Any real drummers out here?

I’ve always wondered how tired a drummer gets during an hour or more of banging the drums in a performance.

I’ve tried drumming in my life, but never professionally… Just for fun. And when I did drum, I’d notice my arms getting pretty tired about 20 minutes into playing around. I would think that if you were in front of a live crowd, evenokf it was a small nightclub or a wedding, you could get pretty exhausted if you took your drumming seriously.

Can someone who drums in a band give me any insight into this? And is drummer fatigue something I just imagine or is it real? Do you have to work up to it, like someone would for a long run?

You can pick the most drum intense band to use as an example… I think of the Police because when they are on stage, there are only 3 people making noise, so Stuart Copeland can’t hide. He bangs away up there through almost every song, and there is hardly a breather.

Thanks for any insight you can give me.

Cheers

Not a drummer but couldn’t pass up the chance to share this Kids in the Hall sketch:

“…and I got big arms, 'cause I drum right?”

Fatigue does become an issue after a while. But the more you practice, the better it will be. Like any athletic activity, the more you do, the more you can do.

I have been through periods of playing every day, then not playing at all for months. When you come back after months off, there is always some rust.

Remember that Stuart Copeland was a pro and probably practiced for hours at a time nearly every day. And before tours, the entire band would rehearse together for weeks to get ready.

Sort of. Like Typo Negative said, between hours-long band rehearsals and practicing by yourself you get into playing shape in due course. You develop certain efficiencies and suppleness in your technique. I would get tired towards the end of the night between sets but when I started playing again I’d get my 2nd 3rd or 4th wind. Then came the fun part - packing up and loading out.

Not a drummer, but play with them.

Generally, yes, drummers can get fatigued, but to what extent depends on your approach. In the last band I was in the drummer would get tired and muscle-achy. He just wasn’t very good at pacing himself, in my opinion, but, overall conditioning matters a lot too. My current drummer in my new band just seems really relaxed, like he could play forever, but he plays in a generally more relaxed style too.

Our drummer requests that certain songs not be performed next to one another. These are the ones that he goes ape shit on. He’s in his 40s and out of shape. Technique has a lot to do with it. I don’t believe that Stewart Copeland is banging his drums as hard as say, Tommy Lee.

Are you playing particularly fast music? Or are you fairly tense? I’m not a drummer myself (keyboards are my background), but I love drumming and this sounds somewhat unusual to me, unless you are really tightening yourself up, flailing like Animal (or Keith Moon) and/or playing very fast music (that is, too fast for your current level of technique.) The only times I really find myself feeling tired is when I play music that has a pulsating hi-hat that is just a tad too fast for me. But that’s something that comes with time and practice. The tempos I can play now very relaxed would have been impossible for me not too long ago.

They rehearsed for their last reunion tour (had to dust off the cobwebs and try out some new arrangements), but The Police were known for not rehearsing.

I watched a clip on YouTube that showed a 5-10 minute segment of their rehersal for their reunion tour, and Stuart makes a comment about how he is sweating and no one else even looks like they are working. :slight_smile:

Clearly, it seems that these guys have to buildup not only their muscle tone but their muscle memory. It also makes sense that the band would have to pace themselves, because exhaustion (I think) is a real possibility, especially at their ages. I believe all of The Police are in their 50’s, so the stage antics are probably reduced as well.

Clearly, my technique is not good. The pros can bang around at a very high rate at a very high skill level, seemingly never missing a beat. The fact that the drummer combines their arms and legs in their performance, it is no wonder I am exhausted. Age, lack of formal training, and a tin ear don’t help either. :smiley:

I clearly don’t play enough, nor do I have the proper technique to be able to bang out a 90 minute set on a nightly basis, at least not at that quality. Oh well. Another dream of mine dashed. Looks like “professional drummer” will not be something I will be able to add to my resume.

Being a Musician, I can attest that regardless of how you feel at the time, “The Show Must Go On”.

I’ve done a show completely under the influence of the FLU…only to pass out for 3 days after the show, missing work.

I’ve wrapped bleeding fingers in duct tape so I could do the rest of the set(s).

I don’t play two nights in a row anymore, I’d have nubs for fingers…because I play that hard.

I have no callouses and I’ve played for 30 years.

As for drumming…same thing…you do what you have to do and tough it out.

-I can and have played for 20 hours while writing…various instruments…but don’t wake me for the next 12 afterwards. -

I’m not a drummer…

I have played drums to the radio several times for hours with no lag.

A show is more focused/intense, no mistakes, so you get hit with the lag afterwards.

I can practice with my band for a few hours jamming on drums,when drummer doesn’t show, with no exhaustion.

can you explain what this means? Are you saying that when you are writing songs, you have been up 20 hours playing various instruments, or do you mean something else?

I think I understand how you can get through a show… adrenaline kicks in, and will take you over the finish line often… but once the show is over, you will collapse. That’s very similar to my experience as an athlete, playing and finding energy when you don’t think any is left in the tank.

are you a semi-professional musician? By that, I mean you get paid for weekend gigs, but have another job outside of the band… is that correct?

can I ask how long you have been in the band and how old you are? (you can ball park your age if you want).