As a teacher and musician of many years I feel that a lot of areas in music education are over looked.This category deals with advice too BEGGINING musicians. In this case drums.
I agree the title hints at diversification,sure,absolutely.
But I can tell you from hard won personal experience that ALL aspects of drum kit playing need to be brought too the attention of the student at an early age.
Some facts, most drum kits can be described in terms of,a five piece kit,or,seven piece kit and so on. There is one clear fact in all of this,throw in the hard-ware,cymbal stands,hi-hat stands,and you have a VERY HEAVY misical instument too lug around from place too place.
Kids right from the begginers stage need, and should be told ,about correct posture,when sitting behind a drum kit,how many teachers do this? In my experience if your told too sit up straight,your lucky,but,that is just not GOOD ENOUGH!
I have seen many drummers,who after years of playing,have spines that are permantely deformed!
Were talking here about,crippling conditions of the spine like scoliosis,kyphosis,all painful
and very common amongst the drumming,community.
These serious medical conditions can and often do lead too de-generative spinal conditions,
such as osteoarthiritis.
The average semi-pro drummer may only play one or two gigs a weekend,but, even at that level,it means you,set up, and break down your kit four times a week-end.
That is about the same as doing one day of hard labour.So you,kids out there think about that.Its not just tough learning a musical instrument,it,s damn hard (especially if its the drums) getting them from place too place.
The vertibral column was designed too allow man(and kids) too stand UPRIGHT,it defies gravity.
I,d encourage all begginers too look at omar hakim playing the drums..he has a blog on my space. This man is not only one of the worlds greatest drummers,he is also a perfect example of correct posture,when sitting behind his kit.
Begginers you must realize that the actual drum stool pad is only designed too support your BUTTOCKS.It,s you who have too get into the habit of supporting your spinal column,or gravity will GET YOU!
when you are old enough and competent enough too play(or even practice) on a regular basis, you will find thre is a natural tendency too slump forwards,much as I am incorrectly doing now while typing.Avoid doing this at all costs.If you dont you will pay for it in the long run,and,your drumming careers wont last very long!
So you are all grown up and have been playing for a few years,but,WOW! does your back hurt or what!
So what are you going too do about it. Semi- pro musicians dont make great money,so regular visits too the chiropractor are probably not on the cards!
Here is some simple practical advice too fix your back up...and...you kids can start doing,and,understanding the importance of this information,NOW.
The muscles of the spine help us defy gravity as mentioned. But we can help the muscles too do it!
Strong abdominal and back muscles are the key too stopping back pain in drummers.When muscles arent looked after they shorten,and become weak...this leads too back pain,especially in a drummers upper, or cervical spine,and a drummers lower spine.By regular stretching we can lengthen those pain causing muscles and stop your back pain!That means we can also lengthen your drumming careers!
HERE ARE SOME SIMPLE EXERCISES FOR DRUMMERS:
DO EACH ONE FIVE TIMES,BUILD SLOWLY TOO FIFTEEN!
1. THE FUNKY TILT: Lie on the floor,on your back,feet flat,squeeze your backside,and your stomach, HOLD,count too five,relax,repeat,build up too fifteen times.
2. The kool pull: Lie on your back,and pull your knee up too your chest,hold,five seconds,build too fifteen.
3.DONT BE SQUARE,SIT ON A CHAIR: sit on a chair(your drum stool..GREAT)Put your left ankle over your right knee,lean forwards,hold for thirty seconds...REpeat on other side.
4.BE SMOOTH/IN THE GROOVE: Stand with knees slightly bent,hands behind back-fingers inter-locked.Turn palms upwards,and,extend arms backwards.Dont bend your back.
5. TAKE A SEAT,DONT CHEAT: Sit down,push out right leg,put left foot against your knee,reach forward till you feel your hamstrings(back of your leg)strech.Hold for twenty seconds,repeat on the other side.
6. LOOSEN UP MAN,AND STAY IN YOUR BAND: THE NECK,V.V.important for all drummers,so PAY-ATTENTION,it,s in 4/4 time.NOT an AFRO-CUBAN 6/8!
Kids that means its EASY:Sit up straight on your drum stool,opp,s I said it too.
(dont arch your back)Let your head carefully fall forwards,roll the head too one side,let it drop and roll to the other side,dont over strech.DO NOT ROLL THE NECK BACK-WARDS.
Well there you have it people,some simple drum related stretches too extend your drumming career.By the way if you want too see something really funny,try too get your drum teacher too do these with you,I promise,he or she has never done these before.
So dont become the next hunch-back of notre-dame;and get into these from an early age!
I will give you some more next time guys,but for now I,ve got too go and rest MY back from slumping all over the key board.
Thank-you,you begginers for reading,now go and preach what I never practiced.