Poor Technique Can Bruise More Than Just Your Ego

Yes, you can actually get injured playing drums. Studies have shown that drumming is equal to a high impact sport. If you’re not careful, you could get hurt.

I suffer from severe tendinitis in my left forearm. Many drummers suffer from it, including my drumming hero, Neil Peart. Mine developed from bad technique in my early years of playing drums. I first noticed discomfort in my arm after gigs but didn’t think much about it. Then after a few years, it felt like my arm was heavy and swollen from the inside. I’ve had to play many gigs in the past 10 to 15 years, with one arm, when it was too painful to use both. Tendons are fibrous and don’t heal the same as muscles, so all I can do now is maintain it, to prevent it from getting worse. Lots of ice and heat after every gig helps, but more importantly, I keep these five important tips in mind, every time I play.

1. Technique Technique is extremely important and I have helped many students redevelop their technique so they can not only take their drumming to another level, but also avoid injury. Technique is all about the natural motion of your arms, wrists, fingers, and ankles, and how to use that motion so you reduce any chance of strain, exhaustion, or injury. 2. Relax Tension is your enemy! Being tense causes your muscles to tighten, therefore your arms and legs don’t move with ease. Your body ends up fighting with itself to move freely. How can you expect to groove, or swing, or even thrash if your motions aren’t fluid? Center your weight over your throne and shake out your limbs. Be nimble and stay loose. 3. Fluids Drink plenty of water! Your body has to be hydrated. Your muscles need the fluids to function. In fact, your entire body needs fluids to function. Water boosts energy and helps deliver nutrients to your cells, especially muscle cells and helps postpone muscle fatigue. 4. Posture The way you sit at the drum kit can affect your playing more than you think. Seat height is important and your bottom should be slightly higher than your knees. The distance you sit from the kit is also a factor, so make sure your heels are directly under the back of your knees. Sitting up straight is always important, but it also allows your lungs to take in plenty of oxygen to circulate around your body and provide you with the oxygenated blood you need to play the drums. 5. Breathe Many people hold their breath when they play drums. That causes tension and reduces the flow of oxygen through your body. Breathing normally while playing also helps you keep better timing and more flowing drum beats and fills. If you hold your breath when you play a drum fill, then you’re more likely to speed up because your body wants to get to the end of that fill to breathe again.

Injuries suck. Especially when they can be prevented. Following these tips will help avoid injury while playing drums, but also improve your playing, overall. Rock responsibly!

R.I.P. Neil Peart

I would like to pay tribute to the late great Neil Peart. He passed away 1 year ago last month from brain cancer at the age of 67. He played drums in the band RUSH, for 45 years ( I think you should check out their music if you haven’t heard it) and has been a massive influence on my playing. He was an innovator, a rhythm creator, a lyricist, an extremely intelligent, talented and humble man. He raised the bar in drumming and inspired millions to up their game. I got to see RUSH three times in their 45 years. I never got to meet Neil, but he has always inspired me to be a better drummer and always will.

He will be greatly missed.

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