ache's and pains?

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Permalink Reply by James Babcock on January 8, 2010 at 3:36am

Mike, I have played in some very busy cover bands. Three nights a week, 5 sets a night you need to have the endurance. I always made sure to do a good warm up and stretching routine. Usually this would be 15-20minutes before the first set. Equally as important as the warm up is the cool down. If you don't do a proper cool down you will be feeling aches and pains the next day as you get older. I also always ice my wrists and forearms once I am done playing for the night, this will save a world of aches and pains over a long 15 set weekend. I have never had ANY playing related injuries and I play damn hard with 2B sticks, and I am sure this routine is why.

After I have spent a few minutes warming up with some basic single and double strokes with my hands I do a gentle stretch routine very much along the lines of this YouTube vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBhpCc_xZCo
Then continued with more rudiments with my hands and my feet to work up a bit of a sweat. An easy calf stretch would be simply standing on the edge of the stage of your riser with your heel hanging over and relax. Like this.. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_73Kt7qhOtFI/R6E4Rpjx_AI/AAAAAAAAAsw/39IH1...

You would never run a race, or do any other sport without a proper warm up and stretch. Drumming is a very physical activity, and really should be treated as a sporting activity and prepared for properly as a result.

As far as the cramping goes, make sure you have a bottle of water with you all day, every day. Being well hydrated will eliminate cramping as you play if you are warmed up. Drinking a bottle of water per set is pretty average, with more during breaks as well.

Another benefit you might try if you haven't already is some of the various stick wraps on the market. They will allow you to really loosen up your grip if you are getting hand/thumb cramps.

Was there a specific drumming related injury or issue that you were having? Or was it more of a general question?

Hope this helps a bit!

Rock on,
James

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Permalink Reply by Mike Gingulano on January 9, 2010 at 12:15pm

Hey James thanks for the reply.I do have a good stretch before i play,drums are quite a physical work out.
My main problem has been cramping in my hand,I did switch sticks awhile back to ones called pro max. They have a rubbery grip and the cramping has relaxed a bit but it is still there.but your right about the relation between cramping and hydration.I do drink water,but not as much as i should,mostly milk and v8.So for next jam ill up my intake of water through out the day and see what happens.
thanks a gain.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Gingulano on January 17, 2010 at 10:52am

Hey James i took some of the advice you gave and this time i incressed my water in take,and the cramping was reduced to almost nothing.I also checked out some of the stretching from you tube and ill be giving them a try in the coming days.
thank you very much for your help.

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Permalink Reply by James Babcock on January 17, 2010 at 3:41pm

Mike,

That's great news man! Good to hear you can concentrate more on having a good time and less on the pain of cramps and such.

Rock on,
James

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