Getting In The Zone

[Twilkes]

Sometimes I just don't play well - sometimes it's because I'm tired or haven't eaten, but sometimes I feel fine and start playing but just don't 'feel' it. I make stupid mistakes, miss chord changes, or lose the beat. It's almost as if I'm not paying attention, but if I try to make myself concentrate it gets worse!

I used to do a bit of acting, and the state of mind I was in when I was performing was very different to how I was in the bar afterwards. Does anyone have this when playing bass? And can you tell me how to get there???

T

[JimmyM]

nobody or nothing can make you get in the zone if you don't feel it. but how to feel it is different for everyone, so there's no set answer. for me, i get in the zone pretty easily without much effort because i'm confident. even when i play badly, i'm confident that i'm still pretty entertaining, so that keeps me there even when i'm not playing well.

the main thing is not to let a mistake throw you. do not even acknowledge mistakes. don't make a face, don't look around at anyone else when they make a mistake, etc. just shake it off immediately and keep playing.

[nic salsus]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

the main thing is not to let a mistake throw you. do not even acknowledge mistakes. don't make a face, don't look around at anyone else when they make a mistake, etc. just shake it off immediately and keep playing.

Or better still make music out of it. Like Kenny Werner calls it, "The New Right Note".

[tZer]

You to be honest with yourself about yourself. I know that if I am well rehearsed/practiced and feel good about myself and my ability to deliver the goods, the zone is as big as the sky. Blow off practicing and rehearsing, being under prepared and lacking confidence - there's no zone for you.

Eat right, get plenty of good sleep, practice a lot - you'll have no problem finding the zone.

OK - there are always the off days but for me, any day that my bass is strapped on and there's a crowd is a good day. If all else fails, simply enjoy the fact that you get to play bass with a band.

[varunkapahi]

you really have to dig the music to get in the zone