| . Have a "Don't Forget" list for all your instruments and related drum gear. Be sure to include such things as extra drum heads, drum sticks, mics and mic cables, etc. This list will help you to never have one of those gut-wrenching moments when you realize you left something at home 2 hours away.
Warming up before a gig. This is terribly underestimated. Spend 20 to 30 minutes warming up with rudiments and related sticking exercises. Practice them with music playing through a Walkman. It's a great motivator and you'll be very loose when you get ready to play.
Drugs are a dead end road! Practically every other biography on VH-1 is about a drug addicted rock star who either OD'd or is finally finding the light some 30 years later. Enough said. Be smart and learn from those before you. They'd give anything to be in your place and do it all over again.
Don't drink sodas on every band break. The temptation is enormous because it's usually free in bars and it tastes great. But think about the numbers that we put away per break, per night, per week, etc. This isn't doing your body a bit of good. Fill up a 1/2 gallon jug of water and give your body what it needs.
Protect your ears! We can't stress this enough. Most musicians take this for granted. Buy a good set of ear plugs and start using them, especially while you practice. Drums are quite loud and ongoing exposure is detrimental.
At soundchecks, don't show off. Hit the drums one by one and play nice steady beats. Many times they just need a line level and don't want you playing bombastic solos. Only play out if they ask you to or if it's an acceptable routine in your band.
Breathe freely when you play the drums. Otherwise you stifle the flow of oxygen and cause your body to work harder. This in turn will prevent you from being fully relaxed.  |