All the time before I'm gonna play, I have one mug of my world famous coffee. This morning I didn't. I strapped the guitar over my shoulders, and boy, did I feel a difference: I didn't have barely enough energy to play, I just stood there and tried my best, where as if I have my world famous coffee I'd be jumping all over the place and most of the songs would be sinch.

Wheather it be coffee, relaxing, etc, what makes you play better?

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riley

trying to impress girls makes me play better........... or fail horribly......

I am the same way with the coffee. If I'm half asleep or just overtired, I play like crap. If I know I'm going to play at some point, I'll listen to the songs I love to play on my iPod tp get in the mood.

Also, if I get a new skill set down I try to reward myself with some new gear. That's usually a pretty darn good motivator ha ha.

Goose

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Keep rockin'

Practice.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

Angst makes me write songs better, and play a bit more aggresivley.

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riley

A rock and roll attitude!


OZZY RULES!!!

+1

And have Fun! Makes all the difference

Andy

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Pending Greatness

Warm hands, but I'm gonna try that coffee thing.

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Rated "M" for meaty.

About the only thing that does make any difference to your playing at all.

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No no and no

I find that if I sing I play better... seems to flow alot smoother and don't sound as "robotic".

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

Past life experiences both good and bad. I try my best to put it in my hands, when it comes out right its exhilarating and the most fun you could ever have.

CC

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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

Well on the coffee thing, I've pretty much been "banned" from caffeine before or during practices! LOL! As much as I hate to admit it, caffeine, be it coffee or Mountain Dew or something else, really tends to screw with my sense of tempo. In this regard, it -is- a drug and as such it can alter you're perception. I'm not saying that this is the OP's case specifically but as with booze, pot or anything else, perhaps you just think you're playing better. I have nothing against drinking or smoking a little for a "jam session", however I'm sorry...if you really "need" booze, pot or even coffee to play better, that's called "chemical dependence" and that's -never- a good thing.

As far as what does actually allow me to play at my best, as syeclops and Nick both said, -practice-. Personally I prefer to work with people who are better musicians than I am...this really pushes me to be at the top of my game. Typically I will ""jam" with just about anyone (at least to some degree) but I find that if I'm working with folks who aren't as good as I am, my playing tends to get rather lazy. I'm at the point where I don't really get intimidated by other people as far as my playing goes...I -know- there are folks out there who can smoke my butt and I -know- I can smoke others...that's not what any of this is about. However when I work with people who I feel are superior musicians (as I am right now) it gives me a reason to practice and make sure my chops are as good as they can be and it certainly give me a reason to try and find ways to improve my own playing...and I'm a very strong believer in that no matter how good you are (or you think you are) there's always room for improvement.

Also...and I do have to say this in all earnest...I also find that having a deadline such as a pending gig will certainly push me as well. I'm at the point in my life where I feel as though I've already done my share of "hell gigs"...I've paid my dues. As such I will -NOT- get on stage with an act that's anything less than professional and I need to make danged sure my own playing is at that level as well. When I know there's a gig coming up, I'll be down in the studio for 3 to 4 hours a day for at least a week or two before hand to -make sure- I'm ready. That too though simply comes down to one thing; practice.

Just my $.02 worth as always,
Jim

Nice BigJay That does sound like the recipe from most of our idols.

For me my playing gets better not just by practice but practice with a purpose. Taking 2 seconds before you plug in to decide what you are trying to accomplish is the key for me. If I plug in and rip through everything I know for an hour or 2 that's not accomplishing much. If I know what I want to do before I start and then I go out and knock it down then I feel a lot better about my playing than I did before I opened my case.

For me is listening to music and make sure I hear it the way it was meant.