hand numbness

Dustin07 · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 4:42 pm Post subject: hand numbness

well, up until last night I've always figured I was just a 'heavy hitter' and it was my style. I had no interest in changing as it never effected me negatively (with the exception of going through snare heads a lot. And constantly wearing down my stick heads).

we played our first gig Thursday and all went well. We were offered a 2nd gig Friday and all went well to the last song. It's not incredibly fast (basically 144bpm) but I lost control of my right hand. I usually play the whole song on my ride cymbal and bell to my right side of my kit, but had to keep moving to my hihat because I couldn't feel my stick. I just couldn't get a good grasp of it. I was certain I was going to lose it.

i'm worried about long term problems with my hands if I don't correct the issue. I think I need to work on finesse. I'd like to believe it's just a conditioning issue, but we only play 7 songs and that one is one of our fastest.

anyone else muscle through that?

random white person · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject:

there's always the outside chance that you did something wacky like pinched a nerve or something and might want to see a doctor if a lack of sensation in your hand becomes a regular occurence.

it sounds more like a lack of endurance coupled with some overplaying. if you try to force yourself to play too hard/fast then your muscles just kind of quit and lock up on you. the more you try to force it, the worse it gets. practice staying relaxed while playing for long periods and hopefully you shouldn't have a problem.
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Dustin07 · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:59 am Post subject:

Thanks man. I'll watch it then and if it becomes a problem then I'll call the doc. I think maybe I'll focus on trying to practice more high bpm beats on my own time then until this one doesn't feel so fast. I'll just got at it like it's a conditioning thing for now.

sfauts · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:04 am Post subject:

Mr.Clam · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:09 am Post subject:

Which position is your ride in, is it front-right, or far right? Or doesn't it really matter?
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Dustin07 · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 1:03 pm Post subject:

hovers over my floor tom like the cymbal in your sig

Mr.Clam · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:36 am Post subject:

I haven't really used my ride cymbal much in the past, but hearing about your wrist problem. I think that'll have to change, what percentage of the time do all of you use either HH and RC, e.g 30(hh)/70(rc)?
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Dustin07 · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:09 am Post subject:

for me, HH v.s. RC is currently 50/50. If I could figure out a way to set up both my HH and my RC on my left side (coexisting...) then I think it would be sweet...

I have another gig tonight so we'll see how it goes!

edgewood_drummer92 · Bear Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 673

Just relax and don't push yourself too hard. I'd check with the doc if it doesn't stop after about a week of conditioning/ working on technique and icing your that hand. The way you play your ride could have a part in this, improper technique can cause quite a bit of problems.
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"You can be smart and happy or you can be stupid and miserable."

-Gordon B. Hinckley

Dustin07 · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject:

the other thing I'm thinking, is that maybe I'm holding the stick too tight. I HAVE lost my sticks during practice before and it's been one of my top focuses during gigs... DO NOT LOSE THE STICKS LOL. so far, I haven't lost them... but maybe that's what's going on...

Dustin07 · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:40 pm Post subject:

actually that's not true, now that I think of it. I have a wood block mounted on my hi hat stand just under the actual HH cymbals. Last week while playing a gig I caught the tip of my stick under the hi hat as I brought it up to actually hit the HH.... it flipped once and I caught it... didn't miss a beat, nobody noticed. LOL

talk about lucky. thats happened once before but I figure I can't count on that every time.

Rasta · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:27 pm Post subject:

I think you definately may be holding your sticks too tight. You can develop carpel-tunel (sp?) or nerve problems if you "muscle" through fast stuff a lot. This does not develop at first, but will over time.

How long have you been playing Dustin?

How long have you noticed this numbness?

How long (min) do you typically practice or play?

Dustin07 · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:56 pm Post subject:

Rasta · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:28 pm Post subject: