Tech: NLP/selfhypnosis CDs/books for musicians

Subject: RE: Tech: NLP/selfhypnosis CDs/books for musicians
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 28 Apr 06 - 12:17 PM

Having tried myriad shortcuts to competency, I can assure you the only effective method is PRACTICE.

The great thing about practice is that it remains effective in combination with strange rituals that some swear by and others deride.

Subject: RE: Tech: NLP/selfhypnosis CDs/books for musicians
From: Saro
Date: 28 Apr 06 - 12:01 PM

I've tried various NLP type techniques for things like confidence in performance, which haven't worked, then later, with better training, tried using them in a way which has worked brilliantly. It takes too long to go into here, so send me a pm and we can discuss in more detail. Basically it is a form of self hypnosis, combined with positive visualisation (very much on the lines of the sports pshychology stuff). I've used the same methods when helping other people to develp confidence e.g. before giving presentations, and it seems to work for them too.
Sarah

Subject: Tech: NLP/selfhypnosis CDs/books for musicians
From: Grab
Date: 28 Apr 06 - 11:21 AM

"Tech" since messing with your head is about as technical as it gets... :-)

There's been occasional posts here (mostly in BS) from people who've used various mind-meddling techniques to help them with their music and other things. As a natural sceptic (ie. someone who needs evidence before considering that some improbable thing might be true), I reckon it's time I put my money where my mouth is and had a go at some of them to see whether any of it works for me. Specifically, I'm thinking of areas like neuro-linguistic programming, self-hypnosis and the like.

The trigger for this was an article in NewScientist about time perception, presented in terms of sportspeople. A specific example was an ice hockey player for whom things seemed to go into slow-motion when he took a shot, so he had much better conscious control over what he was doing. He apparently didn't realise that this was unusual. I immediately saw that this would have implications for music. For me, as with most people, I can move my fingers really fast but I can't do it consciously, so although I can do short bursts of a few notes in patterns that I'm familiar with, I can't produce a fast sustained solo bcos I simply can't think fast enough to join phrases together at that speed - I can whack out random notes at a reasonable speed, but that doesn't make it music! So something that gives an edge in this area would obviously be good. Separately, most of these things also talk about improving self-confidence and relaxation on stage, and helping to make practise more productive. Which also is a Good Thing.

My main problem with this area is that since so little is known about the mind, it's practically impossible to differentiate between charlatans peddling junk, genuine professionals selling things that really work, and people who used to be genuine professionals but now are "coasting" on their reputation and selling junk. (What I've read about Richard Bandler, who invented some of this stuff, suggests he's one of the third group, and I'm generally unhappy about those courses on NLP which are designed to let you manipulate other people.) So basically I'm looking for anyone who's tried any of these kind of things, or even maybe who teaches this kind of stuff, to give some pointers to worthwhile books and/or CDs.

I should say now that I'll be approaching this sceptically, in other words I'll be trying as best I can to track my progress and see whether it does really make a difference. If you've tried something and it worked for you, I'm prepared to give it a go (depending on cost ;-) and see if it works for me too. Also, if you've tried this and it *didn't* help, then I'd like to know as well - negative results are just as important in saving me from wasting my time and money. I would like to ask though that people who've never tried this stuff don't automatically post saying "never tried it, but it's obviously bollocks". Unlike the threads about alternative medicine, an answer of "it's all in your mind" in this context is actually a good thing! :-)

My first try is probably going to be Self-hypnosis for musicians. I'm also considering getting Beyond bedroom guitar. Both these are a reasonable price, so I won't have lost too much if they don't work. If anyone has any views on either of these, or if you've got any other suggestions, I'd love to hear about it, either here or via PM.

Graham.