Gallagher fan, but had never tried to play any of their stuff. I thought about the chords then some of the licks, and it helped keep me awake. I also fantasized about other songs as well. When I went home on leave, an old bandmate let me try out his Vox Hurricane, and I could play "Blister on the Moon" straight-on. He remarked about how my playing had improved, and I hadn't touched a guitar in months.

I was wondering if anyone else ever had a similar experience where by simply concentrating on how you thought a song went, without having access to the music or a recording or an instrument, you were ultimately able to play it right out of the chute once you got hold of a guitar. Sounds bizarre, but it worked for me, and I also wonder if such an acquired ability would be more prevalent among pro players and to a greater degree.

WGM/VGM

[BTMN]

Sounds like a "if you build it.." kinda thing. Faith. Beliving it will happen and it does. Old cliche I've heard Visualization equals Actualization. Cant pinpoint anything guitar related but last year on 01/07/04, I visualized first thing in the morning, when I noticed the date, that the Cash 3 number that day would be 714, coulda been my The Godz influence, so I played a $1 straight/combo of the number. Musta been looking in the mirror, it came in 417! I still won $80 but still. I kept the lil slip for winning it was so cool. For me at least.

I will apply your technique to something I'm working on learning and I'll let you know if it helps.

[BCR Greg]

That's how I usually write. I do most of the work in my head driving, when I get to the shop I pick up a guitar and see if it works. I thought I was the only one that did that.

[hamerhead]

I'm in a country band. I hate country music (nails on a chalkboard).

One day at work I had some crappy country song playing in the backround (one the band wanted to do), and when I got home I played it straight off.

That was cool.

[tomteriffic]

Oftentimes, when I'm dropping off to sleep, I'll spin tunes in my head, just make shit up, arrange it, twist it around, etc. until I go completely un-choncho. It's miles beyond my physical ability to play, but, if I'm making it up, I must like it and I go to sleep happy.

Couple that with a bit more practice lately, with particular regard to scales and such, and now and again when I'm wide awake and have a bit run through my head, I can pick up a guitar and play it.

Point being that, probably, the better your technical facility to begin with, the better you're able to do that.

[wgarces]

Oftentimes, when I'm dropping off to sleep, I'll spin tunes in my head, just make shit up, arrange it, twist it around, etc. until I go completely un-choncho. It's miles beyond my physical ability to play, but, if I'm making it up, I must like it and I go to sleep happy.

Couple that with a bit more practice lately, with particular regard to scales and such, and now and again when I'm wide awake and have a bit run through my head, I can pick up a guitar and play it.

Point being that, probably, the better your technical facility to begin with, the better you're able to do that.

I think it's a combination of your prowess on your instrument and your love for music. And the closer you get to a particular style of music you exceptionally love, the quicker it'll come out when you pick up your instrument.

Do you think guys like Hendrix or BB King or had a guitar teacher? You have to love your instrument and music so much that it becomes a part of you. Do that long enough and you become a natural.

[MrGuitarguy]

I do that a lot. Problem is with my ADHD I get so many ideas I can't remember them all!!! Even if I try to write them down I can't do it. My mind runs much faster than the rest of me can keep up with. In college I'd have a paper written four times over in my head before I could finish typing it. To this day my friends always joke about how hard it is to keep up with my train of thought. If we ever get those implants to download our thoughts I'll be the first in line...

[David B]

Yeah, I write songs in my head. Sometimes the are completely right when I pick up the guitar.

[DaveH]

All the time. It's pretty cool, and really is convenient as hell....you can practice anytime, virtually.

[wgarces]

Sounds like a "if you build it.." kinda thing. Faith. Beliving it will happen and it does. Old cliche I've heard Visualization equals Actualization. Cant pinpoint anything guitar related but last year on 01/07/04, I visualized first thing in the morning, when I noticed the date, that the Cash 3 number that day would be 714, coulda been my The Godz influence, so I played a $1 straight/combo of the number. Musta been looking in the mirror, it came in 417! I still won $80 but still. I kept the lil slip for winning it was so cool. For me at least.

I will apply your technique to something I'm working on learning and I'll let you know if it helps.

Where were you when that guy hit the Powerball for 340 mil last week?

Of course I woulda shared it with ya!