Play Drums for Hours Without Strain

Summary tip of the day: Play drums with a tightly positioned kit and arms clipped for an almost fatigue free session.

Drumming for a band is a tedious mental and physical task. Aside from trying hard to stay on time, hitting the right notes and chops at the right time, having dynamics and emotions, a drummer has to struggle with the limits of his or her physical abilities mostly in terms of endurance and muscular fatigue.

Although most would presume that one need to be strong to deliver loud and powerful blows, that could actually be achieved by technique and not just brute force. The real enemy is muscle fatigue.

A simple way to avoid muscle strain when performing is to position the drum kit as tightly as possible with you being able to play with your arms clipped or at least very near a clipped position. This is so that the weight of your upper arms does not add to the sticks and forearms. The drumkit placement should be tight but still in a position where you can hit the skins where you want to comfortably. By getting used to this position, it is guaranteed that youˊll be able to play longer hours, and I mean hours and hours, keeping reserved energy and releasing it when needed. Of course since all people are physically unique, this might not apply to all, but it does to most.