Duck Tape
Platinum Member
My mind has been playing tricks on me again and I've discovered another dimension to practice and playing that I'd never really considered.
So, I play very differently in different environments. At home where no one hears me I can shred. If I'm out playing with people, I'm a minimalist, scared to take risks, if I'm jamming with an amateur I might be dominant, if I'm playing with a pro, I might react more than instigate. If the camera is rolling I really censor myself (unfortunately).
But what if I was able to toggle these different mind sets wherever I happen to be? Or what if it didn't affect me at all?
Example: I started learning covers for a new band I've joined.. I was already in a very casual covers project - I noticed the setlists had a few songs in common. When I played these songs with the casual cover band I was very relaxed, expressive and flexed my chops for a bit of fun.. When I started practicing the same songs for the new, more professional covers band (just on my own) I pictured myself playing in a club, it felt more serious and so I started sounding more like a drum machine. I was scared to get it wrong. This is in the same room, same kit.
And I went to a jam night the other night and the very talented musicians there asked me to do a solo in one of the songs, thankfully I did okay. Today I was soloing to the click and I realized that in my mind I was back at the jam night and I was pretending the same people with their expectations were watching and I needed to wear my 'jam night' hat.
I bet there are guys that sound the same in different situations too but I underestimated the power this has over me and I wonder if it can be harnessed or if I can somehow benefit from factoring this in.
Not sure how else I can build on the idea but I thought someone could share some ideas.
Hopefully this doesn't come off as drivel but I hope someone relates.
So, I play very differently in different environments. At home where no one hears me I can shred. If I'm out playing with people, I'm a minimalist, scared to take risks, if I'm jamming with an amateur I might be dominant, if I'm playing with a pro, I might react more than instigate. If the camera is rolling I really censor myself (unfortunately).
But what if I was able to toggle these different mind sets wherever I happen to be? Or what if it didn't affect me at all?
Example: I started learning covers for a new band I've joined.. I was already in a very casual covers project - I noticed the setlists had a few songs in common. When I played these songs with the casual cover band I was very relaxed, expressive and flexed my chops for a bit of fun.. When I started practicing the same songs for the new, more professional covers band (just on my own) I pictured myself playing in a club, it felt more serious and so I started sounding more like a drum machine. I was scared to get it wrong. This is in the same room, same kit.
And I went to a jam night the other night and the very talented musicians there asked me to do a solo in one of the songs, thankfully I did okay. Today I was soloing to the click and I realized that in my mind I was back at the jam night and I was pretending the same people with their expectations were watching and I needed to wear my 'jam night' hat.
I bet there are guys that sound the same in different situations too but I underestimated the power this has over me and I wonder if it can be harnessed or if I can somehow benefit from factoring this in.
Not sure how else I can build on the idea but I thought someone could share some ideas.
Hopefully this doesn't come off as drivel but I hope someone relates.