Even if you play punk rock at 11, you’ll need some zen sooner or later. Here’s three ways to get it:
1: Let go of anxiety. Put your baggage and worries down for 20 minutes. You can get them back after 20 minutes. This mind trick is a useful way to realize you don’t have to be carrying it around in the first place.
2. Let go of tension. This is a key thing to master regardless of what instrument that you play, or if you are a singer. For bass, guitar and instruments using hands, aim for being totally relaxed from your neck down your arm to the tips of your fingers and for singers, aim for being totally relaxed in your neck and head position. Some singers not only relax the jaw but also the tongue. Drummers, of course, need to do this for all limbs. Even if you are out on a limb, understand that letting go of all tension is going to give you better balance (literally and figuratively). Plus, music is a physical activity and you need to be limber. Stretching before playing is a good pre-playing ritual.
3. Let go of expectations. Music is improvisation and in the moment. Be ready to react in the moment, rather than execute a planned program.
4. Be ready in your heart and mind. Take a deep breath and ask yourself if you are ready. If the answer is yes, carry on. If it’s no, then think of what you need to do to feel ready, and remember it’s all in your head, and your heart. Do what you can do well, then do it better, rather than reaching to be something you are not.
Go forth now, grasshopper!