hand pains???

[Tazz]

sometimes when i drum i get pains in the top side of my wrist and also on the top of my hand is there anything i can do to stop this happening??

and any tips to improve wrist strenght

thanks

[Northern Redneck]

Loosen your grip.

[Tazz]

when i play i dont grip that hard but ill try even looser

[PHROGGE]

Check On "Jim Chapins....Power & Endurance"
Seems Like Maybe Da Moeller Method Might Offer Some Great Advice...

[Reverend D.]

It sounds like you may be gripping the stick to tightly with your thumb and forefingers, or with your entire hand. Try loosening your grip. The thumb and the forefinger grip the stick lightly, but not so light that the stick flies out of your hand. The rest of the fingers are only used for rebound. When you practice, you will experience some soreness and burning in your forearms from constant repetition. As you get better, the soreness should decrease as you develop your muscles.

[matthew62593]

and any tips to improve wrist strenght

Well, for my wrists, I just do single strokes with each wrist individually until they get tired from doing it, lol. It might be overkill, but for me, it works really well. Maybe you could try that.

[xweasel]

You may not be holding the sticks tightly, but are you tensing the back of your hand? I used to do that (lol), and I got back hand pains. Also, how are you holding your sticks? If you use matched, you should be holding the sticks with your palms facing the ground.

I know a drummer who, during a gig, sprained his wrist because he was holding the drumstick with his palm facing sideways instead of downwards.

[scottsr3@gmail.com]

I was taught at a young age that the best way to play without injuring your hands is with your palms down. its the natural motion of the wrist when you play like that. and try less wrist action more finger flicking action

[slinglander]

Soak your hands and wrists in cold water for a minute to ease the swelling.
(Wait til you get to be 60! ooh boy!) Anyway, treat this pain as you would a sports pain.
Also, don't drum as fast as you can all day!

[Exotic Matter]

I know a drummer who, during a gig, sprained his wrist because he was holding the drumstick with his palm facing sideways instead of downwards.

idk, French grip isn't a bad thing when used correctly. Chances are that drummer was doing something else wrong as well. I use a pretty French bias and have never had any problems but I also tend to play a lot loser than most.





OP, there's something wrong with your technique. I'd suggest taking some lessons to correct whatever is wrong, you really shouldn't be having any pain at all. I play a lot and ever have any hand pain but I also took lessons from a jazz drummer (big technique guy) at a young age. In a nutshell, you should barley have any tension between your hands and the sticks regardless whether you play French, German, or traditional.

[mdrummer5]

idk, French grip isn't a bad thing when used correctly. Chances are that drummer was doing something else wrong as well. I use a pretty French bias and have never had any problems but I also tend to play a lot loser than most.





OP, there's something wrong with your technique. I'd suggest taking some lessons to correct whatever is wrong, you really shouldn't be having any pain at all. I play a lot and ever have any hand pain but I also took lessons from a jazz drummer (big technique guy) at a young age. In a nutshell, you should barley have any tension between your hands and the sticks regardless whether you play French, German, or traditional.

I would agree with this. Lessons would help but if you don't want to or don't have the cash try this...

Sit on your throne away from your kit, let your arms relax at your sides and with as little tension as possible (shouldn't have any in your hands or wrists) bend your elbow until your arms are at a 90 degree angle. Whereever your hands are at this point should be a comfortable starting postion. Try it at your kit, sticks in hand and try playing from that position without rotating your wrists. I used to get wrist pains all the time due to poor technique when somebody pointed that out to me, it has done wonders for my stamina and overall playing.

[Russ]

you can reduce the impact of your strokes by keeping your hands closer to your drums when playing, this will also give you control of your volume level more, and reduce fatigue as well. on my right hand, the hi hat/cymbal hand mainly i keep my index finger outstretched across the stick, but the rest of that hand only loosely grips the stick, giving me absolute control and speed over whatever i hit, and doesnt let my hand/arm/wrist get tired or sustain any injury. its like if you were a gunslinger in a movie, you wouldnt use an automatic grip for a revolver, you'd want to adjust by twisting your elbow a bit to absorb the recoil, the same is true here, you adjust and find another technique to absorb the force of the rebound and shock when you hit the drums, preventing all sorts of boo boos in the long run