That's pronounced "schtick". ;)

Glenn - Yes, I use portions of Tommy's workout. The sucker works! Cuts warm-up time in half. I just do it my own way, (like I described earlier) but the end effect is the same... my hands get warmed up quickly.

Re: the carpel tunnel... Altering/correcting technique 'may' provide a little relief. Maybe your hands won't go numb as fast. You'd be surprised how something as simple/basic, as working the stick from the fulcrum, can relieve a lot of stress related symptoms and injuries. One time a buddy was complaining of cramping of his hand muscles while playing. The guy held his sticks way back at the butt end and one of the sticks, the left hand stick, was turned around placing the heavy butt-end at the tip. I altered his grip up to the fulcrum on both hands, turned the left stick right side up, and all of a sudden... no more strain! LOL It was like a guy with 20/20 vision that couldn't see what was right in front of him.

I mentioned the Moeller technique earlier, it's a smooth pumping action that distributes the work between the fingers, wrists/hands and arms. You might be gripping the stick too tight, or using your wrist all wrong, it could be a bunch of things. Study some technique related information, then make whatever corrections you need to make, it just might help to reduce, or even eliminate, some of the worst, more annoying symptoms.

For excellent technique info: Jo Jo Myers, 'Secrets Weapons Of The Modern Drummer' and Tommy Igoes workout DVD. Either one covers off basic technique in detail. With Jo Jo Myers DVD being the better of the two in terms of it being more complete, comprehensive coverage of the subject than Tommy's.

John

John, thanks I'll check out the Jo Jo DVD. And the Moeller technique too, this one sounds very interesting. Your right as my hand goes numb I try to increase the grip and there lies the problem. I'll revisit my grip too and look for some problems there......many thanks!

lets face it pain is a part of everyday living a little pain, makes u feel alive from it comes a little better prospective on how to enjoy what we have left if life ... im a firm believer in herbal medication!

In terms of carpal tunnel complaints I have several exercises I give people that help glide both the tendons and nerves through the carpal tunnel. Many times it is a correction in form, posture, or technique.

For my warm up I start with a few slow singles then work up in speed a little. Once I get some good blood flow I'll do some forearm and finger stretches. Then I may work through a few exercises in a book I have like Stick Control.

My neighbor has a unique trait about his drumming that I have seen in many pupils from this same local teacher. They have what I call, "sneaky speed". It was the best way I could describe fast hands! Still makes me laugh.

My hands are slower than snot. I have tried a few different excercises that I found both online and via my neighbor for months on end only to find I am right where I was when I started. I still practice certain things, but for the most part I stretch and get to workin. I too use heavy sticks when practicing...the heaviest things I can find. When I first started, I would use screw drivers, ratchets, whatever I had that was heavy and hit the area rug I got to put my kit on. I still do that sometimes. However no matter what I do I still find myself stumbling on many of the same things I have been practicing to improve on. All part of learning music I suppose.

I,am 70 yrs old, still playing when I feel pesky but I am down to slower singles,doubles and single paradittles but my tripplets still sound ok.

After saying the above, its my back that limits me more than anything else. My kicks are limited to what my back oks.

Thinking about giving it all up as it has/was a wonderfull fun time playing from my teens till now. Thru the 60s,70s, some80s, some ninetys, MAN it was a hell of a Grand Ride and I,am a happy man. Tom

Tom - Bop till you drop old man! No sense stopping now while there is still wind in the sails!

Eric wrote:

> My hands are slower than snot.

So is everybody else's! That's where technique comes in. Stop trying to play faster by using your hands... the second I go for speed, I go to fingers! Use the stick rebound to do all the work. I play trad grip, I use my thumb or forefinger of my left hand to tap the stick back down on the rebound. I use my ring finger on the right hand tapping the stick from underneath on the rebound. But the stick (rebound) and the small twitch muscles in my fingers is what is doing all the work. It's the same as dribbling a basketball! Think about how you tap it back down on the bounce. Same with drumsticks! You can move your fingers a lot faster than your entire hand. That's what let's you break through the speed barrier. Relax the hand and go to fingers! You should look into the Jo Jo DVD yourself. He covers all these technique related issues in a very comprehensive and easy to follow manner.

Watch Buddy Rich or Joe Morello when they are playing lightning fast single stroke rolls. Their hands are barely moving! But the fingers... the fingers are flying! Study the great ones, they give up all their secrets if you watch them carefully enough.

Watch this clip:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfibLdZmMng[/ame]

Remember: speed = fingers!

John

You may be right. I started with trad grip and somehow I morphed into matched grip as the times changed. I,ve completely forgotten how I used my fingers with that grip, but I did use my fingers for bouncing the stick so I may be able to go back quickly. Thanks for reminding me.

Now if there are any different ways to play with a hurting back I would like to know. I use double pedals with heel up, heel down, I can get two kicks using the toe slide? on one pedal. I,am thinking I,ll just have to accept the fact my back is just not trained for these new methods. I did play double bass but double pedals are relatively new to me. My brain tells me I can do things that thru all the years playing speedkings, I may need to go back to a single pedal. Does that make any sense at all? Anyway lifes still good. Tom

Tom - You wrote:

> Now if there are any different ways to play with a hurting back I would like to know.

Maybe one of these with the optional back rest is just what the doctor ordered!

http://rocnsoc.com/lunar-series.html

Check these seats out Tom. I can vouch for the playing comfort and ease of turning while you're playing. Excellent upper leg support and with the back rest that you can lean your back on when you're getting tired, this ergonomic seat seems like a good solution to your problem. Check them out for yourself.

John