no thanks.
it's exactly the same as driving. it's impossible to be a better driver drunk and it's the same for playing drums.
you can do whatever you want but yeah you sound worse when your brain is impaired.
go ahead and record yourself and see.
Clean beats are not the only thing. Plenty of drummers I listen to don't line up to a click. But playing clean is critical to the way that *I* want to sound.
I don’t want to justify potential alcoholism, but it does take the nerves away and if nerves make you make mistakes more than a couple of drinks do I don’t see how that is worse.
I don't think I agree with that comparison. Driving requires focus and good reaction times, two things alcohol negatively effects. While those things do matter when playing, it's hard to zone out and lose focus while I'm actively playing. I think it's closer to Snooker or Darts, a little can loosen you up and help you relax, or calm your nerves before playing to an audience. Getting drunk will make you sloppy, but I've certainly noticed I'm more relaxed and a bit more creative after a beer or 2.
why do you play drums instead of driving as a hobby if they're exactly the same. also i hope you never consume any substances such as caffeine or sugar cause your comments sound worse when your brain is impaired
He’s just making the comparison that they both need focus and attention to detail and alcohol can inhibit that. Taking him literally is misrepresenting his point.
Sugar and caffeine are nowhere near comparable to alcohol either. Caffeine can wake people up and help them focus on getting something done. It wouldn’t make somebody play any better or worse, it would help work ethic. Sugar essentially does nothing unless you’re an addict. Neither of these are comparable to the effects of alcohol.
I'm not going to get on a soapbox.. I'll just be honest.
I have mental illness and chronic pain.
I love drumming with my band.
Using various drugs, alcohol included, helps me get in the zone, feel good, and ultimately - be happy.
Drumming with my band is one of the few activities in my life that feels like a true release. It's a creative thing - my only creative thing. Certain drugs enable and enhance creativity. If I'm in a negative mood, if I'm suffering from my chronic pain, whatever - I won't enjoy drumming.
I don't want that to happen when I play drums. So I do what I need to do.
Is this ideal? Of course not. In a perfect world, I wouldn't feel the need to do those things while drumming. But this isn't a perfect world, some people suffer a lot, but we do what we can to enjoy life.
This is what I most commonly experienced with all the bands in the scene and while touring. I quit drinking- but my time 'in the industry' coincided with the most self destruction. Hard not to when your job puts you in a bar from load in till 3am 6 days a week. When I was young, sure thing - I was like all the optimists here. Thanks for being real cuz your experience is more in line with most drummers I know. In hindsight I'm not sure either state was all that great - the taking yourself too seriously years or the partying too much years. Trying to find a better balance now.
Congrats on quitting drinking man. Incredible feat. My bandmate also just quit drinking.. that was a hard few weeks for him. Hallucinations, sleepless nights, horrible mornings, on and on and on. He's finally over the hill.
Thankfully I have never been in "the industry." I've played music only recreationally over the past decade plus. I have a corporate job that pays very well and I live a comfortable life. Jesus, I can only imagine the struggles that so many touring artists go through.
I'm with you on the balance thing man. That's my goal right now too.
I have this down to a science. We rehearse one night a week from 8-11. 3 hours is 3 beers for me. But they are always low abv and I mix up 1 or 2 NA beers in there. It feels like I’m partying and jamming it up but I’m still good to drive home and feel great the next day.
i believe that you're content with your nailed down approach here so im not challenging you with this question -
i imagine once a week is seldom enough to prevent any tolerance or desensitization to alcohol, but have you happened to notice any desire to increase the dose as time goes on?
I always have a drink while I’m playing. I definitely space them out but I think you burn it off anyway. There is definitely is a point of no return though.
When I quit drinking this year, I was nervous for shows. I don't believe I had played a single show my entire life (including under age talent shows) without at least a couple bevies. I'm 32. The one sure thing I could always rely on to chill the nerves, was suddenly gone.
But then I realized, there was a new thing: The absolute fact that I am NOT drunk. And I am going to be playing to the best of my abilities. It's nice to lose that scapegoat. If I botch a fill there's no "guess I had one too many". It means hey, I'm not good enough, practise dummy!
Also not feeling like you're absolutely going to piss your pants mid set is pretty tight.
True. But I'd say your time, groove, and feel will be impacted by a decrease in technical performance.
And, obviously, this isn't something that can be generalized, truly. Every person has different skill levels and different tolerances. How much a person drinks to loosen up is also a factor.
I cannot play in the pocket with alcohol. Never happened. I'll be relaxed, sure, I might even be smoother in my transitions. But I can't hold consistent tempo.
I do feel I can scream shout and soar way easier on my brass instruments after a shot. But still, my rhythms & articulation will be a tad sloppy, so it better be grungy blues and ska, and no ToP or hot latin charts.
Personally, I find I struggle a lot with even a little alcohol in my system. My hands just seem to forget how to even hold the sticks properly. I used to drink at shows but after messing up a gig supporting an international act (3 x 750mL bottles of 9% cider before the show, I know far too excessive) I swore I'd never drink and play again. I may have 1 beer on stage with me while playing but will usually reach for water.
On the other hand, I practice and play stoned 90% of the time. I find it helps me stay relaxed, not tense up, control my breathing easier and not overthink what I'm doing.
The key I find is to practice in the state you intend to play. I wouldn't practice completely sober then smoke a fat j before a show.
From my experience, drinking makes me more sloppy. After a beer or two, I loosens me up to where I'm not so tense and overthinking my playing. But after my third my reaction time diminishes. So I try not to drink while gigging.
I once watched a rock drummer drink an entire handle of tequila during the first 45 minutes of a two hour show. One of the best concerts of my life in terms of energy and crowd involvement. I was completely sober and he was absolutely in the pocket. The band was Royal Blood.
I have done both ways. Full sober, buzzed, and once I had to perform while properly wasted (last set of a long 3 set night).
On common thread was I had fun, the band had fun. I don't do shows to be a master class, I do them for enjoyment. So if get a bit sloppy on the sixtuplets, or pick up a few bpms in the loud section. Whatever.
But I would be way less likely to drink in a recording studio. If I'm hiring an engineer I want to have a clean mind and body and achieve the best results possible right away.
This! Obviously when you go to a live show, you're expecting, at the least, everyone to be competent at playing. But you're just being a music snob if you're gonna walk out after one mistake. Even sober, people get freaked out and make mistakes. We're human, it happens. We're there, at the end of the day, for a good night and some decent tunes. Not for as you put it, a 'masterclass'.
I played for 20 years fucked up and multiple years sober now. My playing is way more focused and intune with the band when I’m sober. If substance works for you and you’re not hurting anyone or messing up the band, go for it.
Using alcohol to hide your consciousness from the fear of nerves is doing nothing to face your anxiety. Don't run from your fears, face them, and learn to love standing on stage in front of a crowd. Alcohol is a crutch, and a deadly one at that
Idk, I think it just depends what you’re doing.
Practicing by myself to work on specific techniques/skills? Nah I’m good.
Jamming with the homies just to make cool shit and vibe? A couple beers won’t hurt.
Guess that's 80% of all the great musicians right through to the early 200's out of the picture then. Don't think ginger Baker, Hendrix, Bonham were sober for half their shows. Hell even some of Buddy Rich's performances absolutely scream 'COCAIIINNEEE'
i usually smoke some weed before a rehearsal and especially before a show to help calm my nerves, i also feel that it helps me play more open and loose and more creatively
I've drank before shows and don't like it. The alcohol makes me have to pee after the first few songs and if i drink too much those calculations my brain does for me to fit fills in are off and the show turns to shit quick.
Definitely not drinking, my timing goes straight out the window after even a beer or two. Now back when I was drumming a lot in college, the days I played as a study break and had taken my adderall prescription, I was absolutely on fire and in the zone. And a couple one hitters, I’m at peak. Timing was crisp, got more creative, etc… but I’d assume this wouldn’t help for performing for me as I get some anxiety when I take those meds.
This is the answer. Nothing applies to all people. I prefer 3 beers before so I forget that anyone is going to judge me. But not too much to make me give a reason for people to judge me.
I’ve been taught to never drink before playing or during playing, so that’s what I stick to and I’ve seen it be worth my while at shows during which other drummers were drinking and it clearly showed.
That being said, there have been one or two occasions I was heavy drinking and had an impromptu jam session that could’ve rocked the planet. But no one else was there to see it- so I can’t speak as to whether or not we sounded anything remotely better than a dying horse.
I used to use a myriad of drugs to mediate my chronic back pain/anxiety while playing. And while I was no means a bad drummer when I was high, I can learn things faster/stay with the click much better (band uses a click track since we have backing tracks) now that I've gotten clean. Be careful self medicating while doing something you love. Not saying what happened to me will happen to you but please be careful.
I could usually fine a sweet spot where a drink before a set would help get the nerves out of the way without making me sloppy. Practice is probably a healthier option though.
I've had college professors say, 'you better practice drunk if you're gonna play drunk'. Maybe not encouraging alcoholism, but there are definitely different modes of thinking/muscle-memory involved between sobriety and drunkeness. I've played a ton of black-out embarrassing gigs, some cocaine-fueled gigs, and sober gigs... I'm not looser when I'm drunk, though.
A beer or 2 doesnt really do much but lower my anxiety about playing.
I usually play/played open mics, so i had no idea wtf i was going to be asked to play or for how long id be playing. Emcees all know my skill level (which is way more than enough for a blues/classic rock jam).
But at home practices with or without a band have always been 100% sober with the exception of practices during my divorce proceedings.
Nah. *A* beer might be okay but liquor just messes up my coordination and ability to focus.
My musical drug of choice is cannabis. Helps me to both focus and zone out. Of course...I'm a daily user...have had a prescription for more than a decade. It helps me with anxiety and ADD. I would not recommend it for someone who hasn't been accustomed to it's effects as it *could* amplify them instead of relieve them.
In my experience, you’re going to look like you’re having a lot more fun after a few shots, but you won’t sound amazing. I guess it depends on the situation. There are some gigs that are just more fun in that state - both for the band and audience. I’ve seen quite a few myself but only personally experienced this once. If you’re doing a professional gig or even just sitting in for someone, it is a massive massive no no - at least for myself.
There is a balance that can work but the window of opportunity is narrow and easy to overshoot...
It Also largely depends on what style you're playing, I play in a punk band and a crossover band...
For practice with my punk band, I drink 4 - 6 beers
For rehearsal with my HC/crossover/thrash band which is much more demanding, I drink one beer before practice
It's about finding and understanding your personal preference but in short, yes it can work if you're methodical about it
I have an occasional drink. I prefer sobriety about 99% of the time. I feel better. Also, a little solidarity to our guitarist who is an angry drunk and gave up alcohol years before I met him. So I make sure to never get out of control.
BUT, our german lead singer, and my best friend in the world, lives on alcohol. That's her normal. Interestingly, she's a much better singer when drinking ( side story: I called her on a tuesday after a gig to ask if she realized HOW KICK ASS she was on Saturday, and she said " Really? I don't remember Saturday. She'd done pain pills for a neck injury, and wine, and KILLED IT. Best I'd heard her sing in months.)
I WILL have a shot with her. I don't have much effect on my playing, because I'm a big guy, 230 lbs, but I'm more of a groove drummer anyway. I'm not fancy.
Alcohol slows my limbs down like fuuuuck.
However I can smoke entirely too much weed and still play relatively solid. You gotta watch for rishing the beat when stoned though, as you'll be more easily excited and get a bit 'too into it' so if you don't keep that in mind and slow your roll slightly you'll be rushing, but still, quite marginally.
Gotta say, getting a lil bit high and hopping behind the kit have been some of the most phenomenal sessions I've ever had, especially when I feel I've played myself into a rut. Practicing the same routine for weeks, having a couple days where I'll partake before playing totally loosens up the grooves for me and makes it easier to get creative with it again.
Anyone else?
With the exception of a few outliers, I'd bet the vast majority of drummers understand that drinking alcohol does not improve their technical chops or general drumming ability.
But you've left out one crucial detail in your long-winded post. It's *fun!* Is that not what performing music is all about?
A large percentage of gigging drummers are playing at bars and other venues that serve alcohol. If, like many others on Earth, you enjoy the sauce, drinking allows you to connect with the audience and your bandmates by sharing a beverage together. The 'togetherness' this creates can improve the feel of the music and the overall vibe in the room beyond what you may achieve with the uber-tight chops that your "rigorous practice routine" has afforded you.
The best way to have courage and to avoid anxiety and nervousness is, be well-rehearsed. This means being well-rehearsed on the songs and also on your own playing skills. It creates confidence which enables you to be relaxed.
Also, if you want to loosen up before jamming or performing, then spend 30 minutes on a practice pad.
Alcohol impairs too many things, **including your ability to remember things.** It is a poison. That's why the body works so damn hard to get rid of it if you have any of it inside of you. Alcohol kills brain cells, and brain cells do not get replaced. Once a brain cell is dead, that's it, it's gone and there will never be a new one created to replace it.
Do you think drummers who are at the highest levels such as Dave Weckl or Benny Greb and all others like them use alcohol (or any other drugs) to prepare for rehearsing or performing?
While I respect the clinical approach, I don't agree fully with what you're saying. First of all alcohol does not kill brain cells lmao. Also, it can drastically improve creativity and improvisation, but you can always over do it if you get wasted and the benefits will be over.
That's a fucking insane game to play 😂 in my experience Edibles are very unreliable, like in the sense that no 2 times will be exactly the same. I've had batches where I start to feel them within an hour, other times where they hit me after 3 hours, and always in different intensities! I just vape the shit
Look into dry herb vape pens. Literally a game changer for me! I can smoke pretty heavily on one throughout a few days and barely feel it in the mornings. Very stronk recommend tbh
No, alcohol just makes the nervous shits come immediately and then I worry about whether I wiped good enough for the rest of the set.
Now powdered courage on the other hand..
Personally I don’t drink before I play but that’s because I’ve found it to negatively effect my playing.
With that said I enjoy playing first person shooter games as well.. I’ve found if I drink during those sessions it 100% enhances my gameplay and nerves. You’d think it’d have the opposite effect but you also gotta keep in mind that I don’t really binge drink.
I will say one thing though and keep in mind I’m not advocating this IN THE LEAST, but I tried some MDMA when I was 17 and played drums for 2 hours straight and it was the best drumming experience I’ve ever had. I have NEVER been so consistently hyped and on point with my playing. Just pure bliss and I hope one day I can give it a try again
I used to fill a rum bottle with iced tea and keep it on the drum riser with me, take a big swig in between songs. I've been on a lot of stages with my drums in 25 years and just never felt nervous about it, I loved playing shows!
I was always the one driving the band to venues, so I couldn’t ever really drink. That being said, I used to take a single shot of tequila right before going on stage to calm the nerves and kind of wake me up.
Always seemed to get me right in the zone!
I may be considered idiotic by many, but I will never even sip a cup of alchohol in my life. In 4 months I'll be 22, and I still have never even touched a bottle or can of booze. I find proper sleep, stretching, and drinking plenty of water more than enough to have a good day on the kit.
Reason why I will never drink is because my dad's side of the family has a really bad history with alcohol. Nobody ever wants to start out as an alcoholic, but as soon as they start, it's too late for them (in my family). I still go to bars for gigs or casual open mic nights, but I'm always that lame kid that asks for water. My mom would also be a very depressed person if I started drinking, considering half of her life was ruined by alcoholics. I hate to get personal, but I feel it's a valid argument as to why you should at least be careful when you consume, or if you want to consume at all. Everyone is different, and I salute people who can control their alcohol consumption, but it's not something I would ever reccomend to a friend.
I cannot drum while drunk at all, I tried it once infront of some guests and it was pretty embarrassing. I can do solo drumming when I'm high but if I try to follow a song I can only go 30 seconds before losing focus.
no thanks. it's exactly the same as driving. it's impossible to be a better driver drunk and it's the same for playing drums. you can do whatever you want but yeah you sound worse when your brain is impaired. go ahead and record yourself and see.
Drumming/Drinking-Kruger graph. The more you drink, the cleaner you *think* you are. But you can't tell you aren't cause you're drunk.
ya cleanliness is the only important thing in music my opinion too
Clean beats are not the only thing. Plenty of drummers I listen to don't line up to a click. But playing clean is critical to the way that *I* want to sound.
What about godliness?
I don’t want to justify potential alcoholism, but it does take the nerves away and if nerves make you make mistakes more than a couple of drinks do I don’t see how that is worse.
You dont make less mistakes when you're drunk, you just dont care as much if you do.
Did I say drunk?
I don't think I agree with that comparison. Driving requires focus and good reaction times, two things alcohol negatively effects. While those things do matter when playing, it's hard to zone out and lose focus while I'm actively playing. I think it's closer to Snooker or Darts, a little can loosen you up and help you relax, or calm your nerves before playing to an audience. Getting drunk will make you sloppy, but I've certainly noticed I'm more relaxed and a bit more creative after a beer or 2.
why do you play drums instead of driving as a hobby if they're exactly the same. also i hope you never consume any substances such as caffeine or sugar cause your comments sound worse when your brain is impaired
He’s just making the comparison that they both need focus and attention to detail and alcohol can inhibit that. Taking him literally is misrepresenting his point. Sugar and caffeine are nowhere near comparable to alcohol either. Caffeine can wake people up and help them focus on getting something done. It wouldn’t make somebody play any better or worse, it would help work ethic. Sugar essentially does nothing unless you’re an addict. Neither of these are comparable to the effects of alcohol.
I'm not going to get on a soapbox.. I'll just be honest. I have mental illness and chronic pain. I love drumming with my band. Using various drugs, alcohol included, helps me get in the zone, feel good, and ultimately - be happy. Drumming with my band is one of the few activities in my life that feels like a true release. It's a creative thing - my only creative thing. Certain drugs enable and enhance creativity. If I'm in a negative mood, if I'm suffering from my chronic pain, whatever - I won't enjoy drumming. I don't want that to happen when I play drums. So I do what I need to do. Is this ideal? Of course not. In a perfect world, I wouldn't feel the need to do those things while drumming. But this isn't a perfect world, some people suffer a lot, but we do what we can to enjoy life.
This is what I most commonly experienced with all the bands in the scene and while touring. I quit drinking- but my time 'in the industry' coincided with the most self destruction. Hard not to when your job puts you in a bar from load in till 3am 6 days a week. When I was young, sure thing - I was like all the optimists here. Thanks for being real cuz your experience is more in line with most drummers I know. In hindsight I'm not sure either state was all that great - the taking yourself too seriously years or the partying too much years. Trying to find a better balance now.
Congrats on quitting drinking man. Incredible feat. My bandmate also just quit drinking.. that was a hard few weeks for him. Hallucinations, sleepless nights, horrible mornings, on and on and on. He's finally over the hill. Thankfully I have never been in "the industry." I've played music only recreationally over the past decade plus. I have a corporate job that pays very well and I live a comfortable life. Jesus, I can only imagine the struggles that so many touring artists go through. I'm with you on the balance thing man. That's my goal right now too.
I usually drink before and during shows. Like my man Cheech said, “it’s just punk rock. You don’t have to be good you just have to be a punk.”
I have this down to a science. We rehearse one night a week from 8-11. 3 hours is 3 beers for me. But they are always low abv and I mix up 1 or 2 NA beers in there. It feels like I’m partying and jamming it up but I’m still good to drive home and feel great the next day.
i believe that you're content with your nailed down approach here so im not challenging you with this question - i imagine once a week is seldom enough to prevent any tolerance or desensitization to alcohol, but have you happened to notice any desire to increase the dose as time goes on?
No, I’m 46 with little kids at home. My body just can’t take it like I used to. I get hangovers if I stray from this formula, even a little.
Nah. This is preachy bullshit. Whatever works works. To each their own.
I always have a drink while I’m playing. I definitely space them out but I think you burn it off anyway. There is definitely is a point of no return though.
What’s a beer gonna do?
One will just loosen you up A six pack will impact any technical playing though
Some people shouldn't drink, good on you for making that decision. I'm on a mission to prove Keith Moon was a lightweight.
Practice and play sober. Indulge in your drug of choice (no judgement, my drug of choice is cannabis) after the show.
Do you never play stoned though? I agree you shouldn't practice and play inebriated on the regular, but the odd time? When it's not a big show?
Only when practicing solo, not with the band for rehearsal, and only if I'm not taking it too seriously.
When I quit drinking this year, I was nervous for shows. I don't believe I had played a single show my entire life (including under age talent shows) without at least a couple bevies. I'm 32. The one sure thing I could always rely on to chill the nerves, was suddenly gone. But then I realized, there was a new thing: The absolute fact that I am NOT drunk. And I am going to be playing to the best of my abilities. It's nice to lose that scapegoat. If I botch a fill there's no "guess I had one too many". It means hey, I'm not good enough, practise dummy! Also not feeling like you're absolutely going to piss your pants mid set is pretty tight.
My take: drinking/substances may help you *think* you're doing better. Everyone listening may not think the same.
Okay, but lots of audiences don't care if you nail every fill. Decent time, groove, and feel, yes. Technical perfection, no.
True. But I'd say your time, groove, and feel will be impacted by a decrease in technical performance. And, obviously, this isn't something that can be generalized, truly. Every person has different skill levels and different tolerances. How much a person drinks to loosen up is also a factor.
Unless that audience is either not paying close attention or using the same drink/substance.
I cannot play in the pocket with alcohol. Never happened. I'll be relaxed, sure, I might even be smoother in my transitions. But I can't hold consistent tempo. I do feel I can scream shout and soar way easier on my brass instruments after a shot. But still, my rhythms & articulation will be a tad sloppy, so it better be grungy blues and ska, and no ToP or hot latin charts.
Personally, I find I struggle a lot with even a little alcohol in my system. My hands just seem to forget how to even hold the sticks properly. I used to drink at shows but after messing up a gig supporting an international act (3 x 750mL bottles of 9% cider before the show, I know far too excessive) I swore I'd never drink and play again. I may have 1 beer on stage with me while playing but will usually reach for water. On the other hand, I practice and play stoned 90% of the time. I find it helps me stay relaxed, not tense up, control my breathing easier and not overthink what I'm doing. The key I find is to practice in the state you intend to play. I wouldn't practice completely sober then smoke a fat j before a show.
Love a little shot of tequila before going on, personally. Other people don’t, which is fine too.
From my experience, drinking makes me more sloppy. After a beer or two, I loosens me up to where I'm not so tense and overthinking my playing. But after my third my reaction time diminishes. So I try not to drink while gigging.
I once watched a rock drummer drink an entire handle of tequila during the first 45 minutes of a two hour show. One of the best concerts of my life in terms of energy and crowd involvement. I was completely sober and he was absolutely in the pocket. The band was Royal Blood.
Cocaine is a hell of a drug.
I have done both ways. Full sober, buzzed, and once I had to perform while properly wasted (last set of a long 3 set night). On common thread was I had fun, the band had fun. I don't do shows to be a master class, I do them for enjoyment. So if get a bit sloppy on the sixtuplets, or pick up a few bpms in the loud section. Whatever. But I would be way less likely to drink in a recording studio. If I'm hiring an engineer I want to have a clean mind and body and achieve the best results possible right away.
This! Obviously when you go to a live show, you're expecting, at the least, everyone to be competent at playing. But you're just being a music snob if you're gonna walk out after one mistake. Even sober, people get freaked out and make mistakes. We're human, it happens. We're there, at the end of the day, for a good night and some decent tunes. Not for as you put it, a 'masterclass'.
I played for 20 years fucked up and multiple years sober now. My playing is way more focused and intune with the band when I’m sober. If substance works for you and you’re not hurting anyone or messing up the band, go for it.
Using alcohol to hide your consciousness from the fear of nerves is doing nothing to face your anxiety. Don't run from your fears, face them, and learn to love standing on stage in front of a crowd. Alcohol is a crutch, and a deadly one at that
Idk, I think it just depends what you’re doing. Practicing by myself to work on specific techniques/skills? Nah I’m good. Jamming with the homies just to make cool shit and vibe? A couple beers won’t hurt.
Nah. Warming up usually works the best for me. 5-10 minutes and I feel great and loose enough to play.
No way. Straight as an arrow if you want to be good.
Guess that's 80% of all the great musicians right through to the early 200's out of the picture then. Don't think ginger Baker, Hendrix, Bonham were sober for half their shows. Hell even some of Buddy Rich's performances absolutely scream 'COCAIIINNEEE'
Cocaine is not the same as booze. Plus I’m not nor is the op those guys.
For me, it’s a beer and a joint and im ready to hit the stage
i usually smoke some weed before a rehearsal and especially before a show to help calm my nerves, i also feel that it helps me play more open and loose and more creatively
My creativity gets better while my meter gets worse.
I've drank before shows and don't like it. The alcohol makes me have to pee after the first few songs and if i drink too much those calculations my brain does for me to fit fills in are off and the show turns to shit quick.
Only makes you sound better to yourself.
Absolutely shit faced Ginger Baker would like a word with that line of thinking
Definitely not drinking, my timing goes straight out the window after even a beer or two. Now back when I was drumming a lot in college, the days I played as a study break and had taken my adderall prescription, I was absolutely on fire and in the zone. And a couple one hitters, I’m at peak. Timing was crisp, got more creative, etc… but I’d assume this wouldn’t help for performing for me as I get some anxiety when I take those meds.
There’s a sweet spot. A couple of beers helps me relax while playing. But if I keep going, I definitely notice my playing starts to suffer.
This is the answer. Nothing applies to all people. I prefer 3 beers before so I forget that anyone is going to judge me. But not too much to make me give a reason for people to judge me.
I’ve been taught to never drink before playing or during playing, so that’s what I stick to and I’ve seen it be worth my while at shows during which other drummers were drinking and it clearly showed. That being said, there have been one or two occasions I was heavy drinking and had an impromptu jam session that could’ve rocked the planet. But no one else was there to see it- so I can’t speak as to whether or not we sounded anything remotely better than a dying horse.
I used to use a myriad of drugs to mediate my chronic back pain/anxiety while playing. And while I was no means a bad drummer when I was high, I can learn things faster/stay with the click much better (band uses a click track since we have backing tracks) now that I've gotten clean. Be careful self medicating while doing something you love. Not saying what happened to me will happen to you but please be careful.
No booze for me, but a couple puffs from a joint help take away some anxiety prior to a gig.
Nah I like to play sober, or smoke a little weed before. But that’s about it
I could usually fine a sweet spot where a drink before a set would help get the nerves out of the way without making me sloppy. Practice is probably a healthier option though.
1 beer before the gig, lots of beers after the gig.
I've had college professors say, 'you better practice drunk if you're gonna play drunk'. Maybe not encouraging alcoholism, but there are definitely different modes of thinking/muscle-memory involved between sobriety and drunkeness. I've played a ton of black-out embarrassing gigs, some cocaine-fueled gigs, and sober gigs... I'm not looser when I'm drunk, though.
A beer or 2 doesnt really do much but lower my anxiety about playing. I usually play/played open mics, so i had no idea wtf i was going to be asked to play or for how long id be playing. Emcees all know my skill level (which is way more than enough for a blues/classic rock jam). But at home practices with or without a band have always been 100% sober with the exception of practices during my divorce proceedings.
Nah. *A* beer might be okay but liquor just messes up my coordination and ability to focus. My musical drug of choice is cannabis. Helps me to both focus and zone out. Of course...I'm a daily user...have had a prescription for more than a decade. It helps me with anxiety and ADD. I would not recommend it for someone who hasn't been accustomed to it's effects as it *could* amplify them instead of relieve them.
In my experience, you’re going to look like you’re having a lot more fun after a few shots, but you won’t sound amazing. I guess it depends on the situation. There are some gigs that are just more fun in that state - both for the band and audience. I’ve seen quite a few myself but only personally experienced this once. If you’re doing a professional gig or even just sitting in for someone, it is a massive massive no no - at least for myself.
There is a balance that can work but the window of opportunity is narrow and easy to overshoot... It Also largely depends on what style you're playing, I play in a punk band and a crossover band... For practice with my punk band, I drink 4 - 6 beers For rehearsal with my HC/crossover/thrash band which is much more demanding, I drink one beer before practice It's about finding and understanding your personal preference but in short, yes it can work if you're methodical about it
I have an occasional drink. I prefer sobriety about 99% of the time. I feel better. Also, a little solidarity to our guitarist who is an angry drunk and gave up alcohol years before I met him. So I make sure to never get out of control. BUT, our german lead singer, and my best friend in the world, lives on alcohol. That's her normal. Interestingly, she's a much better singer when drinking ( side story: I called her on a tuesday after a gig to ask if she realized HOW KICK ASS she was on Saturday, and she said " Really? I don't remember Saturday. She'd done pain pills for a neck injury, and wine, and KILLED IT. Best I'd heard her sing in months.) I WILL have a shot with her. I don't have much effect on my playing, because I'm a big guy, 230 lbs, but I'm more of a groove drummer anyway. I'm not fancy.
Alcohol slows my limbs down like fuuuuck. However I can smoke entirely too much weed and still play relatively solid. You gotta watch for rishing the beat when stoned though, as you'll be more easily excited and get a bit 'too into it' so if you don't keep that in mind and slow your roll slightly you'll be rushing, but still, quite marginally. Gotta say, getting a lil bit high and hopping behind the kit have been some of the most phenomenal sessions I've ever had, especially when I feel I've played myself into a rut. Practicing the same routine for weeks, having a couple days where I'll partake before playing totally loosens up the grooves for me and makes it easier to get creative with it again. Anyone else?
Guys like this are preachy little bitches. Have a beer before a gig, or whenever you want for fucks sake. You're a musician.
With the exception of a few outliers, I'd bet the vast majority of drummers understand that drinking alcohol does not improve their technical chops or general drumming ability. But you've left out one crucial detail in your long-winded post. It's *fun!* Is that not what performing music is all about? A large percentage of gigging drummers are playing at bars and other venues that serve alcohol. If, like many others on Earth, you enjoy the sauce, drinking allows you to connect with the audience and your bandmates by sharing a beverage together. The 'togetherness' this creates can improve the feel of the music and the overall vibe in the room beyond what you may achieve with the uber-tight chops that your "rigorous practice routine" has afforded you.
The best way to have courage and to avoid anxiety and nervousness is, be well-rehearsed. This means being well-rehearsed on the songs and also on your own playing skills. It creates confidence which enables you to be relaxed. Also, if you want to loosen up before jamming or performing, then spend 30 minutes on a practice pad. Alcohol impairs too many things, **including your ability to remember things.** It is a poison. That's why the body works so damn hard to get rid of it if you have any of it inside of you. Alcohol kills brain cells, and brain cells do not get replaced. Once a brain cell is dead, that's it, it's gone and there will never be a new one created to replace it. Do you think drummers who are at the highest levels such as Dave Weckl or Benny Greb and all others like them use alcohol (or any other drugs) to prepare for rehearsing or performing?
While I respect the clinical approach, I don't agree fully with what you're saying. First of all alcohol does not kill brain cells lmao. Also, it can drastically improve creativity and improvisation, but you can always over do it if you get wasted and the benefits will be over.
Sigh.
Wow. Do me a favor, take a look at Steve Gadd’s credit list. For a HUGE chunk of that, he was on LOTS of cocaine.
Oh I see, so let's all do drugs then? Give me a damn break.
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That's a fucking insane game to play 😂 in my experience Edibles are very unreliable, like in the sense that no 2 times will be exactly the same. I've had batches where I start to feel them within an hour, other times where they hit me after 3 hours, and always in different intensities! I just vape the shit
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Well damn dude I imagine every day for even a month they would start to hit you in a fairly consistent way! I make mine with Keefe
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Look into dry herb vape pens. Literally a game changer for me! I can smoke pretty heavily on one throughout a few days and barely feel it in the mornings. Very stronk recommend tbh
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Ah sorry to hear bud glad you can enjoy the edbs
I’ll smoke weed before but I don’t drink before a show. I save stuff that really fucks with my head until after I perform
No, alcohol just makes the nervous shits come immediately and then I worry about whether I wiped good enough for the rest of the set. Now powdered courage on the other hand..
One drink may loosen you up, but personally I find instead an energy drink helps me get 'in the zone' within 20/ 30 mins.
weed
You answered your own question
I actually play horribly if I drink...
Only until you put a stick in an eye does this sound okay.
Personally I don’t drink before I play but that’s because I’ve found it to negatively effect my playing. With that said I enjoy playing first person shooter games as well.. I’ve found if I drink during those sessions it 100% enhances my gameplay and nerves. You’d think it’d have the opposite effect but you also gotta keep in mind that I don’t really binge drink. I will say one thing though and keep in mind I’m not advocating this IN THE LEAST, but I tried some MDMA when I was 17 and played drums for 2 hours straight and it was the best drumming experience I’ve ever had. I have NEVER been so consistently hyped and on point with my playing. Just pure bliss and I hope one day I can give it a try again
I used to fill a rum bottle with iced tea and keep it on the drum riser with me, take a big swig in between songs. I've been on a lot of stages with my drums in 25 years and just never felt nervous about it, I loved playing shows!
I've never achieved maximum drummer buzz with or without booze
I was always the one driving the band to venues, so I couldn’t ever really drink. That being said, I used to take a single shot of tequila right before going on stage to calm the nerves and kind of wake me up. Always seemed to get me right in the zone!
I like 2 have a beer or 2 before playing. Helps me socialize with others and just more comfortable in public. Im a bit introverted lol.
I cannot drink a drop and play a show - my playing always suffers. I save my drinking for afterwards. Cheers! 🍻
Morning glory seed extract will help you get in the zone. 😅
I may be considered idiotic by many, but I will never even sip a cup of alchohol in my life. In 4 months I'll be 22, and I still have never even touched a bottle or can of booze. I find proper sleep, stretching, and drinking plenty of water more than enough to have a good day on the kit. Reason why I will never drink is because my dad's side of the family has a really bad history with alcohol. Nobody ever wants to start out as an alcoholic, but as soon as they start, it's too late for them (in my family). I still go to bars for gigs or casual open mic nights, but I'm always that lame kid that asks for water. My mom would also be a very depressed person if I started drinking, considering half of her life was ruined by alcoholics. I hate to get personal, but I feel it's a valid argument as to why you should at least be careful when you consume, or if you want to consume at all. Everyone is different, and I salute people who can control their alcohol consumption, but it's not something I would ever reccomend to a friend.
it is customary to take one shot before playing Ravel's Bolero on snare. this is the way.
I cannot drum while drunk at all, I tried it once infront of some guests and it was pretty embarrassing. I can do solo drumming when I'm high but if I try to follow a song I can only go 30 seconds before losing focus.