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LSD and other psychotropic substances have been clinically proven to be of great benefit under the proper set & setting, especially when applied to drug and alcohol addictions. some number of therapists incorporated its use into their practice, and some took it underground when it was made illegal. part of the problem was its rampant recreational use in the 60s, which led to the baby being thrown out with the bathwater. fortunately, there are a number of organizations working to allow this powerful medicine to be reincorporated back into therapeutic practice.

For those interested in the subject, "The Secret Chief" by Stolaroff is an interesting first-hand account of psychedelic therapeutic applications of LSD and other psychotropic substances.

I get my "highs" from listening to great music and opera.

As a teenager (and to many that may not matter), I don't use any substance besides my asthma medications because I am underage (and because some of them are illegal altogeter). I have not yet found a reason to alter my mind while performing, although I am not saying that it is bad, because so many others older and more experienced than I am do so and say it works.

Me too.

I've got to the age where I'm thinking about how to preserve my mind and body, not stuff it up...

Pot can work both ways. If your trying to memorize something, or learn a new piece it can make it harder. On the other hand, if you have a piece you know well, where you have a few passages you can't get right and you need to practice, pot can put you in a frame of mind where you can practice a short passage over and over again for hours and it won't bother you. It puts you in a meditative state.

Alcohol on the other hand, is very bad in every way for practicing and playing, unless your just doing it for fun and don't care how you play. How rock stars get drunk and play concerts is beyond me.

I once read a story about John Lennon when he was recording one of his last solo albums. The bassist pulled out a joint and lit it. Lennon asked him to wait until they finished recording the song. He didn't want anyone messing up the take because they were stoned. Of course, the Beatles did a certain amount of drugs in the Sgt. Pepper era, but I guess Lennon, with experience, thought it made musicians make mistakes more then it helped them focus.

I always figured that The Grateful Dead's music was as bad as it was for similar reasons. A lot of that sort of music was meant to be heard while stoned.

Next there'll be a thread about crack and piano playing. That'll be a real hoot!

I agree with currawong -

I only listen to great music - because it makes me high - and I don't need anything illegal or unhealthy.

"Meditation" is another good suggestion.

Analyze yourself and find out what bothers you, and why you need to self-medicate.

best wishes,
Valerie

What did the dead-head say when he ran out of dope?

...this band sucks!

I partook of the herb for about 25 years, but have not done any mind-altering stuff for about the last 20. My second ex-wife rolled a number first thing in the morning and had one going just about all day. I am glad
she did-I hate to think how viscous she'd a been without it.

What I learned is that I can't play piano and smoke the stuff. I just thought I played well. Now all I drink on gigs is water.

I'm sure the police will be reading with interest!

As tempting as it is to beat the dead horse and ramble on for days about my personal experiences with playing piano under the influence of various substances, I'll resist the urge. The bottom of page two is not place for such rants.

Instead, I'll simply share with you some food for thought. The following is a passage from a 1982 Playboy interview of George Carlin regarding his use of marijuana.


"PLAYBOY: Would it be fair to say that you’re not sorry about your 30 years as a pothead but you’re glad they’re over?

CARLIN: Exactly. Grass probably helped me as much as it hurt me. Especially as a performer. When you’re high, it’s easy to kid yourself about how clever certain mediocre pieces of material are. But, on the other hand, pot opens windows and doors that you may not be able to get through any other way. Being a very bound-up, Irish Catholic, I’ve often thought that whatever negative effects pot had on me, it probably saved me from being an alcoholic and a complete brainless idiot by the time I was 25. So I’d say pot has been a break-even proposition for me."

To say Carlin was a master of words would be the understatement of a lifetime. However, that said, I did edit out the profanity from the passage in order to make it appropriate for this platform.

For those who are interested, the full interview can be found at: http://stash.norml.org/george-carlin-how-i-will-miss-you

Per Orange Soda King - "I have not yet found a reason to alter my mind while performing, although I am not saying that it is bad, because so many others older and more experienced than I am do so and say it works."
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Don't believe them fella - its a bunch of baloney.

Oh don't worry currawong, it's totally recreational, nothing more. I'll grow out of it... I'm merely having fun getting a bit crazy with my mates on the weekend.

But if you really think I need pot to appreciate the glories of Beethoven, Liszt, Wagner and Elgar -not to mention the kinetic excitement of Argerich- then the joke no longer has any relevance.

Not to worry. My job requires so much of my energy, pot is an occasional diversion, nothing more. This thread came up; just thought I'd be honest about it.

Mostly sticking to topic here, are there any known examples of compositions created under the influence? The musical equivalent of Coleridge's Kubla Khan?


-Jason

I know - and I'm not judging anyone. Even though I grew up in the 60s I actually never tried it, if you can believe that! But I'm just aware of my age and mortality today...

You mean you never inhaled?

Nice one soundslike.

One might think Tristan, but it was Richard Strauss who quite correctly said (to this affect): 'do you know how much effort Wagner put into writing that music?'

Anymore than when Beethoven gave birth to his 7th symphony, Wagner put his whole life and energy into creating that miracle of Tristan. No, he wasn't stoned, but golly gee, has there ever been any more mesmerizing music? I didn't think so.

The first time I heard it I was totally free of any substance, but by the time of King Mark's address I was starting to wonder if someone might have slipped me a little 'something'. Funny, it happens in Strauss's Die Frau also, though not to the same extent.

How about everything The Beatles wrote from around "Rubber Soul" on.

I have to admit I wouldn't mind trying, but I would have no clue where to get it to try it. I live in almost total isolation, I never go out, etc....

Not to mention all of Louis Armstrong.