Fitness and Drumming
Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 8:08AM 
This week I started a new strength training program at the gym. It involves a lot of different exercises, many of which are new to me, using a variety of equipment and resistances. One of the things I really love about weight training is the visible progress - I'm not talking about physical changes in one's body (although that is also a plus!), but in keeping a log and seeing the numbers on the page increase as your body improves at the different exercises. It's amazing, after a few weeks, to look back at Day 1 and remember how hard it was to lift that beginning weight. It's very satisfying to be able to look back and see measurable improvement that way.
I also find it fascinating how, after repeating a set of exercises a few times, one's mind automatically gets comfortable with doing it and finds the most efficient way to get it done. What feels like an awkward movement the first couple of times around eventually becomes so easy you don't even have to think about it.
Practicing any instrument is a lot like working out at the gym. Through many many repetitions, the musician's mind begins to automatically correlate a note on the page to the movement(s) required to create a specific sound on the instrument. Like the movements of a physical exercise, eventually the motions of playing an instrument become automatic. In my experience, reaching that threshold of being able to "sight read" the music has always been one of the most exciting moments of learning an instrument.
Getting back into the discipline of daily physical workout has gotten me thinking that with drumming, I should be on a parallel path of exercise. Rather than the free form format of practicing drums that I have used in the past, I'm going to implement a much more disciplined effort. I know I can do this, not only because of what I do at the gym now daily, but also because in the past I have done so with other instruments. But for some reason with the drums I just haven't been as structured with practice- probably because the genre of rock brings with it an unavoidable aspect of chaos. I don't need to let this chaos rule my drum workouts, though.
Beginning today, I will keep a practice log and perform an (as often as possible) daily practice routine. Just as I do at the gym, I will record the status of each exercise, and try to push myself forward a little more each time.
Hopefully in a few weeks I'll look back and say, "I can't believe how hard I thought those exercises were on Day 1"!
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Reader Comments (2)
You irritate me, Wendy.
Okay, I have to amend that. YOU don't irritate me. Your humility, dedication, and self-effacing forthrightness do. When I read on Mike's Facebook status update that you were starting a website called "Drummer Improvement Project," my immediate thought was, "Wow! How awesome that Wendy is putting up a site to pass along her skills and know-how to other drummers! Way to give back on your career experience! Oooh, I hope she puts up video lessons! I'm gonna swing by and pick up some pointers!"
So, imagine my shock and alarm when that's not at all what this turned out to be.
I mean...don't get me wrong. When it comes to any creative endeavor, I full well understand that the moment someone stops learning; the second they say, "Yep, I've got this thing down," that's when they ought to hang it up. Because to stop one's progress as an artist is to stagnate, and to stagnate is the first step of decay.
Even so...the thought never even entered my mind that "Drummer Improvement" was going to be aimed at YOU instead of focused on helping others. Although, admitting as much means I want to smack myself in the forehead. Because if I'd stopped to think about it past my knee-jerk reaction, I'd realize that putting yourself up as a paragon to emulate is so totally out of character for you that it would never even occur to you in the first place, much less progress to the point of your dedicating an entire website to the idea. This, regardless of the fact that your talent, experience and skill level means you could totally pull that off without breaking a sweat.
Suffice it to say, your humility has, in turn, humbled me. God knows I'VE got plenty to work on, and I've always been the first to admit as much. So, I'll be following your progress, such as it's remotely possible from my perspective for there to BE much room for "improvement" where you're concerned. And, as I've done for years, I'll draw from your experience, and work on playing catch-up to it.
DAMN you and your maddening modesty! I've said it forever...If you ever woke up with an actual sense of your cumulative coolness level, you'd be running the country inside of a fortnight. But the fact that you still don't know how very many socks you rock (and probably never will) just makes you cooler yet.
I'd say "good luck," but it's not like you're gonna need it. Thanks for being an inspiration.
-Jim.
I think implementing some weight workouts is a great idea. I know my running and general health improves greatly. The sooner you start using weights as a workout, the stronger your bones will be when you are 50 - 60- 70 - and beyond....
Dave
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