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Topic: Do you have a pre-playing ritual? |
Chris Tweed
From:
Cardiff, Wales, UK
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 7:51 am |
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I've been reading a book about creativity by the dancer/choreographer in which she describes how different artists (writers, musicians, etc.) have little rituals to put them in the right frame of mind. Some do things that have little direct connection to their art, such as lighting a candle before starting a yoga session, or cleaning the room before sitting down to write on the computer.
I'm curious to know if any steel players have established rituals to follow before they start to play. |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Peter Freiberger
From:
California, USA
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 8:01 am
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I tune up. And it still doesn't help.
Last edited by Peter Freiberger on 2 Nov 2013 8:01 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Chris Tweed
From:
Cardiff, Wales, UK
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 8:01 am
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| Jim Cohen wrote: |
Yes, for the entire day before the gig, I have to touch every door knob I pass and not step on any cracks in the pavement. But, hey, that's just me, YMMV...  |
Yeah, I know what you mean. Those cracks in the pavement are like, mojo drains  |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 8:05 am
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In L.A., I would always put a big smile on my face before facing a looong drive to a gig that didn't pay a living wage...   |
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Bo Legg
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 9:18 am
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| Just before the first song starts I say to my self about 10 times “These folks are going to mistake me for someone who gives a crap, stay out of trouble, go with it†|
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 9:24 am
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My ritual was "not eating before a gig" because it took the edge off.
It was always easy to do because I usually didn't have money to eat until I got paid for the gig....that is, if I actually did get paid!
_________________
"FROM THEN TIL' NOW" |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 10:04 am
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| When I practice for shows or just play in general, I usually like to start out with playing a little faster song, like I started a practice session last night with Waylon's song "I've Always Been Crazy". |
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Ben Lawson
From:
Brooksville Florida
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 11:59 am
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| I try to wake up before I start playing. Sometimes it works, other times not so much. |
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Bishop Ronnie P Hall
From:
Detroit, Michigan, USA
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John Cadeau
From:
Surrey,B.C. Canada
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 1:18 pm Do you have a pre-playing ritual.
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| I ask the bass player who stands beside me to wake me up when it's time to take our first break. |
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Jack Bowman
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 2:31 pm Ritual
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I eat a tums and think " Why do I still do this at 81?...I going nowhere"
_________________
5220 Gretsch
Godin A-6
Godan 5th Ave.
Fender 400 PSG 4+2
buncha amps |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 3:37 pm Just a personal thing.............
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| Prior to walking on stage, I ALWAYS check my fly...... |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 8:57 pm
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I didn't tonight. Seriously.... Discovered the breeze on the first break.  |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 2 Nov 2013 9:01 pm
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I usually stand in front of my steel, click my heels together three times and in a high pitched voice chant "there's no place like home, there's no place like home...".
Last edited by Kevin Hatton on 3 Nov 2013 1:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 3 Nov 2013 12:03 am
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| Joey Ace wrote: |
| I didn't tonight. Seriously.... Discovered the breeze on the first break. |
In the immortal words of Les Paul... "Chet, that's when I knew you weren't the greatest!".
_________________
New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
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John De Maille
From:
On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.
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Posted 3 Nov 2013 7:20 am
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| My ritual is, that, I don't have a ritual. That makes sense doesn't it or does it ? |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 3 Nov 2013 7:55 am
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Me too, never had a "ritual" that I did before a job.
I've been play in bands since 1959 and never even thought about anything special. |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 3 Nov 2013 8:07 am
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I look out in the audience and if there's another steel player, then I tune. I hate it when they show up, it's awfully inconvenient.
_________________
LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 3 Nov 2013 9:01 am I don't know if this is a 'ritual'
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Before I pack up to go to the gig, I usually sit down and practice a couple of the hardest tunes with the metronome going too fast. I figure that if I can play them too fast, I'll be able to play them right at the correct tempo under pressure.
Also, after setting up, I play some fast exercises with the amp turned off to loosen up my fingers.
Recently, I've been eating a yogurt before starting. It seems to calm my nerves. This might become a ritual.
I used to drink a quick shot, but I've drunk my quota for this lifetime. 
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Scott Hay
From:
Portland, OR / Yucca Valley, CA USA
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Posted 3 Nov 2013 9:29 am
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I'll bite.
I do have little pre kick off warm up ritual. I have a few little phrase, licks or picking patterns, I'll play them fast, as chimed harmonics, at different positions on the neck. I do this to check my tuning and "register" my hands and bar / finger intonation.
Superstition wise, I never play with my keys, phone, wallet, or any money on me. Money is a big one. It's time to turn off and be present, and I tell myself this as I put this stuff away. I never eat before a gig.
I take a second to check in and remind myself no matter what kind of day I had, now I'm here, and I have a choice as to whether i want to allow myself the opportunity to play my best, and that if I clear my mind and tune in to my band members and myself, that is possible. |
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Leroy Golden
From:
Muskegon, Michigan, USA
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Posted 3 Nov 2013 9:36 am
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| A couple shots of Jack Daniels usually does it for me, takes the edge off, sometimes makes it a slippery slope to disaster!! |
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Dick Wood
From:
Springtown Texas, USA
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Posted 3 Nov 2013 9:44 am
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I usually stop at Sonic and get a Strawberry Shake. I just love those things.
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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 3 Nov 2013 9:53 am
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| Scott Hay wrote: |
I never eat before a gig.
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Notwithstanding that I don't gigs anymore, I also never ate before going on stage. I believe that I don't play as well after a meal.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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