Playing piano while high or drunk?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I don't smoke or drink, but I was just curious.  What effect do drugs have on your piano playing?

Because I heard that drugs can enhance your performance in some things.  For example, Meth helps you perform better on tests, skateboarding while high or drunk helps you learn new tricks etc.

I'm under age so I can't smoke or drink.  And the other drugs such as Weed, Meth, Heroine, and Shrooms are illegal in the US too so I can't try them because I'm a law abiding citizen! 

Not that I would try them even if they were legal.  Who knows what I would do while I'm intoxicated.

[rangerx]

well I played in a rock band pro , the early 60's to the late 80"s. I always stayed clean my first drink was at 25yrs but never heavy, I watched the rest , its not a good thing. Compare it to shopping for food when your hungry, all looks good until you get home, the same being under the influence . Do yourself a favor stay clean work hard and be happy the results will show

you can google my name I have a youtube audio posted of one the shows

Richard Kurek acrylic animal paintings

or

[49410enrique]

biochemically speaking there are some biological agents that could help certain pianists in certain situations, for example those with high performance anxiety could benefit from selective beta adrenergic blockers without the nervous system depression and coordination impairment one would experience with alcholol. i think that there are most probably pianists one the competition scene that already probably pop a few before going out on stage and i don't think those will be drug tested events anytime soon (can you imagine? yeah i would've won if that kid wasn't on 'gear'.....lol)

[iansinclair]

First, a disclaimer: I smoke, and have now for about 60 years.  I don't recommend it to anyone, even though in my situation it helps me control both my temper (which can be pretty fierce) and relax a bit before I need to perform.  I have not quit for several reasons, none of them really good.  Smoking does not hurt my performance capability -- but I doubt that it helps much either.  I also used to drink to excess; I've been sober for 30 years now.  That did hurt my performing capability, sometimes drastically.  It never, ever helped.

As to the notion that being high or drunk can help you learn new tricks on a skateboard -- phoey.  What those two may do is remove inhibitions to the extent that you might try something you would have thought more carefully about sober, but they won't help you learn.  They might help you kill yourself, but that's a minor detail.

Meth and other stimulants might help on certain tasks -- once in a while.  Trouble is, they are all psychologically, if not physically, adicting.

Bottom line?  Just. Don't. Do. It.

At least not without the guidance of a fully competent medical professional.  There may be some cases where, as RangerX notes, a carefully chosen, evaluated and prescribed agent may help in certain specific situations, but it will always -- always -- be better if you can avoid messing up your head -- never mind your body or possibly your whole life -- with chemicals.

[williampiano]

For example, Meth helps you perform better on tests,

Really??? Doesn't meth completely destroy the brain? I don't see how that could help someone do better on a test.

[ted]

I have never been high, never had a drug, unless a cup of coffee counts. Alcohol has well and truly lost its charm for over three decades, and even back then I had little by most people's standards.

Piano playing after a drink ? No, its effects are completely negative for me, both physically and mentally.

[sevencircles]

Art Tatum was drunk when he did the majority of his recordings, or was it just a myth? 

[pytheamateur]

One small glass of wine might be ideal if you suffer from stage fright.  It's not too much that will affect your coordination.