Marijuana and Bass

[antwon deserter]

I'm not really sure what category this should be in, but I was wondering everyone's opinions on smoking marijuana and playing bass. I don't want this to turn into a gigantic argument.

Personally, I think a few hits before a jam session makes things flow better and helps you with creative bass lines and fills.

[Von Felgenhauer]

I smoke like there are cigs. It keeps me calm and mellow. Where as it makes my drummer and singer paranoid. Everyone is different

[miner]

Anything you put in you that messes you up is gonna mess you up. You may not notice and you may think you sound better, but it is probably that you don't notice your playing as much.

[Ric5]

It is a great way to make yourself stupider. It ruins your creativity. And for someone like me who gets urine tested at work it would destroy a good career.

Drugs and alcohol do not increase creativity. Substance abuse is a dead end. It shortens your life and destroys your health.

The music only seems better because your judgement is compromised. In reality is gets sloppier.

[pacojas]

Originally Posted by antwon deserter

I'm not really sure what category this should be in, but I was wondering everyone's opinions on smoking marijuana and playing bass. I don't want this to turn into a gigantic argument.

Personally, I think a few hits before a jam session makes things flow better and helps you with creative bass lines and fills.

[jdthebassman]

jacos dad said once there are people that can hang and people that cant hang. it should be legal.

[Von Felgenhauer]

Actually, Harved has done a study that proves marijuana does NOT effect you as much as nicotine or caffeine. You just are used to it like soda or cigarettes

[brndn123]

Never been a fan. My time is very valuable to me and I take my music very seriously, regardless if its a crappy gig or a quick rehearsal.

IME it just further complicates an already complex process. End result works for some, but not for most.

[unclekebm]

I've noticed if it's a "jammy" type gig, smoking enhances...
If it's a technical high profile gig where I gotta have a bunch of parts down
with choreography and such, smoking makes me sloppy

I did an experiment years ago:
recorded stoned ~
listening back high, sounded great
listening back straight, sounded like rambling, fluctuating meter

recorded straight ~
listening back high, sounded great, tight meter
listening back straight, sounded great, coherent, tight meter

conclusion:
for ideas, and free form jams ~ being high rules
for recording, arranging & tightness ~ straight

this all my experience of course - your mileage may vary

[Deathblade Eric]

IME there's a very fine line between being 'loose & creative' and 's***faced & sloppy'. One (or two) are probably OK, but the danger lies in 1) it becoming a ritual, and 2) your tolerance increasing so that 'one or two' end up being 'five or six' without you really being aware of it. Weed + Adrenaline = a Big Hit.

I tend towards being as near 100% straight when playing these days, as my short-term memory isn't what it was (something I attribute directly to too much weed).

Try a scientific experiment... record the jam twice, once straight & once stoned, see what really sounds better.

Pete.

[steamthief]

Originally Posted by Von Felgenhauer

Actually, Harved has done a study that proves marijuana does NOT effect you as much as nicotine or caffeine. You just are used to it like soda or cigarettes

Harved? Is that the IV league school?

[Mayers]

Well I don't smoke,weed or drink before playing. I think it is just a big bad idea.

My in my last band, my guitar player did smoke 2 or 3 times during 4 hours. And I really think that give him very wierd ideas musicaly ... and well I just think it isn't very pro attitude.

[SMILEYSIXX]

I'm not a smoker, but at one point, my entire band was. My drummer does a bowl and blasts like he's Neil Peart. My guitarist hits a J and shreds like a monster. If hits everyone differently, if it works, go ahead.

[j.stemmler]

Originally Posted by Ric5

It is a great way to make yourself stupider. It ruins your creativity. And for someone like me who gets urine tested at work it would destroy a good career.

Drugs and alcohol do not increase creativity. Substance abuse is a dead end. It shortens your life and destroys your health.

The music only seems better because your judgement is compromised. In reality is gets sloppier.

there is a big difference between marijuana and other drugs. also, you need to understand that everyone is different and is effected in different ways.

some people dont drink coffee often, so if they drink one before a gig they could get jittery and anxious and effect their playability. does that mean everyone who drinks coffee before a gig is going to be sloppy.

and the fact that it makes you "stupider" is an old wives tale. there are thousands of well educated people, who contribute greatly to their communities, live normal everyday lives and smoke enough pot to knock most people. it is completely unfair to associate marijuana with childish behaviour, sloppy music, and unintelligence. I can think of a few music professors that i have met in my day that were some of the most interesting people i have encountered in my life (unreal player's as well) who were very open/avid marijuana users.

so in conclusion, it may not work for you, but try to have a little bit more of an open mind. just because i like my grass does not mean that i dont work hard.

[Tylerrr51]

I did alot before practice one night with my rhythm guitarist, It was a bad idea and i felt terrible when practice was over since i screwed up so much, I save it for after I'm done playing.

[kuys]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J10w3FuCwfQ'

'Nuff said.

[Floyd Eye]

In my experience, it's great for writing and noodling at home alone. Not so good for rehearsals or gigs.

[OleJohnnyMac]

Originally Posted by antwon deserter

I don't want this to turn into a gigantic argument.

Sounds like someone's had a few puffs already.

Onstage, I prefer to be sober as a judge. Weed increases my self-consciousness to the point where I have to think about every note I fret and therefore screw up more. Booze dehydrates me and makes my carpal tunnel act up.

If I'm chilling alone on a Friday night and I pick up the bass to relax, I don't mind a little puff every now and again. However, in a practice setting, even among friends, I find people start to get demotivated and cranky once the 90 minute burnout sets in. I prefer a glass of wine or a beer on the weekend, and nothing at all if I'm getting up for work the following day.

For the record, I'm aware that marijuana is illegal and that its use entails health and legal risks. I, for one, do not advocate smoking pot, especially by minors or people with mental or physical health issues.

(BTW, is this thread even OK with the mods? It appears to be a serious discussion in good faith, but I find TB rather conservative compared to, say, the Youtube comments section.)

EDIT: That is, physical health issues other than glaucoma, chemotherapy, or some other problem for which THC is reputed to provide symptomatic relief.

[lowend219]

my thoughts

informal jam sesh w/friends: nothing better than a little herbage. its relaxing and really lets me get into the "jamming" mindset

at home in the woodshed or practice w/my band or any time i'm actually performing: save it for AFTER. I can't focus long enough when i've had a few puffs to run through my exercises and i CANNOT play my band's material in any altered state.

it just comes down to this: Know thyself! know how it effects you and take it from there.

[Hutzbordello]

have you ever played doom or stoner metal?

smoke+play doom=enjoy