A few weeks ago Lebron James hit a game winning shotin the NBA playoffs.
It was a weird, off balance, sideways shot.
He didn’t have to shoot that shot, but he thought that was the best shot to take given the situation…and it certainly worked out.
It turns out he’d practiced that weird, off balance, sideways shot before. He told reporters he’d practiced it before, and teammates said the same thing.
Practicing that shot was never a requirement. But he rehearsed it anyway.
Practicing a shot that he didn’t have to practice equipped him with another tool to use when it came time to need a tool like that.
It’s the same way for you. You need more live show tools. Little extra tools, maybe not to be used every night, but to be used when the situation calls for them.
These tools can be acquired by trying things when you don’t need to so that when you see the opportunity later, you will have done it before.
And if you’ve tried it before it’s more likely to be a success next time.
Running the aisles, dancing, standing on the drum kit, doubling the last chorus on the fly, changing the melody, giving a speech during the bridge, thanking the venue staff, talking about the city you’re in…the list goes on.
Try these things when you don’t have to, so when you do have to you’ve done it before.
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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com