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 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers
Author: allencole 
Date:   2006-03-26 16:22

"You don't know the history of psychiatry--I DO!"

Anybody remember this quote from Tom Cruise? He was defending his criticism Brooke Shields' use of drug therapy for post-natal depression. Tom is a calm, focused, uber-wise guy...right? But what about discarding wives everytime they get crows feet, and jumping up and down on Oprah's couch over Katie Holmes? This makes me question the effectiveness of his holistic approach to say the least.

There seem to be two basic issues here. First is the idea of using drugs to either enhance your performance or overcome a disablility. I think that the deal with stage fright is the latter. We have PLENTY of orchestral clarinet candidates with near-perfect abilties and resumes. We could reject plenty of them over eyesight. After all, you could forget and leave your glasses at home. I don't have a tremendous problem with stage fright, but I do have a dread of making phone calls. If I have a problem with something this easy, then I have to sympathize with musicians who have to cope with trying to be superlative in an orchestral or recital environment. Stage fright is treatable, so it seems to me that using BB's, TM, fish oil, or whatever is a way of levelling the playing field, not tilting it.

The second is the idea that depending on drugs is bad for you. No argument here. Drugs produce all sorts of side effects but it doesn't seem to be hurting sales of Viagra. Those who take the drug feel that its benefits are worth the side effects. Classical musicians are stuck with exactly what's written on the page, and exactly how the conductor waves his stick. They have to play it right, and play it like they mean it--and with little or no wriggle room to accomodate their individual traits. If their daily practice and years of experience aren't enough to overcome stage fright, I'd say that they've ALREADY exhausted the natural solution (practice/experience) that work the best for most folks. Maybe it's worth it to them to take BB's in order to do what they love. Perhaps what we're leaving out of the discussion is the idea of weaning ourselves from the drugs once we experience their effects and our minds clear.

This thinking will not survive the logical extremes, but I'm not proposing that we hire paraplegic firefighters. As with that profession, music does not make accommodations possible for many handicaps. Nervousness is one handicap that can be addressed, so let's open the door at least THAT far.

And you never know what you'll find...can you imagine a one-legged paramedic working in the field? We had one in Richmond about 20 years ago. An exception had to be made in his licensing, but using crutches, he worked for years as a commercial ambulance attendant. I saw him lift his end of the stretcher many a time while not losing track of his crutches. The job was not changed for him...HE rose to the task.

An interesting side issue has been Ginny's contention that the fear response is induced by pushing students too hard on difficulty levels. I disagree that this is the source of the nervousness, I think that it's part and parcel of what we've developed classical music performance into. But I do agree with her that some folks push those kids just a little too far about what they're going to perform in public.

Allen Cole
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 One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Ken Shaw 2006-03-24 17:10 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
crnichols 2006-03-24 17:37 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
LCL 2006-03-24 17:40 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
tictactux 2006-03-24 18:36 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
TonkaToy 2006-03-24 19:51 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
johng 2006-03-24 20:13 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
J. J. 2006-03-24 22:40 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Super Mario 2006-03-24 23:20 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
J. J. 2006-03-25 01:09 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Super Mario 2006-03-25 02:29 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-25 02:41 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-25 02:51 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-25 06:45 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
J. J. 2006-03-25 02:58 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
tictactux 2006-03-25 08:36 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Morrigan 2006-03-25 10:44 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Markael 2006-03-25 11:28 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
tictactux 2006-03-25 11:44 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-25 16:21 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
tictactux 2006-03-25 16:50 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-25 17:43 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-25 17:53 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
tictactux 2006-03-25 19:03 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
clarnibass 2006-03-25 19:24 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Sylvain 2006-03-25 21:16 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
tictactux 2006-03-25 22:14 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Mark Charette 2006-03-25 22:21 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Sylvain 2006-03-25 22:30 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Sylvain 2006-03-27 03:42 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
EEBaum 2006-03-25 22:59 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-25 23:18 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
clarnibass 2006-03-26 04:04 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
tictactux 2006-03-26 08:34 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Sylvain 2006-03-26 14:16 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
allencole 2006-03-26 16:22 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Mary Jo 2006-03-26 18:34 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
3dogmom 2006-03-26 18:37 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-26 19:26 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
EEBaum 2006-03-26 19:18 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Ken Shaw 2006-03-26 19:52 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
crnichols 2006-03-26 20:14 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Synonymous Botch 2006-03-27 10:28 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
allencole 2006-03-27 14:37 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-27 17:00 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-27 17:08 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-27 17:15 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Sylvain 2006-03-27 18:55 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-27 20:12 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
tictactux 2006-03-27 20:32 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Mark Charette 2006-03-27 20:59 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
tictactux 2006-03-28 05:29 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
clarinetistra 2006-03-27 20:19 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Sylvain 2006-03-27 21:06 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-27 21:24 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-27 21:35 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-27 21:50 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Mary Jo 2006-03-27 21:36 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
diz 2006-03-27 22:08 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
EEBaum 2006-03-28 04:59 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-28 05:13 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
clarnibass 2006-03-28 05:32 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-28 05:44 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
EEBaum 2006-03-28 06:16 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-28 07:03 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ghuba 2006-03-28 12:34 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
TonkaToy 2006-03-28 13:45 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Sylvain 2006-03-28 17:35 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-28 18:35 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-28 18:57 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Brenda Siewert 2006-03-28 19:52 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-28 20:06 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Liquorice 2006-03-28 20:39 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
DaveF 2006-03-28 22:57 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Meri 2006-03-28 22:36 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
johng 2006-03-28 22:37 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-28 22:42 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
JessKateDD 2006-03-28 22:43 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Sylvain 2006-03-28 22:52 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-29 04:26 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-29 04:36 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-29 04:58 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
clarinetistra 2006-03-29 04:37 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-29 05:55 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
tictactux 2006-03-29 07:27 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-29 13:08 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Mary Jo 2006-03-29 14:37 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-29 15:50 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-29 16:09 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-29 16:47 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
BlockEyeDan 2006-03-29 18:40 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-29 19:10 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
JessKateDD 2006-03-29 21:17 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-29 23:10 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Old Geezer 2006-03-29 23:39 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-29 23:56 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-30 00:29 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-30 00:57 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-30 01:06 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
mtague 2006-03-30 01:19 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
JessKateDD 2006-03-30 01:38 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
george 2006-03-30 02:35 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-30 02:54 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
EEBaum 2006-03-30 08:06 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Andy 2006-03-30 08:35 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ohsuzan 2006-03-30 12:06 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
clarnibass 2006-03-30 13:02 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Sylvain 2006-03-30 13:57 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Brenda Siewert 2006-03-30 15:10 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ghuba 2006-03-30 16:22 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Mark Charette 2006-03-30 16:41 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ghuba 2006-03-30 17:19 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-30 16:06 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-30 16:42 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Gregory Smith 2006-03-30 19:15 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Sylvain 2006-03-30 21:29 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
ginny 2006-03-30 23:05 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
sherman 2006-03-31 14:45 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
tictactux 2006-03-31 19:19 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
Carol Dutcher 2006-03-31 19:33 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
3dogmom 2006-03-31 20:34 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
DaveF 2006-04-01 08:57 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
tictactux 2006-04-01 11:24 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
EEBaum 2006-04-02 00:13 
 Re: One in Four Classical Musicians Use Beta Blockers  new
CK 2006-04-02 18:14 


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