[Ax]

that an arm would tense/freeze up? I was practicing the other day and my right arm completely seized and made me drop the stick. I've had a few drummers show me technique, so I think my technique is right, but i could be wrong... I was playing a really fast constant beat on the high hat and was not really moving my wrist or my arm much more than absolutely necessary... but I could feel the tendons or whatever seize, it was a little painful and made me drop the stick...

[jeepnstein]

It's normal. You need to build strength and endurance. The best way to do this is by playing your rudiments until you are sick of them, then play them again. Strength will help with control and timing. Drumming can be very physical if you let it. Proper stretching and warmup will help but in the end it comes down to building strength.

[AudioAUnderdog]

Yeah, happens to me too. The best thing to do is just take a little break when it happens and then dive back in. I play rudiments at the beginning of every practice for a minimum of 15 minutes (30 minutes is better) and it both loosens you up and builds endurance.

[snizzle]

I'm going to say that this is not normal. Or if it, it shouldn't be viewed that way. This mirrors a thread in the guitar forum about speed and tensing up. If you become tense when you play any instrument (especially if it was so tense that you had to drop the stick) something isn't right.

As they said, start with rudiments and other slow grooves. Speed is worthless if you injure yourself doing it and can't keep it steady because your arm is too tense to grip a stick.

Did you work your way up to speed (perhaps with a metronome) or just right into warp drive?
-shane

[Nate]

Originally Posted by snizzle

If you become tense when you play any instrument (especially if it was so tense that you had to drop the stick) something isn't right.

This deserves repeating, because it is the single most important thing any musician can learn. Removing tension will dramatically increase your tone, speed, accuracy, and enjoyment on any instrument whatsoever.

A drummer's arms should look like a flailing monkey's, roughly. If your wrist and arm are not moving, you're definitely not loose enough. Try this exercise: hold your arm at eye-level and then drop it. No, really drop it. Just release every ounce of control your body has over it.

Your wrist should give in, your elbow drop out, and your fingers just kind of float around. That's the feeling of weightless freedom from tension that will almost instantly improve your musicianship if you can master it. The paradox of playing an instrument is that less effort leads to greater strength and speed.

[caeman]

Possibly, you need to relax more. I encounter the same situation when I am teach someone new to archery. They hold the bow too tightly and upon release of the string, the bow moves, fingers get sore, frustration sets in. Start the fast stuff slow, then work up to the high speed when your body.

[Panhead Drummer]

Dude, I've been playing for yearz and it happens to me all the time. It only happens when i play fast though. instead of doing 8th notes on hats, try quarter notes on some songs.