My newly developed bad habit

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

I played opry shows last Friday and Saturday nights and for the first time ever, I realized that I was holding my breath when playing. I am never the least bit nervous playing any type show including steel guitar shows. I wonder if anyone else has this problem and is there a solution. Do I need to see my doctor about it? I am hoping I am not the only one who has ever done this. I do know I must stop it. It makes me feel like I am short of breath. Is there such as thing as sleep apnea while wide awake?
Jerry
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Bob Russell · From: Virginia, USA

David Graves · From: Indiana, USA

Jerry... Your not alone. I occasionally do the same thing. It's usually when I'm doing a super complicated part, intro, or some speed picking twin licks with our other lead player. I only started doing this recently after my heart attack this past Jan. I don't know if it's a concentration problem or trying to focus to hard. I agree... I do have to stop this. Especially tough when I'm playing lead, coming out of a fast break or some fast picking and have to sing the next verse. Now I'm gasping for breath. Maybe I'm just showing my age. Good luck with your problem. If I find an answer to mine I'll let you know.
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Larry Dering · From: Missouri, USA

Not a solution but I noticed the great Herby Wallace doing this while speed picking. Can't be a good thing to do.

Fred Justice · From: Mesa, Arizona

Watch the great Mike Sigler, (You Tube)he seems to be gasping for air when he plays, but I know he's not.
Jerry I don't think its going to hurt anything health wise.
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Carl Mesrobian · From: Salem, Massachusetts, USA

When I took karate ages ago I learned to breath ALL the time.

Think of breathing normally. See if it helps!

Ya need air, know what I mean?
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--carl

"The better it gets, the fewer of us know it." Ray Brown

Cody Angel · From: Nashville, Tn

This may sound either dumb or rude, but what you need to do is breathe. It's not a medical issue, just a nerve thing. I have done the same thing and found myself gasping at the end of a chorus. Just actively breathe while playing. Every lesson I have seen by a great says to play relaxed. One side of this is posture and breathing. I try to get in enough practice that I am confident about my playing and can focus on being comfortable. It sounds backwards to try not to think about playing while playing, but if you have to think about how to dribble a basketball, you can't weave around a court as well. It will get to a point that you will sit up straight and breathe and can get back to trying to play out of the comfort zone. Hope this helps!
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Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

I've seen examples of steelers bent over instruments, 'causing' reduced breathing capacity, so some attention is paid to posture.
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To change your breathing pattern, put a small amount of attention on the in-breath. Forget breathing out, that's automatic.
You can begin to change the pattern while doing things like watching tv where you can split your attention a bit.
Change the breathing pattern and later apply it while doing things like playing steel. Autonomic services will take over.
Breathing in is inspiration; exhaling is expiration. Not going for that.

Changing any pattern takes reinforcement, but it generally needs to be pleasurable.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Over fifty years ago I was lucky enough to attend a seminar in London with jazz guitar great Barney Kessel. During his talk he stressed the importance of breathing normally as you play. That advice has stayed with me and, while I occasionally find myself holding my breath, I try my best not to.

Any kind of tension is counter-productive if you are endeavouring to play smoothly.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Carl Mesrobian · From: Salem, Massachusetts, USA

Saw Barney in Seattle in the late 70's. Listening to his playing inspired me to stop playing disco gigs and start listening to my Zoot Sims/Oscar Peterson/Joe Pass albums more!
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--carl

"The better it gets, the fewer of us know it." Ray Brown

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

Jerry, I've caught myself holding my breath during solos a time or two. Usually, it resolved after 1-2 beers. The latest bad habit I've developed, is leaning my right forearm too heavily on the C-neck which really reduced E9th right hand dexterity.

I've no idea when it started, but it really hampered my E9th playing. Initially, I just attributed it to age and being out of practice, but eventually realized what was happening. I now make a conscientious effort to keep my arm just barely resting on the lower neck strings and has made a major difference for the better..

Steve Berthel · From: Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

I am fairly new to the pedal steel(7 years), but have been an athlete my whole life...mostly skiing and mountain biking, and I have found that regular, moderate exercise, is the best thing you can do to learn about proper breathing techniques. Also light meditation is beneficial as well. Since a few of you have mentioned that you have come out of a medical condition and that is when you noticed this happening, I would suggest 1-2 hours of brisk walking first thing in the morning or break it into 2 sessions. I guarantee this will make a big difference in your life and your playing!BTW..I am a cancer survivor, so I have have been in your situation. Good Luck!

Henry Matthews · From: Texarkana, Ark USA

I think most players have little quirks when playing. I've noticed that some players look like they are mouthing the words of the song or make all sorts of funny faces. I found out that I grunt at times when taking a lead ride, especially on fiddle more so than steel.
Like Jerry, I've been doing Opry shows for 30 years and don't think I get nervous but can't understand why I can play much better during rehearsal than I can on actual show. Maybe I do hold my breath. I think it is the fear of making a mistake which amplifies the chance of making a mistake.
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Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.

Barry Blackwood · Posted 26 Jul 2016 8:09 am

Carl Mesrobian · From: Salem, Massachusetts, USA

Oscar Peterson grunting while Herb Ellis made the strangest faces. I'm of the Herb Ellis face crowd. Here's my game face LOL:

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--carl

"The better it gets, the fewer of us know it." Ray Brown

Joe Naylor · From: Avondale, Arizona, USA

Fred beat me to the Mike Sigler idea. I love watching him on certain songs (mainly fast ones) where he holds his breath.

I have been to lots of steel shows and he is only one, yes there are several others.

Many make funny faces too. There are several of the better players that are funny to watch. Most make at least one clunker per set and some almost explode - face goes real funny. One in particular. I talked to him about an hour after he got off stage and I mentioned his "mistake" - he quickly ask if it was that noticeable - I laughed and said I would have had no idea had I not been watching his face. He told me a year or two later that he had been videoing his practice and had no idea.

Lots of quirks but none harmful.

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com
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Joe Naylor, Avondale, AZ (Phoenix) Announcer/Emcee owner www.steelseat.com *** OFFERING SEATS AND Effects cases with or without legs and other stuff ****** -Desert Rose Guitar S-10, Life Member of the Arizona Carport Pickers Assoc., Southwest Steel Guitar Assoc., Texas Steel Guitar Assoc., GA Steel Guitar Assoc., KS Steel Guitar Assoc. (Asleep at the Steel) tag line willed to me by a close late friend RIP

David Mitchell · From: Tyler, Texas

Don't talk like that nervous. You're gonna make yourself Jerry. Concerts always made me jervous and nerky.

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