Members BETTSLPtone Posted October 10, 2011 Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 I have been a drummer for almost 4 decades now. It was my first instrument and my passion for many years. as I got older my lifestyle changed and I changed withit. I became interested in guitars and now its my full time Passion as well. Recently I was diagnosed with a severe right shoulder Rotator Cuff tear and a Biciep(labrum) tear. Wear and tear from playing the drums has taken its toll on my half a century old body. Surgery was beyond painful and I'm looking at several weeks rehab before I can play again. Anyone else gone through this ? The drums are such a physical instrument to play. back in the day I gave it my all all the time. It was the only way for me. I went through sticks and skins like Underwear. Now I regret a bit that I didn't take it a little easier. maybe stretched more. Les Paul was sold this week. I'm looking for a lighter Bolt on instrument. Sling doesn't come off for another 2 weeks so I can't play guitar either. Other members of the band don't have it nearly as bad. For those Younger drummers out there, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! No one else will. Stretch and take care of your joints! Especially your Hands! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members irnbru83 Posted October 10, 2011 Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 Sorry to hear this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted October 10, 2011 Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 I think patience and faith is crucial. But face it, drumming is nothing like sipping tea. There's no getting around the physical part. Pro jocks address the extreme requirements with scientific training. Musicians should do likewise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soundcreation Posted October 10, 2011 Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 Get an SG. Keep the humbuckers and they're usually lighter than most alder or ash bolt on bodied guitars like strats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BETTSLPtone Posted October 10, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 Get an SG. Keep the humbuckers and they're usually lighter than most alder or ash bolt on bodied guitars like strats. Good Call! I have an Historic 61 reissue on the way. I pulled the trigger last night after starting this thread. 7 pounds Total down from 10 pounds of my Standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BETTSLPtone Posted October 10, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 I think patience and faith is crucial. But face it, drumming is nothing like sipping tea. There's no getting around the physical part. Pro jocks address the extreme requirements with scientific training. Musicians should do likewise. Can I ask of an example of scientfic training? I really want to take better care of myself after I heal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Carminemw Posted October 10, 2011 Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 The only problems I'v had with regards to playing are a bad back from lifting B3s and heavy PA gear all those years...much less Leslies and SVT cabs. I'm going thru something right now though but not due to playing. Be careful turning screw drivers manually...I normally do a pilot hole before driving any wood screw into 2x4s. This time I said...naaaa...just drive it in there. Well an 2" screw going into solid wood really wrenched my forearm and bicep. Now it hurts when I play traditional grip stuff. This is going on 5 weeks and I can hold stuff with my right hand, but cannot curl more than about 10lbs without it throbbing... I too used to break a ton of sticks and cymbals...but only a few heads...never noticed anything more than old age creaks and groans from my body... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cdawg Posted October 10, 2011 Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 i took a long break from drumming in my twenties, and when i came back, my wrists hurt like a bitch. i had mainly been a metal drummer, and thought hitting hard = good drumming. all of that shock transfer told my wrists otherwise. i quickly remembered my "old" instructor having to go thru carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists, and extensive therapy. therapy is the key, along with changing your drumming habits! i dropped my heavy 2b sticks and now play 5a's. my kit is totally reachable, without much movement (thinking more about torso movement,) and when i want volume, i let the stick drop down for a rimshot instead of using my whole arm drive it into the drum. lower and flatter cymbals, too. just research (and ask here,) how to change your playing to be more effective and safe. drumming after injury? for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted October 10, 2011 Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 Can I ask of an example of scientfic training? I really want to take better care of myself after I heal. Never heard of this place. The spiel is good though. 1:20 on in particular. 6ITNA5IeRwk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members knightvalin Posted October 10, 2011 Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 1001 is absolutely right when he said drums ain't ' sippin tea'.... I won't bore you by reposting what I've been going through the last few years. Thing is, even stuff that you would normally not think twice about you have to now. For example: I was over at a buddy's new house this weekend, pulling carpets and taking off wallpaper. You wouldn't believe how that can aggravate this thing in my forearms. 10years ago I wouldn't have thought twice about it. Now, with practice and responsibilites with the band, you wonder.... It all adds up, over time. Given the circumstances, had I learned better, or any technique when I was starting, would it have protected me? To a point, I think, but drums being what they are, you can't play them like they're fragile. An instrument that's meant to be physically hit to make sound requires effort. It all adds up, even back in the say like Carmine said, when Moving B3s, SVT 8/10 Cabs and the inevitable Marshall stacks up and down stairs, around corners, loading and reloading trucks .... Regardless: Bettis: I came across an RMT who practiced a form of deep tissue therapy that has helped me immensely. I've gone from wearing gloves when I play and terrible pain after each gig to not needing gloves anymore and managable pain. I can't say enough about how this person has helped me. I'll never be 100% again, but I can live with being close if this allows me to continue playing. Also, if you want something that will help you drum wise, check out Tommy Igoe's ' Great Hands For A Lifetime'. 4 hours of instruction on how to change your grip, excercises, and warmup routines. Excellent disc IMO. Good luck, and I hope you resolve your playing issues. ' Life, without Music, would be unbearable' - Neitzche :thu:PEACE:thu: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted October 10, 2011 Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 Seems I had a doppelpost instead of the video up there. @ Knightvalin, do you play smarter and/or better now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BETTSLPtone Posted October 10, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 The only problems I'v had with regards to playing are a bad back from lifting B3s and heavy PA gear all those years...much less Leslies and SVT cabs. I'm going thru something right now though but not due to playing. Be careful turning screw drivers manually...I normally do a pilot hole before driving any wood screw into 2x4s. This time I said...naaaa...just drive it in there. Well an 2" screw going into solid wood really wrenched my forearm and bicep. Now it hurts when I play traditional grip stuff. This is going on 5 weeks and I can hold stuff with my right hand, but cannot curl more than about 10lbs without it throbbing... I too used to break a ton of sticks and cymbals...but only a few heads...never noticed anything more than old age creaks and groans from my body... OK, I don't want to alarm you, but you really should get that checked out. Thats exactly the pain I was in. I always had a moderate amount of shoulder pain , but when my right biciep started throbbing I went to the DR. Turns out the Labrum , the Top part of the Biceip that connects to the shoulder Tore. The had to put a bolt in my shoulder to reattach it , through my armpit. Not fun. get it checked and don't let it go like I did. Hopefully yours is just a pull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BETTSLPtone Posted October 10, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 i took a long break from drumming in my twenties, and when i came back, my wrists hurt like a bitch. i had mainly been a metal drummer, and thought hitting hard = good drumming. all of that shock transfer told my wrists otherwise. i quickly remembered my "old" instructor having to go thru carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists, and extensive therapy. therapy is the key, along with changing your drumming habits! i dropped my heavy 2b sticks and now play 5a's. my kit is totally reachable, without much movement (thinking more about torso movement,) and when i want volume, i let the stick drop down for a rimshot instead of using my whole arm drive it into the drum. lower and flatter cymbals, too. just research (and ask here,) how to change your playing to be more effective and safe. drumming after injury? for sure. Those are some excellent Tips. I think thats how I did it myself. Long break switching to guitar , less playing , and then I got into it again. I'm going to redo my set up like you described for sure. keep everything down more and reachable. Great points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BETTSLPtone Posted October 10, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 1001gear and knightvalin, thanks for sharing that. Gives me a good place to start some research. All great points so far. For the first time in my life I need to set limits on what I do from here on in. Moderation , moderation, moderation. Too bad I needed to learn the hard way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members manoeuver Posted October 10, 2011 Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 I'll always remember seeing this jazz guy playing in philly one time. he had fine taste, executed well, and expended about as much energy playing as one normally does reading a newspaper. he was probably in his 70s. noted. I'm a bit of a smash man on the drums but I'll gladly adjust whatever to keep from injury as I age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members johnbe Posted October 10, 2011 Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 Had occupational therapy May-July for a right rotator cuff injury, but thankfully no surgery yet. The therapy and the followup exercises helped, but it will probably never completely heal. Also have the start of arthritis in both thumbs, not to mention tinnitus in both ears. Wish I used hearing protection long ago. Nothing can be done to fix the last two, just avoid things that make them worse. I'm 1/2 century +14 and I'll keep playing as long as I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted October 10, 2011 Members Share Posted October 10, 2011 Tinnytoose. No good technique is gonna stop that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members knightvalin Posted October 11, 2011 Members Share Posted October 11, 2011 Seems I had a doppelpost instead of the video up there. @ Knightvalin, do you play smarter and/or better now? 1001: I don't know if its a case of ' better', yet. I've basically had to change my entire approach to the kit, be it where my ride is placed and at what angle, height of my throne, height of the snare and distance to get round the kit. I am slowly but surely making headway in terms of grip. I play matched Grip, thumb and first finger at the ' flag' on a set of Vic Firths, use the rest of the fingers as support and get my fulcrum at that point. Trust me when I say this: I never, ever, considered these things before 2000. I know you have your doubts and issues about ' playing safe'. I admit that this is the devils' work for me to try and retrain myself, but, as previously stated: Its this way, or I stop. Technically, l can tell you some positives that I've developed. using the ' pulse' on my lead hand on either Hhats or ride ( 'Pulsing' refering to getting two hits out of one strike, bouncing the stick bead ) I've basically cut my workload in half. Instead of forcing the stick down, I'm letting the rebound do half the work. Had it explained to me by imagining that I was dribbling a basketball. Let the ball do the work getting back to your hand. ' Rebounding' has also helped my double strokes and smoothed things out considerably. Also, doing 16th single handed patterns on Hhat or Ride are a lot easier. I'm doing the same thing more efficiently, and have noticed that I've picked up a bit more speed. Now, translating this to going round the kit will be the next step. This is all a work in progress for me, so I honestly can't tell you if I'm a 'better' drummer than I was a year ago. What I CAN tell you, with certainty, is that at the end of a gig, I'm no longer looking for a pail of ice water to put my hand into because its so numb I can't even hold a stick anymore. I feel like I'm playing less reckless, more ' safe'....but , I think that once I get this new way of playing down, I'll be able to greatly improve because I won't be banging up against the physical limitations that I've been dealing with. Its a bitch to realize that something you've been doing for 35 years is wrong, and now you have to change or stop. Given the choice, I'll change. if that makes me a more ' boring' player....so be it. But I don't think that will be the case. Things that I couldn't ' physically' play previously because of my bad technique should open up. So, 1001: Yes, I do play smarter now...Better is being worked on. I'll let you know about that one when I have an answer. :thu:PEACE:thu: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BETTSLPtone Posted October 12, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 12, 2011 Wow cool post Knight. You have given me alot to think about and work on once I get the green light to play again. For now Typing this is almost painful. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cdawg Posted October 12, 2011 Members Share Posted October 12, 2011 with all dem wirds, knight is prolly rubbin' on the ben ghey!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BETTSLPtone Posted October 12, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 12, 2011 LOL. I know I have Ice on my shoulder as we speak after doing my Homework stretches the Physical Therapist gave me. The silver lining is , she is a J Lo Clone and she stretches my bad shoulder 3x a week! (got to look for the positives) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cdawg Posted October 12, 2011 Members Share Posted October 12, 2011 that's reason enough to not do your homework!! sllloooowwww recovery!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aenemated Posted October 13, 2011 Members Share Posted October 13, 2011 my major health issue is that hangovers suck a lot more these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted October 13, 2011 Members Share Posted October 13, 2011 You should stop using your arms and use your fingers to propel the beverage downwards, bouncing the bottle to your lips. This is very easy on brain cells and central nervous load - which is the cause of hangovers. @Knightvalin I think right now maybe you should stop performing and just do therapy until things start mending - JMO. Yay on finding a way to go on though. And while this is prolly moot in your situation, I gotta say something about finger control. GRAVITY. It's like 35 googtillion horsepower sucking everything downwards. Most playing simply requires lifting the tip of the stick so gravity can accelerate it into a drum hit. 32 feet per second per second. Maybe try lowering the stick with your arm and then bringing it back up on the rebound. Don't abandon the finger control, just give the proper load to your big muscles. (?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members michael_B Posted October 13, 2011 Members Share Posted October 13, 2011 I can commiserate with the op. I have shoulder impingements in both shoulders from years of injury. Physical therapy was only mildly successful and avoiding shoulder surgery is a priority, especially since nothing is torn, however, they bother me every day...which is why I stopped playing drums for a number of years and went back to guitar, but I'm back to drums too..can't stay away. My kit is smaller and easier to reach, and I've worked at changing technique from the standard arm thrashing of a rock drummer to more wrist and elbow. That's been helpful. As far a guitars go, SG's are lighter and similar to an LP, however I never liked the neck diving the moment I let go of it...and the ones I had, had necks like baseball bats. Try a chambered LP or LP copy, or any one of a zillion bolt on models made of alder or basswood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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