| Bob,
I think this could be a fascinating discussion because I think everyone is going to have a different story to bring to the table.
When I was much younger I used to experience the same as you. If I was really "up" for something I found it hard to control that and I would overshoot notes, a bit like riding a spirited, untamed horse. I remember how wild Nolan Ryan was when he first came up and was pitching for the Mets. Blistering speed but unpredictable.
With study and visual examples of great players around, it was interesting to see how every one of the players I saw were calm and decisive in what they did, how they played. Herseth is a prime example, Maynard is another.
It's that study of the calm yet powerful players that has done me the most good over the years. Seeing Bud and hearing him in my head before I play is one of the single biggest calming influences on my performing.
From a physiological perspective, it was learning and then understanding how nervousnes can affect you only when you allow groups of muscles to antagonize each other as though you were lifting a great weight that made your muscles shake. Keeping your body in a position that keeps you resting on your frame (your bones) alleviates that nervousness. If you stand/sit in a way that invites your muscles to stiffen athletically, one set will eventually start to try to dominate the situation. That's when the antagonism begins and the muscles fight. Can you play with one leg staning. Yes. Is that optimal? No. You were designed to have an equal footing so that your body is in balance. Your body can compensate in many ways but that's just it: it's compensating instead of working optimally.
Can you play scrunched over? Yes. Is it optimal? No.
Can you play with shallow breaths? Yes. Is it optimal? No.
Can you play with a tight gut? Yes. Is it optimal? No.
All those things contribute to letting you feel a physical manifestation of your mental state. It's one thing to feel anxious about a performance, its' another to allow your body to show your anxiety with quivering, shallow breaths, etc.
So, I like to go into a show these days "up" instead of lax because I can control my body much better than many years ago. I like that "up" feeling to manifest itself as a musical product. Energy, calm energy, helps me stay focused.
So, visualization of an inspiring musical example is my way to stay calm along with the practical application of good physical habits conducive to good wind playing.
ML |