Hand conditioners

[Clintuplet]

I'll testify to that Nikk!! I saw him do the same thing at a clinic. He kept bumping a click up 10MM each time and playing 16ths with one hand. Then other. Then both. I was blown away!!!!
Super clean.

Clint

[Pewit]

I've actually used a soft phonebook (Cobham-style). it works! the stick rebounds, but not too much.

[PocketPlayer]

Without a doubt, what has made ALL the difference in the world in my playing has been the idea of playing w/a relaxed grip, and toying with how relaxed I can get w/o dropping the stick while playing.

I will concede that working out on other surfaces might have merit. I know some corp drummers feel that only 25% of time is needed on a drum head.

Adjusting and molding to the stick rebounding off a snare and tom head is essential and to allow my body movements to follow or flow around the kit changes how my kit sounds and feels...and how I feel playing. The factor that allows me to play relaxed is my state of mind when I play. For some reason, the times I play most relaxed is when I am not pressured or trying hard to learn something- I just play w/o concern, like I did as a little kid. Then afterwards I ask why I can't blow around the kit with such control and feel all the time. I haven't got that answer yet. That's why I dig Vinnie and the other boys- they can do it with consistency and when the pressure is on.