Tension free?

[krazydrummer121]

being tension free is important if you plan on playing in long durations or playing fast/complex beats. How do you guys keep your self relaxed and focused when your playing.




one personal question for me would be, how do you play 16th notes at 187 BPM for about 10 seconds, i find it extremely hard keeping tension free i always have much tension at the end..:confused:

[Mirror.Circuit]

Start playing 16th notes at slower tempos and work up to 187.
As for how I stay tension free,couldn't tell you.
I just feel free playing drums in the first place.

[TheBandlehars]

You need to work your chops up to that level. I recommend doing a 16th note pyramid, thats how I got my chops. This is the pyramid I use.
RLRLRLRLRLRLRLRL
RRLLRRLLRRLLRRLL
RRRRLLLLRRRRLLLL
RRRRRRRRLLLLLLLL
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Alternating, doubles, 4 on a hand, 8 on a hand, 16 on a hand, 32 on a hand, 64 on a hand.

I started it at about 82 bpm, and now I'm topping it out at 108. That equates to 8 bars of 16ths at 216 I believe when I alternate my strokes. To hit your target of 187 you inly need to be able to play the pyramid at 94 bpm, but to make it easier I would shoot for at least 100, that way you aren't maxing out your capabilities, and you will be more relaxed at 187.

[krazydrummer121]

ah you just refreshed my memory about the pyramid, i remember it being said in a dvd i have, thanks ill get to working on that :thumb:

[TheBandlehars]

oh snap I just noticed you are in AZ! Where about?

[krazydrummer121]

Glendale, right by the new cardinals/coyotes stadiums. haha i assume you live here as well?

[sLarkin20]

You gotta practice playing relaxed at slower tempos then move up.

[Harrow]

Play as fast as you can while still feeling relaxed for as long as you can. Stop once you start to feel tension and take a break then hit it again. Slowly work your way up. If you tense up when you are playing just try to force yourself to remember proper tecnique. Playing in front of a mirror can make you very self aware of things like posture and grip. I would definitely recommend the pyramid exercise or anything out of stick control with quarter notes on the bass drum and half notes on the hat good luck!

[Bone]

Practice playing relaxed. You will perform relaxed.

EG Practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent.

[krazydrummer121]

well its only been one day and i feel improvement already by just warming up by playing the pyramid relaxed, funny how little things can improve playing.

thanks guys i appreciate it alot