Getting back in shape

There was a time a little over two years ago where I could play "cliffs of dover" note for note from the intro up till the solo. Well I laid my guitar aside for two years without playing a lick. And just recently picked it back up. I can still play all the 7th,9th,13th, altered chords pretty easily. But my lead has diminished tremendously. I can still hit all the notes of COD but it's sloppy and sounds like ass.

Anyone been in a similiar situatuion.What do you recommend I do to reach that level I was once at.

You slow down.

Play Cliffs at half speed, or a quarter speed, or however slowly it takes for you to be able to get it completely right note for note. Then start increading the speed. You'll find that once the muscle memory returns, you'll be able to play it up to speed much more quickly than when you last went through the process of learning it.

i set aside the guitar for @15 years and i know the pain.. i remember scales and stuff, (in my mind), but my fingers seem disconnected, so i guess it is time to practice .. a lot

Yeah I guess it's all about starting back at square one. I'll be sure once I get back to a level I was once at to not let myself default like this again. I just got busy with things and lost interest.

I put my guitar away for over 20 years and I've been taking lessons to get back into it. Unfortunately I don't think I'll ever be as fast as I was back in my late teens and early twenties. That's a lot of years working with my hands. I also don't pick things up as quickly anymore either. Or remember stuff like I use to. :D

I know what you mean there. Used to I could remeber solos note for note pretty easily. Not the case now even. I don't think If I had planted cliffs of dover in my head those years back that I would be able to remember all of it if I were to try and learn it now. I'm gonna take some guitar at the college I go to in the fall to try to get some technique back. They offer classical guitar. Thats always good for you. Plus I've been working my way through a mel bay book for the note reading cause classical just don't have tab. Not for this class anyways.

Originally Posted by: Bar Chord NickI put my guitar away for over 20 years and I've been taking lessons to get back into it. Unfortunately I don't think I'll ever be as fast as I was back in my late teens and early twenties. That's a lot of years working with my hands. I also don't pick things up as quickly anymore either. Or remember stuff like I use to. :D

yeah here too .. the old brain just dont work as well

funny thing tho, every so often i have a really good moment where i can play well.. but it fleeting... still it gives a ray of hope