Guided meditation for performance/creativity

Donjon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Apr 2010 Posts: 567

I have found a number of guided meditations extremely useful for quietening the 'inner critic'. I'd love to have some others to use, can you suggest any?

My suggestions are

For stage fright https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9bx20fnNBE

To help enhance creativity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtoTnV8t3k4

Any other suggestions?
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Donjon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Apr 2010 Posts: 567

I am very surprised that I've had no replies so far. I consider meditation to be an invaluable part of my preparation. I've just finished my 5th gig this week and I think even for a battle hardened performer, meditation provides an opportunity to get down to a really relaxed state and really let the creativity flow.

Seriously, don't any of you guys use similar guided meditations?
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Andy Del · Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 10:07 am Post subject:

You are talking to trumpet players here. Skin like an elephant, sensitivity of a rock, delicacy of a herd of rhinos.

Meditation is mostly based on seeing if we can get the violas’ hair parted differently during a soft passage...

Now that the facts of life are out of the way... you are quite correct that reflection, meditation and a sense of self are critical to one’s performance and staying healthy in every sense. My personal meditation time is early morning, when walking the dogs. It’s also my buzzing warm up, daily planning session and general self check.

If i get back home in a foisted or less than serene stage, I know I need to stop and smell the virtual roses for a spell.

Of course, this is my strategy, others have their own which look completely different.

Cheers

Andy
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kehaulani · Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 10:21 am Post subject:

If you are looking into a long-term usage of meditation to calm yourself, and to put yourself into deep meditative conditions for creativity, then I would look into Transcendental Meditation.

If you are looking for something you can use quickly to put you in a calm state, try The Relaxation Response.

p.s. I have no idea what, "Meditation is mostly based on seeing if we can get the violas’ hair parted differently during a soft passage..." means.
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RNOtrmptr · Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 10:55 am Post subject:

I have always tended to be physically tense, which of course isn't good for playing trumpet. I do a variety of guided meditations a few times a day. One app I like a lot is called Insight Timer. I also do progressive muscle relaxation exercises, many of which can be found on YouTube.

Lastly, I have recently begun doing some easy yoga. So easy, in fact, that they're done sitting in a chair. Again, there are many on YouTube.
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kehaulani · Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 9:32 am Post subject:

Turkle · Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 7:18 pm Post subject:

scarface · Heavyweight Member Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 1806

Good topic. I also use Insight Timer for guided meditations, mostly to chill a bit after work, and before sleep. I do notice a difference in concentration during practice after doing it.

Was reading an article on this at FretDojo, a guitar site, and found a good lesson in the comments. A guy recovered from severe stage fright by learning to sing internally as he played guitar. Good reminder that music interpretation is itself a great meditation, and can help silence the inner critic. That Arnold Jacobs fella was brilliant.

Donjon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Apr 2010 Posts: 567

It's good to hear about your experiences, I'm definitely keen to hear of any more guided meditations which are intended for creatives and performers.

I spend a lot of time meditating and it certainly can be a huge help with performances. Strangely, any nervousness is pretty much independent of the size of the gig, just my perception of it. Jazz is less likely to cause an issue than classical
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http://www.trumpet-scully.co.uk
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kehaulani · Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 1:26 pm Post subject:

You might be interested in Effortless Mastery.

http://www.jazzbooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=JAJAZZ&Product_Code=EM&Category_Code=
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

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WxJeff · Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2019 10:34 am Post subject:

khedger

Worley · New Member Joined: 27 Jan 2020 Posts: 5 Location: TX

I honestly have found the best form of meditation to just be an extreme degree of preparation. I recently played a recital and for the first time I felt 100% comfortable and knew EXACTLY how each piece was going to pan out. I also like to perform in the attire I am going to perform in at the same time a week ahead of time so I am comfortable in every other way. I know this is a tad off topic, but I tried a lot of meditation and this was my best fix.

kehaulani · Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 7:26 pm Post subject:

That is not meditation, it is preparation.
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

Oncewasaplayer · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 974

I'll agree with Worley. The best preparation quiets the inner critic. Meditation helps, too.
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kehaulani · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 8:09 am Post subject:

There are two kinds of meditation that apply to this situation; 1) long-term, overall relaxation and,2) something that triggers relaxation at a moment's notice. It seems to me that both would benefit you.
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

abontrumpet · Heavyweight Member Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 1769

BBB1976 · Veteran Member Joined: 30 May 2016 Posts: 134

Yeah....Neal Berntsen is wrong, as I heard viola players don't know what a laser beam is!! Haha!!

kevin_soda · Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 10:53 am Post subject:

I use the Headspace ap on my phone. It requires a subscription but it’s been incredibly useful for a number of trumpet related things. I had never meditated before and i wasn’t sure what to expect. I was able to use the beginner series for free but after a week it was clear that I needed to continue the process because the benefits were clear. They offer a ton of different methods to achieve different goals and work at any experience level. They even do live streaming meditations if you want to feel more connected. It’s great to have all the tools available.
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