Performance Fatigue

Subject: Performance Fatigue
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 10:02 AM

(y'all, I swear I am going to reset that cookie. I usually dump them all on Friday and this week I didn't get around to resetting it.)

Is it just me, or does anyone else get really tired from performing? It isn't like standing up and singing is really that demanding; and even though I am in good physical shape, I get awfully doggone tired! Especially at outdoor events.

Am I working too hard? Do I need to work out more? Take vitamins? what?

Anybody else?

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: MMario
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 10:37 AM

yup- I find the same thing. tho' a lot of time for me, it hits on Monday - after a two day "event".

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Midchuck
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 10:43 AM

Both my wife and I used to be quite devoted road runners. Went to races most weekends, in the warm months.

When we started performing on a regular basis, we pretty much drifted away from running. There just wasn't energy enough to do both (and do our day jobs, and maintain the house).

We still walk a lot, and cross-country ski in winter, but athletics aren't a focus any more.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 10:51 AM

Yes!

Drink more water, too. During the Tour de France, Hardi and I learned (thanks to the Teevee) that a 20% shortage in fluid levels results in an 80% drop in muscle power!

A way of countering the physical demands is to take a special kind of break afterwards, or before going out to the next gig, or whenever you can. It takes two people. (No, not that! LOL!)

You and your partner can take turns so you each get to recover.

Let's say it's YOUR turn:

You lie down and get as comfy as possible, or snuggle up against your partner in a couch if that's your style. You relax and verbally review the events from which you are recovering... tell where you went as tho your partner has NO idea about any of it.... give details... say how you felt about the small details... and pretty soon you will start to yawn. Go ahead and yawn, talk, yawn, talk.... it may lead to tears or laughter.... that's fine too, tears are good when you are SO tired... Just feel the feelings, observe that someone is paying attention in a safe way, and yawn or weep or laugh.

Your partner simply pays attention, in an attitude of delighted, relaxed interest. No rush, no comments, no advice, no evaluation... just sits there looking and being delighted with you as you yawn away.

Yawning has many functions, most of them well known. In this mode, though, yawning is how we discharge exhaustion just as tears are how we discharge grief and shaking is how we discharge fear.

A lot of the "performance fatigue" is from the saved-up tensions associated with the fatigue, and having to "carry on," while tired, in the past. If you yawn all that off, you will find that ten minutes of this kind of attention feels (afterwards) like a long nap.

When "time" is up switch places. Don't mix the turns-- the one listening has to be really just listening, altho they may yawn along with you and that's fine.

Also when your time is up, the listener should direct your attention to some pleasant, interesting thing in the environment to bring you back to present time, alert. (Unless you can slide into a nap.) Trying to recall song titles from an old CD is also a good attention-upper.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: MMario
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 11:33 AM

*THAT* works too...

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 11:38 AM

LOL!

I didn't say not to do THAT!

Try BOTH!

~S~

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: GUEST,Celtic Soul
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 11:55 AM

Boy HOWDY, but yes I know exactly what you are saying! :D

For me, coming in to work on Monday is rest sometimes, comparatively speaking. I think the thing is that (for me) when I am performing, I am doing more than simply singing (like I would for myself in the car or the shower). I am exerting more energy to try and connect with the audience, and to drive the music or emote so that it is not "just another rendition" of whatever.

What helps for me is to try and keep rested. No hard parties after a long gig. No staying up late to see a film after performing. And I schedule some time off from work if we're doing a weekend long (or more) gig, or after an away trip.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: RichM
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 12:20 PM

I play in two bands, one Irish, the other old time bluegrass and country.

Though I am retired, and these are my only paid activities, I find that I have to be careful not to overplay. By that, I mean playing to the point that I lose my energy and enthusiasm.

I have learned to accept gigs only up to the point that I enjoy them. When it gets weary, I cut back.

Rich McCarthy

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 12:55 PM

I've never had this problem... If anything I get pumped from performing, and sometimes I come home and can't sleep for hours! 2 bands, and a solo show... keeps me busy and I love it!

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: jeffp
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 01:27 PM

To me performing is an adrenaline rush. When I come home, I am frequently still "flying" on the adrenaline to the point that I can't sleep for a couple of hours, but exhausted to the point that I can't do anything either! This usually means watching some sort of junk on the tube until I can close my eyes.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: 53
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 01:44 PM

before i got sick we used to play six nights a week, and i loved it , then we went back on the road and once we played 21 one niters in a row, and then once we played 25 times out of 27 days all of the were one niters also, but now i couldn't do it but then i lived for and now i'm pining away to play for people but i guess those days are over, me and glenda play together about 4 nights a week and sometime i'll cut my music match jukebox on my computor on and turn it up and play along with that's the closest i'll come to playing with a live band again. BOB

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: breezy
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 02:50 PM

I found it knackering spending 45 mins carrying in and setting uo a P.A. Now I look to play acousticly! cut out the booze and have a coffee. I keep a pint of water handy and if I have a pint of beer I tend to usually drink the water, however if I drink too much then the interval comes early.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Crane Driver
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 04:15 PM

Agree with jeffp. I get home too excited to sleep as well. But I don't do gigs all the time. It isn't my job, it's a self-financing hobby. I play what I like, when I like. Keeps me looking young. (private joke)

<>

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Cappuccino
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 05:51 PM

I know what Breezy means - years ago, I used to play through a 4x12, then turned to a combo amp and was amazed how lightweight it was. Then it started to feel heavy. Then I bought a PA and recently started thinking: 'do I really want to carry this around?'

I think it's age... but I confess I'm beginning to enjoy the times when it's just me at home with the 8-track.

Trouble is, of course, whenever I watch someone playing 'live', I want to be back up there....

- IanB

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Robin2
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 07:35 PM

I've always heard that after your body produces adrenaline, the waste products floating around in your system can cause extreme fatigue. For me the exhaustion always hits the next day. Like all of you, I'm so pumped after a good night of music, I can't go to sleep for hours!

Lots of water and a good deep body massage can help.

So, try lots of water as Breezy said
talk, relax and yawn with your partner as Susan suggested, and perhaps a massage
and yes MMario, *that* works too! :)

Robin

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Bert
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 07:44 PM

You need to relax and enjoy yourself, KimC me darlin. My problem is with stopping. Once I start singing I just keep going 'til I run out of songs. Beware, if I take a song list along, I could probably go for about 30 hours or more.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: nutty
Date: 04 Oct 01 - 03:33 AM

Singing is a physical activity and when linked with the stress of stage performance it can be exhausting
I never appreciated this until I was put on insulin for diabetes .... I had a few near misses when I came off stage almost hypoglycaemic ....... now I drink coke (almost pure sugar) while on stage and that keeps my blood-sugar levels stable

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 04 Oct 01 - 01:04 PM

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 04 Oct 01 - 01:06 PM

I do relax and enjoy myself!It just makes me tired. Sure, I get pumped for awhile, but then I'm just worn out.

I'll be tenting this Friday and Saturday, but Sunday night there's a hotel room and hopefully a nice margarita waiting for me. :-)

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: 53
Date: 04 Oct 01 - 08:29 PM

come yous guys play hard and love it. bob.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 04 Oct 01 - 09:17 PM

I used to run several sessions a week and play in a couple of bands, and fatigue -or more accurately, boredom- set in eventually.  I backed off and now only play when I feel like it; there are still tunes that I'm thoroughly sick of, but I no longer feel obliged to play them.  When I enjoyed it, it never made me tired; I suspect that variety (and taking time off when you need it, as Rich suggested) may be more important than vitamins!

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: SeanM
Date: 04 Oct 01 - 11:59 PM

Hell yes, I get tired!

It's not so much a full body 'exhaustion' as it is that my throat starts seizing if I haven't been rehearsing enough. As it is, I'm fighting to get back into shape just to rehearse - it's been over a year since I've done anything more than sing in the shower.

Yipes!

*note to self: Lots of water. Relax. Find someone to "that" with...*

M

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: GUEST,Johnny D.
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 12:26 AM

Yeah, I've been known to have performance fatigue. Cost me my last girlfriend.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Whitewater
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 01:06 AM

These are all great tips for dealing with performance fatigue in general, but does anybody out there have any specific hints for specific problems? For instance, I've finally figured out how to breathe and play fast stuff on the recorder at the same time but I have yet to be able to play even one fast song (like Finnegan's Wake) all the way through on the bodhran without my right arm absoloutely collapsing, and twitching with pain and exhaustion. It feels like I was lifting a twenty pound weight without stopping. Oddly, my hand never hurts, and I never have problems with breathing or anything else. Just my arm.

Anybody else experienced this? how did you deal with it?

Whitewater

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 10:35 AM

Whitewater

assuming you are right-handed thats the playing arm holding the ciapin (beater) not the one supporting the bodhran?

much depends on the style you adopt for beating. do you turn your wrist and beat with your knuckles nearest the skin? do you hold the ciapin in a pen grip or between thumb and middle fingers? Are you gripping the ciapan very tightly. Do you beat in the same place on the skin or move around (play from both elbow and shoulder). often when playing fast tunes players lock up shoulder wrist and fingers (often so as not to let the ciapin fly out of their hand) this will cause you to cramp very quickly.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: 53
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 04:50 PM

yes it does happen to the best. bob

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Whitewater
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 12:58 AM

Responding to A Wandering Minstrel;

I generally hold what we in the Upper Midwest of the USA call a 'tipper' (don't ask me why!) with knuckles towards the drumhead, in a reverse 'pen' grip (ie, my fingertips point towards me, more or less). I think I am subconsciously tightening up my whole arm, duh. Never thought of that!! I generally drum in the lower quadrant of the drum, the one closest to my body. Yep, I'm righthanded, though technically I am amibidextrous and can play a bodhran with my left hand. I'm better with my right. I think I need a bigger drum, the one I have is only about 14" in diameter, which makes me squish my strokes a little. Dunno if that makes a difference or not.

W.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 01:29 AM

A bigger bodhrain might be an answer, because what it sounds like is RSI. Your right arm is moving within a limited sphere of movement, and only one set of muscles is being used. Get a bigger playing area and adapt your style to use the whole of the skin. Experiment with the different sounds it makes.... you'll probably find your whole arm aches instead of just a part of it... And it will make you look flashier on the stage.

As for the total body exhaustion - do you sit or stand on stage? Ever tried standing for 2 hours anywhere else?? Knackering isn't it! Try to keep moving your feet around. Guards on parade for events such as the 'Trooping the Colour' will shift every ten minutes or so.... like a little ripple going down the ranks. They are shifting from their heels to the ball of the foot and stretching up a little. This gets the circulation going and stops them fainting.

The adrenalin rush that a good gig should cause, will send everything else rushing round as well, I knew a bloke who ended up with a stiffy every time he did a gig.... nice for his girlfriend but a bit embarassing for the front row. He took to playing guitar to hide it! As they say, what goes up, must come down and an adrenalin rush can either make you feel like you could take on the world and win, or like you want to chuck! Tip - don't do the second one on stage, unless you are a punk band! You will feel like absolute death after a huge buzz, it's the way we are.....

And as said above, do drink lots of water or soft drinks... alcohol will only make you want to pee more, it's a depressant and no-one wants to pay good money to see a drunk on stage any more. Go for long cold (but not iced) fruit juices which will be refreshing, good for your innards and should provide enough sugar to keep you going. When I'm in a session that I know is going to go on, I alternate with 2 pints of OJ & Lemonade to 1 pint of beer, but then, I'm usually sitting down.

Good luck with it, and take care of yourself!

LTS

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 09:21 AM

I agree with LtS, you probably need to use a bigger drum, also try holding the beater so that it rests on the inside of the first joints of your fingers and is held in place by your thumb opposing the middle finger not the first. (you might want to get a slightly longer beater for this) this grip can be loose but you won't drop the beater. Every couple of tunes stop and shake out your whole arm and raise and drop your shoulders a few times to break the muscle tension.

If the discomfort persists then you probably do have an RSI and should seek medical advice.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: PeteBoom
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 10:26 AM

Whitewater - A bigger drum will help.

Also, as silly as this may seem, exercising the right arm to build maximum strength while keeping it limber, loose and relaxed. One effective thing I have students do is do EVERYTHING they can with the hand that is either weaker, or the hand or arm they are having tension problems with - open doors, turn water faucets, etc., and pay attention to the amount of pressure they are using to do so.

To build raw strength (to make one hand as strong as the other), simply do EVERYTHING possible with that hand. To build endurance, extend your arm straight from the shoulder with your palm facing up - nice and relaxed. Hold it there for one minute - piece of cake right? Try it. Don't lock the elbow, keep your joints limber. When you can do that with great ease for one minute, put a penny in your hand and do the same thing. Keep the arm relaxed, keep the elbow and shoulder relaxed, don't lock your joints.

What normally happens with drummers (not just bodhran players) when they need to play an extended fast pattern - with a BUNCH of notes/strokes/whatever in a fairly small measure of music, is they get a LITTLE tense, which results in extra tension throughout the length of the arm, into the shoulder and across the upper back. This combines to give you restricted blood flow and all sorts of not good things while you are playing.

The same thing can happen when you are playing something at a more moderate tempo, but find it hard for you to play or to play it for an extended period. RELAX physically and mentally. This will do wonders for your playing.

Finally - relax your grip. If you think is it relaxed, relax it some more. Also, look around and experiment with different tippers. Try a lighter tipper, or a slightly heavier one, then don't try and beat the bejaysus out of the drum. Let the stick do the work (I'm essentially lazy).

The suggestions for fruit juices are good - I tend to drink alot of water, a cups of coffee per set and have a beer next to me. Depending on how long the gig is these will tend to vary a little - 2 set gig, one beer will be plenty. Three sets - I'll start a second beer between set 2 & 3 and have half a beer for after tear-down.

Anyway - I've rambled and am supposed to be at work -

Pete

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 11:06 AM

Here's what works for me. Watching diet, exercise and rest very closely.

Diet: Some of you are going to react by throwing up your hands at this. Don't eat animal products. Eat as much as possible raw foods. Don't drink alcohol or smoke. Drink lots of water. Try to eat organic vegtables. Balance by eating a lot of different kind of veggies. This will clear the body of toxics which depletes energy and causes physical problems in playing instruments.

Exercise moderately. Aerobic is best for singing and breathing. Swimming, jogging, fast walking, biking, stairsteps at a heath club or Y.

Anerobic: Some light weight training.

Rest: Yoga, meditation.

Tall order? Sure is! Being a performer to me is just like being an athlete. Gotta' kinda' be in training.

A lot of this stuff is almost impossible when on the road but it can be done. Eat out of markets (stay away from processed foods) instead of restaurants. Jog or fast-walk. Get a national health club card. Try to avoid late night parties as much as possible.

Most people can't get into this kind of regimen but I figure there are two roads to take. Physical health or addictive substances. Doing what we do (performing) is not for everybody.

Sorry if this sounds like a lecture but I felt since you asked I had to make the case.

Frank

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Marion
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 02:01 PM

KimC, I've found that performing stamina, like other physical skills, improves with practice.

When I first started busking, I could play about 45 before feeling like I could use a break, and would push myself to complete an hour.

Five months later, I can busk for 1 1/2 hours or 1 3/4 hours with pushing myself.

Having said that, I imagine that gig-performers don't typically put in as many performing hours per week as buskers - so you may not be performing often enough for it to count as an exercise regimen.

Marion

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Marion
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 02:02 PM

That should be, "Five months later, I can busk for 1 1/2 hours or 1 3/4 hours without pushing myself."

Busking helps you learn to talk while fiddling too!

Marion

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Jim Krause
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 02:23 PM

Heck yes performing is fatiguing! There have been nights after I'm done when all I want is a hot bath, a dark room, a soft pillow, and NO NOISE. Week end festivals are worse. Of course all that late Saturday night jamming doesn't help much. That aside, festivals keep performers hoppin' for sure.
Jim

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Clairez
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 10:53 PM

It was really interesting to read this thread because I happen to be in performance fatique mode after a weekend festival. I have yet to see my coment mentioned, so here goes.... COFFEE.

This is why coffee was invented as far as I am concerned. I have found there is nothing like coffee 1/2 hour before a show to ensure that you actually remember all those pesky words. This is especially true if you have been jamming all day and have to perform your 1/2 hour claim to fame at a festival at 3 in the afternoon. It is also imperative if you work all day, come home be a mom, and then go do the bar gig at 8 pm. Of course, I also drink lots of water, and try to get regular excercise, rest etc.... but being a working mom, that doesn't always work out. However, coffee does the trick when Ineed it.

I am also a contra dance caller, and recently began to sit down while calling so that I could play bodhran at the same time. Once I got over the two-sides of the brain problem, I found that sitting greatly increased my endurance, and drumming keeps my attention sharpened on the dancers. Does any one else out there call and play an instrument at the same time and have you found this to be true for you?

One last thing. I think the fatigue level after a gig goes down as you get more skilled and more relaxed at performing. For me, this has been most noticeable at gigs that I do regularly (1/month or more). The problem is that the excitement and adrenaline before the gig can also be reduced if it gets too familiar. Then I can get sloppy, or just not sharp enough to perform well. When that happens.... you guessed it....I have a cup of coffee.

Claire

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: SeanM
Date: 10 Oct 01 - 01:11 AM

I gotta say - coffee for me equals death on stage. I'm usually unmic-ed, and that wonderful closure of the throat and tightening of the voice just does WONDERS for me on stage.

Not to say that it's not something to do to pick you back up after it. But if you're having to worry about your vocal quality, and DEFINITELY if you're having to worry about non-amplified vocal performance, I'd think twice about it.

Warm water. It's just about the best thing you can do before hitting the stage. Not hot - but DEFINITELY not iced either. Think of the way your body contracts when you stick your toe into icy water... now think about that being your throat. Warm water lubricates the relevant areas, keeps things working, and generally does good things. Though I find once on stage, cool water (again, NOT iced) works well. Beer, if you're going for the "I have to sing for the next two hours and don't have to again, and it doesn't matter if I rip my anesthetized throat out on stage" show...

M

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 10 Oct 01 - 01:54 AM

Coffee/caffeine acts in a strange way. It causes the blood vessels to expand, which then enables more blood to be pumped through with less effort (like descaling the pipes). This makes the nice, oxygen rich blood get to the parts that need it, thus making things more active, including the brain. Cola has the same effect, if it has caffeine in it. So do red wine, chocolate and ginger beer, but don't ask me how or why they do!

This is great if you have a sluggish system. If you don't then it's instant migraine as the brain gets more than it can cope with and it goes into overdrive. If you do have a sluggish system then it will quite often cure a migraine (personally, I get the second sort. A good strong cup of coffee at the right time and it's gone. I also 'use' coffee when I'm having an asthma attack, it gets rid of that 'bra four sizes too small' feeling), and keep you alert. But it's short-lived, so you need to keep everything lubricated whilst it's 'open and ready'. So when your throat appears to close after a coffee, it's really the surrounding blood vessels expanding - the throat and other spaces reduce a little to make room for this expansion.

Biology lesson over. Your homework this weekend......

LTS

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: Bert
Date: 10 Oct 01 - 02:33 AM

Kim, I know that you're young and should be full of energy. At your age I used to be able to swing a hammer all day every day. Of course you have to get in training first for any extended activity.

Now if you HAVE trained and if you ARE relaxed and still get very tired after an hour or so you might want to go along to your Mumbo Jumbo man and get a check up.

Whitewater, as for the Bodhran, PeteBoom has said it all, get the right sized beater for the job and let IT do the work. I would suspect that a larger one is needed and that you need to check that you are holding it correctly. Also try varying the height that you hold the Bodhran. You might be holding it in a position that causes you to raise your arm too much.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: BlueJay
Date: 10 Oct 01 - 04:11 AM

I am playing bass, (by default), in our band D&A here in southern Colorado. I've developed what I call "Left Shoulder Syndrome", from holding the bass,(which feels like it weighs fifty pounds at times). My left shoulder really starts to hurt at times. I've even taken to putting the strap over my right shoulder, at times, like a lot of mandolin players do, to relieve the strain.

But no matter the instrument, whether I play bass, guitar or mandolin, just the act of playing and singing takes a lot out of me. Playing music is a difficult and tiring job. Goes with the territory, I think. Not too different from any other job, except that it is a hell of a lot more rewarding. Thanks, BlueJay

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: 53
Date: 11 Oct 01 - 10:30 PM

refresh, spaw, do you ever get tired of playing? bob.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 03:32 PM

Coffee constricts the blood vessels. Not a good way to get air for singing.

Frank

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 04:59 PM

The other day I asked my husband's cousin about this. She's nearly 50 and sings in a rock band. She suggested that perhaps the playing 3 30-minute sets with an hour in between may cause an adrenaline up-and-down, which can make you feel really whipped. Cause at 30 minutes, you're just getting warmed up good, then you STOP. And I thought about it... I have played 3 hours at a stretch, and felt fine. So maybe there's something to that.

Guest Frank, I tried that vegetarian thing once, and it absolutely did not work for me. I have adjusted my eating habits, though, and I do pay pretty close attention to things like saturated fat and too many sweets. So you're right when you say diet is important; I just think each person needs to find what's the right diet for them. You're also right about the not drinking or staying up late thing. :-)

I do Tae Bo (and belly dancing!) and have found that it has improved my breathing, of all things.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: DonMeixner
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 05:55 PM

My band gis 35 - 40 times a year and very heavy in March and July and August. I get bad problem with a muscle that runs from my spine to my side. Right in the area you can't reach from top or bottom. I find if I keep moving about it lessens the pain. I will also stand with my right foot on a box 0or a case and that helps too.

I always drink a ton of H2O when play. Never a pint a' till the last set is in the bag. I also never eat before we play.

When my voice cracks and I get a scratchy throat I have a waitress bring me a buttered roll to eat. The butter seems to help too.

The best way to beat fatigue is not when you are playing bit before you start. Lite meals, plenty of water, warm up the body and the voice. Stretches like you are running. Lamaze type deep breathing helps too. WEll for me any way.

Then if she or he is around, get your Sweetie Pie to give you a nice back rub when you are done.

Don

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: 53
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 11:02 PM

what do you do about tired fingers? bob

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: ponytrax
Date: 13 Oct 01 - 01:28 PM

Hi Kim C no Cookie,

If you are the sort of person who can learn a new approach by reading a book, I highly recommend "Peak Performance: Mental Training Techniques of the World's Greatest Athletes, by Charles A. Garfield (1984) [it may be out of print, I haven't looked]. You'll have to perform a mental editing exercise, substituting "music" for "sport" and so on.

It is a very complete guide to getting the most out of yourself and being able to perform at a high level with ease and confidence.

Human Kinetics also has a few guides. I'll go look and come back and post again.

Subject: RE: Performance Fatigue
From: SeanM
Date: 13 Oct 01 - 02:56 PM

There are those weird squeeze clamp things that are designed JUST for finger and hand strength. I know a few guitarists who swear by them. They're small, so you can also take them with you to work out when you're driving, or sitting in bed, or what have you.

I've also heard a few people (not many, mind you) who swear by those little sand filled 'stress balls'. Also, though I personally don't see how they'd help, I have one friend who is convinced that the wrist weights that joggers use help - he thinks that they help increase the blood circulation and the endurance of the arms. I don't know if it does or not, but he says they do.

M