I'm pretty sure it's normal. Do you play heel up or heel down? If you play heel down, you will feel tightness in the back of your leg.
Hey Folks,
I'm new to this drumming thing and I'm wondering if some of you old hands can enlighten me a bit. Is it normal for you to feel some tightness in your leg muscles in your kick drum leg when you are first starting out?
I have Fibromyalgia and I'm wondering if it's bothering me or if what I'm experiencing is normal.
Thanks.
My shin ached like crazy from using the bass drum pedal for the first few months when I started drumming, my leg didn't ache - just my shin. It went stopped aching after a few months - I think I finally built up some semblance of muscle and the problem sorted itself out.
might want to consider some running/ jogging
Thanks for the replies!
Consider your leg position. It is important that you are not sitting too high, or too low on our throne. It is also an issue of endurance. The more you play, the stronger your legs will become.
Also, if you are playing double bass, you will want to do the same types of exercises that you would do on a snare (alternating 1/8 notes, 16th's ect) trying to keep the stoke between each foot as even as possible.
Yup, this is normal. As time moves on your technique will improve and you'll get used to it..
Better yet, have an experienced drummer drop by some time and watch you play, in particular, checking out your positioning/posture.
Are there any rules of thumb for positioning oneself and/or setting the height of the throne?
Not really... some people like to sit low, some sit really high. I personally sit at a height that makes my waistline perpendicular with the top of my snare. but then again, that depends on the height of the snare stand and what not.. so again the answer is no, theres no correct way.
I suppose one thing you should consider when positioning yourself is the angle your foot will comfortably sit on the kick pedal. if you play heel down you would probably want to sit lower so as not to stretch your ankle/calf muscle. heel up player might want to sit higher.
Too Much Stuff.
The best thing I did for the muscles below my knees was to take up speed skipping (jump rope).
Give you a hell of a cardio workout as well.
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Just like any muscle you need to strengthen it and build it. It also has to do with technique too
I m not not a doctor, but I'll take a look!
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I like to sit as natural as possible. My legs basically make a V shape.. I then place my pedals to match my perfectly comfortable V position...
I don't know how the hell some people play with their legs all twisted and turned like a backwards L
I also sit a little bit on the higher side so my legs aren't flat but I sit up a little. I feel more in control of the drums
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