Morning or evening? At home or in a session, or during a gig? Solo or in an ensemble? Hungry or satiated? Drunk or sober? The questions above are just guidelines for some (not all) directions that the answer could take. After all, it's Monday, so let's let the weekend spill into it a bit.
My answer: Take a mobius strip and write free will on one side and totally deterministic fate on the other. I play the best when riding the edge of the wave where the 2 sides meet. (Where do the to opposing sides meet ? that's another discussion altogether). yipee yi ay!
4:32 AM, recently drunk, tired, playing without thinking about the physicality of it, just straight from the mind, tunes stirred up after a full night session, playing solo or with close friends and relatives.
I play my best at gigs. At sessions, i always feel under scrutiny; at home I get lazy, but at a gig, I've prepared, my concentration is at its best, and I just don't want to make a fool of myself.
Early morning. I do scales and arps then a few tunes before work. I also play at night but find the morning better for me.
Just me, the fiddle and a good cup of coffee.........heaven!
With certain people, in their living rooms (not mine - the mess is too distracting). There are a couple of people I feel I have this magical musical chemistry with, and when I'm playing with them I surprise myself. (But in a good way, not the usual "where did that screeching sound come from!?" way).
When playing with good musicians, in mandolin-friendly acoustics, not too physically or mentally tired and not on an empty stomach
OR
After spending several weeks in Ireland playing non-stop in sessions at festivals, food- and sleep-deprived, mentally deranged and not yet having to think about coming back home.
For me, usually in the afternoons, when I can just relax and go to it, without the family listening in (I get self-conscious). Or sometimes, when the dancers are really on, everything just seems to click and I feel like I could play forever.
After several days of extreme practice, I start playing very badly. That's when I stop and I don't play anything for a whole day. The following morning, I astound myself.
I'm an early morning person - being up at 5.30 am makes sessions hard work as they usually don't get going until about 9 pm and the best ones are a 45 minute drive away. I really enjoy Sunday afternoon sessions. But strangely enough I sometimes play better when slightly tired!
I also agree with Shrog about taking a day off and playing better the next day. That also goes for learning new tunes - if I learn them and then leave them for a few days and come back to them.
When I don't expect to. When I feel in eager to play, I seem to overdo it, but when I don't plan on playing (session, gig or in the house), it seems to loosen up and take off. I am also "played good" by certain players, the most recent being a great fluteplayer that just moved to town.
when I'm playing at the local school , for the children to sing , and to learn some new songs. We tried doing this for the first time at Christmas, and it was great. A friend came along and played the descant for some of the carols.
I play best when accompanying ,not out there at the front.This year I'm going to play for the local country dance group,or at least see if I can.
Evening. In a session. In an ensemble. Food not important either way. Drunk. With people I've played with for a long time ... or just met for the first time ... or anywhere in between Never play my best if there's a bodhran in the room, even if it's still in its case.
MM, interesting that you mentioned "warm" (but not hot).
I, too, like a warm ambient temperature (73.5 degrees Farenheit, thank you), and start to get cold when the temperature goes below 72. I have been told that it may be due to low blood pressure.
I've noticed over the years that many musicians are sensitive to temperature, some preferring warm, some preferring quite cool. One of my best friends gets uncomfortably warm when the temperature is over 68, so when we get together one of us is always uncomfortably hot (him) or uncomfortably cold (me).
Orson, what if there's a bodhrán in it's case in the pub and you DON'T KNOW IT'S THERE! Is there a sixth sense you can use to detect the bad vibes? Do you get a chill down your spine, a crick in your neck, a frisson of suspicion and can't quite work out why?
ceciltguitar,
i guess it has to do with my instrument,
is pretty temp-sensitive, so i play best when my instrument feels best ... (what's 73.5 F in °C?)
also, i like sweatting while playing ))
mm
lol you had me laughing at the thought, Orson; as soon as someone walks into the bar with a drum, klaxon sounds, emergency lighting comes on and yellow strobes light up the dorway. Security frogmarches offender out the door and calm reigns once again. Sorry to hear you've just hit thirty as well.
When do you play your best?
When do you play your best?
Morning or evening? At home or in a session, or during a gig? Solo or in an ensemble? Hungry or satiated? Drunk or sober? The questions above are just guidelines for some (not all) directions that the answer could take. After all, it's Monday, so let's let the weekend spill into it a bit.
My answer: Take a mobius strip and write free will on one side and totally deterministic fate on the other. I play the best when riding the edge of the wave where the 2 sides meet. (Where do the to opposing sides meet ? that's another discussion altogether). yipee yi ay!
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by ceciltguitar
Re: When do you play your best?
4:32 AM, recently drunk, tired, playing without thinking about the physicality of it, just straight from the mind, tunes stirred up after a full night session, playing solo or with close friends and relatives.
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by Jode
And yes...just for that one minute.
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by Jode
Re: When do you play your best?
That's what I'm talking about - that "one minute", or however long it lasts. That magical time that keeps bringing us back to playing music.
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by ceciltguitar
Re: When do you play your best?
I play my best at gigs. At sessions, i always feel under scrutiny; at home I get lazy, but at a gig, I've prepared, my concentration is at its best, and I just don't want to make a fool of myself.
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by Ailin
Re: When do you play your best?
Early morning. I do scales and arps then a few tunes before work. I also play at night but find the morning better for me.
Just me, the fiddle and a good cup of coffee.........heaven!
Mary
# Posted on January 10th 2005 by Antikhntr
Re: When do you play your best?
Well rested, four hours after food, 3 pints of lager on board. A very good sound check and an audience with a buzz.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by compaqjohn
Re: When do you play your best?
With certain people, in their living rooms (not mine - the mess is too distracting). There are a couple of people I feel I have this magical musical chemistry with, and when I'm playing with them I surprise myself. (But in a good way, not the usual "where did that screeching sound come from!?" way).
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: When do you play your best?
ailin says "I play my best at gigs, at sessions i always feel under scrutiny" ... ?? crikey, what a daft topsy turvy worldi
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by llig leahcim
Re: When do you play your best?
That's what I thought too, Michael! LOL
Hmmm. I can't figure out when I play my best. I'm not sure that I ever have. Luckily, I enjoy the trip.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: When do you play your best?
I'm at my best when I'm with someone I like playing with.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Ottery
Re: When do you play your best?
In what way, Mark? ;^)
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: When do you play your best?
Kerri, when you're as old, fat and decrepit as me, there is only one way...
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Ottery
Re: When do you play your best?
And I can't remember what that is(!)
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Ottery
Re: When do you play your best?
When playing with good musicians, in mandolin-friendly acoustics, not too physically or mentally tired and not on an empty stomach
OR
After spending several weeks in Ireland playing non-stop in sessions at festivals, food- and sleep-deprived, mentally deranged and not yet having to think about coming back home.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: When do you play your best?
When playing for set dancers.
Trevor
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Trevor Jennings
Re: When do you play your best?
For me, usually in the afternoons, when I can just relax and go to it, without the family listening in (I get self-conscious). Or sometimes, when the dancers are really on, everything just seems to click and I feel like I could play forever.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by MacTireRua
Re: When do you play your best?
When fueled by some glasses of whisky.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by slainte
Re: When do you play your best?
After several days of extreme practice, I start playing very badly. That's when I stop and I don't play anything for a whole day. The following morning, I astound myself.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Shrog
Re: When do you play your best?
I'm an early morning person - being up at 5.30 am makes sessions hard work as they usually don't get going until about 9 pm and the best ones are a 45 minute drive away. I really enjoy Sunday afternoon sessions. But strangely enough I sometimes play better when slightly tired!
I also agree with Shrog about taking a day off and playing better the next day. That also goes for learning new tunes - if I learn them and then leave them for a few days and come back to them.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Tarrantella
Re: When do you play your best?
When I don't expect to. When I feel in eager to play, I seem to overdo it, but when I don't plan on playing (session, gig or in the house), it seems to loosen up and take off. I am also "played good" by certain players, the most recent being a great fluteplayer that just moved to town.
Snorre
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by snorre
Re: When do you play your best?
in the dark, a little hungry, but sober.
be it session or stage ...
tireness has no influence ...
and it has to be warm (not hot).
and i want a fiddle nearby!
mm
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by MM
Re: When do you play your best?
when I'm playing at the local school , for the children to sing , and to learn some new songs. We tried doing this for the first time at Christmas, and it was great. A friend came along and played the descant for some of the carols.
I play best when accompanying ,not out there at the front.This year I'm going to play for the local country dance group,or at least see if I can.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by gummidge
Re: When do you play your best?
Evening. In a session. In an ensemble. Food not important either way. Drunk. With people I've played with for a long time ... or just met for the first time ... or anywhere in between
Never play my best if there's a bodhran in the room, even if it's still in its case.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Just a person
Re: When do you play your best?
MM, interesting that you mentioned "warm" (but not hot).
I, too, like a warm ambient temperature (73.5 degrees Farenheit, thank you), and start to get cold when the temperature goes below 72. I have been told that it may be due to low blood pressure.
I've noticed over the years that many musicians are sensitive to temperature, some preferring warm, some preferring quite cool. One of my best friends gets uncomfortably warm when the temperature is over 68, so when we get together one of us is always uncomfortably hot (him) or uncomfortably cold (me).
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by ceciltguitar
Re: When do you play your best?
Orson, what if there's a bodhrán in it's case in the pub and you DON'T KNOW IT'S THERE! Is there a sixth sense you can use to detect the bad vibes? Do you get a chill down your spine, a crick in your neck, a frisson of suspicion and can't quite work out why?
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Conán McDonnell
Re: When do you play your best?
That's where the pub's Acme Bodhran Detector would sound the alarm
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Just a person
Re: When do you play your best?
ceciltguitar,
))
i guess it has to do with my instrument,
is pretty temp-sensitive, so i play best when my instrument feels best ... (what's 73.5 F in °C?)
also, i like sweatting while playing
mm
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by MM
Re: When do you play your best?
... and I'm at the age now where I have a permanently chilled spine, cricked neck, suspicious frisson etc. in any case.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Just a person
Re: When do you play your best?
lol you had me laughing at the thought, Orson; as soon as someone walks into the bar with a drum, klaxon sounds, emergency lighting comes on and yellow strobes light up the dorway. Security frogmarches offender out the door and calm reigns once again. Sorry to hear you've just hit thirty as well.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Conán McDonnell
Re: When do you play your best?
73.5 F = 23.0555 C
http://www.simotech.com/formulas/celsius.htm
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by ceciltguitar
Re: When do you play your best?
correction:
http://www.simocotech.com/formulas/celsius.htm
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by ceciltguitar
Re: When do you play your best?
Usually at home,not hungry but not full,non-chapped lips,warmish temp,not too tired.Also at CAIW.
# Posted on January 12th 2005 by seisflutes
Re: When do you play your best?
with friends _especially the ''sneaky session'' somewhere arranged at the drop of a hat
drinking 'tea' too during tunes is good, no doubt an old custom in some parts . . .
and incidentally, are there any sessions in iceland?
# Posted on January 12th 2005 by lisaniska
Re: When do you play your best?
orson, that's because i'm always right behind you, goatskin in hand! i'm just too ridiculously sneaky for you to ever know!
# Posted on January 12th 2005 by Bard