Question to (mostly Pro's): losing dexterity playing LIVE! :(

[alaskaleftybass]

True, he did say that.....I apologize if I sounded like a bit of smart a@s with that comment.

But he also said that he doesn't warm up, and at his age since he stated that he has been "Globe Trotting" since the 80's, I seriously doubt that a case of state fright has developed at this stage of the game.

When you get older you just can't expect to just walk in and play an hour or two set without warming up and stretching.

But to look at the mental side of it, I guess wouldn't hurt either.

I don't see a need for an apology and I agree with you totally. I'm older and I know I can't get away with what I did 30 years ago...
We need to learn how to cope with our changing bodies and muscles and learn how to get the most of what we have left.

 

[bumperbass]

I have had the OP's issue, too. Sometimes it's the stage volume that affects my playing. I really found this out on a few jobs we did the last few months.....
I'll explain: In the 60's & 70's, stage volume was all we had. The PA was for vocals only (not even a kick). Then FOH matured and everybody started turning down on stage, letting the PA do all the work. Well, we have played small clubs and still used the subs and the tops. Recently, we were talking about hauling all this PA equipment and thinking it was overkill, and the BL asked if we should try the small stuff (just the tops...15" and a horn...JBL's). We did that. Everybody turned up on stage and the PA handled the vocals only. Man, what a revelation! I could hear myself and MY TONE perfectly and the overall band sound was really tight. I found it easier and more relaxing when the stage volume wasn't at a whisper. When using the big PA I could never just "let 'er rip" because the stage volume was actually TOO LOW. I am not saying we played at ear-damaging levels; just loud enough to really get into it. It was a blast.
I am still on a quest for the right strap length. I used to play my bass high. Now it's a little lower and I'm trying to get used to it. That's a subject for another thread I guess, although it could affect your playing.

 

[SamJ]

well, since you said "mostly" I'm going to chime in my theory..

I've seen enough concerts where frankly two things seem to be the case:

1. The bass tone is quite muddy and hard to discern like you would on the studio recording and thru home stereo/headphones
2. The bassist rarely plays the parts as well and the same as he does on the album, even bands like Rush, The Police, Duran Duran, etc.. I've noticed in many cases they don't quite play the same complexity of basslines.. Anecdotal? not sure, but it's been the case more often than not for me at concerts.

I posted up a thread earlier asking ANYONE (not just pro's) to critique my somewhat amateurish and self taught playing on a VERY difficult song with some VERY fast runs (Duran Duran, New Moon on Monday)... Suffice it to say, I somewhat massacred the chorus, but then I'm no pro, don't get paid (never have)..

Could it be the pro's just have a slightly lower chance of having a harder time paying live, but still find it easier to play in the studio/at home?

 

[Stumbo]

If it keeps happening no matter what you do, I suggest hitting up your doc. It may be arthritis setting in. It happens to me when I practice and grip the neck too hard/long. Playing with a lighter touch helps but that only reduces the symptoms. Also, maybe the temp is colder when you're gigging and your muscles/tendons are getting cold. No downside to trying one of those hand warmer gizmos. Good luck.

 

[bumperbass]

well, since you said "mostly" I'm going to chime in my theory..

I've seen enough concerts where frankly two things seem to be the case:

1. The bass tone is quite muddy and hard to discern like you would on the studio recording and thru home stereo/headphones
2. The bassist rarely plays the parts as well and the same as he does on the album, even bands like Rush, The Police, Duran Duran, etc.. I've noticed in many cases they don't quite play the same complexity of basslines.. Anecdotal? not sure, but it's been the case more often than not for me at concerts.

I posted up a thread earlier asking ANYONE (not just pro's) to critique my somewhat amateurish and self taught playing on a VERY difficult song with some VERY fast runs (Duran Duran, New Moon on Monday)... Suffice it to say, I somewhat massacred the chorus, but then I'm no pro, don't get paid (never have)..

Could it be the pro's just have a slightly lower chance of having a harder time paying live, but still find it easier to play in the studio/at home?

This is a fact. Most guys do not play the whizz-bang fast stuff that's on the recorded versions. There are many reasons but the main one is that most of the fast stuff cannot be heard in a live situation and it actually makes the band less "tight" if things get too busy.

 

[JES]

Four words: inner game of music.

 

[bumperbass]

Four words: inner game of music.

Care to elaborate? That's just too DEEP for me.

 

[SamJ]

Four words: inner game of music.

 

[bumperbass]

Nice stuff. Thank you.

 

[hintz]

Like many others said, lighten up on your right hand attack and maybe turn up, also when I warm up I play as lightly as possible for as long as possible and strech my hands lightly

 

[Argassab]

Once you get paid you're a professional but that doesn't mean you don't have bad habits and as others have said age is a reality.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

I'm far from a pro, in fact I've never even played out live.

I find that the best way for me to play quickly is pluck softly & near the bridge & let the amp do the work. A stiffer string also helps.

I also have a grip strengthener that I use off & on all day @ work.

 

[Fliptrique]

Do you play sitting at home and standing up on gigs?

This is OFTEN a problem, especially if you have your bass lower. Your hands are simply in a different position.

 

[jerry]

As I've age more and more issues have come up from over forty years of playing. One of the things that I always make sure of these days is hydration. I drink a ton of water and it seems to help with trigger finger or other cramping I've started dealing with in the last ten years.

 

[Hahaha]

I just reread your original post and noticed that you indicate that this happens pretty consistently. It could be that you've come to expect this problem, therefore, on some level you're psyching yourself into experiencing it. When I took typing in high school (ages ago) I couldn't get past 43 words per minute. Every time we had a timed writing test my scalp would start itching terribly and I would have to scratch it during the test. This slowed my speed down. Obviously this was a psychosomatic symptom. I didn't suddenly get lice each time I took a timed writing test.

Here's a suggestion: When you find yourself having trouble with your right hand, ignore it and focus all of your attention on what your left hand is doing. I've done this myself and it's funny how the offending hand will suddenly start working properly just as soon as you take your attention off of it. Might work. Might not. Try it and see what happens.

On those nights that you can't seem to get your hands in sync with your head, think about those multi-million dollar pitchers in pro baseball who find themselves in a game where they can't throw a strike to save their lives and the coach pulls them out after a few innings. Sometimes things just don't work no matter what your training and warm up routine is. Elite pro golfers have broken clubs out of frustration, and you know they've done all that a person reasonably can do to be at the top of their game.

 

[Cowboy in Latvia]

Haven't read all the posts so it may have already been mentioned, but in essence as a bass player, you're an athlete performing in front of an audience. You already know and do all the necessary practice and stretching and warm up routines so that's not the issue. If it seems to hit only when you're on stage under the bright lights then its most likely a psych issue. Sports psychologists specialize in helping you find what's causing the block and then overcoming it. Pro tennis players are heavy sports psych users as are pro bowlers and golfers. I'm sure you can find one in your area, just look for one that focuses on and treats the professional sports community, not a typical shrink that deals outside the sports community.

QFT

I am in the process of overcoming a truly overwhelming case of performance anxiety and what you describe sounds like how it began for me. I would start by looking into GBassNorth's suggestion and see where it goes from there. Also, the alcohol route is a less than helpful one as it doesn't address the root cause and the meds can cause your playing to lose a bit of its soul. Whatever you choose, I wish you the best of luck with overcoming this.

 

[Cowboy in Latvia]

Four words: inner game of music.

Good call. I personally prefer the "Inner Game of Tennis" version. It almost seems like the subsequent books, like the later inner game books were trying too hard to make the original philosophy fit a specific niche rather than keeping it as a broader idea. That said, read the m both and see what works for you.

 

[Alex J]

Yep, this happens to me sometimes! As others have said, when I can't play live properly, I probably haven't drank enough, haven't warmed up properly or aren't breathing right.

 

[Ric5]

To All,
Forgive the "pro's" mention. Reason being, I've played professionally since the early 80's - which means I get paid to play, fly to gigs, played on several continents etc..

I play all styles. Fender 4 banger all my life. Here's my problem:

First, some of my gigs call for fast finger playing; fast runs etc..
At home, ain't never a problem. I can fly like a bird.

I get on the stage, and my finger dexterity (right plucking hand, NOT fret fingering hand) goes to sh_t! the Fluidity is gone!!! It forces me to make adjustments I don't want to make, that certainly don't serve the music, nor my ability to communicate the part/s I'm playing.

Anyone have this problem? Any suggestions? I should be talking to Stanley Clarke about it. This all said, I don't usually warm up backstage prior to hitting the stage. THIS alone could be the problem, and maybe I've answered my own question. STILL, I'm open to all comments. Thanks all!

Most people play better sitting down than standing up.

 

[jeffbassguy]

You mentioned fluidity issues. I have been there done that, can burn through stuff at home yet on the gig i'm not comfortable on a certain couple fast songs I've nailed down hundreds of times. There is something in your sound, be it amp,cabinet, old strings, high action that is making you work harder, less ergonomic. I changed out my amps to give myself more headroom and immediately noticed a difference in how much lighter I play live which has led to better fluidity. There is so much good advice on this thread that I am going to use some of it BTW.