I'm a jazz musician, although I don't claim to be a "professional". I fluctuate from being a talented amateur to

"pro sounding" when at my best.

It's usually a struggle to get things accomplished, I have found that keeping things interesting and exciting helps to sty focused. I try to find new and interesting material to learn and practice, or create a new arrangement of a standard tune. Novelty is stimulating, in any field. Whether you ADD or not , it's always more fun to have other musicians around that you can connect with. Having that also helps with the focusing

Quote

Well, I'm not a professional musician because I kept getting discouraged about my skill level and quit trying to learn how to really master my instrument (drums, percussion, voice). I just never figured on ADD as a big part of why I never could stick with drum lessons and dropped out of bands and choral groups. I'm feeling hopeful, though. It's only been three days since I started taking Wellbutrin and I can already feel some of the endless fog starting to slowly creep away! This has to work because I have to get a job and start living... I've been on Social Security Disability since my early twenties and I'm now 41!

Anyway, I know this didn't really address your comments but when I saw Professional Musician as the thread title, I just wanted to chime in with my own limited experience.

Quote

I've been a professional musician in a symphony for over 20 years. I have the most difficulty with staying focused while playing, and find my mind wandering even during a performance. I really have to focus hard and make a conscious effort to stay in the moment. Because of this I had difficulty with jazz, as I kept forgetting where I was in the form. I do much better with the music written out, even if it's just a simple chart; it's easier to find my place again if I space out. For gigs, I just keep everything written down and keep a weekly calendar on the fridge so I don't forget a gig or rehearsal. Tax deductions are the hardest thing for me to keep track of. I find I must diligently write them down (like on a spreadsheet) or I'll forget them by the end of the year (or the end of the week- ha), including mileage.

Quote

I know this is an old thread, but I've been looking everywhere to find resources on ADD/ADHD for musicians. I am a college student and aspiring professional musician. ADD has been good in one way, because I've managed to learn to play several different instruments (harp is actually the most recent but now my primary instrument) because I like to have some new challenge all the time. My biggest problem since I've been in college has been working on the same music for long periods of time and consistently making progress. If I really like a piece, I can do it, but when a piece gets very complicated or I don't like it as much, it's very hard for me to practice it. I also have a lot of trouble knowing how to plan my practicing. I tend to learn part of something and play it over and over again. Not very productive. I've found that if I practice at the right time of the day, when I am most alert and focused (surprisingly enough, early in the morning and also in the evening) I get a lot more done. I have to eliminate any distractions and work on one thing during a practice session. I take frequent breaks. With harp I have the added difficulty of trying to watch music, sometimes a conductor, look at the strings and move pedals. It gets a bit overwhelming when it comes to performing. Anyhow, my post is getting too long. I'd be interested to know if anyone has suggestions for practicing. I've gotten a head start by keeping all my music super organized. Thanks!

Quote

hey harp guy....i'm an aspiring musician too, and struggling with what I think are add issues. yep I play the part I like over and over and can never remember the bridge because I haven't played it in while.....been in 3 bands none of which worked out due to issues that are probably related to my add some of which are related to the music and the add and some the social skills (or lack there of)....I'm too intense......I can't seem to get that bridge or I spaced out and didn't come in on the one.......I make my parts more complicated that my ability.....I feel like I don't fit in ... I get really down on myself when I can't execute what I hear in my head....I'm a perfectionist with an inferiority complex.... One thing that one of my teachers used to force me to do which really helped was to teach me to focus on exactly where I was making mistakes...the exact measure or even part of the measure....get that measure down then the pickup to that measure....then the two measure before it into the difficult measure...then add on the following measure....It was brutal but effective. I also find I learn the music better when I make the charts for whatever band I'm trying to work in. That forces me to really learn the songs...and then we are all working off the same page, and if we decide to tweak something, then I make the changes in the charts, this reinforces the changes for me. I also wonder if I have some trouble hearing the big picture, the overall sound of everyone playing together, when I'm one of the players....not sure if that is an add issue or just an immature ear. Another issue is that I'm not sure I ever play a piece the same way twice....that's got to be an add thing! I'd love to hear from others about their experience. Anyone out there?

Quote

hey harp guy....i'm an aspiring musician too, and struggling with what I think are add issues. yep I play the part I like over and over and can never remember the bridge because I haven't played it in while.....been in 3 bands none of which worked out due to issues that are probably related to my add some of which are related to the music and the add and some the social skills (or lack there of)....I'm too intense......I can't seem to get that bridge or I spaced out and didn't come in on the one.......I make my parts more complicated that my ability.....I feel like I don't fit in ... I get really down on myself when I can't execute what I hear in my head....I'm a perfectionist with an inferiority complex.... One thing that one of my teachers used to force me to do which really helped was to teach me to focus on exactly where I was making mistakes...the exact measure or even part of the measure....get that measure down then the pickup to that measure....then the two measure before it into the difficult measure...then add on the following measure....It was brutal but effective. I also find I learn the music better when I make the charts for whatever band I'm trying to work in. That forces me to really learn the songs...and then we are all working off the same page, and if we decide to tweak something, then I make the changes in the charts, this reinforces the changes for me. I also wonder if I have some trouble hearing the big picture, the overall sound of everyone playing together, when I'm one of the players....not sure if that is an add issue or just an immature ear. Another issue is that I'm not sure I ever play a piece the same way twice....that's got to be an add thing! I'd love to hear from others about their experience. Anyone out there?

Quote

ms.k, so much of what you said describes me. i also have trouble with playing the same passage over and over...and over, while neglecting the things that i should move on to. also, i'm a perfectionist with an inferiority complex. i've realized that the difficulty that i have in preparing/practicing leads to no confidence in my ability when i do perform, or, if i do well, to chalk it up to luck. the systematic learning of measures that you mentioned is the kind of thing that works for me, but i have to really force myself to be that structured. i also have a tendency to hyperfocus, a big ADD thing, on stuff (like playing passages over and over) that distracts from my practice regimen. it kind of sucks to be super structured when i practice, but i've found that the longer i can go with a steady, structured practice routine, the better (WAY better) the performances are. one more thing. i'm not sure if you're this way, but, as a perfectionist, i often get discouraged if i don't get imediate positive results. i also tend to bite off more than i can chew. these two things lead me to get so discouraged, that i want to give up (or throw something). i know it sounds cliche, but slow and steady is the way to go. braking what you do down into manageable tasks will get you used to the feeling of moving forward and growing, plus the info will stay with you much longer. thanks for the reply. i hope this helped.

Quote

thanks for the quick reply. Yep biting off more than I can chew......getting down on myself for not performing up to my (over inflated) expectations. I was in a virtual panic state for a while with one group I was trying to work with because of these problems......getting started on practicing is also a problem sometimes....I'm off to a lesson this afternoon and I'm going to ask my teacher to help me structure a practice routine. I might even go so far as to type it up, print it out and have little check boxes to make sure I do all the different parts of the routine. Sometimes I hate that I have to set up charts like this to keep myself on track, (I have one to try to keep my house and kids in order), I think that I should be "smart" enough to do what needs to be done, but as we know being smart and being orderly are two different things. I also think there is a tiny dopamine shot you get when you check off one of those boxes, and having to keep referring to the "to do" list sometimes can help to redirect my attention to what needs to be done.

Quote

"I have the most difficulty with staying focused while playing, and find my mind wandering even during a performance. I really have to focus hard and make a conscious effort to stay in the moment. Because of this I had difficulty with jazz, as I kept forgetting where I was in the form. I do much better with the music written out, even if it's just a simple chart; it's easier to find my place again if I space out."

This is rediculous, this is exactly me! I dont play jazz as a hobby (I lean towards the blues/led zeppelin,the who genre;but this isnt the point) but i have the hardest time staying focused while playing i can never consistently play a song without either messing up the order. and when I play a song where i must remind myself of the order im thinking of the order and then the next minute im thinking of something else and my mind wanders uncontrolably and by the time i relize i lost my attention i am already behind in the order. I also have trouble with rhythmic timing is there any solution you might know of to creating an internal clock?

Quote

Mariah

"I have the most difficulty with staying focused while playing, and find my mind wandering even during a performance. I really have to focus hard and make a conscious effort to stay in the moment. Because of this I had difficulty with jazz, as I kept forgetting where I was in the form. I do much better with the music written out, even if it's just a simple chart; it's easier to find my place again if I space out."

This is rediculous, this is exactly me! I dont play jazz as a hobby (I lean towards the blues/led zeppelin,the who genre;but this isnt the point) but i have the hardest time staying focused while playing i can never consistently play a song without either messing up the order. and when I play a song where i must remind myself of the order im thinking of the order and then the next minute im thinking of something else and my mind wanders uncontrolably and by the time i relize i lost my attention i am already behind in the order. I also have trouble with rhythmic timing is there any solution you might know of to creating an internal clock?

Quote

this is something that i have struggled with. i think it's pretty common with most musicians at some point, but musicians with add/adhd have a couple issues to deal with. one of those issues is how you practice. i have a tendency to hop around to different things when i have the guitar in my hand, instead of trying to continue a thought, exercise, riff,etc. this kind of thing develops into a bad performance/practice habit, making dealing with the ADD of the moment even more difficult.

one way to stay on task with practicing is by using a metronome. without one, i have a tendency to speed up or have my thoughts get cluttered. it's easier if you have something to lock into. it's kind of like talking to someone who is constantly changing the subject or saying random things. sometimes all that's needed is to take a breath and go with the flow. easier said than done, i know. play along with some recordings you like and try to mimic the feel of what they're doing, not just the notes.

another way to develop better timing is to find a metronome that you can set to sound the first beat of every measure (or the first beat of every two measures). play as if you're playing to a beat and see if you line up with whenever the metronome sounds. it's a really good way to work on keeping steady time. the metronome i use is actually an iphone/ipod touch app called 'tempo' (put out by frozen ape). you can silence whichever beats you want.

sorry for the long post. i've been working through this kind of stuff for a while. oh, and another thing. if you can record yourself, either on your computer or with whatever, and listen back to your playing, it might help a lot. sometimes you don't realize you're doing things that need to be fixed. often, you realize you sound better than you thought. don't get discouraged! there is hope :)

i hope this was helpful. keep the questions coming if you have them.

Quote

I AM SO GLAD I FINALLY FOUND THIS PLACE!!! I love music. But i have never been able to completely learn how to play an instrument and its driving me insane. I also cant stay focused on a single instrument. I have guitars, a bass, keyboards, harmonicas etc. I have been playing whatever i can get my hands on for about four years and have only managed to become "better than someone who doesnt play". Im in a band and am constantly yelled at by my bandmates (who started playing around the same as me and have greatly excelled) for not even being able to read music.

Quote

Great thread! I was looking online for years for help for musicians with ADD. After wading through a zillion sites describing how listening to music helps kids focus I gave up on the web and tried to think through my own solutions.

the short story : I'd played jazz (electric bass) since college, got serious about really learning jazz in my late forties, a few years before I was diagnosed with ADD. I've been in ensembles, went to open jams, took lessons from pros, went to music school (adult ed at a local conservatory), and now have a quintet -- but now feel like I've hit a wall. So what have I learned that might be useful?

1. the effect of emotions on ADD is huge. My ADD blossoms and the grey veil (that might sound familiar) descends when I'm under stress, either long term or short. Long term, emotional issues (relationship, life stress, etc) can destroy my concentration whether practing or performing. In this case being rested and relaxed (exercise, yoga) helps somewhat. For performance, same thing, although if the gig is going well sometimes the ADD fades.

2. Meds. I take Ritalin (30mg) each morning, then 5mg before each rehearsal, gig, or intensive practice session. For f--in years I beat my head against the wall (figuratively) of jazz theory, then when I started Ritalin the concepts slowly came together. It still takes me roughly six-times longer than others to learn something, but it is better.

3. Psych factors. I had the standard history of crash-an-burning in school, humiliation, disappointed teachers, career upheaval, etc etc. So I've had to put in a lot of "personal work" to get my self-regard straightened out. Even so, see #1 above

4. Ageing. I was diagnosed at 48, am now 54 and not sure if I can continue. The MD I see at the Hallowell Center tells me that ADHD gets worse with age. Great. As you probably know if you're reading this, ADD just yanks the rug out from under time and again, and in a performance-based activity that can be f--in hell. Not to mention, I know I have a disability, yet it's invisible to others. Yeah, I know it's not my fault, I'm not being lazy, or drunk ... but my mistakes ruin the sound of the group. I'm in the closet about my ADD with most other musicians because I don't want to be known in the local jazz community as the guy with ADD. And any way, most people -- players or not -- would rather hear good music than hear excuses.

So, too bad this is such an old thread. I'll appreciate any replies.

Quote

I'm an ADD musician also, I play rhythm guitar and vocals. I've played with a band a few years ago and have been doing jams a lot until starting a new band with an old college roommate recently. These guys are all really talented musicians that can usually hold me together through practice sessions and gigs, so I guess finding the right group chemistry is important. I was very upfront about my struggles and encourage them to provide me with feedback. I rarely play a song the same way twice and have been known to switch songs half way though. I'm fortunate enough to have a great group with me and they are able to adjust to my "improvisations" which ends up making it look intentional to an audience. The benefits I bring to the group are an almost limitless number of new ideas for new songs or ways to play old songs. I have had success with being consistent in practicing a select set of songs regularly and adding a little new stuff here and there to keep me interested. When time allows I play multiple times per day, even if only for 5-10 minutes at a time. I got a lot more confident, and subsequently better, after I accepted that even though I make mistakes 98% of people don't even notice unless I telegraph it. I have made it a habit to finish every song I start without interruption. If I'm struggling with a particularly difficult piece I break it down then go right back to playing the whole thing again. You'd be surprised at some of the seemingly brilliant songs I've been able to write that all started as a mistake and happened to sound pretty good. I also met a guy who used a teleprompter because he couldn't focus long enough to finish a song without it. I personally use lead sheets with lyrics and chords and just let the rest flow as the spirit moves me. Don't know if this will help but I thought I'd share my experience.

Quote

hi ::::: I've been able to improve my time by always using the metronome during practice. Also, mixing it up so the click lands on the 1 and 3, 2 and 4, and variations of that. I've used funk bass metronome exercises which probably helped.

Getting lost in the form has been a problem for me. I spent years on it and it eventually solved itself. I heard of this trick recently where a player looks toward (or thinks about) a different corner of the room depending on what section they're playing.

I also have an inability to play the same tune the same way each time. Maybe that's not such a problem in jazz. Ron Carter said he plays every tune differently each time and that's why he plays jazz and not funk. Yeah, if I were Ron Carter I'd play jazz over funk also ....

I've found it easier to stay on task when practicing if I keep a practice log, writing down each day how long I spend on scales, etudes, repertoire, composing, piano, or study (theory etc). I usually only get two or three of those each day (around 1-2hrs total), but it keeps me focused.

Oh yes. Remember to breathe.

thanks

Quote

Hi all,

I am an amature musician, I have ADHD and I am an ADHD Coach. I am very interested in talking to musicians with ADHD. I'd like to identfy and document the ADHD challanges specific to musicians. If you're interested in talking and sharing experiences with ADHD and music, please contact me. I have setup an on-line forum for discussing issues with ADHD and music at http://www.MusiciansWithADHD.com

Dan@ADHDCoachDan.com http://www.ADHDCoachDan.com

Quote