Why I Quit Practicing Guitar...And Maybe You Should Too

Sometimes we have to be willing to accept that practice can actually hinder us from being creative. I attempt to outline my struggle with this concept in this video and how I have recently come to terms with the fact that practicing is keeping me from my musical goals. Please let me know below in the comments if any of you have struggled with similar phases in your musical journey!
As always, thanks for watching and checking out the channel, I know this is a little bit different format from what I normally post and will still be posting lesson videos. This had just been something I've been thinking a lot about lately and I wanted to share it here. Let me know your thoughts below!
-Steve

[@1stovetop]

Mr.Steve you are already where most of us wish we were. Always enjoy your lessons. Carry on.

[@stevetharms]

Thank you!

[@shalomshalom735]

Yo Steve! Very candid video. Hey, congrats on Baby "Number 2" :) I love your channel. I noticed you really take the time to explain SLOWLY everything and it is really helpful. Looking forward to your next videos. I think what can REALLY HELP is if you do a few videos where you show a few licks and then use them in different cotexts. For example: make a video where you create some solo/improv that consists of a few licks that you showed, then explaining how you "connected" these licks and what chords these licks fit over. In other words, show how to actually apply them. That's something not too many do on KZbin. Hey, buddy, again, congrats on your baby and your channel.

[@stevetharms]

Appreciate that feedback and thank you, I definitely have some ideas in mind for videos like this in the future!

[@williampimblott8373]

Im so motivated, im here watching you instead of just going and doing it. Or.. just stealing some ideas.

[@richardlippi8438]

That was an amazing speech and you can share your musical gift with your children and their children. Thank you.

[@johnverheyen812]

Just tripped over your channel this week. I love your teaching style, it connects with me. Your explanation of playing country music made it click (finally). Been wanting to learn country guitar for a long time and you launched my endeavor!

[@johnwoloss1085]

Steve congratulations on your second son! Time is a precious commodity especially for parents with children and its fully understandable. I would just like to say after discovering your channel, I hope you continue to do videos, as you have a talent for teaching. You explain everything very well and at a pace that is not rushed and easily comprehended. I've been playing guitar since the early 60s played in many bands getting by with very basic guitar techniques. I've always wanted to learn more about country guitar playing in the style you teach, so you have been extremely helpful. Light bulbs going off all over the place! Thanks Steve and keep up the great work and congrats!

[@stevetharms]

Thank you and thanks for the awesome comment!

[@bflo5210]

At 47yrs old and a professional truck driver for almost 26yrs my practice time is extremely limited.... I get to the gym 3-5 days a week & my "practice time" is at my gigs!😂😂😂 I'm the lead singer/lead/rythm guitar player and honestly I love playing rythm & singing more than anything....I let my piano player take most of the leads....I do a few leads & licks, but I'm content with my playing abilities....I wish I had your playing abilities 😂😂😂... the best part of playing is getting up in front of a crowd having a good time, get people up & dancing & singing along...there's always room for improvement but having a good time onstage with my friends and making a little money is the best part!

[@stevetharms]

I agree! I also have a full time career/day job and just do music on the side. But playing live is what makes it all worth it for me, my hope over the next year or so is to start working into a role where I can sing more at gigs 🤞

[@bflo5210]

@@stevetharms be careful being a lead singer is addictive 🤣🤣🤣 I started do acoustic solo gigs and now turning that into a duo... between my band & solo gigs I had 92 gigs last year!

[@bflo5210]

@@stevetharms on a side note you did a video like 3yrs ago for country tones...do you still use those settings? Can you put them on the marketplace or something to download?

[@rosswhitlock12347]

I had to get good at guitar because I can't sing 😂

[@bflo5210]

@@rosswhitlock12347 🤣🤣🤣

[@juanpabloaguirrezabala6498]

Thanks brother! big greetings from Uruguay ( south america) JP

[@stevetharms]

🙏

[@Terrribletom]

I’m stealing all your published licks and welcome to the high lonesome rabbit hole. Mickey Adams is a great resource for the steel iydk. God bless

[@stevetharms]

I’ll have to check him out, thanks for the tip!!

[@BreauxBobby]

You are incredibly talented, Steve. And you’ve been giving your talents to people like me through these videos. You’re going to be blessed. Keep it up. Things will happen for you. You deserve it.

[@stevetharms]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@rodapplegate2485]

Well sir,.... I don't have your skill level ( I think you are incredibly talented! ) therefore I need to practice all I can. Fortunately I now have all the time in the world , I am retired. I was a bricklayer for 37 years and raised 3 daughters. I always wanted to play lead guitar but never had the time to pursue it, until bite. I practice a couple of hours a day but seem to get stuck in a rut, I have played rhythm guitar all my life and just wish I knew HOW to pursue this dream.

[@BreauxBobby]

And God bless your children! Congrats on #2!

[@Texas1836Band]

Excellent video and great advice/ philosophy. I am at a different place but experiencing a similar problem. Being recently retired, I’ve decided to try and advance to the next level of country lead guitar. However, I suffer from being over ambitious and trying to take on too many different projects and styles, finger picking, classical etc. Heck I’ve even been working on a mandolin and a little bit of fiddle. Kind of like trying to drink water from a fire hose. Luckily the Lord has intervened. I am now playing lead guitar on a weekly basis in a gospel trio at church and it has made a huge difference in my playing. Now, I feel I’m solidly in the intermediate range and am confident of my ability to advance to the next level. Please keep putting your videos out there because they are providing me the opportunity to achieve my country lead guitar skills. Also congratulations on your new baby boy and may God continue to bless you and your family

[@guitarista666]

A lot of my practice time is really a combo of playing and practice. I play pieces, but I keep a close eye on how well I'm playing and I try to make it better. Sometimes I'll stop to practice something, like a technique, to make it better. Doing things this way makes time with the guitar more enjoyable. Of course this does not solve the problem of wanting to do other things, but it might motivate you to not abandon the idea of getting better on guitar. It's a kind of "slow boat to China" method of learning guitar. You're having fun while slowly getting better.

[@stevetharms]

I like that, ways to make practice more enjoyable are always welcome!

[@davidroberts1187]

Nice one, I had to knock the practice time down when my 4 kids were little, they are good times not to be missed because of a bit of wood, mine are all at university now so I can be selfish again.😊😊

[@michaeldorrenbacher8977]

Thanks a lot for your lessons and videos. For me, you are the perfect teacher. The way you explain things is just awesome. And congrats for child no.2!

[@alexwang8655]

You look so young. Can't believe you're a father of two kids.

[@stevetharms]

I can’t believe it either! 😂

[@RussellSturgill-hs7qm]

Steve...you will find an absence of practice will actually improve your playing...enjoy, enjoy the music..also if you fill your pockets with mashed potatoes and make clicking sounds ..it helps...Good man!

[@stevetharms]

Man I hope so, thanks for the advice!!

[@inlandbott]

good for you! btw, what is your day job?

[@user-kk2jq7ok2j]

Congrats on your child and thanks as always - your channel/vids/talent has taught me a ton and I am sure I will learn from this also.

[@stevetharms]

Appreciate that, glad you’ve found the channel helpful!