 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2007-05-29 07:00
A few years ago it was suggested to me by an old teacher that I go and see a sports psychologist to overcome some of my lack of confidence issues. I never looked into it at the time but am now considering it again. Does anybody here know much about this field and if it is in fact suitable for musicians as well as sportmen? Am I better off with a regular psychologist? Any experiences or suggestions would be appreciated.
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Author: musiciandave
Date: 2007-05-29 08:13
I'd wager a guess at it that the sports psychologist would be someone who specializes in performance activities.
Music is a performance activity. The difference being that Sports uses very large muscles to control a relatively small part of the brain, and Music uses a large part of the brain to control many small muscles. That was told in a Doctor's lecture at ClarFest about 20 years ago.
Makes sense too ........
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-05-29 08:29
probably couldn't hurt. But asking other musicians and performing artists might be better; they have first hand experience.
I sat-in on a few basic acting classes and learned a lot.
Try starting here- what do you have trouble with?
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2007-05-29 09:08
I've never spoken to a sports psychologist, but I think it could be a very good idea. I have read several books on sport psychology and realise that much of it is applicable to music performance. I am actually suprised that "music psychologists" aren't more common. Many professional players that I've spoken to have problems with nerves when it comes to the really important performances.
Australian sports tend to be at the cutting edge :-( so you're probably in a good country to be talking to a sports psychologist.
Of all the books that I have read, there is one that helped me enormously, although it is related to all performance activities, not just music. I highly recommend that you buy it, despite the cheesy title:
Fight Your Fear and Win- Don Greene
He's written a few other books specifically for musicians, but this book was the best presented for me.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-05-29 11:15
> The difference being that Sports uses very large muscles to control a
> relatively small part of the brain, and Music uses a large part of the brain
> to control many small muscles.
This is interesting, can you explain more about this please? When I play clarinet or play basketball, I think it is a bit similar in that I have to notice many things at once and do it very fast. The physical part might be very different, but things like noticing everything that everyone else is doing, reacting to it, and creating your own ideas are not that different maybe? I'm guessing also that there is a big difference between different sports (for example, basketball and swimming) and different music (for example, somoene reading sheet music only as opposed to improvising with other people). I'm asking because I am pretty much clueless about how the brain work in that way.
Nitai
Post Edited (2007-05-29 13:46)
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Author: musiciandave
Date: 2007-05-29 13:23
Stage Fright XVIII/4 26-29 Wilson, Heston L., M. D. (volume # and page of the Clarinet Magazine)
I think that the lecture was given at the Richmond ClarFest by Dr Wilson who (if I recall, but not 100% sure that it was him, I do remember that the DR was the author of a book that had something like "2 left thumbs" as the title, but can't find it right now) did an article that you might want to get the back issue of.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2007-05-29 14:13
Sports psychology and music performance have alot in common...
The Inner Game of Golf is great reading for any musician
David Dow
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Author: Anon
Date: 2007-05-29 16:02
Check out Don Greene and his books - I've found them to be very helpful and he works with both athletes and musicians. I've seen a sports psychologist for my nasty little habit (triathlon) and found it very similar to the performing arts psychology ideas I've studied in Don's books...
I liked "Performance Success"
:-)
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Author: sdr
Date: 2007-05-29 16:44
You might want to look at "The Inner Game of Music" by Barry Green. It covers your topic pretty well.
-sdr
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2007-05-29 18:35
Music and sports have a great deal in common
being your best every day
concentration...
mental calmness
asserting oneself when need be..
teamwork
and most of all loving what you do.
David Dow
Post Edited (2007-05-29 18:37)
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2007-05-29 18:35
I find the golf
one good because I also golf as well...I think the music book is very good
but the Golf one does provide alot of insight in devolping the inner quietude to perform calmly but with high concentration.
My favorite sport is baseball though..
as to batting stance...well think of correct embouchure..correct diamphramic breathing etc..
as to hitting...think of judging the amount of tone required and rythmic accuracy...etc...hands are much like the stance of a good hitter in baseball(golf etc.)
there are numerous elements that sport and music have in common...
David Dow
Post Edited (2007-05-29 18:40)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-05-29 18:45
David -
And doing it well even on days you don't love what you do.
Ken Shaw
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Author: katie_netie
Date: 2007-05-30 16:14
The inner game of music really helped me... and my teacher says that the inner game of tennis is perhaps better, especially if you have already read the inner game of music.
I have also read "The art of practicing" mostly that relates to repetitive stress injuries and such, but she talks a lot about meditating, reducing stress and having correct posture and mindset when playing.
I think that it's possible that a sports psychologist could help. The thing with any type of therapy is that you need to find someone you can work with.
I personally have a lot of issues with stress and anxiety (see my post HELP... hehe) and have found the books mentioned above really helpful.
You really have to change your whole life and be aware of whenever you are feeling down or stressed... remind yourself how much you love this... and that you wouldn't give it up ever... so you just need to figure out how to make it more enjoyable!
I agree with whomever said that this is a great place to talk about stuff... I am turning to these message boards for advice and suggestions. I don't know where to turn, so fellow clarinet players seem the best option.
Katie
Yamaha Custom SEV, Vandoren M13, Vandoren Optimum Ligature
Buffet E11 Eb Clarinet, Vandoren leather ligature and B44 mouthpiece
Going into second year university for music
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