The Song in My Head

michael_1265 · 06-01-2011, 09:03 AM

Recently, a poster commented that the best way to relax was to get a song in her head during a match. I tried it, and it worked for me. It sometimes takes a little time, though, to get the “right” song playing. For me, it has run the gamut from Led Zep to INXS to En Vogue, with a little Nickleback thrown in here and there. I wondered why it worked, but I tried not to wonder too much, because I didn’t want to jinx myself. This month’s Tennis Magazine started me thinking about it again. One article discusses the prefrontal cortex, a brain structure that is good at managing complex processes, but one that tends to muck things up when it tries to manage physical activities like hitting a tennis ball (the classic “too much time to think” overhead shank comes to mind). So I did a little research on the prefrontal cortex, and it appears to be the same structure that is engaged when you imagine a song in your head, as opposed to actually hearing it. Essentially what you are doing when you play a song in your head is giving the prefrontal cortex some “busy work” so that it doesn’t interfere with your tennis game. Kind of like a father, who, forced to allow his incompetent son to work at the family business, gives him meaningless tasks so that he doesn’t do any real damage.

Just my dime store take on what is certainly a more complex issue, but if you haven’t tried the music thing, do so. Just don’t be surprised when “Karma Chameleon” pops into your head for the entire match. Not that there’s anything wrong with that………..

Nuke · 06-01-2011, 09:26 AM

"Hey, Nuke, what's the score?"

"8-6-7-5-3-0-9"

skiracer55 · 06-01-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_1265

Recently, a poster commented that the best way to relax was to get a song in her head during a match. I tried it, and it worked for me. It sometimes takes a little time, though, to get the “right” song playing. For me, it has run the gamut from Led Zep to INXS to En Vogue, with a little Nickleback thrown in here and there. I wondered why it worked, but I tried not to wonder too much, because I didn’t want to jinx myself. This month’s Tennis Magazine started me thinking about it again. One article discusses the prefrontal cortex, a brain structure that is good at managing complex processes, but one that tends to muck things up when it tries to manage physical activities like hitting a tennis ball (the classic “too much time to think” overhead shank comes to mind). So I did a little research on the prefrontal cortex, and it appears to be the same structure that is engaged when you imagine a song in your head, as opposed to actually hearing it. Essentially what you are doing when you play a song in your head is giving the prefrontal cortex some “busy work” so that it doesn’t interfere with your tennis game. Kind of like a father, who, forced to allow his incompetent son to work at the family business, gives him meaningless tasks so that he doesn’t do any real damage.

Just my dime store take on what is certainly a more complex issue, but if you haven’t tried the music thing, do so. Just don’t be surprised when “Karma Chameleon” pops into your head for the entire match. Not that there’s anything wrong with that………..

Gag me with a spoon. I'll go with Moonlight Drive, by the Doors, thank you...

Donny0627 · 06-01-2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuke

"Hey, Nuke, what's the score?"

"8-6-7-5-3-0-9"

I literally just lol'ed

kiteboard · 06-01-2011, 01:28 PM

"Freedom's just another word, for, nothing left to lose, and baby, I aint gonna lose today." Na, na na na na na, na, nanana na, just me and Bobby Mcgee."

michael_1265 · 06-01-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuke

"Hey, Nuke, what's the score?"

"8-6-7-5-3-0-9"

That's just wrong. I may be stuck with that song for awhile now.....

michael_1265 · 06-01-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiracer55

Gag me with a spoon. I'll go with Moonlight Drive, by the Doors, thank you...

You don't choose the song, it chooses you, grasshopper.

pyrokid · 06-02-2011, 02:43 PM

Yeah this helps me out a ton too. Lately it's been deadwood by dirty pretty things... It's a bit embarrassing when you start dancing after hitting a winner though, but you get over it I guess.

TheBoom · 06-02-2011, 04:48 PM

My current pump up songs are I'm back my T.I and Shut up by trick daddy

Limpinhitter · 06-02-2011, 06:20 PM

I like to listen to The Mahavishnu Orchestra on the way to a match! I play my best tennis when I don't think, and you can't muster a coherent thought after listening to Mahavishnu.

PS: Here are some samples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10a45...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3lv...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuy5X...eature=related

NLBwell · 06-02-2011, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiracer55

Gag me with a spoon. I'll go with Moonlight Drive, by the Doors, thank you...

Well, Zappa is good.
Doors can be a bit gloomy for me for tennis.

Allman Brothers live "Statesboro Blues" works well. If "Whipping Post" comes to mind, though, I might not be playing so well.

If I'm exhausted, some Blue Oyster Cult or Motorhead will perk me up.

Angle Queen · 06-03-2011, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuke

"Hey, Nuke, what's the score?"

"8-6-7-5-3-0-9"

LOL.

But I'm a country gal. "6-3-4-5-7-8-9" Great west coast tune...that helps me set up some of my on-court footwork.

But I'm with ya on the whole "tune" things working to get the brain in the correct frame of mind (or should that read "cortex"?).

I also have a special CD (eeks, Geezer-alert) that I listen to on the way to matches. LOUD. REALLY LOUD. It's usually one of the rare occasions to be in the car by myself when I can listen to stuff I don't necessarily want my kids to hear. Or stuff they just hate. Like Opera.

Nothing like a pounding rendition of the Anvil Chorus...to get me in the mood...to hit a ball.

sphinx780 · 06-04-2011, 05:55 AM

Yep, don't think there's any need to over think this one either. When I've got a song stuck in my head during a match, I'm just out there playing, I'm not thinking and that's a very effective strategy for my game

tennis_balla · 06-04-2011, 08:43 AM

michael, if you're curious to look more into these types of things I cannot suggest strong enough you read the book Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey

Jack the(Forehand)Ripper · 06-04-2011, 07:13 PM

Midnight Hands by Rise Against works perfectly for me. "Let's bite off too much. Let's jump with a blind trust.. In water over our heads."

Oddly motivating.

06-01-2011, 09:03 AM	#1
michael_1265 Professional Join Date: May 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 906	The Song in My Head Recently, a poster commented that the best way to relax was to get a song in her head during a match. I tried it, and it worked for me. It sometimes takes a little time, though, to get the “right” song playing. For me, it has run the gamut from Led Zep to INXS to En Vogue, with a little Nickleback thrown in here and there. I wondered why it worked, but I tried not to wonder too much, because I didn’t want to jinx myself. This month’s Tennis Magazine started me thinking about it again. One article discusses the prefrontal cortex, a brain structure that is good at managing complex processes, but one that tends to muck things up when it tries to manage physical activities like hitting a tennis ball (the classic “too much time to think” overhead shank comes to mind). So I did a little research on the prefrontal cortex, and it appears to be the same structure that is engaged when you imagine a song in your head, as opposed to actually hearing it. Essentially what you are doing when you play a song in your head is giving the prefrontal cortex some “busy work” so that it doesn’t interfere with your tennis game. Kind of like a father, who, forced to allow his incompetent son to work at the family business, gives him meaningless tasks so that he doesn’t do any real damage. Just my dime store take on what is certainly a more complex issue, but if you haven’t tried the music thing, do so. Just don’t be surprised when “Karma Chameleon” pops into your head for the entire match. Not that there’s anything wrong with that………..

06-01-2011, 09:26 AM	#2
Nuke Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: location, location Posts: 2,880	"Hey, Nuke, what's the score?" "8-6-7-5-3-0-9" __________________ I just got a new racquet for my wife. Pretty good trade, huh?

06-02-2011, 02:43 PM	#8
pyrokid Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,768	Yeah this helps me out a ton too. Lately it's been deadwood by dirty pretty things... It's a bit embarrassing when you start dancing after hitting a winner though, but you get over it I guess. __________________ Stereotypical Teen Player Babolat APDGT, Vamos Rafa, all that jazz.

06-02-2011, 04:48 PM	#9
TheBoom Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kingwood texas Posts: 2,280	My current pump up songs are I'm back my T.I and Shut up by trick daddy __________________ Head IG Speed 18x20 Lux Savage (Lime) @56Lbs

06-02-2011, 06:20 PM	#10
Limpinhitter Legend Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 9,287	I like to listen to The Mahavishnu Orchestra on the way to a match! I play my best tennis when I don't think, and you can't muster a coherent thought after listening to Mahavishnu. PS: Here are some samples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10a45...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3lv...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuy5X...eature=related Last edited by Limpinhitter : 06-02-2011 at 06:45 PM.