From: kew@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (steve.w.askew)
Subject: Re: Improvisational focus (WAS: Re: Blues Soloing [help!])
Summary: See the Man in the Spot Light
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 20:45:32 GMT

In article <2258@deadmin.ucsd.edu>, napier@cs.ucsd.edu (Jim Napier) writes:
> 
> This is a tangent to the discussion of blues playing that goes more into the
> psychological side of improvisation. One of the followup posters said that the
> thing to do was to get away from jamming to records and start playing with
> other people. One problem I have always had is that as soon as I'm with others
> or playing in front of people my mind goes blank. I'm so focused on where I
> am that any creative improvisational ability is washed away and I find myself
> repeating stiff phrases and groping for the right notes (or any notes that
> sound like anything related to the song). I've never mastered the art of 
> centering myself on the instrument while improvising with other musicians.
> I have no problem when Iplay by myself orto albums and quite enjoy the freedom
> of expression that improvisation provides. I guess for me the main problem is
> that the freedom of thought necessary to improvise properly is at odds with
> the fact that I'm completely aware that others are observing me. How do others
> deal with such distractions? Is this just a case of plain old stage fright?
> 
> =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
> Jim Napier
> =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
> 
> 

	Stage Fright is exactly what it is. Nobody wants to screw up in
	front of their peers. 
	"OH MY GOD, IM NEXT TO SOLO! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO! WHAT IF I
	SCREW UP AND THEY ALL STOP PLAYING AND STARE AT ME. Hey the 
	other guys are jammin, and probably thinkin the same thing.
	I had a terrible case of stage fright. Stage fright comes
	from being insecure about your chops. The best complement 
	Ive ever got was from a guy who said "Hey your playin has come 
	along way since I heard you last" Most people are never going
	to say anything when your chops are low. Because we have all been
	there,and nobody starts out with killer chops!

	My stage fright was so bad Ive flashed in the bathroom at Blues Jams.
	Though it is not a recommended cure, and kids dont try this at home,
	I use to have a double Crown Royal neat, before playing. That'll 
	relax your butt! But Ive found the more you play with other people 
	the easier it gets, and luckily you forget the C.R. I had a friend
	who used to get so bad he was afraid he would fall climbing on 
	stage because his knees would get so weak. Another friend thought
	on several ocassions he would have a heart attack. We laugh about
	it now but at the time it was all dead serious!

	Jammin with records gives you a built in safety net. Lets
	say your jammin with a clapton record like "Further on up the Road"
	When your soloing you have a complete set of music underneath your
	playing. If you stop the music still sounds ok. If you jamm during
	E.C's solo his solo is always there to support what your doing and
	your screw ups are covered by E.C. so you never get to really
	hear your mistakes and let them soak in. The most critical way to
	evaluate your chops is to record them. That will really open your
	eyes.
	
	In a live setting the fear is always three things. Wrong notes or
	inappropriate notes, poor phrasing, and the absolute worst SILENCE! 
	When soloing most concerns are "Ive got this space to fill and I 
	better jamm my ass off to fill it . Not to mention the clock cycle in 
	your head has tripled, and minutes have become hours. I dont know
	what works for everybody. But relaxing and being comfortable with
	your ability is the where you want to be.

	In summary let me say this. Alot of people have no desire to play
	live, and are content to jam out for their personal satisfaction.
	And they are probably luckier than the rest of us. They also
	are probably in control of that ego thAng more than the rest of us.
	But I think most of us need to share their  music with other people. 
	We need our peers recognition and support. Matter of fact I think 
	that is the main purpose of this forum.

	Steve
	Doin That Blues ThAng!