Training for Drummers

crowley35 · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2003 5:29 pm Post subject: Training for Drummers

Has anyone heard anything about any type of training that can be done for hand and wrist speed. I'm finding that I can hold a very fast (a la Buddy Rich) single stroke roll for about 30 seconds, but I have trouble going much further without getting fatigued. Any tips you can offer would be speed-increasing.

gdawson44 · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2003 3:44 am Post subject: Training for Drummers

The best way to build endurance for drumming IMO is more drumming. General exercise is great also. I ride a bicycle (2000 miles last year) and use 10 lb. dumbbells occasionally for wrist and arm exercises. When the body works better, the mind works better and with these elements in harmony, your drumming is bound to see an advantage.

crowley35 · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2003 4:07 pm Post subject: Training for Drummers

Ahhh...a fellow cyclist? Very interesting. I can see your point about the harmony of mind and body bit, and it makes me wonder if I don't play a bit too hard. I'll look into that.

Are you riding road or off-road? I'm a downhill/dual slalom man myself.

Saurencaerthai · King Kong Joined: 24 Sep 2002 Posts: 2609

Well, if you're becoming fatigued, I'd guess that you're tensing/not relaxing. Here's a way to help improve your speed, though. One way to build single strokes is to begin by immagining a circle the size of a quarter in the middle of your snare. When you play, don't let the sticks play outside that circle. Start slow, playing clean, even singles for a few minutes continuous. Then raise the tempo a little and repeat. Always keep relaxed. As soon as you start tensing, stop immediately, because you've reached your limit. By gradually doing this, you'll be able to up your chops a bit.

Another thing which can work wonders is do snare exercises with brushes! Since those things have no bounce, you have to pick up each stroke. When relaxed, you can really up your sticking speed by doing this.

As for wrist exercises, one of the big weight exercises I do involves two 15 pound dumbells and a bench used for doing the bench press. I begin by kneeling and resting my arms on the bench with my inner forearm facing up. This isolates your wrists. Then, I do about 4 sets of 15 wrist curls with the dumbells.

Playing and exercising are two great ways to improve. I don't know why more drummers don't do this....

gdawson44 · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2003 10:11 am Post subject: Training for Drummers

quote:
Originally posted by crowley35:
Ahhh...a fellow cyclist? Very interesting. I can see your point about the harmony of mind and body bit, and it makes me wonder if I don't play a bit too hard. I'll look into that.

Are you riding road or off-road? I'm a downhill/dual slalom man myself.

I'm a road rider only nowadays. I've got a few herniated discs so off-road is out. Try road riding on a nice, modern road bike - you may never get on a trail again!

quote:

I begin by kneeling and resting my arms on the bench with my inner forearm facing up.

I do this one also Try the same with your forearms facing down.