Some shows are physically taxing. Some have endurance problems and some, as in this case, have concentration issues. Due to the constant mute changes, tempo changes and vocal cues, I have found this show to be challenging for my ability to concentrate.
Through the years I have discovered helpful tricks which seem to improve my concentration over a longer period of time and I will give credit where credit is due.
When we first moved to Branson, I had retired my horns and in fact had sold all but one Bb. I had no intentions of playing in the shows for I moved to Table Rock Lake and Branson to fish for bass. That’s all I wanted to do for the next instalment of my life. After a short time, word got around that I had some background in trumpet playing and suddenly I was playing with one of the local college bands to help out a friend. Then I was playing with a very fine rehearsal big band. Then I was asked to finish the season with the Welk Orchestra. From that experience I learned a very helpful tip on how to extend my concentration into the second show of the day.
After the first show of two for that day, I started a conversation with a wonderful mentor of mine by the name of D’Vaughn Pershing, Welk’s piano player at that time. I have included a link to D’Vaughn’s Internet site for those how have not had the honor of knowing this great man and musician.*
I asked D’Vaughn how he was able to keep his focus and concentration during the second show which had become a problem for me. His suggestion was not what I expected for he said what worked for him was to take a shower between shows. I thought that a little strange until I tried it and I have continued that routine to this day. The extra energy and freshness after a shower was exactly what I needed. One of the problems now with a 2:00 show in the afternoon is that by 4:00 each show day, I have already had two showers. That may seem a bit excessive to some but to me it is a trick given to me by a true professional “and it works”!
Another practice to improve your concentration is the century old practice of meditation. Meditation can come in many forms and teachings but due to the fact that both my wife and I have been practicing Transcendental Meditation beginning in 1972 to the present, this was not new to me. The practice of meditation is very helpful to narrow your focus on a single thought of action. Some are able to meditate for short periods of time and gain this benefit whereas the practice of TM (Transcendental Meditation) requires two twenty minute period each day. A quick search on line for meditation exercises will give you some insight into its benefits for improving you concentration.
Other non-meditation exercises can be found on line as well….
12 Concentration Exercises from 1918
The ability to fully concentrate of an activity or thought is becoming increasingly more difficult for all of us but in the case of a musician, it can mean the difference between a perfect performance and an average performance.
Before our Friday show, I tried something a little different to try to improve the brass sections power of concentration during the show. I pulled out a $10 bill and placed it in plain view of the brass section. Then I made a challenge to my colleges, “The first player to play a perfect show gets the money”. The announcement alone improved everyone’s concentration. Unfortunately, at the end of the show, I placed the money back in my billfold for no one was able to claim the small reward. Even a bribe couldn’t get us through a perfect performance.
