I just noticed this!
My thumbs don't have blisters!
To put this in context:
The biggest problem I've run into playing the drums is blisters on my fingers. It doesn't get better. Playing a single song in Rock Band at C2E2 triggered an outbreak. One song. I hate that. Part of the problem is I recognize I'm holding the sticks in a death grip. But the only way to break the habit is to play. And I can't play without blisters forming and then waiting for them to subside.
I've tried a variety of things. One technique was to put one of those rubber finger tips on each thumb. I still ran the risk of blisters on my other fingers, but it wasn't as bad. And it wasn't a perfect solution, as part of the thumbs were still exposed. Plus, it cost me feeling. But it was the only way I could really play for any length of time. I tried putting a band-aid on each thumb tip, but they fell off from sweat and fatigue.
I'd been experimenting with a different grip on the sticks that worked okay, but required me changing my habits. Was taking a lot of work. I went to Guitar Center and bought some stick grips. They actually made things worse, and I didn't like how much they shifted the center of gravity on the sticks.
I'm in Walgreens, and as I wander around, I'm looking at the band-aids, hoping maybe there's another design that will work better. And my eyes eventually wander to the medical tape. Maybe I just need something to stop the sticks from sliding and I can relax my grip...
...hello. What's this?
It's medical tape, but it's made of the same material as the spongee-er band-aids. You know, not the ones that are just a strip of plastic or rubber, but a little strip of thin foam.
I just stare for a few moments. I have extra 2B's, after all.
I decide to go for it. I pick up a roll and head for home.
As I cut a strip and wrap most of the shaft of the drumsticks with them (it stretches a little, so I eliminated any gaps), I muse about whether or not I want to try this. After all, if I'm wrong, I'm going to have a really rotten week.
I ultimately decide, nothing ventured, nothing gained. So I fire up Rock Band and start playing all the songs I have by Queen. I figure I'll play until my arm starts to get tired. That's the cut off -- any more than that, my hands will shake while holding my pencils and pens, and I can't have that happen right now.
A few minutes ago, I sit down at my drawing table to work on more sketches for Red Riding Hood. And as I'm working, I notice my thumbs.
No blisters.
AT. ALL.
Yes! I can get back to serious practicing again!
Admittedly, it's cheating. Real musicians don't do that. Then again, I never claimed I was a real musician. I had a discussion with my teacher when I learned to play the keyboard, and she commented that I was a musician.
I'm not a real musician.
"You play an instrument. That makes you a real musician."
Real musicians don't buy their shit at K-mart.
"Language."
Sorry! Real musicians don't buy their GEAR at K-mart.
Mickey Dolenz told me the most important thing about playing the drums was to go with what was comfortable for you. Cheat, yes. Comfortable, yes. Fun?
Yes. Finally.
My thumbs don't have blisters!
To put this in context:
The biggest problem I've run into playing the drums is blisters on my fingers. It doesn't get better. Playing a single song in Rock Band at C2E2 triggered an outbreak. One song. I hate that. Part of the problem is I recognize I'm holding the sticks in a death grip. But the only way to break the habit is to play. And I can't play without blisters forming and then waiting for them to subside.
I've tried a variety of things. One technique was to put one of those rubber finger tips on each thumb. I still ran the risk of blisters on my other fingers, but it wasn't as bad. And it wasn't a perfect solution, as part of the thumbs were still exposed. Plus, it cost me feeling. But it was the only way I could really play for any length of time. I tried putting a band-aid on each thumb tip, but they fell off from sweat and fatigue.
I'd been experimenting with a different grip on the sticks that worked okay, but required me changing my habits. Was taking a lot of work. I went to Guitar Center and bought some stick grips. They actually made things worse, and I didn't like how much they shifted the center of gravity on the sticks.
I'm in Walgreens, and as I wander around, I'm looking at the band-aids, hoping maybe there's another design that will work better. And my eyes eventually wander to the medical tape. Maybe I just need something to stop the sticks from sliding and I can relax my grip...
...hello. What's this?
It's medical tape, but it's made of the same material as the spongee-er band-aids. You know, not the ones that are just a strip of plastic or rubber, but a little strip of thin foam.
I just stare for a few moments. I have extra 2B's, after all.
I decide to go for it. I pick up a roll and head for home.
As I cut a strip and wrap most of the shaft of the drumsticks with them (it stretches a little, so I eliminated any gaps), I muse about whether or not I want to try this. After all, if I'm wrong, I'm going to have a really rotten week.
I ultimately decide, nothing ventured, nothing gained. So I fire up Rock Band and start playing all the songs I have by Queen. I figure I'll play until my arm starts to get tired. That's the cut off -- any more than that, my hands will shake while holding my pencils and pens, and I can't have that happen right now.
A few minutes ago, I sit down at my drawing table to work on more sketches for Red Riding Hood. And as I'm working, I notice my thumbs.
No blisters.
AT. ALL.
Yes! I can get back to serious practicing again!
Admittedly, it's cheating. Real musicians don't do that. Then again, I never claimed I was a real musician. I had a discussion with my teacher when I learned to play the keyboard, and she commented that I was a musician.
I'm not a real musician.
"You play an instrument. That makes you a real musician."
Real musicians don't buy their shit at K-mart.
"Language."
Sorry! Real musicians don't buy their GEAR at K-mart.
Mickey Dolenz told me the most important thing about playing the drums was to go with what was comfortable for you. Cheat, yes. Comfortable, yes. Fun?
Yes. Finally.
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sinetimore- Peter G
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