Bleh. In a guitar playing rut and hate everything I do. 😂

Try a new instrument. I was in a serious rut, so I picked up a banjo last year and it blew open my guitar playing again. It's been really fun. I'm aiming at a nice f-style mandolin for my next guitar rut!

I'm primarily a keyboard/synth player, but a month or so ago I bought myself a shortscale fretless bass, and am really enjoying the change.

I rarely play other peoples music, but when the rut happens and I’d like to think it happens to most, I will put on music that is in different genres than the one I spend most of my time in and play along. I will also spend more time on my synths and bass then go back and see what happens. Usually does the trick.

Greg, I don't know for sure if what I'm about to say is what 79sg meant or not, but I interpreted it a little differently than you, and in a way that I personally find helpful:

Pull up some music in a totally different style than you usually play (like, try electronica or synth pop or something) and try to figure out something to play on guitar that fits the song. By necessity, you won't be playing anything that's like what you normally play. You probably won't even use the same kind of tones you're used to.

When I try this, what usually happens to me is I start out frustrated, because nothing's working. Then I find some kind of little groove that works, but it's like really minimal playing. Then I start to smile a bit. Then I try something a little more adventurous. It might work or it might not, but it starts to get fun. After a few times through the song, I've really loosened up and I move on to another song, also in a different style than my "usual." Rinse and repeat.

Another thing I do sometimes is play along with a song that already has 2-3 guitars in it, and I make myself come up with something that enhances what's already there without getting in the way or stomping on any of the parts already recorded. This will almost always be minimalistic playing, with maybe a little arpeggio poking through at a moment when nothing else is in the forefront. But as an exercise, it can sometimes free up my mind to think about the bigger picture of a production.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oblique_Strategies

I swear by this. There's an app, too.

Start learning bluegrass. Learn as much Tony Rice as you can tolerate . . . which is probably a lot, because he was amazing.

And then start jamming over some country and rock patterns and see what happens. See what happens then!!

One suggestion that I also got was to try improvising and playing licks and solos limiting myself to just two adjoining strings. This has been a load of fun and has definitely broken me out of a lot of old ways.

cool progression and tasteful playing

First, go look at some great art. It's like your soul takes a shower. Second, go see a live music show. It will likely spark some ideas. Every time I see a band or a singer/songwriter, I get inspired. Third, learn one new thing, just one will do. It can be a song you've always wished you could play, or a scale you weren't familiar with, or a particular solo.

Now, from another perspective, lead guitar playing has become somewhat passe'. Much like the lead clarinet in the thirties, the tru  mpet in the 40's, saxophone in the 50's, it's not the main instrumental focus anymore. The sixties are gone. If your solo doesn't add to the music in a real way, don't play one. Once you come terms with this, you might find a new way to approach solo's. George Harrison had it right. He made every note count in his solos, they were music, not a series of riffs.

Last, do some light exercise, it changes your mood.

Good luck.

* John's suggestion is a great one, do some of the above, then find someone or a few people to play with. Inspiration will come back to you.

www.timpierce.com

Best $17 I spend every month - I find his teaching keeps me constantly inspired and excited about my guitar playing.

Oh that’s a given. Maybe more than one.