piano and drugs

[paris]

how can drugs like ectasy or speed affect on playing piano?  can they make your fingers faster and you go mad?
question is unusual, but i came to my mind today 


P:S: of course i don't take drugs!    :

[Will Millar]

I believe I'm right in saying that

Piano + Drugs = Boogie Woogie

I believe that is how boogie woogie was formed!?

Will

[mikeyg]

(Mr Mackey voice) "Drug are bad, Mkay?"

[whynot]

There was a long thread on this just a few months ago.  It got pretty heated, actually.  It seems likely that the performer will think he sounds amazing, better than ever before, while actually bombing.  I can't say for sure, because I will never try it.  The trouble with the earlier thread was, as far as I can recall, the people who had tried it and responded did say they played better, but in order to be sure, they would have had to record themselves while high and then listen back when sober, and I don't think any responders had done that.  I may be wrong-- you could do a search and see for sure.

[lagin]

If you (meaning anyone and no one in particular) feel the need to take drugs to play better, than you're forfeiting the whole idea!  An athlete who takes drugs to win is not a "good athlete," and if caught, is a disqualified athlete.  It wouldn't really be you playing.  It wouldn't be your hard work showing.  It would just be adrenaline.  We all make mistakes.  We all struggle.  It's a normal part of life that, personally, I wouldn't want to try to "fix."  I would be much happier with myself if I did my best and made a few errors or even had a few memory lapses, than if I played well high.  I would feel like I betrayed myself and the other pianists, not to mention my parents, teacher, and Lord, by playing in such a state.  I don't think I could even happy with my performance no matter how good it sounded (if it indeed really did sound good, since I probably couldn't tell at the time.) 

[dinosaurtales]

Oh man!  When are they going to have investigations into illegal "doping" of pianists just like baseball players?  "his recital was DISQUAULIFIED when he was caught taking steroids to make his fingers stronger!!!!"

[faulty_damper]

If you (meaning anyone and no one in particular) feel the need to take drugs to play better, than you're forfeiting the whole idea!  An athlete who takes drugs to win is not a "good athlete," and if caught, is a disqualified athlete.  It wouldn't really be you playing.  It wouldn't be your hard work showing.  It would just be adrenaline.  We all make mistakes.  We all struggle.  It's a normal part of life that, personally, I wouldn't want to try to "fix."  I would be much happier with myself if I did my best and made a few errors or even had a few memory lapses, than if I played well high.  I would feel like I betrayed myself and the other pianists, not to mention my parents, teacher, and Lord, by playing in such a state.  I don't think I could even happy with my performance no matter how good it sounded (if it indeed really did sound good, since I probably couldn't tell at the time.) 

Piano performance is not a contest of fitness as in cycling or track sprinting, etc - it is entertainment.  Does the audience think, "oh, he plays so fast, he must be using performance enhancing drugs..."?  Highly doubtful.  But this does not mean pianists are drug free when they practice or perform.  Some pianists practice/perform with nicotine in their system.  Many practice with caffeine in their system.  Some pianists at bars/lounges play with alcohol in their system.  Are any of these drugs even of significance?

I practice with caffeine in my system.  I intake this drug in the morning because the effects help me to wake up.  I also practice with alcohol in my system sometimes after dinner.  I can hear my fellow pianists saying "wow, he must be on performance enhancing drugs, or just trains with them."

[timothy42b]

The number of musicians who perform while assisted by beta blockers is probably very large. 

The usual explanation is that it does not artifically enhance their ability, it simply removes some anxiety that would otherwise interfere with their performance.

I dunno, never tried it.  I have a beer once in a while while practicing after supper, doesn't seem to either help or hurt much. 

[Jacey1973]

I would be too scared to try ANY drugs (well alcohol is alright) at anytime especially if i was going to play the piano! Surely it can only make you play worse? Because piano playing is all about control and surely if you were high on the drugs you mentioned you would completely lose control? I know i can't play even when i've had a couple of glasses of wine! But then i guess alcohol relaxes you, wheras i'm guessing something like speed would make you hyperactive? But then that's still a bad thing when you're playing surely? I think i would just take a couple of pro plus instead....

[chuckbutler]

I'm going to be very frank here, hopefully this will not come back to bite me should I choose to someday run for public office...

I used to play a jazz gig.  Ocassionally if I had a bit of a headache before the gig I would take a couple of Excedrine (which contains quite a bit of caffeine...part of the reason for it's effectiveness).  I eventually figured out that, on those occasions, I seemed to be able to play faster and with greater clarity (in terms of my thought process for jazz solos).  So I began to always take Excedrine before my gigs (I don't like coffee).  Unfortunately once you start doing this you develop a tolerance, so you need more and more.  This eventually resulted in "rebound" headaches; a problem I suffered from for many years until a doctor finally got me to stop using caffeine and began to treat me properly for (what I now know are) migraine headaches.  So I think some performance enhancement is possible but, like all things, there is a cost.  It's a downward spiral.

I don't like the effect of alcohol, but I have smoked pot since I was a kid.  There is no question in my mind, based on numerous personal, private recordings I've made, that I've given some of my best performances while a little bit high.  Why is that?  My belief is that I have a hard time shutting out all of the distractions of life, technique, etc during my "straight" performance.  For some reason if I've got a buzz I'm able to experience the music I'm playing AS A LISTENER...IOW without "losing the forest for the trees".  However I'm positive that drugs are NOT necessary to achieve this state.  I just haven't developed the mental discipline to do it (all the time) without.  I would strongly recommend Kenny Werner's book "Effortless Mastery" which discusses this very subject in depth.  There are numerous examples of brilliant musicians who perform at the highest level without any use of drugs.  So it is possible, and should be your goal.

Smoking some pot, then playing the piano at home is one thing.  But it's not really practical, in fact it's a terrible idea, if you're playing in public.  My experience is that if ANYTHING goes wrong or unexpected, you will not be able to adapt.  Plus it's just irresponsible, and certainly not professional.  I would never show up at a gig or recording session in any other condition that completely STRAIGHT.

Many musicians use beta blockers to "calm nerves".  I've used them, but I don't think the effect is significant.  I suspect it's more of a placebo effect, but it's possible it can be helpful.  If you've really got anxiety issues you should probably seek a therapist.  A drug like Xanax is much more effective against anxiety, but it's addictive and could inhibit your performance if you're not familiar with it's effects.

Bottom line: stay away from any drug use if you can.  Train yourself to mentally prepare for the performance in the same way you train yourself physically to give the performance...by practicing.  Meditate, perhaps.  Learn relaxation techniques.  If you can do it without using any drugs, you remove the burden of needing some artificial means to generate a good performance.  It's one less thing you'll have to worry about, and you'll feel better about yourself and your playing in the long run.

[Steve T]

I think Jimmy Hendrix (to name but one), really explored that idea...and look where it lead!
Drugs are BAD for those who take them, their friends and family, and all of society.
Be careful, you could end up with the cognitive powers of Ozzy Osbourne!!! hey, that should put anyone off 

[fergal]

  To try and play play piano on strong uppers of any sort @coke', xtc, speed etc..  is a definate no no!  The chances of being able to sit still on the piano stool long enough to touch the keys are slim2 none.  Alcohol may make you think you sound gd but your most likely too loud ,fast and desperate to launch into a bout of 'bohemian rhaspody' a la klavier!  Pot doesn't affect co-ordination in the same way and can produce some splendid results as one is more tuned in and receptive to tone production,nuance, and colour.  Debussy can be particularly exquisite. (so I've been told)
  Definately wouldn't recommend performing anything any less than straight though.

[BoliverAllmon]

this thread is awesome. Pot helps people play better, but I don't recommend it and I personally don't smoke it.

geez, I am the only one seeing the humor in this?

[lagin]

Oh sure you guys.  Make fun of my post, but did you know that no "acholic beverages or illegal substances" are allowed when competing in the provincials or nationals?  So it IS similar to the olympics and I WASN'T out to lunch!  (By the way, I only know this from reading the guidelines for fun.  I've never actually been to either of these."

[puma]

   I would say that while drugs may help enhance your musicality and interpretation, and give you new insights, you can kiss your phyiscal technique goodbye if you overdo it or just have an adverse reaction.  What amazes me is not people who play straight well, but people who are high and play well!  Someone already mentioned Hendrix, who had awesome technique - I think he had such a strong grounding in the guitar that the drugs didn't inhibit his playing.  And he played some pretty complicated stuff.  You hear about jazz players taking drugs to help their improvisation, which it may, in fact, do...John Coltrane was a heavy drug user - mostly he used heroin to help him into a zone where he could practice for hours on end.  He also had amazing technique.  But I think you'll find that those with great technique while high also had great technique while not high.  It's sad because, when you are young, you look up to certain people - and I know this is bit cliche, but I have seen it where young people look up to idols who use drugs all the time and think of it as a shortcut.  Remember that even if the dope, booze, or coke helped you practice, you would probably still make it without the drugs.
    Speaking from experience within the musical field, concerning these kinds of matters, I know of musicians who used it to get into a zone where they could practice with greater intensity; sometimes they used it to help improvise.  Some of them got severely addicted, and their life stories are quite another matter.  Some of them stopped using and went back to playing sober.  As far as uppers, they can help, but can also make you so jittery that you won't be able to play.  But some people got used to the jitters - others turned to downers or opiates.  I'm not saying smoking pot is the end of the world - it seems it's not so much with pot but with the harder drugs that people then run into problems.  And let's not get started as to whether pot is a gateway drug or not (you could argue both sides until the cows came home).  The last thing you need is one of your best friends selling your guitar, or having some dude smash your keyboard apart over drugs and alcohol - any benefit you get from the drug is definitely short-term.  Eventually you will have to own up to it, just like anything else.  Well, that's the end of this rant.

[Steve T]

Well said Puma !

[nikodr]

I have not read the posts but let me offer my grain of truth!.Piano play requires a good life style.Generally the healthiest the life style the more excellent the results will be.

So drugs is a no no.My advice for better piano forte style.Everyday practice (non mechanical, but musical one about 4-5 hours of musical training).Good rest at night,sit up early in the morning to study.

Plenty of good and fresh food along with other refreshments.And never smoking ,drinking alcohol.I we concert artists are a different category of people.We have many in common with athletes or racing horses.

That may be good and bad.Now drugs and alcohol get in the way of our body and brain.You cant "overclock" (i am thinking in computer terms now) yourself (the only overclock you can do is to practice good and improve.

So forget drugs it is not the way to go,you will only kill yourself.I can remember my favorite piano jazz player art tatum.He was an excellent artist at piano,but was an alcoholic man we drunk huge ( i mean HUGE) quantities of beer everyday,he died from cancer and uremic poisoning as a result.(his lifestyle at the end of his life was not good).

Now what i want to say is that while technical abilities may remain,your self may not,think of this again.

[fergal]

errr.Yeah1 I'm a racehorse.
 Rover they call me. 2/1 odds bothways! nudge nudge wink wink........

[Derek]

I believe I'm right in saying that

Piano + Drugs = Boogie Woogie

I believe that is how boogie woogie was formed!?

Will

HAHAHAHAHA.....I dunno if it can be attributed entirely to drugs, I bet there were other factors like LOVING THE SOUND OF THE BLUES AND PLAYING IT HARDER AND FASTER THAN USUAL.

Boogie Woogie rules...one of my favorite styles. I had a great duet with my dad today in E. It turned into a true musical conversation, quoting each other and forming phrases that sort of moved around each other in an interesting way. Extremely fun.

[Waldszenen]

Drugs + Piano = Ray Charles


(this equation is incomplete; I've left out sex and booze as well)

[brokenagraffe]

i seriously want to try playing piano after trippin' on shrooms...  i think it'd be pretty nuts. just a thought.

[pocorina]

This is so funny! Well, I have an amusing anecdote to share on this topic.  A few weeks ago i took a diploma, and due to my extreme tiredness (due to insomnia) my piano teacher gave me these pills to help!! You are supposed to take four at a time, three times a day!

Well, anyway, it says if it gets bad, or when you are getting nervous, you should increase the dose to every 30 minutes. So i did this just before the exam. after about 20 pills, i was laughing at absoloutely everything and generally just being extremely hyper and "drunk", as my mother put it. But it did improve my playing, and i passed my diploma with a very high mark!

[BoliverAllmon]

This is so funny! Well, I have an amusing anecdote to share on this topic.  A few weeks ago i took a diploma, and due to my extreme tiredness (due to insomnia) my piano teacher gave me these pills to help!! You are supposed to take four at a time, three times a day!

Well, anyway, it says if it gets bad, or when you are getting nervous, you should increase the dose to every 30 minutes. So i did this just before the exam. after about 20 pills, i was laughing at absoloutely everything and generally just being extremely hyper and "drunk", as my mother put it. But it did improve my playing, and i passed my diploma with a very high mark!

what were the pills?

[mound]

I know if I pop an entire month's prescription of pain killer at once, my playing is astonishing.  try it!

 

[paris]

sometimes i drink red bull before performance, it keeps fresh mind and body, but i don't think it's a drug.  it helps me to better concentrate, and fear flows away 

[pocorina]

Yeah, Red bull is good!

And in answer to your question, the pills were a homeopathic variety for "nervous exhaustion and general debility"

Apparently

And when you say your playing is astonishing if you take a months' painkillers, do you mean good, or bad?

[tds]

i comsumed a large ginseng beverage ( God knows what else were in there! ) before a dma jury. and right after i finished my waldstein, everyone bursted into some ridiculous kind of laugh ( so i thought ). my teacher shouted "can you possibly play the coda faster?" and everyone continued crackin up.

i, on the other end, could not relate with their reaction. totally bewildered! after jury, my teacher came to me and told me that he never heard me play extremely fast and loud like i just did. damn...i thought i was on the slow side.... best, tds

[pocorina]

Yes, but did you play the coda well?

[tds]

what is "well" in this matter? i was informed that it was extremely fast and loud. i get the impression that more than half of the time, the word extreme has some kinda negative connotation. am i right?....well, the laughter being another story...i still dont know how to take it to this day. all i know is that it is not the usual reaction after a waldstein performance. lol

still, if you are referring to accuracy, than mine was pretty accurate. i did not leave any notes out, although i had one wrong note in the coda. is that considered being relatively "well"?

lastly, i dont know if this "well" question can be answered by my typing bunch of letters. but, i still remember i was told by the faculty that they enjoyed my playing ( which is so much for a ginseng beverage... )

[silva]

Ray Charles is was and always will be the man! when he wasnt high on heroin he was pissed out of his face! lol was a piano legend.... bad for taking drugs, but he released most of his best songs while on heroin..... what a sound!

[puma]

   It's hard to imagine some of the musical greats doing some of their best stuff while high...like Ray Charles...but the facts are there.  Ray did quit heroin, however, in the late sixties/early seventies (not quite sure of exact date?) and never went back to it again (so says the movie Ray...I'm a little anxious about this statement).  But with jail time right on the horizon, and a required completion of a drug treatment program, it's quite possible he completely stopped.