Controlling Stress Levels on Tour
22/10/2008

Over the passed 40 years, I have tried to understand what the elements are that will help me to keep mentally and physically healthy while on concert tour. I believe that there is a basic formula that incorporates a few social elemental good habits. Those elements are watching what and how much you eat, getting a reasonable amount of rest on a consistent basis, being mentally prepared to perform with an accent on the positive aspects of your performance by looking at this period as the reward for what you've done throughout the rest of your day whether it be a day when you play or a day when you rest. I am currently on the road for the best part of October and we drive from point to point most of the time. The hours in the car or van can be very long if you think about it as only travel time. I find that this is a great time to relax and sleep or think through what I'd like to do when I arrive on location. I am always thinking about the music, how to make it better and more effective. I like to consider ways to play the drums more effectively within the musical platform I am working in. I think about how my performance might affect the other musicians, individually and collectively, what to do to support them more effectively. Sometimes these thoughts present themselves in the subconscious and on the move then surface while I am on the band stand and in performance. The fact that I am thinking is important for the health of the music and in order to do this I feel that I really have to find a way to control the stress level and relax. I find that when I am relaxed I am also very focused and therefore, more creative. This is a good thing because it is reflected in the music performance.

Bill C.


back