[chungiemunchin]

Really great stuff man! These details all too often seem superfluous and extraneous to we "serious" musicians.....too serious about practicing to bother with all that "surface/physical" stuff man........because we're metaphysical people....right dude?
Actually, if meditating has done anything for me (and it has by the way), it has taught me much more than I practice about the importance of our physical surroundings to our more spiritual endeavours (I look at playing music as a spiritual pursuit). Reading your article has definitely given me ideas and motivation to clean up my practice area.
Also, watching the Hudson master series hosted by Steve Gadd DVD reminds me of the importance of practice time on our actual drumsets. The feel with which he plays around the kit can only be perfected to the level that he has perfected it, by practicing on the actual drums (not virtual) at least a little bit. We drummers face the challenges of the volume we create even when playing with our lightest, and unfortunately, our most inhibited touches. Renting a rehearsal space for one may be one solution even if it is for a limited contracted time span (say a month) here and there when funds allow! A rehearsal space where one can play completely uninhibited will do wonders for our personal growth. Whether we are practicing our high-handed high volume playing or just need to play repetitious exercises over and over again without hampering our abilities by being inhibited about what the people in the next room or apartment or in my case townhouse is thinking about what we are doing right now, a space where we can do it without a care in the world is invaluable. We all know how impossible it is to focus on our practice when constantly worrying about whether the neighbors are calling the police or worst.....our neighborhood association concerning the pariah (synonym for drummer in some folks' vernacular) next door. I practice on either my Remo tunable practice pad (10") or my (unfortunately expensive) Electronic drums 98% of the time due to these restrictions. Without the two percent practice on my acoustic drums, I would go into most unfamiliar playing situations a little wobbly in the confidence area at first. I mean, the more secure I feel with my drums surrounding me, the more confidence I can conjure to play in new situations. So if any of you have any other suggestions (i.e. soundproofing, etc.), I'd love to hear them.

Thanks for starting this particular thread!