Eventually, every drummer encounters this problem: Getting tired after some time playing the drums. And just as it is with any other physical activity, playing drums is one, too, which you need to build stamina for. I’m going to share with you some of my research and my personal top tips that have proven successful with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technique really is the most and all-time important thing. When you’re quickly getting tired playing the drums, you have to face the problem from the roots. The purpose is: After you apply the right technique, it should “cost” way less stamina. And with more stamina that you have left, you either have more up your sleeve to play longer, or you can perform faster movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, if proper technique requires less stamina, how important is stamina then for me?<\/strong> Well, the thing with “good technique” is not that easy, I’m afraid. Because applying a good technique doesn’t mean you won’t need any stamina or that you can be out of shape! You just that you have more of it, which in turn, you can use more wisely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the time, you see the experienced drummers using their wrist and fingers moving very much (small movements) and their arms just a bit (big movements). The brilliant thing about this is that those small wrist and finger movements (right technique) eventually sound similar to hits from your arm (bad technique). But it’s no rocket science that small movements are just more energy-saving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With practicing proper technique comes applying the best applicable one for the current practice. Let’s for example, look at some footwork where you’re trying to play a fast beat with heel down. Not only will this likely burn your shins, you won’t have that much power to endure this for some more minutes. So instead, try resting only the ball of your foot on the pedal, having your heel in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The heel-up technique allows you to press the pedal when raising and<\/em> lowering your foot (you should now feel your thigh muscles working). Because your thigh muscle is much stronger than your ankle or shin muscle, you should feel that your stamina increases dramatically. Of course, it’s a new feeling, but keep at it and it’ll become more and more familiar to you. But one small tip here: Go easy! I’ve heard from many people who’ve snapped their foot pedals playing heel up. I had the luck to have not broken mine yet, so be aware here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your seating position is something you can quickly get used to and won’t notice that it might be the cause of your pain. Try to at least have a 90-degree angle between the lower and upper part of your leg. I personally prefer to sit a few centimeters higher than that right angle. Just try around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When shifting your throne higher or lower, you will move your center of gravity as well. Let’s look at some footwork again: In a too low position, when your leg is in a sharper angle than 90 degrees, your shin muscles, which are naturally weaker anyway, have to work way harder to contract in order to have your foot the pedal. When the center of gravity is lifted, you will instantly feel how more comfortable it becomes. Also, it will likely be easier to reach the toms and cymbals when seated higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just try it out and experiment until you have a good feeling of a more comfortable sitting height and position. It’s worth it and makes a big difference in your leg when you were sitting on a chair too low to the ground before. You don’t have to pay much to get a decent stool for your kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Warm yourself up properly. It’s legitimate to compare drumming with doing sports (at least that type of drumming which is faster or heavier). As with any kind of sports, the sportsman has to warm up beforehand. It will get the temperature up and blood flowing to the muscles. This reduces the risk of injury and reduces muscle soreness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Especially with drumming, it’s easy to make your body work harder than it has to. You can do some rudiments on your practice pad, a steering wheel, or any handy surface. I also really like doing some skipping because it’s so damn effective! …if you have the space, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always keep in mind to focus on being relaxed doing your warm-up<\/strong> exercises and to not mistake it with the real playing part. Don’t try to play hard and fast; save that for later : ) It might help not to do the warm-up on your kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, warming up is one thing, stretching is a second one. In terms of stretching, I’d like to refer to my favorite exercises that once Travis Barker showed in a YouTube video. They include stretching the back, shoulders and your whole arms, which are the essential parts. Give it a try. It’s easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Check Your Seating<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Warm up and Stretch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n