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Re: playing in the morning

Author: Rhythmacres
Date: 2007-09-16 18:52

It seems that only morning people have answered you, so as one who is reluctant to get up every morning, I will give you some hints about my 1 1/2 hour wake-up routine, which, even with osteoarthritis, usually gets me ready for anything--

Get a minimum of 9 hours of sleep.

Get up slowly and carefully.
Drink coffee and think about things.
Do about 1/2 hour of stretches. I have worked with a physical therapist and a trigger-point therapist to work out a routine that suits my body. You have to learn how to stretch so as not to injure yourself.

Fix breakfast and lunch.

Go for a swim.

Go to work (music lessons).

If I could practice right after the stretches, I'd have good practice sessions every day. Also, I stretch throughout the day. (I use Ichiro Suzuki as my inspiration for that.) There's a fantastic book by Bob Anderson called "Stretching". I once discussed with him the possibility of writing a book on stretching for musicians. He suggested I talk to a therapist about it, and that's what got me into trigger-point. My TP therapist and I were serious about pursuing it, but we just couldn't get "on the same page" about it. But I sure learned a lot.

I also have a paraffin bath for my hands which I use every day.

I have been known to be able to perform at early morning church services on occasion, and I accomplish this by taking melatonin very early the night before, say 12 hours before I have to be there. I still have the groggs but am able to get through the performance fine.

That's all I can think of for now. Hope it's helpful. SC

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