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Can Drugs aid the process of composition ?

Posted by Adrian Allan on September 30, 2010 at 9:59pm in The Business of Composing
Or is it a myth ?

Did you ever dabble with any drugs and find that your compositions improved ?

I am including all legal and illegal, from caffeine upwards.

Does a cigarette help you to concentrate.

Did you write a great tune while stoned ?

And listen back to it the next day and decide it was garbage ?

Didn't the Beatles' music improve after they discovered weed (Rubber Soul) and LSD (Sgt Pepper etc) ?

Did composers of the classical period get high in German coffee parlours ?
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Replies

  • Allison Danielle September 12, 2011 at 4:54pm
    After this discussion started, I started a project. My newest piece I've been working on "Are We Martians?" has been worked on while high. So far, it's not like anything I've written before.
  • Adrian Allan September 12, 2011 at 8:03pm
    that's really interesting Allison - look forward to hearing it.
  • Tombo Rombo September 12, 2011 at 10:30pm
    I wonder if this is actually possible to do.  Just work on a piece when high I mean.  Personally, when I am working on a composition I go over it constantly, even when I am not "working on it" so to speak.  How would you ensure that no sober ideas get in there?  I guess you'll just have to be constantly high until the piece is finished.  Bummer : )

    Allison Danielle said:
    After this discussion started, I started a project. My newest piece I've been working on "Are We Martians?" has been worked on while high. So far, it's not like anything I've written before.
  • 2vh8c582vj5hn September 12, 2011 at 11:00pm
    Drugs help with self delusional grandeur.
  • Allison Danielle September 13, 2011 at 1:52am
    That sir, is EXACTLY what I've been doing. haha

    Tombo Rombo said:
    I wonder if this is actually possible to do.  Just work on a piece when high I mean.  Personally, when I am working on a composition I go over it constantly, even when I am not "working on it" so to speak.  How would you ensure that no sober ideas get in there?  I guess you'll just have to be constantly high until the piece is finished.  Bummer : )

    Allison Danielle said:
    After this discussion started, I started a project. My newest piece I've been working on "Are We Martians?" has been worked on while high. So far, it's not like anything I've written before.
  • 2vh8c582vj5hn September 13, 2011 at 1:56am
    Caffeine works for me also. 4 shot mocha and away I go.
  • Simon Godden September 13, 2011 at 10:01am
    It's not a drug, but I often find that food (a full well sated stomach) helps me concentrate.
  • David Naranjo September 13, 2011 at 12:12pm

    OP very nice question.


    Brain produces a lot of drugs, i would take that as a lead, emotions can trigger'em.

     

    Cheers,

    David

  • Adrian Allan September 15, 2011 at 8:16am

    I believe that Snus is more popular in the Scandinavian countries. I once tried it but it sent my head into such a spin I almost threw up. Isn't it also linked to cancer of the mouth?

     

    I wonder if the initial question can be turned on its head - has anybody here never used drugs as an aid to composition, if we include even the milder stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine?

    Let's remember that many many people use food like a drug to change one's mood, as Simon stated - like chocoholics who crave the kick (and then feel the guilt about the calorie count shortly afterwards).

    I sometimes thinkl that drugs are an integral part of the human condition, and as such any "War on Drugs" is futile.

  • Allison Danielle January 8, 2012 at 2:42am

    Did it. Done. Posted. It took almost four months... This is the most expensive piece I've ever written. lol

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