Getting in "the zone"

[Muffled Tom]

I'm aware I've been posting here a lot. Meh, it's what I do. I'm a born-forum man.

Anyway, I've been recently noticing how long it takes me during practice sessions to get in "the zone" in which I really play my best. However, it's taking me LESS time than before; it leads to me to believe that practice does make perfect and that as I practice more and more I'll be in the zone more and more often.

So, does anyone else experience this "zone" idea? And am I right in imagining that as I persevere with practicing I'll be more frequently in my zone?

[Pete Stoltman]

Good for you. I think the answer is yes and no. Just periods of practicing without some structure will take you longer to find the zone as you call it. If you plot out what you want to accomplish and then get to it I think you will find it easier to find that "Happy Place". I don't think it has to be a strict time limit type thing but if you decide that today I'm going to work on this technique and here's how I'm going to do it you'll get there quicker.I remember a time when I really wanted to work on perfecting my seven stroke roll. I pretty much sat in a practice room and dissected it until I felt I could handle the sticking and then worked on my hand position and wrist motion then started shedding. In no time at all I was getting that thing down so that I almost couldn't fail.
I suggest that anyone who's seriously interested in learning a good system for practicing should invest in Kenny Werner's "Effortless Mastery". There is a book and now I believe also a video to accompany it. Great stuff.

[Jeff Almeyda]

I suggest that anyone who's seriously interested in learning a good system for practicing should invest in Kenny Werner's "Effortless Mastery". There is a book and now I believe also a video to accompany it. Great stuff.

Kenny's book is excellent. I would also recommend Body Mind Mastery by Dan Millman.

[jeffwj]

Kenny's book is excellent. I would also recommend Body Mind Mastery by Dan Millman.

Thanks Jeff. I borrowed "The Warrior Athlete from a library years ago and haven't been able to find it again. After your post, I did some searching and found out that it was renamed The Inner Athlete, and finally renamed Body Mind Mastery. I'll be sure to get it and read it again soon.

Jeff

[foursticks]

If I hear a piece of music that really connects, I get a rush and an urge to play drums myself and I play better than usual and really submerge myself in the music.
What Jeff says is also very true - good structured practise, with a goal that you want to achieve, always results in better playing in general, but most importantly - once you go and play along to some music.

[punkdrummer1]

I totaly agree with the whole "in the zone" thing. I find in the middle leading to end of a performance I perform best. I honestly think the time come's depending on what type of music you play.

[blade123]

A good thing I heard about, is whenever you get in "the zone", write down EVERYTHING in your environment. Let's say that for whatever reason, you just ate lunch, you had one hair on your face, and you were wearing a specific outfit. Whenever you go to practice, recreate that environment in your mind, down to every little detail. Then once you recreate that environment , your mind will just fill in the rest, and you will get in "the zone".

[Muffled Tom]

A good thing I heard about, is whenever you get in "the zone", write down EVERYTHING in your environment. Let's say that for whatever reason, you just ate lunch, you had one hair on your face, and you were wearing a specific outfit. Whenever you go to practice, recreate that environment in your mind, down to every little detail. Then once you recreate that environment , your mind will just fill in the rest, and you will get in "the zone".

Yeah, Billy Ward said that in the MDF 2k DVD... and I've been trying to do that.

I also create snapshots of when I'm having a BAD drumming day: when it's too hot, if I'm thirsty, if I haven't taken a shower that day yet, if I'm hungry; and I make sure that I'm NOT in those conditions next time I play, or at least I try to make the situation better.