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Getting tired faster when playing live. Tips?
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edit: Thanks for all of your advice guys, there has been some great things mentioned here and I hope all of these tips are beneficial to lots of drummers. I played a gig tonight, bearing in mind all of this advice and it went much better than the last one I played. I didn't get anywhere near as tired as I previously had been and I drummed through the 40 minute set with next to no mistakes. What's more I found the gig much more enjoyable and I had a great time. Thanks!
Original post:
My band practices once a week for about 2/3 hours and I never get tired at practice and could carry on for much longer. I also practice an extra 2/3 hours a week myself and again I don't tire out too easily.
When I play live however I get tired much more quickly. Around the 20 minute mark I can feel my forearm aching and tensing up and my playing becomes a bit more sloppy.
I do feel myself sometimes hitting a bit harder at a gig and 'going for it' a bit more.
Is this simply a case of practicing more and building up more stamina to put to use in live situations? Should I try and hit more softly?
I've started to do stretches before a set and some warm up rudiments when possible and that seems to alleviate any aching afterwards but I still get tired during the set.
We only play around 2/3 gigs a month at the moment so I don't get a whole lot of live gig practice.
Any help would be great. I did a search beforehand and couldn't find anything on r/drums about this.
Top Comment:
Blink 182's drummer took up boxing to help with his playing.
MPC Finger drumming tips including pad layout + fun exercises
Main Post: MPC Finger drumming tips including pad layout + fun exercises
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This was actually super helpful. I would love to see one on just advanced drum fills. Thanks again!
Tips for disconnecting foot and hand
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So when I play something with a quick bass drum hit, I always hit the hi hat or ride in sync with my foot. I've tried and tried to keep my hand in different time with my foot but I've not been too successful. Any tips on getting that down? I feel like it's such a simple thing but I can't seem to pick it. Help!!
Top Comment:
Slooooooooow
Tips for playing at 200 bpm plus
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Been a basic pop/rock drummer since I started but recently got into pop/rock punk and want to play songs from that genre, the beats are fairly easy but the tempo is way to fast for me, my right handed eighth notes are at best 170 bpm and I want to try and get it towards 220. I know it's going to take a lot of practice but I don't even know what to practice or whether there are techniques that help. And techniques or practices to do will be helpful, thanks :).
Top Comment:
Here's a 1-hour lesson I did for someone else recently on an approach to grip and technique that will make this just as easy as it is when you're air drumming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktwZcG86l4Q
So basically, whatever speed you can do while air drumming will be just as easy when the sticks are in your hands. So, do lots of exercising with air drumming and also drumming on your legs. Your wrists are the only things standing in your way with this approach to grip and technique.
One thing: keep your arms relaxed. The mantra is: elbows down and in. Elbows down and in. Elbows down and in.
Bass drum too resonant - tips?
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Beginner drummer here - I removed the resonant head, but that had little effect. Any tips for this problem?
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First, loosen the head a bit. It should be just tighter than when it’s wrinkly. It’s too taut in that clip, too high a fundamental.
Removing the resonant head is absolutely crucial...so you can experiment with stuffing fabric in there to damp the sound! Experiment with a pillow, first just sitting inside there, not touching the head. Then, have it rest lightly against the batter head. Then, see what happens when you stuff it all the way against the head...that’s too much damping.
Now you have some idea, leave the pillow in, and put the resonant head back on, using one with a mic hole in it, or just cut a hole. Those are great, ‘cos you can adjust the damping. Experiment with the placements again, and see what happens when you rest it only on the reso. head too. The other good way to get a damped kick drum sound, for no money, is stretch a long piece of fabric about 5” wide, across the batter hoop, just before the head. The head clamps it down, and it kinda mimics a double layer head.
Any tips on playing eighth notes without my arm getting too ...
Main Post: Any tips on playing eighth notes without my arm getting too ...
Tips for rock drummers going to jazz? : r/drums
Main Post: Tips for rock drummers going to jazz? : r/drums
Tips on shamanic drumming journey
Main Post: Tips on shamanic drumming journey
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Hello there!
Do i need to focus on my breathing or the drum beats?
Both. Which requires most focus is a bit personal. I find it harder to relax, so I focus on breath.
Do i need to lay on my back?
A common way to do it. You could also dance, sing, move a body part, do what works for you. But laying on your back is a good beginner starting position.
Do i need to avoid moving my body in any way?
No, I sometimes tap a finger to help myself "absorb" the drumming more. But when going into deep trance and laying down you'll find that you don"t really movr and forget about your body. You can also do this with dance but that's more advanced.
Do i need to avoid toughts and focus?
In a sense. Avoid thinking about your grocery list for example. But some thought that come up van provide an intention for the journey. And thats the most important part, an intention. A question, a problem, a life issue and so on.
How can i avoid falling asleep?
Journeying often costs energy, so find a time during the day when you're still energized.
Some other tips:
- cover your eyes, you see more in the dark.
- have a clear intention
- keep a journal to find out what works for you.
- picture a place you know well, nature preferably.
- if you have not yet, look into the three worlds: lower, middle and upper and how to get there, this is the basics.