General Hand Pain Issues

[Nikk]

OK, so we're talking about blisters, etc. But what about wrist and forearm tension? I find it so frustrating because my practice sessions are performed with the utmost of relaxation in mind!! What gives? Is it the general idea of utilizing the wrists in a particularly concentrated fashion? Is it possible to practice too much? Am I overworking my wrists? Steve, do tell about some of your hand development issues. Was tension ever a consideration? Of course, anyone's advice is always welcome...

[Steve Holmes]

having relaxation "in mind" doesn't nesassarily mean that you're actually physically relaxing. It just means you're thinking about it (sounds like).

It's hard to say without watching, or knowing what styles you're playing. Your setup can play aa part as well. Do your drums or cymbals require a lot of reach? I have my stuff within easy reach so I don't waste motion or energy extending limbs too much.

Try stretching your wrist and fore-arms before playing. Spend a few minutes doing it. Play simple medium volume stuff at first and then slowly play more stuff at louder volumes. Try to observe the things that are occuring right before the pain begins.
How tight are you holding the sticks? Are you allowing any rebound off the drum or are you burying the stick into the drums/cymbals?
Just some things to think about..good luck!

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ September 20, 2002 07:07 PM: Message edited by: Steve Holmes ]</font>

[gamdem]

HI, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AN ONE THING THAT REALLY HELP ME WAS THE THING OF SEEING MY SELF IN A BIG MIRROR, NOT JUST FOR SEEING MY HANDS, WAS FOR ALL MY BODY, MY BACK, MY SHOULDERS, EVERITHING, AND REALLY WORKS....!!!!!!!!!!

HOPE EVERITHING GOES NICE AND THIS HELP....!!!!!!!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[XNavyDrummer]

Steve's comments regarding drum/cymbal positioning and gamdem's note on the mirror (just bought a big one tonight!) are really important.

Another important point is one that Dave emphasizes and that's being sure to incorporate a number of different types of strokes in your playing. So, you may be using wrist strokes, finger strokes and Moeller all the time where you practice to flow seemlessly between these three types of strokes.

As Dave says, if you stick with anyone stroke after awhile you're going to be fatigued which may lead to wrist and forearem pain.

Look at those old Buddy Rich videos and check out how many different strokes he was using back in the day.

Cheers.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ October 02, 2002 01:21 AM: Message edited by: XNavyDrummer ]</font>

[drum-guy]

Sounds like you need to hook up with Joe Morello, or a local teacher familiar with the Murry Spivac technique. Wrists are important to use, but you also have fingers and arms. It's all basically about letting the sticks move freely in their own motion, which is similar to a seesaw. The stick, when struck on a drum will rebound and pivot around a point. It's your job to enable the stick to move freely in it's physical motion--within your grip.
When you get blisters, that means your technique is incorrect and you are choking the stick, The stick must be free, and you must be able to control it without forcing it.
Take a look at your hands when you are in pain--I bet your thumb is touching the side of your hand.
Which is another technique killer.
So, when the stick can move freely in it's own way, you can add force to it. And do real fast shit. [img]tongue.gif[/img] There is too much to talk about concerning hitting a drum properly. Good Luck. [img]rolleyes.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ October 25, 2002 03:18 AM: Message edited by: drum-guy ]</font>

[gamdem]

I HOPE THIS HELP....

HERE IS WHAT PAUL LEIM SAID ABOUT STRECHING WRIST AND FINGERS...
"About 3 years ago I got a terrible case of Tennis Elbow. I could hardly lift anything with any weight to it. A physical therapist gave me these stretches. Hold your left arm out strait in front of you. Put your right thumb under your left wrist and gently pull your left hand down towards the floor. Hold for 5 counts. Now the right hand. Repeat this on both hands 5 times. Now, again holding your left arm out strait, take your right hand and pull your left fingers gently back towards your body. Hold for 5 counts. Now the right hand. Repeat 5 times..."


AND VINNIE SAID ABOUT HIS EARLY WARM UP EXERCISE...


Vinnie: Nowadays I shake my hands out a little bit, maybe do some real relaxed singles, medium speed singles, full stroke singles, some doubles, and a couple of flams. I just do a few different kinds of strokes to get my arms and wrists loose. I?ll stretch my calves and ankles and do some heel toe stuff. Sometimes I just sit down and hit it and try to operate from the perspective of relaxation and let it go from there, warm up as I go without necessarily hitting the ceiling. But that?s about it. I?ve made the mistake of over warming up before and blowing my chops out. I don?t want to do that anymore.

[Randy walker]

GAMDEN probably made up everything he just posted. As if you know anything about drums and drumming.