Fingers go to jelly when playing live!

[dllive]

Hi guys

I seem to have developed a very odd issue. Ive been playing live for years with no issue. But over the past year - whenever I play live - my fingers go to jelly! Its as if I have no fine-control over them; and I have to play the remaining songs using pretty much just root notes!

I think its a mental thing. I did an open mic a few weeks ago. There was only 5 people in the crowd, but I was playing with people Id never met before. My fingers just lost control! We were only playing 12 bar blues!

So I think its subconscious stress/anxiety. Ive also caused a feedback loop, because Im expecting it to happen each gig, therefore it happens. Im acutely mindful of it and can feel when it comes on. Im not consciously anxious, so it must be a subconscious thing.

Im not sure what Im asking. I suppose Im wondering if anyone else has experienced similar? And if they have how have they dealt with it?

As I say, I dont think its a physical issue (carpal tunnel, RSI etc).

Cheers

 

[bholder]

 

[Marko 1]

Obviously you've thought about this... have you come up with any ideas on what might be the problem?

Fine to share and discuss here, I'd likely do the same,

but this sounds like something to also share with a psychologist or psychiatrist who knows what questions to ask.

 

[AGCurry]

Does indeed sound like a mental issue. Performance anxiety, much like an athlete's fear of failure in performing a move... or perhaps another body part "turning to jelly" due to nervousness.

If it were a specific riff or difficult passage, I would suggest intense practice of that piece, but it sounds like the performance anxiety is more general than specific. You might want to see a mental-health practitioner to a) identify the root causes of your issue, and b) possibly get some chemical help.

 

[SteveCS]

...
So I think its subconscious stress/anxiety.
...

...
but it sounds like the performance anxiety is more general than specific.
...

It is as common and as natural as muck, and to some degree is what drives the performance 'buzz' that we all crave. I went through a period of 'hanging up', and pretty much everyone else I know has suffered to some degree or other at some point in life. True elimination is nigh-on impossible, but you can learn to channel the energy and direct it in positive ways. At a fraction of the cost of 30 minutes 'on the couch' I would first take a look at these two:

 

[Matt Dean]

If you have health insurance, I would discuss this with your doctor, who can refer to either PT for treatment or further diagnostic work.

 

[thetaxmiser]

You mention "the remaining songs". Sounds like your good at the start but then develop issues? Does it happen when you practice? Is your practice time as long as a set?

 

[mambo4]

As I say, I dont think its a physical issue (carpal tunnel, RSI etc).

Hmm ... did you ask yourself: what if it's NOT mental?
what of some combination of stress hormones and some undiagnosed pathology ?
wouldn't you want to know?

 

[jimmydean]

It sounds like your bending your wrist too much or where/how you position your plucking hand and shoulder . I can't play a Warwick Thumb without issues with my plucking hand . It sounds like something physical and not mental nerves .

 

[FullumMusic]

You say this happens when you "play live."
Is it safe to assume this means "play live with other musicians in front of some sort of audience?"
And is it safe to deduce from the fact that you specify "it happens when i play live," that it doesn't happen when you play at home without the audience?

Obviously most of us aren't doctors, and none of us are probably YOU'RE doctor, but the answers to these things would help troubleshooting what it could possibly maybe be, and if it is just a form of The Yips, how to break the mental cycle. But also, even if it is mental, maybe worth seeing a doctor about it anyway if it's new, because maybe it's a sign of something else being off, or finding a mental health care professional to discuss actual ways to deal with it, not suggestions from random schmos like me on TB.

 

[smurfco]

Yips - Wikipedia

 

[Spectre Gunner]

You care too much about what people think of you. If you adopt an "I don't give a rat's a**" attitude while on stage you will be fine.

This is a skill we old curmudgeons have developed over the years. Try it, it's very freeing.

 

[JRA]

over the past year - whenever I play live - my fingers go to jelly! Its as if I have no fine-control over them; and I have to play the remaining songs using pretty much just root notes!

does it happen at home when you're practicing/noodling for any length of time?

 

[SteveCS]

If you adopt an "I don't give a rat's a**" attitude when on stage you will be fine.

Which is what a good many of the 'coping strategies' eventually boil down to

 

[DaveParker39]

I would first rule out medical variables. An orthopedic/medical etiology sounds unlikely, but it is still reasonable to check on non-psychiatric medical causes.
Assuming non-psychiatric medical causes are ruled out, you would likely have a few options... one is to simply keep doing it which has a similar effect to exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy and/or exposure/response prevention for performance anxiety would likely be options. There are some medication options depending on the etiology of the anxiety and ruling out any contraindications, that would also be a conversation with your doctor.
My hunch is that, if there is no non-psychiatric issue, with the right support it will improve with more attempts, particularly if you allow yourself to mess up, or even PLAN to mess up. If the worst fear is messing up and you make it come true, it loses it's purchase.
Worth talking to a professional to help pick the right course of action.

 

[StyleOverShow]

My violinist gf used to take this to get over similar symptoms

Propranolol treats the physical symptoms of anxiety – for example, it stops your heart beating too fast. You'll usually only take propranolol for a short time. The physical symptoms of anxiety are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain

 

[fhm555]

I know someone who has occasional anxiety attacks making her legs shaky and weak. She has to sit down to avoid falling down if it goes more than a minute or so.

 

[dllive]

Sorry for late reply, Ive been away.

Its very odd.

I started practising at home standing up (rather than sitting down which is whaat I would normally do). Ive also adjusted the strap so the guitar sits a bit higher. Not uncomfrtably high, and certainly not too low!

Its definately a 'mental thing' Im sure. It doesnt happen when Im on my own or when Im playing with people I feel comfortable playing with.

Its very odd that I played for years without this issue. Sometimes I used to consciously be anxious! But these days it seems to have reversed: Im not consciously anxious at all, although probably subconsciously I am!

"Yips" is interesting. Ill look into this further. "yips are a sudden and unexplained loss of ability to execute certain skills in experienced athletes. Symptoms of the yips are losing fine motor skills and psychological issues that impact on the muscle memory ". That ecrtainly applies to what I experience.

"Expsore therapy" and "plan to fail" are interesting suggestions too. I will try these.

Funnily enough I took Propranolol a few years ago and had to come off them as they gave me panic attacks!! The complete opposite to what theyre meant to do!

Thanks all for your suggestions!