Why do my arms hurt after drumming?

BY LUGA PODESTA, M.D. Acute and chronic forearm pain is a very common condition in musicians, particularly drummers, requiring them to seek medical care. The repetitive wrist and elbow motion involved in playing drums predisposes us to develop forearm muscle/tendon overuse injuries.

What injuries do drummers get?

Drumming-related injuries are very common (lifetime history was 68%). The upper limb (especially the wrist) and the lower back are the most commonly affected body parts. The two most frequently reported drumming-related injury diagnoses are tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

What jobs are there for drummers?

There are numerous different types of careers involving drumming. You can play in bands, become a teacher, work as a session musician, run workshops, use drumming for therapy, work in recording studios, or get involved with music business. There are plenty of opportunities to work within the field of drumming.

Can drumming cause tendonitis?

Drummer’s tendinitis of the wrist is a common problem for drummers due to repetitive hand and wrist movements associated with drumming. It may occur in musicians who play for long periods of time without rest.

Do drummers get sore arms?

Arm pain is a common complaint among drummers. Pain in the upper arm can originate from a number of locations in the upper extremity, including the neck, shoulder, and elbow. However, one of the more common sources of arm pain in drummers is from the biceps tendon (i.e., biceps tendonitis).

Can you get muscles from drumming?

“It’s all about building massive amounts of endurance and strength. It’s almost more like a Pilates and yoga thing, which tones the muscle and really strengthens it for endurance.” Even though drummers are sitting, they still are using their legs. “The lower body is crucial,” Metz says.

How long would it take to learn to play drums?

For every hour spent in drum lessons, you should spend two practising on your drum pad. With dedication, aptitude and work, you will be able to learn the drums fairly quickly – say, 10 to 12 months to become proficient, and about 18 months to 2 years to get really good.

Does drumming hurt?

Drumming should not cause you pain. If it does, something is amiss. Generally stated, beginner drummers (1 day to 3 years) especially, tend to play too hard, too stiff and often have bad posture.

Can I make a living as a drummer?

It can be very difficult to make a living as a professional drummer, even when you do get a few lucky breaks along the way. No matter how famous a musician is, he or she is rarely as wealthy as most people think.

What qualifications do you need to be a drummer?

You don’t need any particular qualifications to become a drummer, although there are many universities and colleges that offer courses in music and music industry-related subjects. You do need to be willing to put in the hours and work harder than anyone else.

How long does it take to master drums?

Is drumming good exercise?

Can a beginner drummer hurt his upper arm?

Many beginner drummers over use their upper arm, which can lead to aches and pains over a long period of practice. Remember, most of the stick action is generated by the fingers and wrists–and to a certain extent–the forearms. The shoulders play an important and often unseen role in drumming.

What causes pain in the forearm of a drummer?

There are two common causes of strain and pain in the forearm, overplaying and poor wrist technique. Overplaying – many drummers rely on the forearms too much to generate power.

Why do drummers play with a stiff wrist?

For example, a pianist who focuses on the fingers, but neglects the wrists, will probably play with a stiff technique and could develop wrist strain. The same is true for drummers, though the muscles groups we use to create sound with our instruments are different.

Why does my back hurt when I play the drums?

While the back muscles don’t themselves operate the drum sticks or pedals, they play an important role in maintaining a solid posture, something that’s imperative to developing good fundamental technique. The most common cause of back pain is having a slouched posture.

There are two common causes of strain and pain in the forearm, overplaying and poor wrist technique. Overplaying – many drummers rely on the forearms too much to generate power.

When does playing the drums cause you pain?

Drumming should not cause you pain. If it does, something is amiss. Generally stated, beginner drummers (1 day to 3 years) especially, tend to play too hard, too stiff and often have bad posture. For beginners, I do not recommend playing hard and I DO believe in good posture.