Psychological factors while playing your guitar

[koogie2k]

I have several rituals I go through. Mainly, I put my wedding ring in my left pocket always. Never put it down anywhere as I cannot play with rings on. I keep 4 pics in my right pocket. I use only one strap even if I have multiple guitars/basses onstage. Volume knob check all the time.

 

[Spudmurphy]

My psychological battle was with the drummer last night - picture a small pub venue bass , 2 guitarists, pa stands and ..... drummer! He always pushes me over to the far edge - I can't normally get to my amps - so psychological warfare came into play last night - I won!!! Good gig too!!

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I am a constant 'knob checker too ;o)

 

[TSHOW]

Hey Spud, I hate those really crowded small stages.......I go crazy when I am boxed in...... Ha!!!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Cheers Tshow - yeah there were a few grimaces when he could see I wasn't kidding.
So glad I stood my ground - I now had the amp immediately behind me - on the floor. In this small venue that worked really well.
Must have been ok because not only have they book us each month to Xmas = they have asked us to dep for bands who are away on hols. Nice little earner too - and we get free beer lol

 

[alf cockle]

How about lead singers that get really wrecked b4 a gig,and sing over guitar solos,or don*t sing when they*re supposed to...sure keeps you psycho...ya just gotta laugh sometimes....the show must go on..

 

[DrKev]

How about lead singers that get really wrecked b4 a gig,and sing over guitar solos,or don*t sing when they*re supposed to...sure keeps you psycho...ya just gotta laugh sometimes....the show must go on..

Yes, it must and that's when everybody else's professional smile comes out. Doesn't matter what's happening, smile, smile, smile! If I'm the guy hiring, it's also the singers last gig.

 

[alf cockle]

As my jaded luck would have it,I left,and he*s still out there....but psychologically,I*m still smiling..laughing actually...

 

[ACELUEK]

I have to clear my mind to play well. If I start to think about anything else of any substance, my playing suffers.

 

[Spudmurphy]

I have to clear my mind to play well. If I start to think about anything else of any substance, my playing suffers.

you mean that we men can't multi-task?

 

[ACELUEK]

you mean that we men can't multi-task?

Most everything else I can, but not the guitar.

 

[billpepper82]

You are not alone there Bill as I have a bad habit of clenching my teeth really hard at times.

Yeah that too I almost thought of getting a bit made Like those clear retainers but I haven't officially announced it yet but I sing in our band now so it happens less, but one time after a set my bottom lip looked like raw meat. I also don't like the feel of jeans when I play either, I usually wear Dickie's anyway

 

[HousTom]

Getting a kick out of these.
Practically between every lick I'm making sure the Vol is wide open. I don't know why I don't just remove it; I never want it on anything but 10. I already remove the tone knob entirely (thanks for the idea, EVH) and move the Vol pot to the tone hole so it's out of the way.
I also clench my teeth but I'm also usually smiling a huge smile so it looks kind of weird -- smiling and clenching my teeth at the same time like a psychotic. I have a pic I could post. It's not pleasant....
And OMG -- don't ask me about my tuning obsession. I actually check my tuning *during* songs! Like in Zep Ocean when everyone else is singing "La-la-lala-la-lah" I'm tuning.

 

[NickLee]

Rituals are fun. Most are common, and important to make sure you get the sound/performance you want. I think the more arbitrary, OCD/tick-like habits are a bit crazier...especially when you don't often notice them yourself.

Most players should be toying with the volume & tone knobs frequently...after all, aren't we always about versatility and functionality with sound and our instruments? This is a habit we SHOULD have.

Tweaking the pickup selector like a nipple is NOT.

 

[Stratty316]

This is why I have an Axis...a simple volume and a 3 way switch no need to mess around just plug and play.

 

[Ritcho]

Yep, I'm the same, but more so on the tone knob. I bite my lip, especially trying to play Petrucci passages, and the same finishing chord progression before putting the guitar down, as if it was the final touches to a valuable practice session. Weird creatures of habit we are :/

 

[Lax]

I tend to show my lips while playing, the more complicated it gets the more I look like wanting to kiss...I have to work on that.
My gf does the exact opposite and "eats" her mouth.

One other thing, I play at my best when my mind is empty, the more I think, the more I'm distracted and do silly mistakes.

That's why I had some discussions with guys that asked me why they couldn't play in front of a crowd when their life was giving a hard time...It's hard to manage the added stress on the situation.

 

[spkirby]

I play better, more melodic, solos with my eyes closed!!

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I play better, more melodic, solos with my eyes closed!!

I agree!

Though I look like I am having some kind of seizure when I play my guitar most of the time!

 

[Hougie]

For somebody who is OCD with his controls, watch Derek Trucks. He has his super reverb cranked and uses his volume as gain, basically. His tone speaks for itself.

Me, I'm constantly messing with mine...with much less stellar results, I might add.

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