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Well, I've been gigging with a new dance band for the past month. I've been doing doubles on Friday and Saturday nights.
We play fast, crazy dance music for 4 hours with only two 15 minute breaks.
I'm exhausted today.
What kind of conditioning exercises and workouts should I do to allow me not to feel the pain so much the next day?
I'm 49 years old in pretty good shape, 6 ft, 227 lbs.
I'm feeling muscle pain in my neck and pelvis area, and hands and wrists.
Anyone else get this tired after two exhausing gigs or is this just an "AGE" thing?
Regards All
Al
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I'd be tired, and i'm a young-un [img]wink.gif[/img]
I once played a fusion gig and had played much crazier stuff in the past, however, there was a large crowd at the festival we were at so i got a little nervous, and all of a sudden my hi-hat hand cramped up and i had to play the rest of the tune with only one hand... kinda hard on a fusion gig [img]eek.gif[/img]
Even some heavy rehearsing, for me, can give me fatigue later in the week... i mean, unless you practice like you play (which i don't think is possible cause you can't re-create those circumstances), then you are gonna have to just let your body adjust, and help it along the way but eating right, drinking tons of water and examining your technique to make sure it is working for you.
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i get blisters when i play for long... i play four hour gigs two... but three sets with a 15 min breaks.... so not too bad. Its mostly rock stuff and I usualy hit as hard as I can. The first time I played the four hour gig, my left hand got very sore from all the impact from the back beats (with trad grip so my palm was aching). Also my right arm was soo tired from alll the bell work that I love to do... so at one tune where we jam on this psuedo latin groove with bell work my hand slipped down through out the section and by the end i couldnt even reach the ride....i usualy can when im fine.... also i heard i was draggin on some songs like crazy.... so that sucks!
but yeah. The other day i played another set and i got blisters again but i never got that tired. i think it was just that it was the first time i played so hard for such a long time! im young though.... i dont have much knowledge or advice that i can offer.
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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.
Warm up lightly, just enough to get loose -- controlled buzz rolls, rim shots with conviction ,a nice cymbal sound -- then stop.
If possible, try to nap for an hour or so maybe 3 hours before the gig. I find that helps me to think clearly, which is essential for playing compositionally.
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You need to get more breaks. 4 hours and two 15 minute breaks is not right. You should do an hour set and get a half hour off etc... and play CDs in between.
Buy a drum machine and program some dance songs on it.
This gig is not right. It needs to be changed. You will damage yourself if you play like this too much.
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I'm with flam3 on that. That is just nuts to play 4 hours with only a 15 minute break if youre thrashing it out.
Get more breaks or get another drummer to tag in with ya.
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You need to build up your stamina. Try jogging or walking every other day for 30 minutes when you have time. This will really help you. Be aware of your breathing as your playing...
Also, you may need to change your diet- eat better and you'll have more energy...
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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Playing non stop for 4 hours can wear down even a teenager.
If you're feeling muscle pain in your neck and pelvis, it could be also a posture thing. Playing absolutely relaxed is the only way to survive these type of gigs.
I was doing a 3 hour show and was very tired, and I changed my cheap trone for one of the (expensive [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] ) comfortable ones and it helped a lot.
I have some students that play in weddings and they had done even 7 hours non stop!!!!!. I always told them that I don't know how they can handle that [img]confused.gif[/img]
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Another thing to consider is your sound levels on stage. If you're struggling to hear yourself, you may be working too hard just to overcome the sound situation.
Longest set I've done so far was 6 hours straight no break. The mix was good so I wasn't slamming just to be heard. My hands were in good shape the next day (and after I got the feeling back in my legs, they were okay too).
<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ March 14, 2005 01:42 PM: Message edited by: Andy Vermiglio ]</font></font>
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 14, 2005 01:43 PM: Message edited by: Andy Vermiglio ]</font>
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I'm with Andy, try not to play as hard. Maybe use bigger sticks.
