Relaxing before gig

[what the pluck]

Hey there, I have started doing some gigs with one of my bands on the upright. I have been doing gigs for many years playing BG. Last night I noticed that my right hand was really tense and unrelaxed and I was finding it difficult to keep it relaxed. I don't know if I was nervous and not in the 'zone' I did some warm ups and stretching before hand. It has happened a couple of times before.

Sure, I have a long way to go before I am fully confident and it could be s case of more experience. I practice everyday and take lessons.

Just wondering what advice people may have for pre gig procedure.

Cheers

[Marc Piane]

It's not before gig that will help. It's during. The number 1 suggestion I have is to breathe. I find we often either hold our breath or shorten breaths in times of stress. Try to do relaxation type breathing. Controlled 3 counts in through the nose 3 counts outs through the mouth. Concentrate on relaxing the tension in the right hand on the exhale. It sounds a little new age-y but it will help. Trust Swami.

[Mike Goodbar]

Also, make "relaxation" a part of your daily practice routine. If you feel yourself tensing up while practicing, stop, shake it out and try to figure out what is causing the tension to occur and address that issue before diving back into the etude or whatever headlong. After "practicing" tension and bad technique for many years, it's taking me a long time and a lot of concious effort to un-learn those habits.

[Marc Piane]

Much truth Mike speaks. Heed him you should.

[Matt Ides]

So true. I have been battling this for a while trying to make sure I relax for all playing (this has been a problem in other areas of activities as well). I tend to hold my breath during difficult passages which tenses up my upper body. Also, I know when I play more relaxed the left and right hand just sound so much better.

I have actually been contemplating going to an Alexander instructor to help me work on these things.

[BassMan4Him]

Have the drummer slap you! Haha Just Kidding!

[Marc Piane]

Originally Posted by Matt Ides

So true. I have been battling this for a while trying to make sure I relax for all playing (this has been a problem in other areas of activities as well). I tend to hold my breath during difficult passages which tenses up my upper body. Also, I know when I play more relaxed the left and right hand just sound so much better.

I have actually been contemplating going to an Alexander instructor to help me work on these things.

Any body awareness thing will help. I dig yoga. I have a buddy that swears by Tai Chi. A sax player friend of mine goes to a boxing gym. The key being self aware.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by fingers

Any body awareness thing will help. I dig yoga. I have a buddy that swears by Tai Chi. A sax player friend of mine goes to a boxing gym. The key being self aware.

Agreed. I have found that martial arts training increases awareness of physical "centeredness" in musical endeavors, and vice versa. When the core is strong and relaxed and the limbs are only extensions of it, good things happen in both spheres of activity.

[MrDOS]

I love the actual set-up of the pa and stage gear. I usually do it alone, and find it very relaxing and Zen. Before I know it, it's time to start, and I have no time to be nervous.

On bigger gigs where we have a FOH guy and house PA, I actually get more nervous with all the time waiting for the gig to start.

[Marc Piane]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

. When the core is strong and relaxed and the limbs are only extensions of it, good things happen in both spheres of activity.

Absolutely. I think core strength is key, to health in general really. Posture, and your ability to put your body into the attack of the notes rather than depending on you arm and hand to so do all the work is all core. In exercise we spend too much time working on our arms, chest, and legs IMO. Those are the things we can SEE get buff and the chicks dig it so there is positive reinforcement but the core often gets forgotten. Even just doing a few reps of sit-ups is pretty minimal. Yoga is all about core strength and I thought I was pretty fit but was sore, sore, sore after my first few classes.

[Matt Ides]

I learned these things after marathon training (repeated injuries) and really got to a great point with relaxing the body. I need to just better apply the principles to my playing as well.

Plus, winter is always the worst part of the year in regards to trying to stay loose.

[TroyK]

Agree with everything above and I've done or tried most of those things and a few others. Alexander Technique is worth checking out, by the way, since you're interested. Don Higdon could help you find a good teacher in your area if you asked nicely.

I also have decided that I'm a method-actor of sorts. By that I mean that I really consider what to listen to the day of an on the way to a gig. Depending on the gig, I give some thought to who's spirit I want to be in touch with that night and make sure that that's what I hear between whenever and then. And I try not to hear things that go against that grain. We talk a lot about transcribing, I don't remember this coming up before.

It might be Leroy Vinegar one night, Ron Carter another, Butch Warren or Sam Jones if it's that kind of gig, etc. It might even be Sarah Vaughan, Gil Scott Heron or Louis Jordan just whatever is going to put me in the right frame of mind. I don't listen to copp stuff from them, just feel that way going in.

If guys in the band are bickering or there's a dispute with the venue (and I'm not responsible) I try to walk away so that it doesn't break me out of that which I have gotten myself into.

Just a trick that works for me.

[Mike Goodbar]

This may sound kinda kooky/weird/pseudo-metaphysical, but I find that when I'm playing at my most relaxed is when I feel like I'm "outside my body" and just kind of observing myself from an objective standpoint.

I think we've all felt that kind of "detached" feeling at some point, and while I don't know how to intentionally invoke it, I always find myself playing better when I'm in that place mentally and, to a point, physically.

[tZer]

Drink water - keep hydrated. Possibly add a banana or two to your diet to keep your potassium levels where they should be. Don't over do the banana thing, though - that can result is a stoppage of sorts.

Proper stretching is very helpful too. Put your hands together like you are praying and while keeping your palms together, point your fingertips toward your chest and push the heals of your hands away from you gently. Gently bend each finger back, then all fingers. Stick your elbow in the air and pull it with your other hand to stretch your arms and shoulders. Shake 'em out to get that blood flowing.

Open and close your fists over your head - start slowly and gradually increase speed.

As others have said, breathing (especially the TM style in through the nose, out through the mouth + visualization).

[Marc Piane]

Originally Posted by Mike Goodbar

This may sound kinda kooky/weird/pseudo-metaphysical, but I find that when I'm playing at my most relaxed is when I feel like I'm "outside my body" and just kind of observing myself from an objective standpoint.

I think we've all felt that kind of "detached" feeling at some point, and while I don't know how to intentionally invoke it, I always find myself playing better when I'm in that place mentally and, to a point, physically.

Totally. I find I'm at my best when I can listen to myself the least. Better yet hear the band as a whole. I hear peyote can help Sr Casteneda.

[Damon Rondeau]

I guess this wouldn't be a good time to mention that, in the dim dark past, my preferred method of "loosening up" was a quick ounce of scotch whisky before hitting it.

No? Didn't think so. Didn't really work anyway...

[tZer]

It also helps if to know your music inside and out, be well-practiced and well-rehearsed and not have other stress tugging at your head.

Trying to wish away real stress is a huge challenge and a lot of the relaxation techniques mentioned can help. But nothing takes the place of being in a pretty good space to start with and only having to make sure you have a sip of H2O (or Scotch) and a little stretching before a gig.

That comes down to lifestyle in general. Try not to procrastinate, practice regularly, eat well, get plenty of sleep and all that jazz. But if you cannot lead a perfectly stress-free life (and who can) breathe, hydrate, stretch and use visualization to focus the mind and you should be OK.

[57pbass]

Relaxation before the gig techniques...

Set up
Tune Up
Get set list or first few tunes from leader

Drink 1 shot Jamersons Irish Whiskey
Drink 1 Pint Guiness

Play.

It works....really....

[bassist14]

some good posts about breathing here:
Having trouble breathing.

[TroyK]

I was waiting for someone else to bring up chemical help. Without judgment, I will say, don't play how you don't practice.

Some people prefer to play with a little help. I'll leave that decision up to you, but I would not consider it unless you practice with a little help too.