Playing while high?

[J. Montgomery]

I plead the 5th

 

[eddievanbassman]

Leaves of three leave 'em be. But leaves of seven your in heaven.

 

[greggster59]

I took a few hits and about 90 minutes before a recent private party gig and by the time we loaded in, setup and did a sound check I had my sea legs and we had a great first set. I made the mistake of partying with our host during the break and the second set was most definitely sloppy on my part. I won't do that again.

Story told, I often find if the band is playing well it's a high in itself to be in the music every time. Seems to enhance the post gig celebration as well.

 

[Andrew Jones]

I know way too many amazing musicians who blaze while performing and play at a world class level to get in the it's inebriating camp.

Personally I need to really practice by myself straight allot during the week and be straight most of the time with the band and smoke on a rare day and then I enjoy a focus that I'm able to get my mind into.



Aj

 

[Bassman8416]

From Charlie Parker's Biography...... "he left behind a terrible legacy with other jazz musicians, who also did drugs, thinking if they used like Bird, they could play like Bird."
It seems like some sort of justification when someone says this guy gets high or this guy does...so its got to be OK! And now you are thinking well it(marijuana) ain't heroin....well weed is a mind and mood altering substance, and can be pretty powerful and can have an adverse on one's music and life in general...it is a personal decision. I have used every substance known to man(I am a recovering addict, over 2 years clean). I play with many musicians who "use" weed, alcohol etc. Very few of them can get away with it, but I have to be honest...there is something lost when a guy comes back after blowing a joint in between sets....lack of focus...whatever...the mistakes start flowing in, and they don't notice. This is my personal feelings and experience. I think its cool if someone can get high and it doesn't have an adverse affect on himself or those around him, like I said i know a few people like that....God bless' em...lord knows i tried to do that for many a year but had too many consequences.

 

[Chipsonfire]

It's been shown that if you study high, you will remember what you studied better when you are high. The same can be applied to practicing high. HOWEVER, it was also shown that those who studied high remembered less while high than those who studied sober and stayed sober. So, if you want to perform your best, practice and play sober.

 

[Brick Top]

It's been shown that if you study high, you will remember what you studied better when you are high. The same can be applied to practicing high. HOWEVER, it was also shown that those who studied high remembered less while high than those who studied sober and stayed sober. So, if you want to perform your best, practice and play sober.

This seems to be the case for me. I'm still a beginner at the instrument...and I don't smoke much any more like when I was young. Mostly just in social situations(like jamming with a bunch of guys). But....I practice sober 99% of the time. I find when I try to play with the band while high...I just make way too many mistakes.

Maybe if I torched up before practicing...it would help. But...becoming a more frequent smoker is not a goal of mine at this stage in my life. I don't condone it...I use it for the purpose of relaxing or medicating if needed...not for the sake of partying.

Cheers,
BT

 

[GradyBass]

I don't do either. Sorry.

 

[blockinlay]

Who knows, smoke dope a lot and you may even become president of the United States.
Worked for the past three.

 

[emor]

Beware:

 

[Tama]

Beware:

Yikes !!! Remember all those leisure suits and cheesy hairdo's !?!?

 

[electracoyote]

David Crosby (Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young) has said that everything he's ever recorded was while under the influence, and the vast majority of his live performances were too. There's a guy who never misses a note and sings/plays some of the more complex vocal harmony folk rock on the planet.

But, like Charley Parker, those guys are rare exceptions. The rest just THINK they sound great, because that's what happens when you're stoned.

 

[bluewine]

Idk if this against the rules or whatever but I figure since there have been lengthy discussions about playing while influenced by the ol' alkyhal then this shouldn't be too far off. I'm aware this may be pushing the envelope.

What are you opinions on its effect on your musical abilities both live and solo?

No way, not for me.I have enough problems being straight.I don't want or need to be in any altered state of mind while playing or any other time.

 

[GeneralElectric]

I do it all the time. I play for a living. However, I'm usually high most of the day, so its more like my natural state these. That said, most musicians suck when they're high.

 

[DblG]

Used to way back when, not anymore. I found that I'd 'get lost' now and again, mainly because I was zoning out and forget about a change or bridge or something... It's too easy to go "one toke over the line". My one friend fondly refers to asking someone if they smoke some herb with him: "Wanna get stupid?"
YMMV, but I find I make far fewer 'mistakes' while not under the influence.

 

[Jim Nazium]

My smoking days are over. I don't have a moral objection to it, I just don't handle it well, so it's best for me to stay away from it. But back when I did, I could never play stoned. I couldn't count to eight. I loved listening to music stoned, but my internal clock for playing would just go haywire.

 

[boogie8008]

It will definitely make you think you are playing better, Im not sure about what the audience hears though.

 

[aludrachaos]

I think it effects your ability to spell correctly, punctuate and have good grammar.

It should be affects not effects. Affect is a verb, effect is a noun.

By your own logic, is this any indication of whether you're high yourself at the moment?

 

[groooooove]

it doesent seem to cause a problem for most reggae bands.