Focus, Attention, and Relaxation on Stage

And I · #1 01-16-2011, 08:19 PM

So I know the songs, playing them is totally within my capabilities, i know the arrangements... and yet quite often i start thinking too much, lose focus, get nervous... make mistakes... last night i was thinking too much, we were stretching the songs too long, the soundguy said we had 45 mins when the promoter said we had 75 mins, the trombone player asked me where we were going, i said play the head again (which was wrong) then when he finished the head I went to the "B" section (the rest of the band didn't)... it wasn't a total train wreck, people kept on dancing and the show went on. but it was embarrassing, the guitarist was pissed...

these are fairly simple repetitive bass lines and fairly simple songs, yet i seem to make mistakes because i can't keep my brain on point... anyone have any tips/advice for staying focused and relaxed on stage?

**nutdog** · #2 01-16-2011, 08:21 PM

adderall

And I · #3 01-16-2011, 08:23 PM

ok, anyone have any tips/advice that don't involve prescription drugs?

Dr. Toboggan · #4 01-16-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by And I

ok, anyone have any tips/advice that don't involve prescription drugs?

Illegal drugs

And I · #5 01-16-2011, 08:37 PM

yeah i usually do a line before each song...

**nutdog** · #6 01-16-2011, 08:37 PM

wax on, wax off?

Trombone players should never play the head.

**nutdog** · #7 01-16-2011, 09:02 PM

All right. Now I'm starting to feel bad. I loose concentration as well. I play for a band that has many similar arrangements and it's easy to get them mixed up. The only legitimate recommendation I can make is to practice until you can play everything no matter how distracted you get.

But I really don't get the play the head thing. Is that some sort of musical term I haven't come across?

Elrend · #8 01-16-2011, 09:09 PM

Don't worry about playing well, just let it flow.

mambo4 · #9 01-16-2011, 09:11 PM

Practice until you don't have to think...
If you find the parts repetitive/boring and your mind wants to wander,
focus on listening to everyone else. Especially other rhythmic section players.
think about how you want to pluck your notes.
In other words, once the song starts, stay focused the music, if not your part
....not what the sound guy or the promoter said about how long your set is...

Staying focused easier said then done. What you have to do is develop an awareness of when you start mentally going off track, and correcting your self when you notice it happening.

Basshappi · #10 01-16-2011, 09:18 PM

From Wikipedia:

"In its broadest sense, the head of a piece of music is its main theme, particularly in jazz, where the term takes on a more specific set of connotations. ........."

iridiumrocks · #11 01-16-2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambo4

Practice until you don't have to think...

This ^. For me, I can only be relaxed if I know the song really well and am not struggling to remember my own parts. As long as you are comfortable with your part, you can pay more attention to the other parts and the entire song is tighter.

drdunwoody · #12 01-16-2011, 09:37 PM

Ok, first, stay sober! Seriously. Mind altering drugs generally mess with what is called "working memory" or "short term memory." That means that although you have the information stored in long term memory, your attention is too limited to connect what you are doing (now) with what you should be doing (long term memory).
Second, OVER-practice. The research on "audience effects" is relatively clear. If you REALLY know your sh#t, then anxiety (from an audience) will make you sound better. If you don't, then the increase rush from the audience will make you sound worse.
Third, if the above doesn't cut it, and especially if you notice this patterns in other areas of your life, then check out some sort of meditative discipline. I practice Tai Chi. It is about breath, relaxation, and focus; all things you need while playing. Yoga is similar. Find a class near you! Hope that helps. Dr. Phil

elgecko · #13 01-16-2011, 09:44 PM

Breathe dawg! Breathe!

**nutdog** · #14 01-16-2011, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshappi

From Wikipedia:

"In its broadest sense, the head of a piece of music is its main theme, particularly in jazz, where the term takes on a more specific set of connotations. ........."

I did not know that.

Joe Nerve · #15 01-16-2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambo4

Practice until you don't have to think...

Another + 1 to this.

You may know the songs and arrangements in your brain, but you don't really know them until you don't have to think about them anymore. That means being able to play them inside out, backwards, with the band, without the band, without the singer, if the guitarist screws up, if the drummer screws up... it means playing them till your body is playing them flawlessly, every time, and not your mind.

That, and experience are the 2 best cures for what ails you. The more experience you get the less you'll be thinking about what's going on around you. Sounds like it's all still pretty new to ya, so it's expected if ya ask me. As time goes on it'll happen less.

I also always offer this suggestion yet I don't think anyone ever takes it.

And it works better than anything if you believe it. Pray. I do before just about every gig. If nothing else it helps keep my mind where it should be. In giving the best performance I can without getting in my own way.

anonymous122511 · #16 01-16-2011, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambo4

Practice until you don't have to think...

Another +1... the thread pretty much stopped right here.

Mr wiggl3s · #17 01-17-2011, 05:25 AM

What's the difference between being on stage, and being in your room?

**251** · #18 01-17-2011, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by And I

So I know the songs, playing them is totally within my capabilities, i know the arrangements... and yet quite often i start thinking too much, lose focus, get nervous... make mistakes... last night i was thinking too much, we were stretching the songs too long, the soundguy said we had 45 mins when the promoter said we had 75 mins, the trombone player asked me where we were going, i said play the head again (which was wrong) then when he finished the head I went to the "B" section (the rest of the band didn't)... it wasn't a total train wreck, people kept on dancing and the show went on. but it was embarrassing, the guitarist was pissed...

these are fairly simple repetitive bass lines and fairly simple songs, yet i seem to make mistakes because i can't keep my brain on point... anyone have any tips/advice for staying focused and relaxed on stage?

We all have limitations. You've found one. I find it useful to slowly change the bass line I'm playing so I am not playing the same thing over & over. Keeping track of which line you are playing, what you've played & which you've decided to play next can give you a hook to keep focused.

The idea is suggested by Paul Chambers' bass line on "So What!' He plays (mostly) a 5 bar phrase over 4 & 8 bar sections. I assume he devised the pattern because it is very easy to get lost & it's the job of the bass to signal the 8 bar B section in Eb. Download a transcript here, to see how he stays focused;
http://www.jazzeducationdatabase.com...bass&Itemid=54

Hope that helps. 8-)

pasta4lnch · #19 01-17-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambo4

Practice until you don't have to think...

I have to disagree w/ this . . .

at least imo. I started playing live late in life (mid 30's) but I've been playing (professionally - studio/writing) for about a decade and since I was a kid otherwise. I blank out a lot onstage - there is no great mystery to most music. 90% of what we play doesn't require much thought. But occasionally, when pressed, I find myself looking down at the neck in a panic as if I've never seen it before.

fwiw thinking is where the trouble starts (not over thinking - that's just pure trouble and will never do any good!) and should be worked on, not ignored. I can play a simple line over and over again w/o being conscience but when the singer decides he wants to hit the chorus again but only gives you a contorted face as a signal YOU GOTTA THINK and not panic, or lose focus.

unfortunately the only remedy I've found for this is to play live more. you can only get comfortable w/ time, and I think that's why it's the most frustrating.

me - I got to a good place. I was on my way to being really comfy on stage - thinking, not panicking. unfortunately I had a falling out w/ my band and have been inactive (playing live) for 6 months - can't seem to find any new gigs. I fear I might have taken a few steps backwards. . .

schmig · #20 01-17-2011, 08:43 AM

I constantly catch myself wondering about something utterly unrelated when being paid to play in front of an audience. I have variously tried:

- controlled, deep breathing (helps)
- playing with eyes closed (too much improv from lead player to get away with this)
- concentrating on what I'm doing (nope..thought is the enemy)

And ultimately found that staring at the frontman is the way forward, not actually doing any thinking, but just picking up on the vibe coming from him when he's playing. Makes no sense but works for me.