Morning earworm: Peruvian Skies, Dream Theater. A top-10 all-time fave.
I don't much like the new widgets - too big and obtrusive. Once more, a steaming pile handed to us and called an upgrade.
So, Friday again. The final two shows of the 2010 season. While updating the website yesterday, I discovered that we have 18 gigs booked for next year already - in the 21st Century, this is job security.
For lack of anything better this morning, a discussion of the Pregame Ritual. It is commonly known in sports circles that many players superstitiously go through a set routine before games. I confess I do this as well on gig days, though more from practicality (and habit) as superstition. To begin, we ask the question When does the performance begin? It is, in fact, well before hitting the stage. For me, it begins sometime that morning. I tend to do very little on that day, since I am ordinarily a morning person and I know it will be a late night, usually with significant driving involved; so, take it easy. At some point between 10:00 and noon, I go down to the Bunker and pack up my gear. Make sure I have everything - even as stripped down as my rig is currently, it remains of sufficient complexity that one missing piece will scuttle the whole thing. Plus, it is an exercise in focus, the beginning of the mental process for the performance. From there, loading out to the van. Again, focus - it is a bit like moving, a bit like a jigsaw puzzle; there is a certain way everything goes in to maximize space available. As long as I am out, I usually hook up the trailer at this point too, so everything is ready for departure.
Once this is done, a light lunch, an optional Epsom salt bath and a nap. Upon arising, a shower and personal grooming. This is the point that I am "on". Get dressed, including black underwear for the gig. Not superstition, but symbolic - I don't normally wear this, so it is part of the uniform, and more importantly an act of intention. Deliberately disengaging the autopilot we usually go through life on. Grab the stage clothes (never set up in what you are going to wear, it will only get dirty) and guitar (which doesn't get left in the vehicle under any circumstances, even at home, and especially in this weather) and head out the door, stepping over the threshold with the left foot first. Again, an act of intention - it doesn't matter so much what you do, just that you do it consciously and deliberately. This is also how I step onto the stage. It is all about focus. There are nights when one gets distracted, or just ignores the process, and suddenly you realize you are halfway through the third song of the set and you don't even realize how you got there. Recovery is possible, but the opportunity for a proper beginning is lost.
There are, of course, variations on this - usually if somebody is riding with me - but for the most part, this is a typical Friday here at Lake Arecibo.
Begin with the possible and move gradually towards the impossible.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
As you said, it's about focus. So many people seem to lack focus anymore. Not sure if it is the cell phone/crackberry thing or if we are just drifting away from the ability to focus on ONE thing. First it was the people in the group not being able to stay focused WHILE ON STAGE and now it is apparent a co-worker is unable to focus. Is it an epidemic?
ReplyDeleteGlad you have gigs lined up for next year - always a great way to head into the holidays!
It's something my Teacher often goes on about, though more with the audience than the performer, but it still applies - how can you support and contribute to the performance when you aren't even really there? This is just as valid in the workplace as on the stage. Maybe even a subject for next week - lol.
ReplyDelete