Drum Rituals Anyone?

That is metaphorically speaking. Not necessarily sacrificing a calf before a gig or whatever. So the question, is their anything you guys do before you play the drums in order to physically and mentally prepare you?

Me, I wear shoes that hug my feet and don't allow them to move around, wear clothes that I can play comfortably in, and if I find time, squeeze in some stretching before I play. Also, I try to put 10 minutes on the pad before I play and say a short prayer.

I do close to the same thing. I also try to clear my mind of everything and just relax.

I try to tell myself it's just like practice and to have fun. I'm the guy that's just staring at my floor tom while trying to "hear" the groove or pocket on the first song.

As time goes on I'll look around more. Strecthing with my sticks and doing some air drums helps calm me down sometimes.

I grab a big cup and fill it up with cold drinking water, take a gulp and put that within reach behind my kit. Then I keep shifting back and forth in my throne until I find the right position, stretching also. Then cue annoying 2 minutes where I bang everything to make sure it sounds okay. Let the drumming commence.

During practice, I always stretch, do 25 push ups, and warm up with this weird ostinato 5/8 - 7/8 thing to get moving around the drums.

On stage, I warm up with a pad before hand and always say a prayer before sitting onto the stool; can't hurt to have the Big Man on your side when pushing the grrove!

Since you asked ... actually, I DO sacrifice any neighborhood stray dog or cat that I can find in the vicinity of the venue. Most people thank me for it.

The downside is when we play near Chinese take-out joints. My playing usually sucks then.

Glad you asked, and glad I could help.

Yeah, I too gotta find the right postition on the throne. What makes my situation a little more difficult is that one other person uses the same set.

With "experience," it has gotten easier to be relaxed before playing.

And lest I forget that Jagerbomb followed by a Coors Light intro I always have before hitting the stage!

Last summer, my band had a weekly gig playing jazz standards at an upscale restaurant/bar. I got into the habit of blasting the Dead Kennedys in the car on the way to the show. It always seemed to clear my mind and get me ready for the gig...Go figure.

I usually have sex... Not necessarily good sex, but sex non-the-less. Most of the time it is with my girlfriend. Once in a while it's just me. At the end I am always stretched, relaxed, and ready to go.

DaveM

Chug a pint of Jack.

kill the youngest virgin in the vicinity, then do some rudiments for warm-up, stretch and play!

I always find that I play better when I'm warmed up

I'm also in the having to find the perfect position on the throne club...I usually give everything a quick hit or two to make sure I'm tuned up to where I want to be in case I need to make a quick adjustment, and then begin to play

I usually have sex... Not necessarily good sex, but sex non-the-less. Most of the time it is with my girlfriend. Once in a while it's just me. At the end I am always stretched, relaxed, and ready to go. DaveM

Who's better?