I write this as I am preparing to enter the studio for a few days to record some songs that I have written with some friends of mine. The other musicians that I am playing with are well known for nailing their parts in one or two takes, so this makes me a bit nervous! How do you have fun, be creative and play to your full potential under the pressure of time constraints and getting it done in just a few takes, with everyone else watching/listening? It’s very different from banging out a demo in your back room over the course of a few weeks!
Here are some things that I try to do to give myself the best possible chance of having a successful recording session and controlling my stress levels…