brianthe3rd
Junior Member
Hello! I'm not sure if a thread like this has been made, but I just wanted to get some quick advice and see what other drummers have to say about this topic. Basically, my question is this: How do you physically feel after playing the drums (whether it be a performance, drum set practice, practice pad exercises, etc.)? How do your arms/wrists/hands feel both before and after playing?
I ask this question just to figure out if what I'm feeling is normal. I never really tense up, seeing as I'm a very relaxed player, but sometimes I feel as if I was just doing some very light weightlifting (so usually it's just my arms that feel like that).
I've been playing for about 5 years, watching many instructional videos by people like Jim Chapin, Joe Morello, Jojo Mayer, and Tommy Igoe. Most of these drummers just tell you to be relaxed and not tense up-- but that's it. I can't recall ever hearing about how you should physically feel in further detail (maybe because it's different for everyone..?). Obviously drumming is a physical activity, requires energy and whatnot. I think the best advice I've ever heard on this subject is from Tommy Igoe. In his "Great Hands" video, he says something along the lines of, "It's okay to work and get your heart rate up. We're drumming. We're not playing flute."
I know what tensing up feels like. I know what having tired arms feels like. I used to play thrash metal music with a buddy of mine for a few years, so I've gone through all those problems before. What I'm feeling now is different. I just want to hear if anyone else has similar feelings after playing, or what different physical feelings you have. Usually it doesn't bother me much, but it's enough for me to ask myself, "Is this normal?"
Just to avoid any unnecessary questions, I do warm up before playing (stretches, starting slow, etc.) and I do like to think that my overall hand technique is pretty good (and inspired by the drummers I listed earlier). I'd like to avoid posting a video of my technique, but I can if it is absolutely necessary. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you all!
I ask this question just to figure out if what I'm feeling is normal. I never really tense up, seeing as I'm a very relaxed player, but sometimes I feel as if I was just doing some very light weightlifting (so usually it's just my arms that feel like that).
I've been playing for about 5 years, watching many instructional videos by people like Jim Chapin, Joe Morello, Jojo Mayer, and Tommy Igoe. Most of these drummers just tell you to be relaxed and not tense up-- but that's it. I can't recall ever hearing about how you should physically feel in further detail (maybe because it's different for everyone..?). Obviously drumming is a physical activity, requires energy and whatnot. I think the best advice I've ever heard on this subject is from Tommy Igoe. In his "Great Hands" video, he says something along the lines of, "It's okay to work and get your heart rate up. We're drumming. We're not playing flute."
I know what tensing up feels like. I know what having tired arms feels like. I used to play thrash metal music with a buddy of mine for a few years, so I've gone through all those problems before. What I'm feeling now is different. I just want to hear if anyone else has similar feelings after playing, or what different physical feelings you have. Usually it doesn't bother me much, but it's enough for me to ask myself, "Is this normal?"
Just to avoid any unnecessary questions, I do warm up before playing (stretches, starting slow, etc.) and I do like to think that my overall hand technique is pretty good (and inspired by the drummers I listed earlier). I'd like to avoid posting a video of my technique, but I can if it is absolutely necessary. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you all!