Under-estimating the Fatigue factor

I agree with Andy V! Make sure you can hear everything, including your bass drum. I used to get fatigued easily when I was playing in a country band that did 4-45 minute sets with 15 minute breaks. If I can hear my bd clearly, I don't overplay. I also went to in-ear monitors which helped as well. I take a Super B Complex and Potassium vitamin every day, plus a multivitamin. I have found that if I'm eating right and getting enough rest, I play a lot better. That includes not having to drive a long way on the day of the gig (me doing the driving and not just riding). On the 2 nighters, I always played better if we stayed in town overnight & I got plenty of rest.

I played this weekend filling in with a country band, and I had no problems. I could hear the bass drum and everything else very well. Get plenty of exercise and protein in your diet.

Good luck!

Mike

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Originally posted by cjbdrm:

I would say the gig is not right as well, but when you're competing with DJ's, you have to deliver...

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I rested all day Sunday and Today I recovered wonderfully. I just have sore wrists. I think this means my conditioning is kicking in.

The hotels we play at want the people dancing, dancing, dancing so they can sell tons of booze. The band I'm in is really in demand because we are a dance machine. Not even the DJ's can touch us.

I took all your advise and tried using both bigger sticks for rooms that don't need micing and I mic the snare and kick drum on larger rooms.

I find I really groove much better when my kick and snare are mic'ed. Do you guys feel the same?

Great Advice guys... my body and soul thank you!!!
Al

Fatigue is an interesting thing. It not only impacts your body, it impacts your mind and your judgment.

It's a good thing to think about -- in your playing and elsewhere.

For the young guys too! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Get DrumFrame. That will help. It's like lounging on a couch, but playing drums.

If this gig is steady and the money's good then whatever man, do what you got to do. As long as you are having FUN! There's nothing worse than doing a brutal gig and not digging it.

sounds like yer hitting too hard or ?
relax!!!relax!!!!relax!!!!!!
let the drum and sticks do the work for you.
I use to play in a samba group and do carnival in toronto.....were talkin about 6 hrs with min breaks.....never had a prob....relax....drink water....relax...the tempo gets faster or band gettes louder....take a deep breath and relax!!!

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I would say the gig is not right as well, but when you're competing with DJ's, you have to deliver...
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The band I'm in is really in demand because we are a dance machine. Not even the DJ's can touch us.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No off [& apologies for the veer], but the whole notion of a DJ <font size="4">S*CKS</font>. Sorry, JMO.

If I'm a corporate exec mgmt group & I hire a "DJ" to be the live "life of the party," then I'm a cheap-a** party-pooper. When is this sorry-a**ed trend gonna finally die out?! [Like certain styles of music, that are forever popping up like a zit in between your eyebrows on prom night]...prob never, unfortuanately.

DJ's are for wanna-be musicians who wanna jump on the bandwagon, or were too lazy to learn [& whom want the attn, "buzz," or vibe]...or, to fill the space between live bands' sets. [I'm not talking about professional radio station disc jockeys, here, I must say. That is yet a whole other ball of corporate wax].

But I guess there has to be yet another form of employment for some peeps AW...& since having to shoot them would be going just a little too far. ["DJs - ya can't live with 'em; & ya can't shoot em"...whaddya gonna do] [img]wink.gif[/img]

[Know this: if, at your next corporate function, you see Vinnie spinnin' discs or vinyl, know that the world as we know it is about to depart rapidly with a clamor & a furor...& the descent into the nether-region shall hitherto commence promptly...] J/K

Now that I've your attentions [& possibly started a situation!], I shall now bow-out, & simply, humbly [yeah, right?!] say, "Elvis has left the building! Thank you all for coming, & goodnight!!" [img]tongue.gif[/img]

"...Me? Issues?! WHAT?!" [img]wink.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 15, 2005 01:01 AM: Message edited by: fuseU1 ]</font>

All the folks have had some good advice.

Never let the band dictate & force you to come up to their level...aside from the obvious mic/power-amps/PA thin - there is a common misconception that, since the "drums are so darn loud as it is," that "we all have to turn up louder"...then, if the drummer is already hitting it hard [esp from the start], the others turn up...then the drumr has to "hit harder" again in return...then [etc] - next thing you know, the whole thing is out the window.

Like was said earlier, have a common AWA common-sense starting level, & go from there. ntbcreative's advice was on the mark also, as were the others.

[Sorry about that DJ "side-road / off-ramp rant" [img]redface.gif[/img] [img]wink.gif[/img]

I really dislike DJ's. (I have issues too Fuse!)

...especially the ones who act like they're really something special. You all know what I'm talking about...you're playing a commercial gig that hired a band and a DJ...the DJ's got an air about him like he's the main attraction...then tries to mingle or hang with the band like he's one of us...uh-uh. Not having it. Buh-bye! C-ya! Guy's making 2 1/2 times what I'm making for pressing "play"...

My point is they've unfortunately raised the bar and set a precedent that's hard to compete with....

Hey, Ceej, now there's another FANTASTIC idea to go along w all the great up n coming corporate ideas - let's put our heads together & start a privatized, partially-or-fully tax-exempt tech-school/college for "DJs" & call it "Dee Jay Jazzy Fresh Tech Institue," & we'll teach the youngsters the 8-yr course of formidable skills necessary for...us to rake in SCATLOADS of dough from all the takers, YO..."yeauh, uh-huh"..."Hohhhhhh..."

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 16, 2005 08:08 PM: Message edited by: fuseU1 ]</font>

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Originally posted by Riddim:
[QB]Eat a banana and some crackers maybe 2 hours before the gig. Bananas are a natural source of potassium. Drink lots of water during.

On gigs where I know I'll sweat a lot, I 'll bring an Emergen C packet.
QB]

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Indeed, potassium and also electrolytes are good for keeping the fatigue factor down. Body, as well as, hand & wrist conditioning is key. Working out with weights and cardio works well. Excersize brings more energy for the gig even with less sleep than usual, like with a string of gigs or on tour.