YOUR QUESTION

05/16/2020 Dave

Hello Trevor,
You play many different types of music with many different musicians. Do you ever get to a recording session or a show and just aren't in the mood for whatever type of music you're about to be playing? If so, how do you get yourself psyched up to play what you don't feel like playing?

MY ANSWER

Usually any negative feelings I might have, physical or mental, dissipate once I actually start playing. I’ve noticed that’s almost always the case as if there is some healing element to simply lying my hands on the instrument. I hate the idea of ‘phoning it in’ and do my best to rid myself of any bad mood or ego blockage that would be readily apparent upon listening. I’ve certainly done gigs that serve only financial purposes but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to sound good, or rather, do the best job that I can and provide what I’m being hired for. There is usually plenty of psychological warm-up time for any live gig or recording session which often involves going over the music, internalizing it, being prepared to be inside the music. Most likely it’s not the music that is going to affect me negatively regardless of genre; so essentially I can go to the music for direction. The music will tel me what it needs and that attention puts me in a good zone.