First “I’m not drinking” practice...

[RedWire75]

For me... when I'm tempted to have a drink to take the edge off my anxiety over either complicated riffs or solo parts I've found to address & face the anxiety as a motivator to practice more works better. After the performance the sense of accomplishment is rewarding which reinforces the next time anxiety comes. Again, this is the method that works for me.

It could TOTALLY be anxiety driven. This band is math-y so maybe that’s an unconscious thing too.

Just to clarify, I’m not talking about being wasted while playing. Usually no more than 3 over a four hour period. Still has an impact though.

 

[JRA]

i wouldn't consider being in the same room with either a guitar player or a drummer without drinking.

 

[Gasman]

I went to sober rehearsals and performances years ago. Best decision I’ve ever made as a musician. I play better and have more fun. My whole band has the same attitude which helps greatly.

 

[Sixgunn]

I wouldn’t ever say I was getting wasted but even 2-3 beers over the course of a rehearsal can loosen things a bit too much without noticing.



Have to? No. Want to? Yes.

Maybe it was just a bad day and had nothing to do with alcohol. I’d had a pesky headache all weekend. Who knows.

But I know it was impacting my health anyway without getting into the “DUI, destroying relationships, drinking at work” level of alcoholism. But yes, I’d say I had a minor problem with alcohol.

Please don't take this as preaching, but "minor" alcohol problems generally turn into major ones and there's only one way to eliminate that risk.

 

[micguy]

But yes, I’d say I had a minor problem with alcohol.

My comment wasn't aimed squarely at you - it was more of a general shot in the direction of people who could use some perspective on the topic. I'm old enough to have had fun playing less than 100% sober in my youth, and also to have had a lot of years of hindsight perspective on the topic.

 

[Engle]

...in quite some time.

Decided last week I needed to stop drinking. Probably not a permanent situation but I need to break my routine/habit of 2-3 beers a day.

So yesterday was the first practice with water only. It was weird. Didn’t like my bass sound all afternoon and felt everything was low energy.

Drummer said it was the best I’ve played though so it’s all in my head.

Also, in discussing that I think I like the Lakland 44-64 P/J more than the 44-60 the guitar player said he didn’t know I had another bass. I had brought it last week.

GOOD FOR YOU! You'll get used to it and it will be the new normal.

 

[two fingers]

I'm in two bands.

One is all business. I drive an hour for (rare) rehearsals. Drummer might have one beer. Guitar player and I have zero.

Second band is all fun (although we are all pro players and our musical standards are high). Rehearsal is once or twice a month at my house. Food is everywhere. Guacamole, cakes, cookies, chips, salsa, and, yes, beer. I will have several during rehearsal. It's my house so I don't drive. Guitar player has several and walks home about 200 yards. Keys guy has a few and lives a mile away. Drummer and singer take turns driving to a neighboring town and the one not driving will have a few. I go to bed feeling good but not drunk.

We accomplish a great deal at every rehearsal. I usually have to clean up a MESS in the jam room the next night. But we have a blast and it's totally worth it.

None of us drink at shows.

OP, great self analysis. Hope it works out for you.

 

[CharlieMac]

I drank 60 years worth of beer in 30 years. Now they won't even sell it to me.
It's all for the better though. . .It does get better!

 

[lfmn16]

i learned long ago that alcohol makes me play sloppy...i quit drinking at rehearsals and at shows way back in the early 90's....i'm not much of a drinker anyway so it wasn't hard for me....i play so much better sober!

+1

A drummer I played with said, "There are 168 hours in a week. We're asking members to be sober 2 of those. If that's too much to ask, keep walking." Even when I was a full-time drunk I didn't drink during practices and gigs.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Today, Aug. 27, marks 34 years for me without a drink. Never thought that would have been possible back in 1984. It was the greatest decision I ever made in my life, but truth be told, it wasn't much of a decision. Was absolutely necessary - for me.

But that's not what I came here to say .

Before leaving the booze behind, I was a massive pot head as well. I couldn't imagine playing without being stoned. When I was kinda forced to quit that, I felt like you feel with the alcohol. Playing was boring. I thought I sucked. The best way I can describe it is I felt the world had gone from color, to black and white.

That feeling faded after a few months, and, well... the only success I ever had with music came post drugs and alcohol. I only thought they made me better, and today of that I'm absolutely certain.

 

[fhm555]

I quit when we started recording rehearsals. I was appalled.

Way back i started working with a guitar player/singer who would show up to rehearsals with one of those little black box cassette recorders and tape everything.
He said if you tape your rehearsals you will get better or quit. He shoulda been a carpenter, nail on the head and all that.

 

[RedWire75]

Today, Aug. 27, marks 34 years for me without a drink. Never thought that would have been possible back in 1984. It was the greatest decision I ever made in my life, but truth be told, it wasn't much of a decision. Was absolutely necessary - for me.

But that's not what I came here to say .

Before leaving the booze behind, I was a massive pot head as well. I couldn't imagine playing without being stoned. When I was kinda forced to quit that, I felt like you feel with the alcohol. Playing was boring. I thought I sucked. The best way I can describe it is I felt the world had gone from color, to black and white.

That feeling faded after a few months, and, well... the only success I ever had with music came post drugs and alcohol. I only thought they made me better, and today of that I'm absolutely certain.

That is the best description of the way I felt yesterday. I just need to get used to it.

 

[bylar13]

That is the best description of the way I felt yesterday. I just need to get used to it.

I played all through my 20's and alcohol was a vital part of rehearsal/pre-show/during-show & post-show activity. Now, I am older and want to experience every aspect of what's happening. I don't drink while playing at all anymore and really don't miss it, now that its gone.

 

[Cutter8]

My last drink was in 1993. My life has been great ever since.

Mine was in 1998 and, yes, life has been way better as a result!

 

[Sixgunn]

That is the best description of the way I felt yesterday. I just need to get used to it.

And you absolutely will get used to it if you give it time.

 

[dtripoli]

As I've said before, I don't drink on my day job, nor are we allowed to imbibe.
The band does not drink at our evening gigs(music job) and I don't engage in the recently legalized green weed before or during a show.
I'm absentminded enough as it is. It may be more fun and lively but in the middle of a song, I'll forget what part of the song we're doing or miss integral stops or changes. We are not a jam, no holds barred band. We do covers pretty darn close to the original recordings. A clear head allows me to perform them better.

 

[tradernick]

I've never subscribed to the theory of having to stop something "cold turkey."

The idea that quitting cold turkey is the only possible solution (alcohol or any drug including nicotine) isn't a theory for many people. It's the only way.

I'm assuming you meant "Quitting cold turkey has never been appropriate for me but of course it's the only way for many people".

 

[redwingxix]

Please don't take this as preaching, but "minor" alcohol problems generally turn into major ones and there's only one way to eliminate that risk.

I think that's what the OP is saying, is that he has never had an alcohol related problem despite the amount of drinking he does and that his level of consumption could go on indefinitely without any social or legal risks. At least how I took and that describes my situation. I don't drink everyday but I do drink a few times a week and sometimes it's a lot by some standards, but I also don't put myself or others in situations that would be harmed by overindulgence. In a way that might be worse than having an incident that really forces you to reevaluate your life choices because if everything is fine (by your standards) then why change? It takes a lot to realize that you need to be a better person on your own and then make it happen. Best of luck redwire, I hope you adapt quickly to your new normal. I may not be far behind. We aren't getting any younger.

 

[RichardW]

Band tradition at rehearsal is that we all take a shot of bourbon and then, over the next 3 hours, nurse a beer or two. I can honestly say this has never impaired anyone's playing.

Generally, though, my policy is sobriety is best when playing. Tried non-sobriety once when practicing at home and it was BAD.

 

[SactoBass]

Drinking alcohol is "doing drugs." Yep, alcohol is a drug. I think a lot of folks don't recognize it as such because it's in liquid form and is legal and readily available.

I don't drink. I have no desire for it. It's gross.

@RedWire75: good job getting rid of that disgusting drug from your life!