I have run into that in the last year. As I switched teachers, my new instructor finished up with me some stuff I had already been focusing on with expanding my improvising leads, and developing more expression, primarily in an expanded pentatonic concept and adding in chord tones.
But then I was stuck for a while, and what we did is go back to basics in a different area I had not mastered before, specifically, right hand work, both in picking and rhythm. A few new songs, two of which at least are in a completely different style, were assigned to learn cover to cover. So I guess the solution for me this time was to work basics in a different area from where I had been focusing. Took me in a different direction to get out of the rut, and is helping to develop fundamentals that were not truly there yet.
I guess if it were tennis, I would be moving from focusing on net play to improving footwork and groundstroke fundamentals. Or maybe moving from offroad bike handling to cadence and spin over distance.
A good instructor helps, and I am happy with the one I have. He helped me finish off the chapter I was on, and assessed and redirected me to where I needed to go, helping me understand fundamental music theory knowledge along the way. Weirdly enough, Mark Wein's lessons seem to track eerily with the areas I am working on with my instructor. Mark, where do you have that camera hidden?
Steve Thompson
Sun Valley, Idaho
Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay
love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
- j. johnson