| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Playing like a madman with a head full of Claritin | |
| signal11 -- 04/10/2005, 09:37:25 -- #12669 | |
| Well, the subject pretty much says it all... has anyone here ever experienced "weird" performances after taking cold/allergy medication? The only reason I ask is that my allergies have been going haywire the last week. As a result, I played a couple of heavily medicated gigs over the weekend and played at a level never seen before---and not just a little bit better than normal, but a *LOT* better. My bandmates spent the night looking at me like I was on verge of blowing a gasket or something. I'm definitely not complaining about that, but it was still rather surreal.... | |
| Dr. Whack -- 04/10/2005, 10:14:00 -- #12670 | |
| hmmm...I know some medictaions can boost euphoria and reduce inhibitions. My guess is that you always have the ability to play as well as you did, but somehow the drugs helped you get there. We all know that some of the greatest jazz musicians spent a great deal of time high on drugs I can't spell at the moment. I still don't recommend it:) Have I ever experienced what you've described? Yes. I've also found that I've gotten into the zone without chemical assistance. I've never quite figured out how that actually works, but I think it has to do with filtering out distractions and negative thoughts while playing. Sometimes being very ill or being altered by some chemical influence can narrow my focus onto what I'm doing at the moment and I perform better...hmmm Anyone else? | |
| Ole -- 04/10/2005, 10:45:49 -- #12674 | |
| Both when I am sick and when I use painkillers before a performance, I play better. But I agree with Dr. Whack, you should not use medication to play better. I also experience that I play better when I am tired...don`t know why... | |
| Barry -- 04/10/2005, 17:11:57 -- #12679 | |
| It's quite commonly know that Keith Jarrett was really quite ill when he recorded the famous Koln Concert. The concert nearly didn't go ahead - especially when he found out that the piano was a sack of shit as well. It turned out OK though, don't ya think? | |
| 7 -- 04/10/2005, 20:45:38 -- #12684 | |
| When the conscious is diminished, it forces the subconscious to the forefront. | |
| signal11 -- 04/10/2005, 23:39:26 -- #12689 | |
| Hmmm. So my subconscious must have some kind of weird evil streak associated with it then.... Excellent (evil laugh ;-). That's pretty interesting on the Koln concert. I wasn't aware of that. | |
| CynBad -- 04/11/2005, 14:35:34 -- #12707 | |
| Keith Jarrett thinks every piano is a sack of sh!t... But back to the subject, I once played the best Bach I ever played after a couple of gin & tonics at my professor's house while I was in college. I think it removes inhibitions and quiets your conscious mind, so you can just PLAY. But you can learn to do the same thing without drugs. | |
| Dr. Whack -- 04/11/2005, 16:14:05 -- #12713 | |
| Wait a minute...what were you doing drinking G&Ts with your professor? hehe...:) The problem with booze though, is that while it removes ihibitions, it really screws with neuro-muscular transmission...In fact, if I even take an ibuprofin, my neuro-muscular control gets all out of whack (hence the name:) | |
| signal11 -- 04/11/2005, 16:51:42 -- #12715 | |
| Yeah, I can't touch even a drop of booze when playing on a gig. I find that even something as innocent as a bottle of beer screws with my playing. I can't quite put my finger on how it gets messed up, but it just doesn't feel quite right. | |
| CynBad -- 04/11/2005, 18:33:03 -- #12716 | |
| My professor's wife had been my teacher when I was in high school. She was always giving me drinks! I loved her! They'd invite me to their house for dinner and I'd end up playing something. I do agree that alcohol will mess with your playing, but sometimes just ONE drink will relax you just enough. | |
| Dr. Whack -- 04/11/2005, 19:28:50 -- #12720 | |
| Yeah, if I had to play Twist and Shout or Sweet Home Alabama with a band for a room full of drunks, sometimes I would just join em - who needs chops for that anyway? Thankfully I've retired from that:) | |
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