How do you deal with constant blister problems? [Archive] - DRUMMERWORLD OFFICIAL DISCUSSION FORUM

joshisaces

11-30-2008, 05:42 AM

Man, I don't know. Can that be right? Blisters? From playing the drums?
I remember when I was starting out that would happen to me but it was because I wasn't playing right.
Have you checked your grip? Are you gripping too tightly?
I don't know. It sounds painful. I guess you're just going to have to tape up your hands, or something.
You're not allergic to anything are you?

No, I'm not. I'm putting bandaids on my hands right now. It's working out kind of good on my fingers, but not my hands. In all the time I've been playing, I haven't gotten blisters that much...

Actually, I think I know what happened. I went on vacation for a long time, and then started playing when I came back. Going from not playing to playing for hours a day formed the blisters. Am I right?

Matty G.

11-30-2008, 06:09 AM

I used to get them more than I do now. Maybe it's because of better technique, less nervousness at shows (which makes you tense), or calloused hands. But when I did get them, I used Johnson & Johnson tape.

Make sure to use good quality sticks, not the cheapo ones, but sticks with a good finish, (I like RegalTip) and don't let a pair of sticks get too out of hand before you throw it away. Otherwise you go to flip it to use the butt end and the tip is all shredded with hi-hat/rimshot marks, you can get a blister that way.

Also, wouldn't be a bad idea to inspect your grip. Make sure you aren't squeezing too tight. Sometimes it can happen if you're at a show and you start playing louder/harder than you practice, so always practicing as if you're in a show setting. Hope that helps!

jay norem

11-30-2008, 06:16 AM

No, I'm not. I'm putting bandaids on my hands right now. It's working out kind of good on my fingers, but not my hands. In all the time I've been playing, I haven't gotten blisters that much...

Actually, I think I know what happened. I went on vacation for a long time, and then started playing when I came back. Going from not playing to playing for hours a day formed the blisters. Am I right?

I'm thinking, guessing, that you're holding your sticks wrong. I don't understand how you're getting blisters on your hands. Describe, please, how you hold your sticks when you play.

aydee

11-30-2008, 06:17 AM

I'm always finding new blisters on my hands. How should you deal with this HUGE blister problem?

You have to correct your grip immediately. You are either gripping wrong or gripping too tight.

joshisaces

11-30-2008, 06:31 AM

I think I'm gripping too tight. I use the american grip.

LM201

11-30-2008, 06:33 AM

I use Communist Russia grip

jay norem

11-30-2008, 06:39 AM

I think I'm gripping too tight. I use the american grip.

The American grip? What the hell is that?

aydee

11-30-2008, 06:49 AM

American grip is a combination the French & German grips. Its a comfortable matched grip with the palms at a 45% angle

There is a saying ( don't remember who said it, one of the teaching greats I suspect ) that you should grip a stick like you'd hold a little birdie. Tight enough not to let it fly away, and gently enough not to hurt it at all.

jay norem

11-30-2008, 06:55 AM

Yes, I'm pretty sure that it was Jim Chapin who said that, and it's a wonderful way to describe how to hold a stick.

Latin Groover

11-30-2008, 06:55 AM

The American grip? What the hell is that?

http://www.vicfirth.com/education/drumset/domfamularo.html
There you go Jay

Light enough not to let is fly away, and gently enough not to hurt it at all.

Jim Chapin...And what's with the sneaky invisible mode Abe?..

And i would definitely say it's a grip issue, maybe gripping too tight. If you could upload some pics or video of your grip, people could help.

Abstsbtsb

11-30-2008, 07:00 AM

Blisters come from improper technique. This isn't to say that you should not get them. Whenever you are pushing yourself harder than normal during your playing your grip will suffer and you will obtain blisters. This is common with more intense styles of drumming. You may also get them if you don't stretch and warm up enough before you play. Its natural to get them if your trying to push your playing to be faster or stronger. Just try to keep proper technique best you can and if you get blisters put a band-aid on.

jay norem

11-30-2008, 07:03 AM

American grip is a combination the French & German grips. Its a comfortable matched grip with the palms at a 45% angle.

Interesting. Never heard of that, but it's rather like the way I hold my sticks. And I've always thought I was using a French grip, where the thumb is on top. Well, actually I do use a French grip the more I think about it.
But look here, Josh, have you ever had a drum teacher? He'd straighten you out right away.

aydee

11-30-2008, 07:11 AM

.And what's with the sneaky invisible mode Abe?..

I wanna feel like...................GOD ; )

Ian Ballard

11-30-2008, 08:10 AM

I used to get blisters all the time when I first started out. Now my hands are a giant callus.

I just sucked it up and occasionally put duct tape over some

Blisters and calluses are one thing, but carpel-tunnel syndrome and crippling arthritis is another.

I'd suggest dealing with blisters, by deep, introspective meditation.

Once you can only focus on the "in and out" breath with the absolute inability to veer from that thought, imagine the sticks doing all the work. Your hands do nothing but guide the stick, no matter who loud and crazy you play.

Seriously. Not joking.

Take it from somebody who's spent many months on the road, playing in VERY heavy bands. At some point, if you don't modify the relationship between the sticks and your hands, you will be a very sorry, crippled man.

Steve Smith's DVD "History of the US Beat" has a bit about a matched-grip "power" technique, where the arms are used in the motion and the hands twist in a natural motion outward. Kinda hard to explain in words. Basically, there are ways to strike a drum to get 100% of it's volume capability, using a fraction of energy and force absorbed by the body. Extra energy beyond the point where the drum cannot get any louder, is wasted and converts into potential damage to your body.

jay norem

11-30-2008, 08:23 AM

I'd suggest dealing with blisters, by deep, introspective meditation.

I agree. That, and a diet of Grape Nuts. Grape Nuts for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
And lots of Dr. Pepper.
Air is good, too. You need to breath air, in and out, and you really need to do this on a regular basis.
And you need to practice shuffling cards. Also, taking up knitting might just be the answer.
Do you drive a car? Don't. Nothing will mess up your drumming more than driving a car. Get a truck instead.
Never ride in boats, and always wear a red scull cap. And for God's sake, stay away from the Q-Tips.

DrummerDavid

11-30-2008, 08:31 AM

Don't they have some sort of medication for blister problems.

Oh...blisters on your hands...

Ian Ballard

11-30-2008, 09:09 AM

I agree. That, and a diet of Grape Nuts. Grape Nuts for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
And lots of Dr. Pepper.
Air is good, too. You need to breath air, in and out, and you really need to do this on a regular basis.
And you need to practice shuffling cards. Also, taking up knitting might just be the answer.
Do you drive a car? Don't. Nothing will mess up your drumming more than driving a car. Get a truck instead.
Never ride in boats, and always wear a red scull cap. And for God's sake, stay away from the Q-Tips.

Hey, you come at me with "duct tape", I'm comin' back with "deep, insightful meditation"

That's the least I can do.

zambizzi

11-30-2008, 09:14 AM

Meditation is a great idea...I have to do it just to relieve everyday stress. The life of a computer geek comes with great pressure. :D

The simple answer is; you're doing it wrong. I had blisters a little over a year ago and the reason was a bad grip and bad technique. A few months later I had agonizing tendonitis which still lingers here and there today. Once you get it, it's a bitch to get rid of.

So, do it right. Get a teacher and learn a proper grip and free-stroke. You'll be hammering those skins as hard as you want with next-to-zero physical stress, in no time.

aydee

11-30-2008, 09:19 AM

Hey, you come at me with "duct tape", I'm comin' back with "deep, insightful meditation"

That's the least I can do.

Jay's avataar needs this caption: " SEE, NO BLISTERS! "

jay norem

11-30-2008, 09:31 AM

Hey, you come at me with "duct tape", I'm comin' back with "deep, insightful meditation"

That's the least I can do.

I do not advocate duct tape. I say that you need to hold your sticks so that you don't get blisters when you play. It's possible, you know.

DrummerDavid

11-30-2008, 09:59 AM

Reading this thread made me realize-I don't have blisters anymore.

I must be holding something right.

Latin Groover

11-30-2008, 10:06 AM

I wanna feel like...................GOD ; )

Man with your kit, you already are.

Ian Ballard

11-30-2008, 10:36 AM

I do not advocate duct tape. I say that you need to hold your sticks so that you don't get blisters when you play. It's possible, you know.

Ummm... OK.

Did I accidentally post in Swahili again? Maybe you didn't get it..

BattleArmor

11-30-2008, 04:33 PM

I'm always finding new blisters on my hands. How should you deal with this HUGE blister problem?

I think that is a technique problem. I used to get blisters, but in the last couple of years, I have been focusing alot on technique, and now I dont even have many callousses.

joshisaces

11-30-2008, 06:20 PM

Interesting. Never heard of that, but it's rather like the way I hold my sticks. And I've always thought I was using a French grip, where the thumb is on top. Well, actually I do use a French grip the more I think about it.
But look here, Josh, have you ever had a drum teacher? He'd straighten you out right away.

No, I haven't had a drum teacher. haha, he sure would straighten me up.

joshisaces

11-30-2008, 06:22 PM

You'll be hammering those skins as hard as you want with next-to-zero physical stress, in no time.

So, lets say I hit as hard as Aaron Gillespie... haha which I really do. Anyways.. It doesn't matter how hard I hit, as long as I have good technique?

aydee

11-30-2008, 06:45 PM

Man with your kit, you already are.

Not yet, LG.......... don't have the Steve Jordan maple snare yet : )

.........sorry..............back to blisters................

ermghoti

11-30-2008, 07:17 PM

It doesn't matter how hard I hit, as long as I have good technique?

Correct. I hit plenty hard, when needed. A baby could pluck a stick from my hand. If I so much as tap something on the way up, the stick will come flying out of my grip. I have never gotten a blister drumming (three years).

larryace

11-30-2008, 07:22 PM

There's always a better and smarter way to do anything, manipulating drumsticks included. if your body is making pain for you, it's telling you '"Josh don't do it like that. Figure out a different way to do this or I'll punish you with pain and much more" Listen to what your body is telling you.

Best advice I ever received:
If you're working too hard, you're doing something wrong.

With all due respect, you are definitely doing something wrong.
Please don't hurt yourself. You need to abandon whatever grip you are using, like right now.

zambizzi

11-30-2008, 07:47 PM

So, lets say I hit as hard as Aaron Gillespie... haha which I really do. Anyways.. It doesn't matter how hard I hit, as long as I have good technique?

EXACTLY. Anyone can smash a drum but bad technique means you'll likely hurt yourself doing it. With good technique, not only can you hit as hard as you want...but you'll be able to do it much longer, with no physical side-effects, and it will sound better.

king fail

11-30-2008, 07:56 PM

I can't tell you anything that hasn't already been said, but the bottom line is

If it hurts, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG

if you haven't already, look up the free stroke/gladstone technique, it will pretty much revolutionize your drumming.

diosdude

11-30-2008, 08:28 PM

Yeah, it's probably technique, but hey, have you tried stick wrap? Blisters occur on the body because of heat, in this case, friction generated. Maybe try wrap to decrease it or a different drumstick all together like fiberglass or graphite or some ahead aluminums, which come with their own wrap.

wubanger40

11-30-2008, 08:58 PM

zambizzi

11-30-2008, 09:51 PM

hold the stick loosely enough so that if you miss the cymbal or drum you are trying to hit, chances are it will fall out of your hand.

That's excellent, I'm going to remember that!

SEVNT7

11-30-2008, 10:36 PM

PLEASE, don't tape or wrap your sticks. As soon as you do that you will throw off the natural balance of the stick and minimize the rebound. Get a teacher who knows about and can teach you "Proper Technique". Watch Jojo's and Chapin's video's for the correct info. It also doesn't matter what type of sticks you use, size or material. If you're getting blisters you're grip is bad, it's that simple.

Ian Ballard

11-30-2008, 10:48 PM

I'm gonna play devil's advocate for a sec.

I think a lot of young players, who may or may not be playing actual music with an actual band, nevermind touring for months out of the year, nevermind the rigors of playing heavy music night after night after night... get this idea that drummers should never, ever get blisters.

The problem is that the majority of "jazzers", who play occasional gigs, or people that maybe teach or play around with garage bands, etc... have no real understanding of rigorous touring and the toll it takes on the body, regardless of the technique.

I have very good technique, in my opinion, but have still gotten a blister or two from long, extended jams, intense music and playing night after night after night.

This whole, "the stick should barely be in your hand" kind of mentality doesn't equate to certain types of playing. As Billy Cobham once said, "You have establish a relationship with the sticks" in that, you have to grip them and control them, in addition to making sure tension is low.

Clearly having bad blistering problems points to the need to work on technique, but to say that a drummer should never get blisters, has probably not toured long periods with a rock band.

SEVNT7

11-30-2008, 11:16 PM

wubanger40

11-30-2008, 11:50 PM

This whole, "the stick should barely be in your hand" kind of mentality doesn't equate to certain types of playing. As Billy Cobham once said, "You have establish a relationship with the sticks" in that, you have to grip them and control them, in addition to making sure tension is low..

Every relationship has to start somewhere. If you start off this "relationship" gripping the stick loosely, as you progress you will generate a more loose and relaxed form of playing, which in turn will reduce the tension and injuries. The whole stick should barely be in your hand seems like smart way to start off, and develop your technique, or "relationship" with you sticks. As your technique progresses you will be able to control your sticks better, as well as define your own comfortable way of playing.

joshisaces

12-01-2008, 12:12 AM

You need to abandon whatever grip you are using, like right now.

But I have been using the same grip for all the time I have been playing and hadn't had a problem.

joshisaces

12-01-2008, 12:18 AM

Ian Ballard

12-01-2008, 01:01 AM

I play Jazz, Rock, Blues etc.. I never get blisters and I HAVE been on long extended "Rock" music tours, w/ loud intense night after night playing. If you get blisters so be it, but you don't have to. Check out all these video's, but mainly "Moeller for the Heavy Hitter" w/ Jim Chapin. ( http://www.vicfirth.com/education/drumset/domfamularo.html)

With all due respect to Mr. Chapin, I highly doubt he would last really long with Sepultura or Cannibal Corpse, nevermind his probable lack of interest in playing that music.

You also have to keep in mind that human bodies have various tolerances. Some people bruise easier than others, some people blister easier than others. Some blisters don't form from "gripping tightly" but rubbing and friction from movement. Even using traditional grip playing heavy rock, my left ring finger has formed a blister from repetitive rubbing from hard rim-shot backbeats, coupled with fast things.

Again, chronic blister problems are one thing, occasional blisters from intense activity is another.

Ian Ballard

12-01-2008, 01:05 AM

I KNOW YOU GUYS KEEP SAYING I HAVE BAD TECHNIQUE.... BUT...

If you just would have read what I had to say... (N)

Can you please tell me if this is the problem!?

Actually, I think I know what happened. I went on vacation for a long time, and then started playing when I came back. Going from not playing to playing for hours a day formed the blisters. Am I right?

Please give me feedback on that please.

I never found any real use for extended practice that lasts "many hours". Most gigs last an hour at most. Most practicing is best done in hour increments. Usually, playing for "hours a day"... that is, several hours... has a diminishing return effect. This sort of hardcore woodshedding can cause blisters just from repetitive movements, not necessarily from bad technique.

But going away from using sticks for "a long time" can cause technical ineptitude that could be the source of the problem. If you go on extended vacations, take sticks with you and practice a little everyday.

jay norem

12-01-2008, 01:12 AM

With all due respect to Mr. Chapin, I highly doubt he would last really long with Sepultura or Cannibal Corpse, nevermind his probable lack of interest in playing that music.

But that's a great idea for a Photo Shop job: Jim Chapin drumming with Cannibal Corpse, wearing his polyster jacket and playing his own drums. Hah!

Ian Ballard

12-01-2008, 02:25 AM

But that's a great idea for a Photo Shop job: Jim Chapin drumming with Cannibal Corpse, wearing his polyster jacket and playing his own drums. Hah!

LMAO!!!

This sentence is here just to suffice the 20 character minimum.

jarrod

12-04-2008, 12:44 PM

Gloves! well i used them if i had blisters and let them heal up and played normally again. Dont need them anymore tho.

Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan

12-04-2008, 04:33 PM

I KNOW YOU GUYS KEEP SAYING I HAVE BAD TECHNIQUE.... BUT...

If you just would have read what I had to say... (N)

Can you please tell me if this is the problem!?

Actually, I think I know what happened. I went on vacation for a long time, and then started playing when I came back. Going from not playing to playing for hours a day formed the blisters. Am I right?

Please give me feedback on that please.

No, not really. Pay attention to whenever you feel any kind of stress or a little pain during playing. That is where you need to be looking. It is definitely a technique issue. I know from studying for 4 years with Dom Famularo, a true hand technique guru. From him I learned to play WHOPPING hard without blisters or callouses.

You don't need to put up with that stuff. You just don't....

Get the book "It's your Move", it explains how to hold the sticks and move them with maximum efficiency and still have soft smooth hands (your lady friend will thank you).

Casper

SEVNT7

12-04-2008, 07:41 PM

No, not really. Pay attention to whenever you feel any kind of stress or a little pain during playing. That is where you need to be looking. It is definitely a technique issue. I know from studying for 4 years with Dom Famularo, a true hand technique guru. From him I learned to play WHOPPING hard without blisters or callouses.

You don't need to put up with that stuff. You just don't....

Get the book "It's your Move", it explains how to hold the sticks and move them with maximum efficiency and still have soft smooth hands (your lady friend will thank you).

Casper

Yes, Thank you, The voice of reason.

diosdude

12-05-2008, 06:05 AM

[QUOTE=Ian Ballard;508618]With all due respect to Mr. Chapin, I highly doubt he would last really long with Sepultura or Cannibal Corpse, nevermind his probable lack of interest in playing that music.

I don't really know about that. If you look at some of the youtube stuff, he's got instructional vids where he's playing moeller technique even at like 80 years old (my apologies to mr chapin if i overestimated his age), he's smoking those skins. Look at some of his proteges like dom famularo that use moeller, he wouldn't fit in sepultura either but somebody like Thomas Lang definitely could if he chose too and he's one of the guys that will be carrying moeller's torch to the next generation of up and coming drummers along with guys like jojo mayer and marco minneman.

diosdude

12-05-2008, 06:10 AM

Joe P

12-05-2008, 07:21 AM

How do I deal with constant blister problems?

I hold my sticks correctly. Watch Jojo Mayer's DVD. He talks about holding the stick correctly and striking the drum in the most efficient way possible to flow with the physics of motion. He talks about how he used to get tons of blisters all over his hands, but when he re-assessed his grip, he stopped getting them.

SEVNT7

12-05-2008, 08:24 PM

[QUOTE=SEVNT7;508559]PLEASE, don't tape or wrap your sticks. As soon as you do that you will throw off the natural balance of the stick and minimize the rebound.

I'm not 100% sold on this comment. Wrapping the stick (although i don't use it) would only cause the balance fulcrum to be moved back a little bit. As a matter of fact, i commented to my buddy who uses a pair of AHEAD's Lars Ulrich's that the stick, which came equipped with wrap, had awesome balance and rebound.

Although i agree that's it's most likely technique that is causing his blisters, the scientific statement that i made about reducing friction is still valid and it's indisputible that a wrap would reduce friction.

Please explain why you think wrapping tape on a stick will reduce friction. If the wrap is more course than the stick material (smooth wood) then movement of your hand on the stick (wrapped area) will cause more friction. The smoother the surface, the less friction there is when the two surfaces rub together. ie..motor oil. If your using a grip that has a tight squeeze on the fulcrum, then you are minimizing the bounce and response of the stick. You're also creating heat from the friction from the movement of the stick in your grip. A rougher surface will only increase friction. If you have a loose fulcrum and you let the stick move in your hand a little, the friction is minimized or gone completely. If you ad wrap your are only adding more friction due to its increased courseness. So then again you've defeated the "get rid of friction" idea alltogether. More friction = more heat= more blisters. Oh, and about the balance. If you want both of your sticks to feel the same in each hand, then putting the wrap tape on each stick needs to be done perfectly even on every stick, on the exact same place and the exact same amount. How accurate can this be from stick to stick. Gloves work, but then you loose tactile feedback from the feeling of the stick in you're fingers. The bottom line is weather you have a loose or tight fulcrum, taping will INCREASE friction.

Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan

12-05-2008, 10:53 PM

How do I deal with constant blister problems?.....I hold my sticks correctly........

No, you don't hold your sticks correctly. If you did, you wouldn't have blisters. Just take it on! Get "It's your Move", read it, and GET a TEACHER. You may not be able to learn this stuff on your own, it's 1000 times better to have someone look at your hands and give you feedback. JoJo's DVD will never do that...

Casper

Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan

12-05-2008, 10:57 PM

[...... it's indisputible that a wrap would reduce friction.

Why would you want to reduce friction? Never heard that before....do you find wood to be abrasive to your hands? If you do, it's a grip issue, trust me.

Slight tackiness is great for sticks, as it helps the stick remain in your hand. If you hold your sticks correctly, you will never need to tape them for that reason, at least...

Casper

berne

12-07-2008, 10:09 PM

Jojo Mayer DVD - Hear Hear! This is the single best resource for stick technique period. I have spent a lot of money on drum videos. There are a lot DVD's by top players without much content. This is the single best investment you will make in education. And it will help with the blisters!!!

intheruff

12-13-2008, 06:44 PM

"Slight tackiness is great for sticks, as it helps the stick remain in your hand."

Zildjian wax is cheap and works great for grip issues. However, wax won't cure improper technique, which I also suspect is Joshes problem. Yet, maybe he's a professional dishwasher and his hands are soft and creamy like those dish soap advertisers like to boast? Maybe a career as a carpenter or steel worker would help allieviate the problem? Oh no... now new and even bigger badder blisters! &*^(%^%. I grip my sticks loose... palms down and very loose. Never a blister prob...

joshisaces

12-13-2008, 07:35 PM

I try to grip loose, but I play tons of fast fills and I don't want to loose my sticks.

FlyingBuddha

12-16-2008, 04:11 AM

Yeah I had the same problem, noticed that the heavier the sticks, the more the blisters.

Joe P

12-16-2008, 04:16 AM

I try to grip loose, but I play tons of fast fills and I don't want to loose my sticks.

Because you need to HOLD ON TIGHT to keep your sticks from falling out when you're playing fast, right? WRONG. Jojo Mayer has some of the fastest hands I've ever seen and he has a very loose grip. I'm tellin ya, get Jojo Mayer's DVD "Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer." It'll tell you all about technique, and how you can improve it to be the most ergonomic and the most muscle-efficient.

Joe P

12-16-2008, 04:42 AM

You are probably just gripping it too tightly. Here's what my old drum teacher told me:

hold the stick loosely enough so that if you miss the cymbal or drum you are trying to hit, chances are it will fall out of your hand.

Worked well for me. Only thing is, do not miss your drum. lol

This is not a very good way to think of it. I once had an instructor who told me to play through the rudiments and not pay attention to him, and when I was almost finished playing an open-close-open paradiddle, he grabbed at one of my sticks, but my grip was too tight that even before I had a chance to react he would have had to use force. The point he made to me was that your grip should be tight enough so the stick will not fly out of your hands, but loose enough so that someone can take the stick out of your hand while you're playing (Not like the person actually tries to take it from you like pry it out of your hands, but they could easily slide it out of your hands).

bonzolead

12-16-2008, 06:09 PM

I don't. get blisters anymore unless I use a different stick size like going from a 2b to a 7a it

has to be drastic size difference like that. I've always used the white medical red-cross tape

if i ever get blisters it's a little more sanitary then duct tape.bottom line you just got too earn

a good set of callouses that's all.

Bonzolead

SharkyBait911

12-16-2008, 06:45 PM

you shouldn't get blisters, i've never got one but my dad is a "pub drummer" (bless him) he plays in a band for a laugh and does loads of gigs lol and he gets them all the time i think it is more of a grip and technique problem as other people have been saying so try to use a different technique or just change it or whatever till you stop getting blisters !!!
and i know what everyone else has been saying but i don't think it's to do with the sticks i used 5a's (never got 1 blister) now i use 8d's (still no blister!!!!)

Hope it works

Tris

joshisaces

12-16-2008, 06:55 PM

I did start playing lighter sticks. Oh, and I don't reallly get blisters anymore. Unless I play for countless hours a day.

Ian Ballard

12-16-2008, 07:16 PM

Smaller sticks won't inherently decrease blister issues, in fact, it could cause you to grip the sticks tighter, if you are used to bigger ones.

I use 5B's and have used the Tony Williams sig sticks (2B's with a custom tip and a faster neck) and have not had "blister problems", since I was a teenager. At some point, you simply learn to allow the stick to perform the action, whilst decreasing the role of your hands.

Gravity is a constant. Use the mass of the sticks to your advantage.

king fail

12-16-2008, 07:17 PM

Yeah I had the same problem, noticed that the heavier the sticks, the more the blisters.

Really?

Many moons ago, I did my rudiments on a pad with thomas L signature sticks (for those who don't know - they're bigger than most trees), foolishly thinking it would improve my speed. I never got one blister or callas (sp?), but I found that when I returned to the kit with my regular sticks, I just felt sluggish.
Imho, you (anyone having blisters or other similar problems) should spend as long as it takes to be able to execute strokes at any height/speed with no negative effect on the hands. Take it painstakingly slowly if needed, just focus on the downward motion and the catching motion as best you can.

Ian Ballard

12-16-2008, 07:19 PM

I try to grip loose, but I play tons of fast fills and I don't want to loose my sticks.

Tight =/= better control.

You grip the sticks with enough pressure to keep them in your hand, and when you establish a relationship with those sticks, they won't go anywhere. Losing sticks, is a result of lack of control and a "tight" grip will never benefit your hands, wrists and playing.

mattsmith

12-16-2008, 09:36 PM

I try to grip loose, but I play tons of fast fills and I don't want to loose my sticks.
I've been known to play fast fills too, and a few years ago, for several months I dropped sticks until I learned what Ian is saying below. V V V

You grip the sticks with enough pressure to keep them in your hand, and when you establish a relationship with those sticks, they won't go anywhere.

That's right, and you establish that relationship with the least amount of pressure, which comes from the most relaxed grip possible. And yeah, you can play loud and powerful doing it this way with no problems. In fact the loose grip will intensify power and endurance, not the other way around. A tight grip will only give you a very quick fix and a boatload of problems later.

Really?

Many moons ago, I did my rudiments on a pad with thomas L signature sticks (for those who don't know - they're bigger than most trees), foolishly thinking it would improve my speed. I never got one blister or callas (sp?), but I found that when I returned to the kit with my regular sticks, I just felt sluggish.

In this case the larger stick gave you a fixed grip to where the stick remained more stationary, which signals there may have been a small flaw in your original grip with the smaller sticks. The larger stick then made it possible for you to avoid the friction necessary to cause the blisters. The sluggishness later came from your losing your previous relationship with the smaller stick because your hands had altered your familiar grip to accomodate the larger stick. Small adjustments in size will not cause this problem, but moving from a small to a very large stick will.

wolfmoon

12-17-2008, 07:56 AM

I haven't read every reply here but have you tried gloves?

danlikesdrums

12-17-2008, 09:32 AM

Tight =/= better control.

You grip the sticks with enough pressure to keep them in your hand, and when you establish a relationship with those sticks, they won't go anywhere. Losing sticks, is a result of lack of control and a "tight" grip will never benefit your hands, wrists and playing.
You will lose your grip after a while so like loosen up as much as u can try to hold the stick in a normal way then try letting the stick rebound.
1' let you wrist move
2 hold 1 stick and wave good bye
3 take you wrists and bouce it on a pad
thanks

Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan

12-18-2008, 07:28 AM

".... wax won't cure improper technique, which I also suspect is Joshes problem. ."

Absolutely, technique is the place to look. When I said that

"Slight tackiness is great for sticks, as it helps the stick remain in your hand",

I was just responding to advice suggesting tape to reduce friction, which I think is the wrong approach in this case.

Casper

joshisaces

12-19-2008, 04:25 AM

I HAVE BETTER TECHNIQUE NOW.
Thanks. :)

Conner

06-25-2009, 07:03 AM

eventually the skin on my hands got tougher and tougher.
so i dont get blisters as often.

JT1

06-25-2009, 03:39 PM

eventually the skin on my hands got tougher and tougher.
so i dont get blisters as often.

I do believe that this is the same in many peoples cases. I used to get blisters all over my hands and there's nothing worse than playing with raw blisters. I tried, gloves, duct tape on sticks, duct tape over blisters, selotape on blisters so help me God (not recommended) and even tried changing my sticks.

However i never get them anymore and i think when your hands have a few callouses you will rarely get them as you get used to holding your sticks in a way which prevents you getting them.

Until this period i strongly suggest waxing your hands and your sticks before playing as this limits the slip of the stick on your hand which creates friction to create blisters. It also creates monumental grip and can really help your performance and technique.

Concrete Pete

07-04-2009, 12:58 AM

Hey Crew,

I didn't see anyone else post this, so here's my 2 cents.

I get a blister every once in a great while, but usually from doing over an hour's worth of really fast songs with lots of fast fills. Only in ONE spot, tho- between my left forefinger and thumb, and that's when I have to switch back to "traditional" grip due to left hand fatigue. (Rare, but it's happened) I almost always use a matched grip.

I'm a general contractor, and have learned that wearing work gloves is counter-productive- it keeps your hands soft, and doesn't allow for callous building. However, I will wear gloves for the real nasty stuff like broken glass, broken tiles, barbed wire (DUHH!) and hot metal.

Here's a couple suggestions that I didn't see mentioned above, (altho grip would be my 1st item)

If all the other suggestions fail, try going to the local drugstore and buying a product called "Liquid Skin". You can apply it over wounds, and it gives you a kind of added membrane to protect your skin.
OR, you might try playing with drumming gloves, which I personally can't use.
OR, you might try what the old-time prizefighters did- soak your hands daily in brine.(last resort...)

Other than that, try and be patient, keep getting the blisters, and they will eventually turn into callouses.

Good luck,
C. P.