I've been in a serious funk for over a week. It's not the good funk, it's the tar kind (it won't come off). I can't even pick-up the guitar and would rather sleep than be alive.

How do you other musicians deal with depression when it comes to your art?

Slave2daGroove said:

make a jam out of it. Talk or write about ur depression. Start off with a good hauntin drumbeat, and work on that. I was gonna tell u i was gonna post that acapella that u wanted, but it is not a good time 4 uu noe. I know eveytime I had broken up, or been cheated on or sumthin. A depressing song would come out of nowhere. And they usually be the best ones. Then im satisfied and start loving the song more than loving the depression.

Slave2daGroove said:

Chocolate chip cookies!


How about a bubble bath?

If you don't feel like picking up the guitar, pick it up anyway. If that doesn't get you out of the funk, listen to music. If you don't want to have anything to do with music, (and that's ok, once in a while) take a trip to the outdoors or watch a movie. If you're the type that can cry, watch a movie that will make you sad, but grateful for what you have.

VinaBlue said:

Exactly what I was gonna say!
Go 2 the movies & see something inspiring,
or rather if U have the oppurtunity see a great concert.
/peace Manki

Ooooh, I have an idea...

Play The Light by DaSilva...

Thanks guys! I was just wondering what all the cool people here do.

It's weird because I just don't get like this normally but I'm going to work on my perspective and play some music.

I gotta tell you man, some of the best music that I've ever come up with has been made in a deep blue funk. Sometimes I write about what I feel and then something like my song "Lonely" comes out. Other times I try to force myself out of my funk by writing something upbeat and danceable.

Before you know it, I've thrown myself into my work and I'm feelin' it again.

Also, not to get on a soap box but my bible studies help more than anything.

Keep on keepin' on brother.

The Quest

I agree with Vina as well! I've always been a listener more than a player originally, so when I cant pick up the guitar (and would rather lie in bed drifting in and out of sleep!) I'll put on some great music. I've recently been listening to a lot of Nick Drake, trying to understand how the guy is able to project his soul through his guitar playing (let alon how he does his chords) and his message is usually enough to make me realise things aren't THAT bad...that's how sad music works on me anyway.

But going to the movies is a great way of getting out of the pit. I rarely go to the flick now, but the other night I caught Frida, and it's rare occasions like that which also inspire me to keep moving on up.
[This message was edited Fri Oct 17 5:44:31 PDT 2003 by MaggotBrain]

I cannot make music when I'm depressed, I've got to feel good to make music. When I'm depressed I sleep a lot and read a lot...

Funk, that's how I've been and I'm the same way.

Magg, thanks I think that's a great idea but I'm not sure if the new remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre will inspire me

Sunshine, I'm with funkaholic, I need to feel good to make music but thanks.


I'm feeling better already, music this weekend.

I've got to update my site, damn it.

Thanks again to everyone who posted, sometimes just knowing how other musicians deal with things really helps.

Slave2daGroove said:

Holy holy! They remade that film??? The original, is by far the best 'chick-flick' ever made

MaggotBrain said:

The second one (Texas Chainsaw Massacre II) was the feel good hit of the year.

"I laughed, I cried"
[This message was edited Fri Oct 17 7:18:21 PDT 2003 by Slave2daGroove]

Keep your head up Slave.Hope all is well.

THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP THIS THREAD, SLAVE!!! I find myself in a deep funk right now. My instruments look like my enemies. It started from thursday and continued throughout the weekend. I had to play a paying gig on Sunday, damn I felt like I robbed those people. At home I just banged around on the keyboard, strummed some crappy chords on my guitar and made angry faces at anyone who brought up music topics. I need to shake this, cause even at this stage I still study with a guy to improve my stuff (I'll probably never stop trying to be the best) and he won't like to hear I don't feel like playing.


Maybe that's the problem. Maybe I put too much pressure on myself to be the best at music. Sometimes it can't be helped. I play around some talented musicians. Alot of whom I have been playing longer. Some where little childern when I started. Many people in my local community mention my name with the great local guys and I sometimes feel like I have a lot to live up to. Damn the pressure!!!

I guess it really depends on the source of your funk. If music is the source, I say get away from it for awhile. Or if it's one particular style that's got you down, play something ele. When I was in music school, I got like that a every now and again and had it not been for jazz, my ass woulda been jumping out windows! But if it's just a random thing pick up your axe and try to learn something new. Pick out a classical piece and learn it if you've never tried that. Studies have shown that people are able to learn more when they are depressed because they are more open to other things for some reason. Whatever it is, hang in there 'slave!

guitarslinger44 said:

It's cool because I've broke outthe books to learn more and it really helped.

Guitarslinger44, thanks for the post.

guitarslinger44 said:

I never thought about that, but you're right.

I'm in a dry funk right now cuz I'm stressed outta my frickin mind. It will pass soon, and the stress will at least bring great source material for some good songs, but until then, it's just gnaw the callouses on my finger tips and listen to what I used to could do.

Out of the mood, everything's back on track. And the music is coming along fine. Working on one of Brian Mcknight's slow songs off his first album on the piano did it. Damn how these things come and go.


How's everyone else?? From a fellow musician that cares.