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Drinking hindering your playing,..

#21
Mojo-Man said:
:cool:

If you HAVE to drink to do anything, you have a problem.
The key word there is have to.
Don't kid yourself.
If your trying to learn something, drinking is not a good idea.
My rule is if I'm playing a payed gig, I do no drink while working.
A beer, after a gig is O K. TJM
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Yep - It's a bad crutch.

The band I'm currently in plays ultra-technical songs...and drinking more than 1 beer per hour isn't a wise idea. It's critical to have full control of motor skills and quick thinking.

A drunken groove is no groove at all!

But like I said before, your body weight makes difference...I'm 6'1" 230lbs. and drinking a 5% alcohol beer won't impair me whatsoever. I'd have to drink at least 2 per hour before I feel anything. And, my German genetics give me a high tolerance.

The flip side is I play far better while sober...so I lean toward no alcohol or very little during gigs. Besides, I'm too busy having fun playing to be gulping down a beer.

The general answer is...don't do it when you're working!
It has destroyed the careers of countless musicians.
 
#22
you know, that's a really good point. i have so dayum much fun when i'm playing that drinking or getting high wouldn't enhance that for me.

i drank a bit, i've smoked my share of weed, and i perhaps did my share and somebody else's share of acid and mushrooms when i was younger. i'm a boring, non-drinking, no-drugs guy now, but i understand it being fun to get high or a little tipsy in the right situations. but you are correct sir. while playing, at least for me, is not at all the right situation since it can't make it any better. it's already a near perfect experience.
 
#23
C.Linton said:
Somewhat related - Big Band drummer Gene Krupa used to tell a story about how when him and his musicain buddies would rehearse they would smoke some reefer,and when they played they had a great time and thought they were playing some incredible music. Only once when someone had recorded and played back one of these stoner sessions that they all thought was some of the most incredible music they ever played, did they realize the reefer was fooling them and the music they thought was so great was actually utter crap. Being high while playing, (unless maybe you're just having a private jam session for fun), is not a great idea.
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The thing about that is, sometimes that music is perfect for other stoners. Not saying smoking makes you a better player, but it can make you open up your mind and think a little bit more creatively if done responsibly.
 
#24
behndy said:
you know, that's a really good point. i have so dayum much fun when i'm playing that drinking or getting high wouldn't enhance that for me.

i drank a bit, i've smoked my share of weed, and i perhaps did my share and somebody else's share of acid and mushrooms when i was younger. i'm a boring, non-drinking, no-drugs guy now, but i understand it being fun to get high or a little tipsy in the right situations. but you are correct sir. while playing, at least for me, is not at all the right situation since it can't make it any better. it's already a near perfect experience.
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Amen brutha - more fun than we should be allowed to have!
I used to do all sorts of illegal substances when I was younger, but now I can't touch drugs...weirds me out...and it's definitely better this way.

Nothing compares to having full control of that grey, organic supercomputer in my head...and being able to play anything I want.

ripman3 said:
The thing about that is, sometimes that music is perfect for other stoners. Not saying smoking makes you a better player, but it can make you open up your mind and think a little bit more creatively if done responsibly.
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It's true that many popular musicians have used drugs as inspirational aids. Many of them met tragic ends, while others struggle with lifelong addictions and mental disorders, both diagnosed and undiagnosed. In my opinion, it's not worth it. You have an incredibly complex mind capable of untapped creativity. Drugs are a crutch.

Besides, the original poster said he is fed up with consuming alcohol and ruining his progress. He has taken the first step...he recognizes the destructive power of substance abuse...and values his bass playing more. I think we should encourage him to practice while completely sober, and he will come back to TB with a success story...just wait.
 
#25
I rarely drink and play. It does hinder me, especially when I play really technical stuff. I can tolerate about 2-3 beers and still maintain a groove but anything past that, I start to loosen up a bit too much. I did surprise myself this past NYE though. I drank two 22 oz. bottles of Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, which is 8.8% ABV. I think, and still maintained my groove throughout the gig. Then I started drinking the limoncello and that was it. I lost all hope of any groove. Good thing we were done with the gig and just jamming then. I wouldn't get that drunk if I had a gig to play.
 
#26
subexpression said:
Amen brutha - more fun than we should be allowed to have!
I used to do all sorts of illegal substances when I was younger, but now I can't touch drugs...weirds me out...and it's definitely better this way.
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yeah. 'SPECIALLY hallucinogenics. seems like after a certain ages all the responsibilities and bills and such do NOT bode well for a trip. glad i experienced a lot of things i might not have otherwise, glad i did it responsibly enough that it was just fun and nothing more serious.

subexpression said:
Nothing compares to having full control of that grey, organic supercomputer in my head...and being able to play anything I want.
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woof. you're telling me. i'm not that good, so playing what i want takes up enough concentration and mental faculty. don't need or want something getting in the way of that. and for me, drugs/drink would.
 
#27
I jam with a few people who simply wont play without smoking...err...herbal libations first. I like the herbal cigarettes as much as the next guy but the truth is, I play terrible under the influence. It might be because I'm not terribly good to start but I wont partake until after. I have wondered how much better they would be and then realize if they were that much better, I wouldn't be able to keep up. If they realized I cant play country at all that might be the end of me as the bass player, the keyboard player already plays bass too, mostly just country. So I guess the drugs actually help make me a better player? :hmm:
 
#29
Even relatively small amounts of alcohol start to affect your hearing, then your co-ordination starts to waver.

I limit myself to three pints of 'normal' bitter (4.0% or less) over the course of the gig, one while setting up & hanging around, number two for the first set and a bit of the interval, and the third for set two & teardown. Depending on time (we often have an 11pm curfew in the UK) I might 'treat' myself to a fourth, but it's a rare event.

I did an open mic night once after four pints, & could feel that I was hanging on by my fingernails. Playing whilst ****-faced is not an option.

Treat your serious practice time at home & in rehearsal space as you would a gig, upright & sober. You wouldn't turn up to your day job bladdered, would you?
 
#31
Alcohol can affect people in different ways and it also has a different affect on musicians. There are people out there, like me, who after about 4-5 beers (in the space of maybe a couple hours) can't play a note, let alone in time with the band. I don't drink anymore but if I play a gig, I might have one or two after we finish. I played in a band with a drummer who thought he was a fish. He would finish a six pack of beer in an hour and a half at rehearsals and would get so tired through the songs, he would stop to get his breath back. Never stopped playing live, but I remember at live shows he would go out of time, be breathing heavily and draw out the gap between songs as much as possible. So that kind of drinking, I do not condone.

However, there are a few musicians out there who have a few beers, kinda loosen up a bit and rip out some amazing stuff. One guy I used to play in a band with would always have a few beers when recording his guitar solos. The difference between what he played when he was sober to that 2-3 beer mark was amazing. But, if he drank his way through a six pack or more like the drummer I played with did, then I am sure the quality of his musicianship would have suffered.

If you don't mind having a beer or 3 at practice or at a gig and it doesn't affect your motor skills, then go for it. If it does, then don't drink.

As far as a possible under-lying drinking problem, my suggestion to you if you want to stop drinking but don't want to go to the AA meetings, try working in the industry. Before I started working in bars and pubs, I used to love going out on the weekends and getting annihilated. Now I am 22, run a pub with my fiance and don't drink unless on special occasions. While it does kinda take away your weekends, you have fun at work if you work in a busy bar and you can still flirt with the girls - and from my experience, because you are not a blithering mess, your success ratio will be much higher. Girls seem to love the guy who gets them drunk. But if you have a girlfriend/wife/fiance, doing that will put you very far up sh*t creek with no paddle or canoe lol. Luckily, my partner is open minded ;)

Just my .02

Cheers,
Jordan
 
#32
I once learned a song on bass while high after smoking a joint once. I am not a pot smoker-just every every so often-like once every so many years.
The first time I played bass with the band, I had a buzz and another time I played I was so drunk, I couldn't remember playing! But was told I played flawlessly.
It's like my body sobers for it then goes back into drunkeness after, lol..
but I told my bf time and time again, IF he sees me drunk DO NOT call me up on the stage. Half of them are like on weed or drinking. my bf doesn't drink at all period-at work or off work- nor do drugs and one other of the band members doesn't, but I know at some others do. They used to it, but me, being the "beginner", I want to remain "professional" about it and not be too drunk and acting stupid. I may of played flawlessly before, but who knows. When I mess up, I am very hard on myself. And there are ppl who picks on the drunks esp if they mess up. If I screw up, I want to be sober.
 
#33
When I was in school, I often drank while playing, but never more than a few beers, and that was fine. Fast forward to one of my first gigs after about nine years off, when I started drinking a pint on stage. I barely drank at all generally, and about half way through the pint, I noticed my timing had taken a serious turn for the worse. I switched basses to "reboot," and the rest of the gig was fine, but I've never consumed alcohol during practice or gigs since then, and I don't plan to. I might have a couple to come down after a set, but that's about it.

The other guys in my band -- ages mid-30's to about 50 -- drink heavily during practice, and I don't understand how they manage. Thankfully they don't do this on stage.
 
#34
DONZI97 said:
When I practice at home, I usually don't drink, maybe once in a while i'll have a beer, most of the time i will have a good cup of tea. But band rehearsal, i will 2-4 beers in a 3 hour time, i feel a couple beers relaxes me, but anything after 5 i'm a yard sale and start making mistakes. Moderation and knowing your limits is the key.
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this^
 
#35
Nedmundo said:
When I was in school, I often drank while playing, but never more than a few beers, and that was fine. Fast forward to one of my first gigs after about nine years off, when I started drinking a pint on stage. I barely drank at all generally, and about half way through the pint, I noticed my timing had taken a serious turn for the worse. I switched basses to "reboot," and the rest of the gig was fine, but I've never consumed alcohol during practice or gigs since then, and I don't plan to. I might have a couple to come down after a set, but that's about it.
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Yep, things change when we grow older. Our bodies can't metabolize alcohol (or any foreign substance) as easily.

My current band plays one gigantic set...3 hours long. So, this keeps me from drinking between "sets" like I used to in previous bands. So, I take a few slugs on my beer between songs just for thirst, but I never lose sobriety or motor control when playing live.
Nedmundo said:
The other guys in my band -- ages mid-30's to about 50 -- drink heavily during practice, and I don't understand how they manage. Thankfully they don't do this on stage.
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That's good they don't do it live. I think the reasons why some people have higher tolerances are manifold: age, race, food consumption, body weight, build, body fat, metabolism (active/lethargic). Race is highly significant. My stepmother is Chinese and it's no secret that she, her family, and all her friends have very low tolerance for alcohol. Halfway through a glass of wine and she starts flushing red, getting giggly, etc.
I'm primarily of German & Irish decent and have a pretty high tolerance...yet I'm 1/8 Native American, so I'm not as resilient as I would like to think.

All in all, personal practice time should be sober...it's when your brain is building neural pathways...alcohol impairs this process and you'll spin your wheels.
Live performance should be sober.
Rehearsal for me is when I like to "let my hair down" - it's just one of my weaknesses I guess. I probably shouldn't drink anything during rehearsal either...but I do. Of course, we're always learning...so when playing at any time, we should regard it as a brain-building exercise and forgo the drinks.
 
#36
I have 1-3 beers before, and then however late we stay after. By the end of the set though I've sweated it all out, so it's no biggie. I haven't muffed up a song or gig b/c of being too drunk in a long time, and even then it was a NYE show so the audience was pretty tanked too, which doesn't excuse but eh. We still got asked back... :o
 
#39
If you're going to have a few then bottles and cans* are best, because you're limited to small sips.
Drinking from a glass or stein isn't advisable, because you can take large gulps.

(*Canned beer is gross though. Even though they're supposed to be lined with some sort of plastic coating, I never could get past the metallic flavor from the top & rim.)
 

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