| When I think about it and relax I can last a long time. After that time is over I can feel my body getting tighter.
Sometimes when I play with the local Union band they play very loud. I try to keep up and forget everything. That's when I have the biggest trouble.
In the last year I have really learned to calm down my playing regardless of what the rest of the band is doing and I consciously think about relaxing. When I am able to do that I last way longer.
When ever I play lead with a new big band and I haven't seen the music before I drink a cup of coffee on the way to the job. It may just be me but I can read the parts and still stay relaxed physically. (If the parts are really hard I get tight before I play a note) |