Under-estimating the Fatigue factor

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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]

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>

I'm with Andy, try not to play as hard. Maybe use bigger sticks.

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

Quote:

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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!!!

Quote:

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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>

Quote:

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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.

Right.

Also, if it's a rock, fusion, or top-40 gig,
just common sense here - have plenty of water on hand, esp on those warmer or hot outdoor gigs. I'd have a bottle w a re-closable/openable top, & a gallon or 2 of natural spring water handy.

I also keep non-greasy vitamin E & aloe lotion for the hands for those colder outdoor gigs, to keep them from cracking.

I also stretch [wrists, arms & body] both before & aft the gig, & warm up on the pad at least 15-20 min b4, sngl & dbl strokes, diddles, maybe alternating groups of even sngls in each hand [sngls, dbls, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s, 8s, a la Simon], using finger-rebound/Moeller/Grube/Weck.

The Weckl-Moehler-Gruber finger/stick-rebound technique is essential practice, to get the most out of your technq & stroke. It's important to never have to "fight your technq, or the set."

I try never to go into a gig "cold," that is, w/out having played for the days preceding [as in having taken a week or 2 off from playg the kit]. Sometimes there may be circumstances where this happens, but try not to make it a regular thing. [Not saying this is the case w your situation; just in general. [img]cool.gif[/img] ]

That fruit / food intake advice is good; however, do not eat too much or anything heavy [a heavy meal] within 1+1/2 to 2 hrs before the gig.

There've been good topics on this in here before...I realize i was poss branching out here, but I feel that all this helps reduce the fatigue factor. [img]cool.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 19, 2005 07:38 PM: Message edited by: fuseU1 ]</font>

fuse you crack me up LOL LOL!

pgroover I can relate. I did the same twice this week (with a Celtic/Rock thing during St. Paddy's week; "saints add preservatives to us"). It's a Freakin' loud band. I'm 50 and I decided a while back that you can only hit so hard. One of two things will happen; You'll break a bone or you'll break gear. I'm not going to do either for anyone. So I determined just where that line is and I WILL NOT CROSS IT. If the band is that loud that the drums are buried, so be it. Besides, there's a point where the sound will naturally distort (I think it's just the ear drums flapping)so I try to keep below that. After the first of my two-fers this week I did have some soreness in my left forearm, but thank Moeller I was able to get right back on it after one day's rest. By relaxing my hands and really using a good whip technique (I even lost a stick on a few occasions which is good 'cause it tells me I'm not gripping the stick) I've been able to withstand the long nights without any pain after that. I have another to look forward to tonight. [img]eek.gif[/img]

Yeah I guess if the money wasn't so good...I feel like such a cheap whore [img]redface.gif[/img]

In my other situation I never have to worry. Everything is mic'ed and the stage volume (usually) doesn't get out of hand so I'm able to play at a comfortable level. I can concentrate on playing music and not worry about whether I'm coming across or not.