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Mind focus......

Any of us that have been mixing for some time will know that some days we're crap, some days we're red hot!

It's not just in our mind. Some days you'll mix really badly, others you'll mix like you were making some production for Global Underground or something.

Tonight I've just mixed to the highest of standards. I felt that deeper understanding, I had more focus on the music than normal. I was able to plan so far ahead in my mixes, my EQing was near perfect etc etc.

Right now I'm really hung over from drinking a shed load last night. When I feel like this I can adopt quite a cocky nature. If I'm out on the town I'll dance like I don't care, I'll talk to ladies like it doesn't matter. And when I'm mixing I'll mix well. I could care less, my confidence is up.

Now I'm sure there are some of you that have that sort of confidence every day..... and you probably mix like a pro. Then there may be others of us that don't, only occasionally (in varying degrees) managing to connect with the music to the level that gives that oh so satisfying feeling.

I saw a program on hypnotherapy the other day. If this stuff works, do you suppose that you could use it to perhaps focus to the level where you could consistently mix the way you know you can?

Hypnotherapy is not for everyone, some are more susceptible to it than others, for varying reasons - which this thread should not really become the subject of.

Oddest question I've ever raised in this forum.

I somewhat agree with you here. I, as everyone, have good and bad days. But for me, as I don't play out, I feel it's more down to whether or not I'm in the mood rather than confidence.

Yesterday I recorded one of my best sets for a while even though I hadn't slept for well over 24 hours and felt like shit from a hangover. It was the fact that the night before I was talking about how I was planning on recording a new Demo. By the time I got in I was all geared up to start mixing. Maybe confidence does play a role, but I have had days where I just don't "feel" the music very well and in turn I find myself with less rhythm/physical movement while mixing. I usually find that listening to a previous recording of mine or a nice uplifting CD helps me to get in the mood for mixing. But thats just me.

I'm sure that if people do suffer from lack of confidence then Hypnotherapy can probably help. Though I understand that it only works one some people. It would be interesting to find out more about this.

I reckon if the first few go well you just start running on auto (in the zone). If the first few go bad you can just be fucked off and mix negatively.

But basically if your a positive person when you do fuck up you don't let it affect your other mixes. If negative you just chuck it all to shit by focusing on some minimal fuck up.

quote:

Originally posted by Dervish I reckon if the first few go well you just start running on auto (in the zone). If the first few go bad you can just be fucked off and mix negatively. But basically if your a positive person when you do fuck up you don't let it affect your other mixes. If negative you just chuck it all to shit by focusing on some minimal fuck up.

THIS

You can't mull over a mistake. We all make them, but one has to tough up to it and keep going...

That said, there are days when I try to mix, and I just get distracted, or have something on my mind which ends up contributing to bad mixes. I feel that I can do my best when I have less stress from the outside world than if I am being bugged by work, etc.

I like to picture myself as being a conduit for the music - when I d.j. I'm not the one running the show, I'm simply part of the medium.

"Through me, but not because of me."

It isn't easy to "let go" - we're taught to strive for (imaginary) perfection, and often feel disappointed when we fall short of that (imaginary) mark.

Unless you're some kind of savant, I've found the curve for really finding your own style on the decks tends to sit in and around 3-5 years of dedicated playing. Learn your craft well during that time - after that point, constantly find ways to relinquish doing things a certain way every time. When you're jamming at home, really mess around with the decks and mixer - the body has a memory of its own, and what works will stick and will come out in some form during live sets.

Meditation doesn't hurt, either.

yep it's all in your head, anxiety is a bitch

Re: Mind focus......

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Originally posted by Jarvmeister I couldn't care less, my confidence is up.

Re: Mind focus......

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Originally posted by Jarvmeister Right now I'm really hung over from drinking a shed load last night.

Those are the nights that I always think I'm doing awesome.

Seriously though and on a somewhat related note, I really do DJ much better after a few drinks. I guess I just loosen up a bit but my mixes sound better to me. If nothing else, my stage presence gets more interesting.

Re: Re: Mind focus......

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Originally posted by DiscoStew Those are the nights that I always think I'm doing awesome. Seriously though and on a somewhat related note, I really do DJ much better after a few drinks. I guess I just loosen up a bit but my mixes sound better to me. If nothing else, my stage presence gets more interesting.

true i can definitely understand that, i mix alot better after a painkiller or benzo to loosen me up, i personally dont drink so thats why once in a while i pop a little something to break the tension and it helps me focus better. it's certainly not a "personal standards" thing that i don't drink, but after many years of psychedelics it's just something that happened. go figure

by the way congratulations man! i heard your name on the radio on my drive home yesterday, a commercial on q100. way to go!

Re: Re: Re: Mind focus......

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Originally posted by Dj Dizzy by the way congratulations man! i heard your name on the radio on my drive home yesterday, a commercial on q100. way to go!

Thanks Dizzy. Although, I'm not sure how much I want my name associated with a Top 40 station. Whatever, I'm kinda famous now.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Mind focus......

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Originally posted by DiscoStew Whatever, I'm kinda famous now.

Damn Simpsons.

i suck if i dont have a couple drinks before i go on

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