How do you get “back into” playing?

I’ve spent so much of my life playing and I’m finding that there is so much more I can learn. It’s a gift, even though it is hard earned. As I get older some of the dexterity is fading but my understanding of how music works and musicianship is growing, I find that I can make up for dexterity with techniques, persistance, timing and finding interesting things I can do as a bassist that makes the chords, melodies and timing a bit different. Improving the song with solid patterns, timing and interpretation.

I always keep a strat in the living room to play. For a while, I kept all my guitars in the basement in their cases and guess what? I would go for literally months without playing them. In the living room, I mess around on the guitar daily.

I haven't picked up my guitar in months. A few months after I first started learning how to play, some guys I met (guitarist and drummer) graciously allowed me to jam with them. To me, it was a thrill to be playing in a "band" and making music with other people; I was hooked. Playing by myself is just not as fun. I have been "bandless" ever since I quit my last band years ago, and I'm losing my desire to play. I NEED to find some guys (or gals) to jam with soon before I give it up altogether! My work schedule makes it difficult to find people. I work nights (11-7) Monday through Friday. So, I can't play on weeknights, and bands usually play out on Friday night. And, most people want to gig frequently, possibly every weekend. Not me! I wouldn't mind the occasional gig, such as a few times per year and maybe a couple of backyard parties, but no more than that. I'd even be happy with no bar gigs at all (although I've never played in a bar), and just play a handful of backyard private parties each year. To me, gigging isn't the goal... making music and having fun is what's important! I just need to find a basement or garage band and get back into it.

Don't think of it as "get back into playing...." but rather "getting reacquainted" with an old friend.

Music to me is like having a pet dog/cat:
no matter what kind of day you're having, music is-there-for-you and will welcome you back.

I lose desire to play for periods also. When i have the opportunity to play, i think about songs that i haven't heard in a while that inspired me, or a lick that i used to know,and how i can continue in the same musical vein or otherwise incorporate that lick into some song i know.

I resort to tools,-playing the chords in different positions, inversions and fragments. I'm always trying to relate scales and arpeggios with my goal, playing the changes. Balance with fun but get back "in the pocket"!

I agree, although sometimes i have had 3-4 out (which i like) but space consuming.
I keep one where i can grab it to try and figure out a lick i hear on TV.

Many years ago I had quit playing for about 2 years and when I decided it was time to get back at it I decided to stop using a pick and learn fingerstyle. It aroused my interest enough to get me motivated. One of reasons I have not been posting at the "old" site was that I had a surprise health crisis this year. I had triple bypass surgery this last summer and it has really set me back as far as playing. I have been trying to play for at least 2 hours everyday now. I have lost my finger callous's and it is all a struggle right now. Whatever it takes, Im going to continue to play. It gives me purpose and a daily goal to achieve. Never Quit.

Learning a new song usually gets me going again. Playing with others is helpful too. Just an occasional acoustic jam, with as much talking as playing, has always been fun for me. No stress, good camaraderie, and I usually learn a new song or worthwhile tip.

Trying something different. I have a P90 LP that I put 12's on and tuned down a whole step to get the John Fogerty thing going. It helped to pique the interest a bit.

Yeah, I’ve almost gotten there, from time to time. What I’ve been doing is putting all the tunes I cover on guitar, I’m a bassist primarily, into the On Song app and a set list. A lot of songs I’ve played over the years kind of get lost. Tunes like Suicide is Painless, Sounds of Silence, Sweet Baby James, As Tears Go By, Sultans of Swing and a whole mess of other tunes I forgot I knew. I had to brush them up, a few I’ve had to relearn, but they came back quickly.

So where I was playing the same ten of twenty tunes and getting board, now I have a set list and OnSong backups if I need refreshing. Add to this all the stuff I learned as a bass player from the week I spent with Victor Wooten and crew has brought me to the point where I can play or figure out the tunes on the guitar based on knowing the tunes bass line.

I just counted them and I’m up to 89 guitar song in the list. there are more I just haven’t landed them yet. Thats just my stuff it does’t include the tunes my band covers. It will eventually, a lot of current covers didn’t make this list.

Funny you should mention nursing homes.  The minister to seniors at our church asked me if I would take my acoustic guitar and lead music at a nursing home once a month, which I have started doing.  It has forced me to practice my acoustic guitar. I am playing the music from the hymnal it the original keys and using a capo to do so. It's actually rather enjoyable. 

Actually, I have done it three times so far, the most recent being two days ago, and it was the most enjoyable of the three times. And my callouses are growing back nicely. 

Thanks PeeGoo...........Wow what a year it has been. Went to my Cardiologist in August and he had me do a stress test which I failed miserably. He set me up to have an angioplasty with possible stent(s) being added. When they got their little camera doohickey in there it was discovered that I had 3, 90% blockages at points where stents would not work. So they closed up my wrist and sent me to recover. When I woke up I was told I would have to have open heart bypass surgery done ASAP. This was on a Thursday night and the first available opening was on Monday so they made me stay in the hospital for 3 days waiting for this awful surgery. Valium please ? More valium please ? I have never had nerves like that in my life. Anyway the surgery was done Monday morning and then they couldnt get my heart to produce a regular beat so I was in there for another 7 days......major suckage. The surgery was a success and I am still here but have just started feeling normal in the last couple of weeks. Thank God for my wife who took great care of me and for my brother for doing some stuff around the house that I could not do. I had to cancel a reunion with some old music mates and we hope to reschedule for this spring but I have to get my callous's and abilities back. Something to strive for. I sure am glad we have this 2nd chance here at Moes ! Take care.

I recall an interview with an artist who was really intense. His message was that he didn't create art because it made him feel good or gave him satisfaction. Rather he did what he did because if he didn't he would lose his mind. In other words some of us are wired to be creative and there is no alternative. It might be dormant for a time. But it will come back eventually.