Drum lay offs

gyutae · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2006, 01:41 AM

Have you ever taken a break from drums for a couple of weeks and just felt so sluggish afterwards? I took maybe a 3 week break from gigs and when I was practicing with a band today I just felt so off and forced in my playing. I feel like I've lost my rhythm and the feel for music. Any of you ever get this?

Davenhurst · #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2006, 05:26 AM

Before things got kind of busy for me musically I used to go for a few weeks at a time without playing and I know what you mean, when you get back to the kit it feels like a bit more of an effort. I've never lost the enjoyment of playing or the determination to keep at it, so after a while I get back into the swing.

On the flip side of that - when I come home from doing tours I find that I'm able to move around the kit much faster and my playing has improved considerably. I don't notice when I'm actually out there touring because often the set is the same each night, but playing every night for a month really builds up all areas of playing.

I guess what I'm getting at is the obvious - play regularly and you'll notice the benefits.

ninikins · #3 (**permalink**) 07-02-2006, 03:14 PM

Well, since I'm pretty new to drums, I can't really comment much but 3 weeks is plenty enough time to start to lose muscle in your arms. might be something to do with it?

gyutae · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006, 08:51 PM

Well I had a gig today at the church and I felt a lot better than i did in practice. Maybe the added pressure to perform made my muscle memory come back to me.

Ideally I'd like to play regularly like you said Davenhurst, but it's hard when I don't have access to a drum set here at school if I'm not practicing with a band and performing for gigs. I do practice on pillows, but that's just not the same.

Qwerk · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 12:00 PM

I just got back from two weeks of being on vacation and I'm sure when I go to practice, I won't be able to play nearly as well as I could when there's a time period when I'm parcticing all the time for a marching thing or band concert, ect.

gyutae · #6 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 12:03 PM

Yeah definitely. That's one thing that's really hard about playing an instrument like the drums. If you take any break whatsoever, you kind of get sidetracked and out of sync.