Playing whille sleepy

wilberthenry · #1 12-05-2010, 12:18 PM

I have recently started playing out again after a 15 year hiatus to be a family man. I am looking for some advice about staying focused and alert during gigss when I am really tired. I get up at 5:30 AM during weekdays for work and am usually in bed before my band starts playing our first set. Any tips on how to stay sharp during these bar gigs would be helpful. My playing is much better (and I have a better time) at practices which end before 9:00 PM. I have tried coffee and not having any beers with no discernable difference.

hrodbert696 · #2 12-05-2010, 12:48 PM

I guess adrenaline alone doesn't do it for you? That's what keeps me up. Any chance you can squeeze a catnap in between work and soundcheck? Sometimes just half an hour of dozing off and it's like you're starting the day all over.

geeza · #3 12-05-2010, 12:56 PM

Nap. Either that or coffee and/or energy drinks.

fenderhutz · #4 12-05-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geeza

Nap. Either that or coffee and/or energy drinks.

+1

I usually drink a rockstar or monster around 7-730 pm so it wears off around 3am, the time I get home from gigs typically.

If it's a Saturday gig I try and take a short nap when the kids do.

wilberthenry · #5 12-05-2010, 01:08 PM

Adrenaline works great through the first half of the first set. After that I am really running on fumes. I may try loading a sleeping mat and bag into the SUV before I head out. The time between sound check and starting couldn't be better spent!

pasta4lnch · #6 12-05-2010, 01:09 PM

I drink these Hi-C energy thingies. Much cheaper than red bull etc. they are a powder you put in a bottle of water. 5$ for like 20 of 'em and they work great!

funny story - I developed sleep apnea a few years back. Thanks to my girlfriend, now my wife, who is a nurse I caught it quick - but I was falling asleep in weird places . . . even during a gig. I woke up to the guitar player poking me in the chest screaming "hey, what the hell are you doing???"

Will Kelly · #7 12-05-2010, 01:14 PM

This is why the Good Lord invented blow.

Just kidding!!

Try taking short naps, long ones tend to make me feel more tired.

I also guzzle coffee, and sometimes will exercise for twenty minutes or so a couple of hours before the gig to get my heart rate up.

I think the biggest help is to actually practice staying up late a couple nights a week if you can and just get your body used to that rythym. I know that can be hard to do.

I avoid energy drinks like Red Bull. They are probably as bad or worse for your cardiovascular system than hard drugs.

pasta4lnch · #8 12-05-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will Kelly

I avoid energy drinks like Red Bull. They are probably as bad or worse for your cardiovascular system than hard drugs.

though I do agree w/ this. I do use them but not often. that 20 pack I mentioned in my post will last me several months ... and in return if I need them they work! I know people who can drink a red bull and go to sleep. not me - half of one and i'm as obnoxious as a drunken teenage girl . . .

I was told if you are going to nap to do it less than 2 hours so your body doesnt fall into deep sleep. that more than 2 hours can be counter productive . ..

varunkapahi · #9 12-05-2010, 01:25 PM

redbull

Baron Von Vik · #10 12-05-2010, 01:30 PM

Catnaps! Then drink a bottle of water, and supplement with some caffeine if necessary.

If you're not into caffeine, Men's Health magazine stated that eating an apple works just as well to wake you up. Here's an interesting Runner's World discussion on the topic:

http://www.runnersworld.com/communit...ake-up-morning

Hope it helps.

T40Chump · #11 12-05-2010, 01:32 PM

5 Hour Energy has worked for me in the past. Use caution and follow the directions. Two of those things an hour apart is not smart as I learned on one gig.

Thunderthumbs73 · #12 12-05-2010, 01:37 PM

The first gig out, you're going to be so excited, and have adrenaline, so I wouldn't worry about stimulants at this point. Maybe carry a drink in a gig bag if you feel you need to, and open it if/as needed. Even just drinking soda, juice or water will be helpful. Some may feel the need for more stimulants (see above). Start easy. Ramp up as necessary.

BlacksHole · #13 12-06-2010, 07:55 AM

I like the small 5 hour energy drinks.

Rickett Customs · #14 12-06-2010, 07:57 AM

Just don't take it too late, or you'll be staring at the ceiling @ 4am. Take before the first set.

Phalex · #15 12-06-2010, 08:03 AM

I actually seem to play better when I'm wiped out. I just close my eyes and groove.

NS2A · #16 12-06-2010, 08:11 AM

You could also try vitamins. I took an E that has I think 3333% of your daily allowance and some sort of vitamin B that makes you pee bright yellow. Worked great.

I also used them last summer on a few long distance hikes with great success.

Obviously, I don't take them everyday as I'd think they'd be hard on your system.

Burlington · #17 12-06-2010, 08:11 AM

2 Long Islands, keeps me up on the weeknights. I'm up at 5am for work on weekdays, and playing late is hard!

Ric5 · #18 12-06-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilberthenry

I have recently started playing out again after a 15 year hiatus to be a family man. I am looking for some advice about staying focused and alert during gigss when I am really tired. I get up at 5:30 AM during weekdays for work and am usually in bed before my band starts playing our first set. Any tips on how to stay sharp during these bar gigs would be helpful. My playing is much better (and I have a better time) at practices which end before 9:00 PM. I have tried coffee and not having any beers with no discernable difference.

Young people are generally night owls ... They stay up late a lot. It starts with teenagers and usually lasts into their 30s. But as people get to be 40 or 50 or 60 physiological changes and most people get to bed earlier and get up earlier. This is normal and healthy.

How do you get more energy for the weekend gigs. Well the cheap fix of sugar and caffine isn't working. So perhaps your other choices are get more sleep or eat a better diet. Get more fruit and vegetables, less fried foods. Drink plenty of good water.

Try taking a walk around the block between sets to wake yourself.

Fun Size Nick · #19 12-07-2010, 01:40 AM

I'll echo the comments on napping. I often find that fruit juice and some light food does wonders too. Nothing too heavy or that'll put you to sleep

change-jug · #20 12-08-2010, 04:31 PM

I`ve got the same problem. I get up Monday thru Friday at either 4:30am or if I`m lucky 5:15am. I`m out of work at 2pm then off to practice around 4-5pm. Practice is over by 9 and I get home anywhere from 9:30 to 11:30. It`s hard for me to be 100% every time. I used to be a night owl but since getting my current job I`m in bed no later than 10:30 most nights. I feel like a old man with how tired I get by 7pm. I`m not even 30 yet. I find what works some what well is a light or healthy dinner and 1(some times 2) 5 hour energy drink before practice. And not more that 2 beers during practice.
I`ve never been too tired for a show. Nervous energy and general excitement do the trick!