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Double Bass Bananas?

N

nfblackburn13

Jun 28, 2008
81
0
Cincinnati, Ohio
#1
I auditioned for my youth orch. this week and i am usually decent auditions
i do good but i am always extremely nervous and to the point were i get worked up and think i did horrible
anyways i heard bananas help relax you because of a chemical
is this true or BS?
if it isn't is there any other methods you could share?
thanks!
 
#2
To an exent, yes. But what really works for me is breathing. I inhale strongly through my nose and exhale through my mouh about six or seven times and that usualy settles me into a relaxed state. Also, being well prepared always helps.
 
#3
Relying on bananas - or beta blockers, alcohol, pot etc - to get your music out succesfully are short-term solutions that should really be handled by musicianship.

Look into yourself and ask yourself exactly why you are nervous doing something you love. Identify those things that cause you trouble, isolate them and solve them through intelligent practice, so that when you walk out to play you will be confident and fear and nervousness will not be detract from your hard-earned skills. Like you said, being well prepared always helps.
 
#7
I play with a great alto player who really likes bananas before she plays, we had a short tour of Slovenia a few years ago, and the promoter in Lubajanna was calling around before the concert trying to find them - I think it was a Sunday. I made a joke about it being like the old jazz guys who needed their heroin, and he said, "heroin would be easier to get right now."
That story aside, I wouldn't go as far as comparing them to alcohol. I think it is just fine to have one before an important playing situation of any kind.

Supposedly, they are good to have before a date, but I have not been single since getting that information.
 
#12
I am getting ready for an audition, and, yes, because I had a banana before a previous successful audition, I am making this part of my preparation, as well as deep breathing, relaxation CDs, etc., visualizing a positive outcome, etc. All of these will be helpful on the day of the audition, but, even after reading many of the books on performance anxiety and trying the exercises, I just do not think there is anything more helpful than really learning the material and being prepared. Lack of preparation = anxiety for me

A question I am asking myself is.. am I practicing effectively. Of all the books I have read on the topic of performance anxiety, and they all had something to offer, the one that stands out is a book about the topic of practicing called "Practicing for Artistic Success, The Musicians' Guide to Sel-Empowerment" by Burton Kaplan. This book is amazing and has helped me to practice more effectivity, challenge my thinking, and much, much more. I have really only skimmed the surface so far. He identifies many of the problems with stage fright to inconsistency or inadequacy in the practice process.

My goal for my audition is to do everything possible to enhance my mental and physical health on the day of the audition. There will be a banana and deep breathing, but I also want to be walking in there knowing that I am prepared and really know the material.
 
#13
nfblackburn13 said:
I auditioned for my youth orch. this week and i am usually decent auditions
i do good but i am always extremely nervous and to the point were i get worked up and think i did horrible
anyways i heard bananas help relax you because of a chemical
is this true or BS?
if it isn't is there any other methods you could share?
thanks!
Click to expand...

Bananas help a little.

Other methods to help....
First, before trying anything else to help nerves, one has to stop thinking that the audition could have gone better if only the nerves didn't get in the way. Of course it could have gone better without the nerves getting one worked up. That's what makes auditions so difficult. Too often, nerves are used as an excuse for disappointing playing. All the Inner Game voodoo, bananas, and beta blockers won't help 'til ya get past this hurdle.
 
#14
thanks for all these responses
if you were wondering i got assistant principal
but i am second to a great senior who is planning to major in music and as a sophomore i am proud of how i did
but i played dragonetti as a solo and i botched it just because i forgot everything i practiced for
and i practiced dragonetti alone 2-3 hours a day for 1 1/2 solid months
but thanks!
 
#15
Congratulations on Assistant Principal!

One thing I wanted to add is something my instructor has often mentioned to me... sometimes we are the worst judge of our playing in situations like this, even at lessons. One reason is that we do not hear how it sounds out there and pick up on a lot of stuff, being close to the bass, that no one will hear out there. Also, I think in a state of anxiety we tend to misjudge a little how we did. Maybe all you remembered was botching that section. Maybe the panel heard more all the good things you did.

My instructor has proven this to me by asking me to give my own feedback on a piece, which is often negative. Then he gives his feedback, and when I go back to listen to the lesson recording, he is correct in his feedback. Mine was just a little skewed. Recordings do not lie.
 

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