What do you do to get out of a rut?

[Doug Stuart]

Lately I feel like all of my impromptu breaks sound the same. What do you do to expand yourself when you get into a musical rut?

Doug
www.crbluegrass.com

[Jake Dewhirst]

I usually try playing a simple song paaaaaaaiiiiiinfully slow... that usually works cause i come up with new stuff.

[Seth Austen]

Here's a few things that work for me

Learn a new tune, there's thousands of them out there.
Try playing a tune you already know in a different octave or key, or a different position up or down the neck
Try playing a tune you know in a different scale (ex, play a major key tune as a minor, or in a klezmer mode) or a different time signature (turn a reel into a jig, or play a jig in 7/8...)
Try learning a tune in a different style... jazz, classical, klezmer, rock, etc.
Play along with the radio, TV, streaming internet...
Transcribe a break that you like
Transcribe a break that wasn't originally played on guitar
Work on applying theory to your instrument, examples: practice improvising in a mode you don't normally use; work on finding chord inversions on a set of strings; find all the chords in a scale or mode and try some new progressions...
Play a tune you already know on a different instrument (if you play other instruments)
Listen to other styles

Finally, if none of these work, buy a new guitar. Or a new pick. Shopping cures all :)

Seth

[Mish S]

try a new instrument

[Jeremy]

I generally head out to the bar and or truck stop and pick a fight.
Results may vary.

[Brian Higgins]

Serveral Super idea's on How to remove yourself from what we all know is the "Dreaded Rut" !
I would agree with about all the answers on this issue; One thing that has worked for me is to pickup a
different insterment;Although I do not plan on showing off my skills on the Mandolin, I do however find
myself playing this insterment to experiment with songs,riffs,scales and just plain "Cutting Loose".
I find when I pick back up the Guitar I hear things in a different way. Can't explain it, But It does help when
finding ways to expand your Guitar licks.
Brian Higgins