Wow, I think I've seen "the zone" :D

[makkE]

So, a couple of weeks back I did a thread about how to let go and not get caught up in thoughts so much, since my drummer is a bit shaky on his timing still, and that used to get me worried so much it would throw my own playing off.
We had this concert coming up, and I practiced my lines extensively, so I'd be able to be confident and relax.
At this point, I would like to give a general thank you to all who gave me tips and to everyone on this forum generally for sharing all their wisdom.

The concert worked really well I got to a point where I could just be cool and enjoy the music, I was dancing and having a good time, smiling at the audience, felt really good, I was able to put the emotion into the songs that I felt strong about.

One or two small glitches, but they didn't throw me (or anyone else) off. The drummer rushed a little sometimes, but instead of worrying, I just adapted and kept cool.

The best thing that happened was after our 2 sets, when we started jamming - it was a rather casual bbq/garden party.

I started jamming with my drummer, and I got into an incedible state - my playing just magically happened - I was so much into it, nothing went wrong - I just enjoyed the music. I made up cool grooves and lines on the spot, watching myself do them, without any nervousness or fear - and it worked out great.

People started dancing to just my basslines. One guy started dancing like mad, and I felt as if I could control his dance with changing the groove - it was awesome - my drummer felt like that too, and we tried to whip the guy into a frenzy as much as we could.

Wow, that was a great feeling. I wasn't bothered with the audience at all. The music just dripped from my fingers, and I was not really struggling to play at all - I just listened to the music as it happened, surprised of what came out of me.

It was a rather casual settings, so people walked around on stage, and sometimes I would look at them and talk to them - with my bass

Uhm yep - so a long rant short - I had a great time, and I felt like I was really making some music for the first time. I think I understand a little better now.

[kb9wyz]

Awesome story. Thanks for sharing, man.

[monkeyking]

Well, now you're a junky. You've touched the gold ring and now you have to keep going back. Good for you. I've known guys who never got there after a long time of playing.

You'll find (at least I did) that it ebbs and flows. Sometimes it's easy to get there night after night, sometimes it's a rock wall that is agonizing to climb. It has tons to do with the plateaus of learning, technique, and a lot to do with your own emotional life.

I tend to think of the zone like a guy on a hitting streak. For a month or two the ball looks like a grapefruit and everything hit lands where no one is. Doing that 4 times out of 10 is exceptional in baseball.

After 30 years, I'd say I spend about 7 of 10 nights comfortably grooving through the zone. Of the other 3 nights, 1 or 2 might be a good night but I'm just not really feeling it deeply. And sometimes those nights might be in the superzone where everything is magic. I don't even feel the strings on my fingers or the floor beneath my feet. I can throw my hand at the neck and play anything that pops into my head. Pulling the rushing drummer back into line is effortless. That's a nice place to be.

So now you've gotten a taste of the good life. Pat yourself on the back because the hard work made it happen. It won't always be there, but don't let that get you down. Just keep working and you'll get back there soon enough. And remember, your band mates are a part of the equation so always be grateful for them as well. Sounds like you're on the right track. Well done!

(I think my dad got shot in the butt in your town 60 odd years back.)

[Saxn]

Man there's nothing like it is there? Magic is the only way I can adequately describe it as well... I have had nights where everything disappears - the room kind of shrinks up around you until you, the band, are the music are the only things in existence for that little bit of time. Thoughts come into your head and then immediately leave through your fingers... and the thoughts are AWESOME!!

Yeah, it's happened. Too, too few times though. Enough that I will keep on doing my thing over and over again trying to make it happen again.

Man, looking at the explanation I gave there it just doesn't do the experience justice, but it's the best i have right now. OP, that's what I'd call a good night! Awesome story.

[matt descending]

Been there a couple of times. Couldn't take the smile off my face for the rest of the night.

[rtslinger]

It takes time but with practice you can get there every time you play I "Zone" nearly every show I love playing and the drummer and I are tight so it is magic every show. Oddly I do not smile, not sure why that is? I normally close my eyes and lean back and enjoy the ride.

[runmikeyrun]

I love that feeling... you're not even conscious that you're playing, you just have this feeling that you're one with the music and it's just flowing out of every pore in your body. Your brain kind of goes into a meditative state where you're aware of the music but not that you're playing it. It's hard to describe. When I scream I close my eyes, so for about half the show i'm kinda in my own little world, hands and voice automatically just doing their thing and my body is just along for the ride. You're not thinking about work, or your divorce, or anything else. Just in the zone

[pandaman37]

hehehe best feeling ever. congrats man

[bassbrad]

Those are the moments I play for.

[bluesy_92]

It happened to me once. I'm not a great player by any means, but when it happened, I was playing Dani California. I kicked that songs ass to Mars and back. And I've never played that song so perfectly since :-(

Strangely, I was just about zombified from lack of sleep at the time. I think the total lack of ability to think stopped me from being mentally distracted or nervous, and let me just...play. Incredibly. It was like it was just me, my bass, and the music, all in perfect harmony.

[Old Fart]

Sounds like you smoked some good weed.

I'm kidding. Seriously, I'm very glad you had this experience. These are the moments we are looking for. It's not the obscene money, though of course we know that musicians make money by the shovels full. And it's not the cute, young, busty hardbodys that throw themselves at our feet though they are a blessing. We play music for those magic moments when we "connect with," or "plug into" the rest of the band, the audience and the whole of the Universe. We are somewhat swept away into this "zone" as you put it and it's best to close your eyes and just relax to ensure it does not end abruptly.

The worst gigs I have ever played were when the band was playing poorly and people seemed to eat it up. But then there are those "zone" moments. That's what we work so hard for.

[P. Aaron]

Rock 'n' Roll happens when you're supposed to be playing music. The zone is a strange thing.

We work to be recognized as musicians or as an act. The work mostly pays off in good or competent shows, when a band is on the same page regarding level of commitment.

Once in a while, everything goes out the window but, something magical replaces it. Even great bands try to find this very thing...often falling back on simple great material.

Which ain't so bad either.