Drum Throne Height Mechanics, Prevent Back Pain, Increase Performance
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- Let's demystify choosing Drum Throne Height! Ultimately it all comes down to you, your specific anatomy and what your body can anatomically handle. This video will explore
1) basic mechanics of choosing drum throne height
2) playing drums doesn't mean back pain
3) increase performance by working within your bodies capabilities
4) simple step by step process
Skip forward to 8:29 to the step by step process if you are not interested in any of the science or reasoning.
Want more? Tell me about it. I am a studio musician as well and Exercise and Muscle Specialist. Tell me what you want to learn more about and we will talk about it!
chopmechanics
chop_mechanics
www.stratainternalperformance.com
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Nice video. This makes total sense. You are one of the few people on TH-cam who actually thinks correctly about anatomy and drumming. I can't tell you how many people sit too low and reduce their range of motion and think it's totally fine. It drives me crazy as a teacher. Good video.
Ryan Alexander Bloom So many 80’s guys and jazz drummers do it. They sit so low that their foot work suffers so bad.
This comment alone is extremely helpful.
So Gadd, Garibaldi, Blade, Horacio "el negro", Weckl, Vinnie Collaiuta, who made a carrier sitting very low are "wrong" ? Come on...
@@jpb93360 yes. Not gonna qualify it. They would have less potential for pain or long term injury if they sat at a reasonable height for their own body size. They’re also constantly fighting against a reduced range of motion in their hips.
@@RyanAlexanderBloom How do you know Gadd, Garibaldi Blade Horacio etc have injuries ? They play this way for decades. They would have changed if so painful. It's a fact you should consider.
This is a good video! My percussion ensemble professor, in college, taught me that I should adjust the throne to where the snare sits at my belt buckle, and my legs rest on the floor at a 90° angle. I always wondered why she was so specific about these instructions, and this video explains it thoroughly. It's a crime that this isn't taught in music classes.
Drums need more people like this who explain how to drum comfortable and be comfortable for the rest of their life playing drums. Great video!
4 seconds into video... "oh, is he Canadian?"
10 min into video... "This is way more informative and useful than I thought it was going to be."
Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! And busted… Canadian 😂
That was awesome, Brandon. As an older guy with a semi-worn out back just starting to play, your video was super helpful. Thank you so much!
Hey Brandon, I just stumbled upon this YT video. Excellent disclosure of anatomical info. I'm 69 YO, have plenty of spinal issues (Stenosis [lumbar and cervical], Degenerative Disc Disease, Facet Joint Arthritis , and a number of disc bulges / herniations) and a shorter right leg resulting from a fractured right femur in 1966 (15 years old, playing HS Football) I started to play drums again after a 50+ year Hiatus. Now retired, Due to the physical disabilities, I play drums recreationally in my Basement Studio created during COVID Hibernation in 2020. I play along to My Music : CCR, Petty, Clapton, Stones, Cars, Beatles, Mellencamp, etc., mostly basic Rock N Roll. I play a single Bass Drum - Heel down , always did, but definitely more so now with that shorter leg affecting so much in my posture and spine condition. You have a fascinating background of a Studio Drummer and a PT. Your tips are very valuable. In my case, with heel down playing (I just cannot play Heel up), the height of the throne is Crucial to me. I will try your web site for more data. I don't do Instagram, or Facebook. THX again for the insight and info. Word to You Folks out there : Take care of your SPINE !!!!. It is the essence of your overall Well Being . Having Chronic Pain and Stiffness SUX BIG TIME !!!
Came for basics on drum throne height but got an entire wealth of knowledge. You’ve definitely got my sub.
I know this video doesn't have as many views as you would prefer, but THANK YOU. Some of us are really cognizant of joint/spine issues and want to avoid them, if possible.
This video is extremely helpful. I started playing drums when I was 11, I'm 51 now. It has taken a toll on my body over the years. Using the info in this video I'm hoping to continue to play for many years to come.
Thank you !
I play low sit for 24 years just cause when I started playing drums I was influenced by Dave Grohl who sits real low and bashes hard from under, towards up and far too... Over the years I did lift my throne a bit but still cant call myself a "high sitter" so I'll consider testing this higher engle from now on and see how it effects my back issues... Great video and hello from Tel Aviv
Same here...sitting high is a life changer, my heel/toe technique improved soooo much!!!
I did the same. Read in that MusicRadar article from 2010 and did it for 2 years. Raised my seat and everything changed.
Are u sitting comfortably, well I am. I am tall 6ft, so I have always found that I tended to sit fairly high, its so much more comfortable.
This gives me a wide range of movement and my feet don't lock up up either. I play heel up.
I recently after 30yrs of using the same drum throne ( with a motorcycle seat style, backrest and gas shock adjustment) had it recovered, with a split down the middle as Ahead and Carmichael are now producing.
This is even more comfortable and will ultimately protect my spine.
So thanks for such an informative vid.....
passtheparcel2007 thanks for taking the time to share!
I want to buy a drum throne that could serve me well, i can't decide which one. I am 6'3 tall and 280lbs, can you suggest me a proper drum throne?
Old vid I know but really helpful. Im 60 and have a buggered back. I have never been able to sit behind the kit for extended periods. Now I know why. Thanks.
Thanks! Still the most popular video - ha! Glad that it’s helping
thank you! just got an e-kit after a few years without anything (been playing since high school). went hard for a couple hours and woke up to intense pain on my left side - now i know it’s from my body compensating for the lack of motion my hip had sitting up way too high.
Electric kits often get set up much lower because of the size of the instrument. We can’t make that mistake !! Glad this helped!!!
I found myself slouching and having back pain. I bought a Mapex throne with spring loaded backrest and raised my toms and snare. So far it is working.
It's so important thing in drumming wrong position gets lower back pain that sciatica , good information for drummers thank you
Bro that's so cool thank you.i use to sit low now I don't.i noticed I had more cramps when I was low.Now I sit hi no more cramps are pain.You saved a lot of drummers pain by this.Awsome man
Awesome! Thanks so much!
Thank u for this video dude!! I realized my back its compromised from playing to low many years!!
Glad this is helping!
Picked this up after watching 80/20. Thanks.
Hope you enjoy it!
Great video!
Austin Burcham thanks for commenting!!! Huge compliment from you!
Six years late I find this video, thank you so very much!! This is an important topic and I am really happy that you shared this!! I sincerely appreciate you and this video.
Glad it was helpful!
I ve been playing drums for 21 years now, and I have to say that this video is totally accurate. Excellent information. This issue is KEY not even for the drummer´s health, but also to get to play drums with no tension and easier, much easier. It took me years to realize what this video is telling.
this is all valid info, and great. whats not covered is the fact most drummers sit on thrones that are solid seats, and those seats compress the bottom of your spine, Check out the Carmichael Throne Company. A doctor who makes chairs and thrones. Theres a 3 inch gap in the middle of the throne vertically, when you sit in the middle of the gap , your spine is no longer compressed, alleviating any discomfort that mayve been there previously. Been using this for close to 6 years now, best thing to ever happen to the throne market. One more thing about the content in this video, if you're lifting your legs as high as the video depicted to play your bass drum or hi hat, you're defeating any technique thats going to help you , and obviously , you're going to have discomfort because you're using way more energy then is necessary .
As a life long drummer & Chiropractor well done Brandon~! The forward curve (lordotic) of the neck and lumbars help absorb shock under axial loading. Ideally sitting as upright and neutral as possible is ideal. There are times most have to lean into the kit a bit, which is fine but try to return upright as a habit. It is a serious topic because once permanently damaged our one spine for life can lead to surgeries and disability. I also highly recommend a backrest because I've seen drummers with osteoarthritic spurs and disc bulges as early as 32. Great Job~! I may post one as well.
Thanks, Dr. Peavy. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Single handedly the most informative and important drum video I've watched in my 20 years of drumming. Thank you this is such a help!
I’m honoured!!!! Thanks
I'm currently suffering from chronic back pain due to a lumbar injury and an epidural from an operation due to a mid section injury. Drums are my life and i make my living with it. When I work out, i do squats with weights when i want to strengthen my back, legs and sciatic, but every time i'm done exercising and even icing, i'm still in pain. This demonstration really helped a lot in giving me an insight on how important it is to take care of your back as drummer, or for anyone sitting for very long periods of time. Thanks for posting !
Subbed !
This week I have been watching these kinds of videos on drum chairs, but this is the best one that I have seen so far. Have you done another video on this subject focusing on the height adjustments of those chairs in relation to the height, anatomy, and preferences that a particular drummer finds to be comfortable?
Yes! Check my most most recent throne video. I think it was about 2 months ago. I also have a Book that will be done draft in a week... hope to have it our year end. Lots more detail about thrones and “sitting” in it!
@@brandondrummechanics Thank you. I will search for and watch your recent throne video. Also, I would like to read your book on the subject when it is available. Will it be available at Amazon or is it already available there?
This is great. Thank you. ...Weird optical illusion with the clear floor tom and the bass drum... Looks like they are merged and occupying the same space.
I miss that kit!!
This is one best and most informative videos I've come across on TH-cam. The practical side I was quite familiar with but it was interesting and very helpful to hear about the physiological side, also. Keep this up! There are too many people saying harmful things, especially about drumming ergonomics. Good job!
EJarvenpaa thank-you!!!
Thank you for this advice. I've been playing for 25+ years and recently having some hip joint pain after replacing my kick pedal. Used the same one pretty much the entire time. I know I need to make some adjustments and this knowledge to consider is very helpful.
Getting back playing after herniated disc, this video is just perfect! Exactly what I needed to know , already had my seat height roughly right but now I know the mechanics behind it and how to test to make sure it’s perfect with feet space too! Thanks for making it 🙌
This is a really fantastic video! I'm glad the subject is being covered. I just got back into drumming last year after a few years away (been playing for 25 years altogether), and I set my throne too low. I'm a session player, so I play everything, but one of my main gigs is a black metal band, and so it's hours and hours of double kick all the time. I messed up my left hip quite badly from sitting too low, and having my kicks too far apart. I've since re-arranged my kit (so now I'm a black metal drummer that looks like he's trying to be Steve Gadd), brought my feet closer together, raised the throne, and my hip has been improving. It's still pretty tender sometimes, especially after a three hour rehearsal, but I don't think I'll have to walk with a cane any time soon, haha. :) Any good advice for stretching exercises for people recovering from injuries like that?
Myke Lewis yoga
Thank you for this information.
I have a bad back pain and knee joints.
This video is super helpful.
I play drums will low throne.
I'm surely rises my throne after this point.
This video still relevant for so many years to come.
Thank you again. 🙏🏽🙂
Great video. I've noticed hip flexor pain and pain in my lower back after playing long 3 hour shows, where after the show my back is in need of serious stretching. I've been doing kettle bell workouts to strengthen my back and my core, along with yoga to alleviate pain and avoid injury. I'm going to set down my kit and watch this video as a guide to make sure I'm doing what I can to maximize performance and avoid injury. Great insight, great video.
Gnarl Sagan thanks for your comment. I'm glad this helps. Staying within your active motion is one of the best ways to make sure that there are no abnormal forces going to your body and this often leads to less discomfort!
Thanks mate. I thought that I was sitting rather high, but after your tips I have moved my seat ridiculously high. Amazing: 30 minutes double bass I am faster, hits are stronger, less effort.
Also my arms reach is greater.
Thanks!!
I've had a fusion l4 and l5 and just had another surgery for s1 and l6.... This is the first advice that I have seen to help me to continue to play with reduced pain. Thank you very much!
Everett
Great video! It's really nice to have someone explaining what is happening with my body opposed to people telling you you should sit this of that way.
Brandon, thanks for breaking this down. Ever so often I have a day where my base drum foot is not working as well as is normally dose. Seat hight, distance from the base drum, position, balance on the stool all have a play finding my comfort zone. Thats easy to say however hard to find.
My throne is set to where my thighs are just almost parallel to the floor but, at a very oh-so-slight upward angle with my hips higher than my knees. Hi-hat sets comfortably.. when I look down, my legs are equally distributed apart with the snare in the middle. Positive, equal control with both feet and well-balanced. Everything feeling natural and relaxed.
Enjoyed your video and the tips you've provided. Peace.
I often thought about the mechanics of your body before playing and is there a way to tell what height is good for playing long term, so i have experimented for years and never really found a happy medium ,So NOW i have something to work with .Thanks for breaking it down for me
Fantastic. I just adopted a lefty practice kit upstairs so I can try and balance out the two sides and get a more balanced core overall.
Brilliant! Absolutely no one talks much about this sort of thing but is super important if you want to keep playing drums when you get older. When I was young I sat low but as I got older I started sitting higher because it made my back feel better. Vinnie also mentioned this in one of his interviews years ago
thanks. had L5-S1 discectomy a few years ago. getting back into playing and trying to choose a throne, and i'm already a big guy (6'3" and usually 250-270lbs) so all this is great.
thanks, this was very helpful ... my back used to get so tight I could barely stand up after an hour of playing... I have played since I was a kid, and sure wish my first drum teacher had passed this advise on to me years (and years) ago.. great job man!
Thanks for the anatomical insight! I've always prioritized comfort when playing drums - low cymbal placement to avoid shoulder strain, not too wide between pedals and proper spring tension, etc.
Great info!
Roland Canada thanks for your time, Roland. Appreciate the comment!
Thank you for taking the time to cover this topic, you did an excellent job
Glad it was helpful!
This was the first video I saw of yours, what a fantastic explanation. Now i wonder if all the years as a piano payer this is why i was getting back pain as well from all the pedal work and sitting too low. Drums i play heel up and traditional grip so i have to sit pretty high even if I'm not that tall. Thanks for the video.
I've felt the pain. I find that sitting up right, like you would in a normal chair, helps. Aside from that, when you're playing quickly with a double bass pedal, it helps a lot to actually get used to playing on the balls of your feet, rather than flat footed. I tend to do flat foot playing only when I'm playing slower songs such as "Undone (The Sweater Song)" by Weezer.
Hi Brandon, this is a highly neglected topic in music programs - I find this, to say the least, irresponsible. All the programs that I attended during my musical studies in various countries ignored the risks of getting hurt by assuming a bad posture while playing an instrument. I myself have serious problems (I am 47). Thank you for this video. Keep on posting them! All the best...
Returning to this video as it popped up after years.... 1) sound mechanics are crucial no matter what your gear, but buying a 4 legged AHEAD Spinal Glide throne w the ass crack was a GAME CHANGER for me. I also have spinal issues, a bit of Lombar but alot of Cervical.
2) you should do a collab with Marthyn Jovanivic from Austria, he's the only other drummer I've seen address human anatomy and it's majorly important with death metal/blast beat athletics.
Sound has improved exponentially! This was an ad hoc lap top recording and well... is still circulating! crazy. I'll check him out!!!
Wow. Thanks a lot, I think you helped me understand why my body hurts(lightly) after each session.
Finally a good explaining video on this topic. I have been saying this to my students for years now.
Thank you very much for your advices!! 😎🥁
I actually had no idea this was so associated with drumming. Explains why I now wake up with excruciating back pain 😎
Thank you so much! I've never thought about this before. Liked and subscribed to your channel!
Thanks so much! Glad this helped !
Brilliant presentation. Very helpful.
Thanks!!!
Thank you so much. I'm sure you get tons of comments on this, but I wanted to give you some more positive feedback. I've been a touring drummer for many years now, I used to play with a super low throne. For some reason I liked it. When I hit 25-27 it became very uncomfortable. I then lifted my throne and it got better. I guess over time I've let it sink lower and I've noticed that I'm losing circulation. I tried this and it helped a lot! Thank you so much again!
Excellent video with good information. There are plenty of videos telling you HOW to setup your kit, but not many providing the WHY and how to determine what's best for you. Well done.
Finally a video that shows the proper way analyze and understand drum throne height. Great stuff Brandon. Thanks for sharing.
Dude your awesome! I've been drumming for 10 years and a physiotherapist for 5 years and it's great to see finally a video with everything explained about the precautions through anatomy about drumming. Keep it up! Spread the word!
ABSOLUTELY please make more videos like this. I just finished a course of Physical Therapy where we dealt with my back but we didn't get into my drumming much.
Thanks for this! I really appreciated the medical science approach with the visual model of the spine. It really helped me figure out why my back was hurting when I played.
Hi Brandon, this video is pretty good from a Movement studies clinical angle. There are times among its 12 min such as the spine prop that went a bit slow. Its great that you specialized in this direction it just seems distant from your audience. Any drummer near a drum set will want to throw a few chops down and no one is really sure if you actually do play drums. Even the best theories of seat height can seem good until application .. and thats where this video has its single difficulty.. the chain of stress is upper body mainly. Even though the prime movers are the lats/pecs/delts, a drum set of a hardhitting intermediate might be the real issue. They amass a huge set , nearly 300degrees of drums but they don't know to play disciplined to have a sectional attitude to their work. How good are they spinning in their seat? Do they oil it? The drum seat I have is a ddrum heavy hitter. the connection to the seat post can be tightened but I don't so I can freely move..I would suggest emphasizing 1) limiting the size of the set to the functional needs of album or set list, 2)economizing that space, 3) go to your old songs and see if beginners/young musician ignorances cause tweeks in your back and maybe change the part or the set to help aleve those strains. 4) See if any of your young players habits have leaked into newer songs because of the placement of the drums. I feel some drummers want to look like the wild maniac behind their drums if their hero is fast paced and deliberately sabotage some biomechanics IMMEDIATELY to emulate someone elses kit.
the class every drummer should attend
Great vid Brandon! I have the chance of having a drum teacher who is also a kinesiologist... He made me changed my position behind the kit: height of trone, legs position, cymbals and toms heights and placements!!! It is a bit difficult at the beginning but the human body is such a wonderful machine that can adapt quickly. My playing has changed since, more fluid cause there are less tension and no more pain after long hours!!! Keep up the good work 😊
very good video sitting low on a drum kit is asking for back trouble
great tip. I appreciate it. I am victim of sitting too low and it has been giving me lower back pains.
I too am a Personal Trainer! I love your presentation! The problem I have is when I play someone' else's drum kit at open mic jams! Lol! Most of the time I don't have time to adjust the throne, cymbals and etcetera, due to be called up on a whim. Boy do I feel the difference from my set up at home! Ouch!
Thank you for this. Been doing it "wrong" all these years (been playing for more than 30 years! I used to go for the thighs parallel to the floor concept. Will experiment now and really dial it in.
Dang for years I've been wanting to see a video like this! I'm 6' 5" (longg legs) and have had hip pain whenever I have to fill in for someone at church who has everything set up too low for me. Nice work Brandon. Thanks!
Wow, awesome man! Thanks you. Love to hear that!
Doc, you just changed my life
Thanks for doing this video. . . as we get older, I think our comfortable position changes and paying attention to an ergonomic set up is so important . . . THANKS for doing this! The whole lower spine capability part was really an eye opener!
Thankyou. You are a superb and articulate communicator Brandon. Some invaluable guidance, truth and wisdom.
Thanks for the very kind words! Thanks for watching
Keep going man! I would love to know all the Kinesiology behind hitting the drums! I hate the thought of not being able to play without restrictions and it would no doubt help a lot of people!!
blrsycth thank-you! I have a few more videos in the works starting with floor tom placement, hihat placement and stick mechanics
Awesome. I experience back pain and now I have an idea how to resolve it.
Thank´s for this video!
I'm glad there's people like you who wants to help drummers and musicians to prevent body aches!
I would like to watch a video dedicated to the arms and fingers for those who we use finger control technique
Again, great video!
Thanks a lot!
Thanks!
As a drummer and a teacher, this is hugely helpful. Thank you!
Great video and very informative. Especially valuable in light of increased playing in addition to a lot of golf. Should help with my lower right back pain. Thanks.
Awesome video. I'm the kind of person who needs to know how any particular system works so I can manipulate it in the most efficient/beneficial way possible and I thought I was just going to get simple info on how high I should set my throne versus my body height or whatever, but what you explained was a lot more informative. I'm just starting out on the drums so this is really good info for me.
Dude, thank you very much for that! After twenty years, I can slowly feel back pain creeping in, I'll be using this video to god of that, thank you!!
excellent video, thank you so much!
Finnally somebody made a Video on this! Thank You.
Thank you for this information! 👌🏻🥁💯
Thanks for watching! I appreciate it!
Awesome video. One of the big things I’ve done is to set my throne based on the dynamics of the gig I’m playing. Not that I’m trying to inhibit the physical capacity of my performance, but it’s almost subconscious for me to play more laid back when my hip to knee joint is parallel with the floor. However, if I know I’m going to be slamming away while sitting in on a hard rock gig, I will sit where my hip is 2-3” above my knee, increasing ROM. Obviously Snare/HH height have to be adjusted as well. Just the method to my madness. Give it a try!
Great job! This is exactly what I've been looking for. Now I understand why some of my idols have this weird curved positions when playing.
haha yes! I believe this is why too!
Fantastic video!!!
Thanks for watching!!!
For me, your discussion on mechanics is an essential (and overlooked) aspect in the art/discipline of the drum-set. Excellent and valuable tutorial. Great job, great contribution! Keep at it and thank you for posting.
Thank you Brandon, very helpful, as this is an area of drumming, along with stick grip, that I still revisit after 53 years of drumming.
It is a process! especially as we age! Thanks
Awesome info Brandon, and super well delivered! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge in relation to drums, really interesting to understand and reassess. I'd be keen to learn more about proper positioning of a kit depending on different body types, and perhaps even simply understanding the effects of playing drums on the body; how does playing this instrument affect our joints/muscles, what are long-term results, what can we do to prevent damage, ect ! Thanks again man :)
NICKARIA thanks for your comment. Great idea. Being such a physical instrument there are a lot of different facets to explore. Noted!
This is fantastic, Brandon. Thank you very much. I'd be interested in hearing your educated opinion when it comes to where on the throne you should be positioned in order to get the most support for your spine, and keep the most balance. Centered, further back, further forward, etc!
I've been taught some ways to check if you're positioned well, and I'd like to hear your take on that, too. The test is: Can you lift your feet off the floor without having to lean back/etc to "make up" for the weight and balance difference. In theory; if you can lift both of your feet off the ground without having the rest of your body move, you're in a good position when it comes to optimal support for the back. Is this true? Do you have other techniques?
Again, thanks for this, and I will definitely share it. This kind of information is incredibly valuable.
Maximiliam Andersson thank you very much for your comment in the kind words. What you're talking about is it the centre of mass of an individual over their base of support. It's a great topic of conversation and definitely something that deserves some time. Based off are you place yourself on your throne, the shape of the throne, the height of the throne, and the specific task you're trying to achieve with your feet will all play variable into balance. Simply, fine with most comfortable and see how that work! I'll create a video with more specifics to help answer that question. Thank you
he forgets that depends of your height also!!sitting too high gives me pain on my lower back.since im a tall guy,i followed my body and let him tell me where im more confortable,cos also realized if you have long legs and arms,you can sit more far away from the kit.i been working on this for the last 5 years since im not 20 anymore.by sitting a bit lower,you have more control on your kicks and save lots of energy.
Great video.. thanks
Explaining the body mechanics is really really helpful. Ty
thanks a lot, very helpful for drummers with back issues like me
Thanks for this video. Very important things to think about. By the way you just confirmed for me somethings about playing position that I have practiced through the years. Now I have something to back it up! Thank you.
Hello Brandon. I am just recovering from hip surgery. Mainly due to years working as a visiting Chiropodist. My work involves a low seated position. My consultant says I must adapt a new working position (higher) as could be a risk of hip dislocation due to my hips going beyond 90 °.
I need portability, so drum throne best, I think. I do feel saddle type seat best & definitely hydraulic to allow easy adjustment without too much bending.
Need a range 450-650cm
A different use for drum throne, hope it works
Great information. I'd like to see drumming rotator cuff pain or c-spin
A few years late but thank you
Sorry I wasn’t sooner!
What I would have given for this information 7 years ago. Thank you!
Solid info! Thanks, Brandon. I'm almost 40 and pain has started to become an issue. I'm looking forward to applying this info.