Playing while high?

Uhhh... horrible... but your mileage may vary depending upon the complexity of the music and the amount/potency of substances imbibed (plus your level of tolerance.

I doubt that anyone ever got stoned and played or performed at their very best....

 

I play high all the time. Especially before a gig. It don't effect me any actually makes me more relaxed. It doesn't effect my playing at all, but maybe it's my tolerance. For some lightweight it might be a disaster.

 

I really wouldn't just because I need all my skill just to do what is needed already. Plus its not my type of thing in the first place.

 

I find it more difficult to "lock-in" or keep/have rhythm if I don't either: a) already have the material internalized or b) jam a while clean first so as to already be living in the pocket. Otherwise, for me, it enables me to "hear" the music better, it can be inspiring.

 

i listen to various sections of riffs as opposed to just hearing the riff as a whole alot better while im high. as far as writing complex thrash/death metal riffs though, i just cant do it. which is why i have my bass big muff for playing stoner metal while im, you know...

 

Spent many a "rehearsal" smoked out in the past.
That band never left the basement.

honestly, It's a blast to play that way, cause I think I sound brilliant.
Riffing on the same chord for 30 minutes is totally fun in that condition.
But I would not want to watch a band on stage do it.
When everything sounds mind blowing, you have no idea when you actually sound like sh*t.

I stopped rehearsing that way when I joined a band that got gigs. Time to step up and deliver, I guess.

I never played a gig in that state.
I feel it's a matter of respect for the audience.

That said, YMMV. I know an entire percussion section that regularly smoked out before each gig, and they did fine.

 

Yeah, I think these "PUI" (Playing Under the Influence) threads are kinda weird.

Everyone needs to know their limitations, and for the sake of the music, your audience, your health and longevity, make good choices. As entertainers, we are a vital thread in the social fabric. Be responsible to yourself and others.

Some musicians can drink and smoke and play, some can't and shouldn't. Some, in order to drink and smoke while performing and not be disoriented, need to rehearse while drinking and smoking as well. Doing it on such a regular basis has to take a toll somewhere along the line.

 

anyone tell you that stuff is illegal

 

I'm a big advocate of being 'one toke BEFORE the line'. For me, who loves da herb, this means ZERO intake before the show and only 1-3 beers the entire night, just to take the edge off and lubricate the joints and what not. After the show however................

The way I see it, music is a more incredible 'high' than any substance, and IMO you're more receptive to that magical hookup when you have a clear head. YMMV. Now, that being said, I and the rest of the band REFUSE to let our sax player (very straight-laced) go on stage WITHOUT having at least 2 White Russians. The difference is make or break.

 

Except getting high and playing bass doesn't kill anyone.

 

I've never played high but wanna try it,but with my experience being high, I would probly be pretty useless as a musician in that state til my tolerance gets better. Drunk is a part of playing for me tho, drinkin a case is part of practice for my band, lol.

 

I can't do either and play with my current band, I have to drive to and from the gigs cos i have the biggest car

 

Not my biz if someone else smokes pot & got nothing against it, but I grew out of that phase a long time ago.

I suppose some people play better high. Others sit in their underwear in their Mom's basement watching Sponge Bob.

 

Here's an interesting and well written essay marijuana and music.
http://www.marijuana-uses.com/essays/013.html

Many musicians, including myself, feel that marijuana allows you to feel a strange connection to the music, paying attention to details of the groove that you normally wouldn't. In one study, it was noticed that musicians did not need to go back and smoke more to maintain this connection with the music, which indicates that marijuana only brings your mind to that state, but does not create it.

Many pioneering jazz musicians, including Louise Armstrong, used to smoke bud A LOT. So some think that weed had a big influence on the creation of Jazz. As the artist's short term memory began to weaken, they were forced to improvise much more.

In my opinion, marijuana is an absolute blessing when combined with music. You feel that strange right brain connection with not only the music but your band members as well. It just requires you be in the correct state of mind, not wanting to feel goofy or lazy. Many musicians use it as just another one of their tools. (John Mayer, Bob Dylan, Santana, Armstong, Miles Davis, the list truly goes on and on) I'm not saying that marijuana must be smoked in order to "feel the music." Not by any means. But when used correctly, you may find your bass and hands expressing feelings that you never knew you had.

 

for me:

when jamming with friends: absolutely. its fun, relaxing and puts me in a fun, exploratory mood.
when playing on stage: absolutely NOT. the band i play with plays complex stuff that is fully composed w/NO JAMMING. I need discipline to play this stuff so I don't smoke or drink before we play.