Blisters on the hands are a common and aggravating problem for beginning drummers. They can appear almost anywhere the stick makes contact and friction, including the inside of the thumb, the tips of the fingers, and other delicate areas. These drumming-related blisters, despite being irksome, must be treated since eventually they will harden into calluses. Don’t worry; this page contains all the information you require on your drumming blister.
What Are Drumming Blister?
Blisters are fluid-filled crevasses that develop between the top layers of your skin. Drumming blisters are brought on by friction, despite the fact that there are many other reasons for blister development, such as infection and chemicals.
Stress between the skin’s surface and the stick causes these blisters to form. Due to friction, the top layer of the skin breaks, and cells’ fluid leaks into the space that results to fill it. This liquid performs two jobs.
The growth and regeneration of the injured tissues are accelerated. In addition, it produces a cushion to guard the underlying tissues against additional harm.
When blisters press against the nerve endings in the deeper layer of your skin, they cause discomfort.
*** Read more: How To Remove Drums From A Song? 2 Methods
At What Condition Will Blister Appear?
As was previously mentioned, the main factor contributing to drumming blisters is holding the stick too tightly. If you grip the drumstick firmly, friction and heat will be generated as it slides across your skin. Your skin’s top layer splits during the slide, creating a blister.
When you get a blister while watching a live performance, you could understand the true difficulty of getting one. If you place a note in the incorrect place, it could turn into torture.
Blisters unfortunately form in the incorrect place. Anywhere your stick might contact your hand and grow is where they appear.
Consequently, developing a slack grip is the best technique to handle blisters. This will allow you to play the drums longer and more proficiently by preventing blisters in addition to other sorts of harm.
However, perfecting a method could take some time. There are a few things that can assist you in the process
Tips For Avoid Blisters While Drumming
1. Relax Your Hands
The most likely cause of your blisters is a firm grip, by far.
Working with your drumsticks rather than against them is recommended when playing the drums. Work on your sticks’ natural rebound and relax your grip a little. If you can, talk to a local drum instructor to find a solution to this problem.
You’ll be a better drummer if you use a looser drum grip in addition to preventing blisters from developing! The vast majority of other drumming-related injuries will also be avoided.
Check your present grip by striking a practice pad or drum fairly firmly with your drumstick. Allowing the stick to naturally bounce back up is important because if you don’t, your hands and arms will be forced to absorb the impact.
2. Consider Your Playing Force.
Excessive force and tight grasping might cause blisters. Consider how reducing your striking force might affect or perhaps improve your playing if you are a heavy drummer.
Your speed and technique might even be slightly improved if you played a little less firmly. If you are playing live, the drums may already sound loud enough through microphones.
Therefore, decreasing your level of play may only be good for you and prevent blisters from forming.
*** Read more: How To Read Drum Notation: Quick And Simple To Learn
3. Think about drum gloves
If you have a tight grip due to nervousness, sweaty hands, or a forceful hitting style, or any other purpose, get yourself a pair of drumming gloves.
Although they are not for everyone, they are a good solution if blisters are keeping you from playing drums and enjoying it.
When attempting to avoid blisters, drum gloves shouldn’t be your first choice. Spending a few weeks or months initially on relaxing your sticking technique is worthwhile.
4. Drumstick Tape and Grips
If you don’t have a tight hold on the sticks, your grasp will inevitably become more restrained. For this same purpose, you can purchase grips and drumstick tape. You may easily include them in your current set of drumsticks, and they often only cost a few dollars.
You may prevent dropping your sticks during live, sweaty performances by employing this technique. Additionally, they enable you to maintain a looser grip, which lowers your risk of developing blisters and other drumming-related hand and arm ailments.
5. Cover your drumsticks in sandpaper
Use some sandpaper to smooth down the grip portion of your drumstick. Though it might seem counterintuitive, making the drumstick coarser may lessen its slickness, allowing you to relax your hold.
As previously stated, a looser grasp lessens the likelihood of injuries happening. However, avoid making it excessively rough, as this may increase friction and result in blisters.
6. Permit your skin to sag (In Moderation)
I’ll start by mentioning that playing the drums shouldn’t require hands that are severely calloused.
But if you’re just starting out, you might merely need to wait till your skin has moderately hardened to the point where it can withstand drumming.
Take a few days off from drumming if you have painful blisters, or try these activities to improve your drumming without drums! You’ll be prepared to go when you return to the drum set.
Skip this section if you’ve been playing for months and are still getting blisters.
*** Read more: How to Clean a Drum Set: Easy Steps & Tips
Frequently Asked Questions About Drumming Blisters
#1.What other injuries can you get from drumming?
Injury from drumming is fairly prevalent (lifetime history was 68 percent ). The most frequently impacted body areas are the lower back and upper limbs, particularly the wrist. Tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome are the two drumming-related injury diagnoses that are most frequently reported.
#2.Is it easy to get blisters/calluses when playing drums?
Don’t stress over it. Blisters frequently form on fingers. You might be grasping the sticks incorrectly, but even if you aren’t, you could eventually develop blisters after playing drums for a while. Put a bandage on them if they hurt, or get a pair of drumming gloves to prevent blisters and enhance grip.
#3.What causes sore hands after drumming?
What is Wrist Drummers Tendinitis? Due to the frequent hand and wrist movements involved in drumming, drummer’s tendinitis of the wrist is a typical issue for drummers. Musicians who perform nonstop for extended periods of time may experience it.
*** Read more: How To Set Up A Drum Set? Step By Step Guide
Conclusion
For drummers, blisters can be a genuine discomfort, but by taking a few easy precautions, you can prevent them from happening again.
The first thing you should focus on when playing the drums is your technique. Tightly gripping your drumsticks may initially result in blisters, but it may also cause tendinitis and other drum-related problems.
Use of drum gloves, tape, grips, sandpaper on drumsticks, or skin hardening are further ways to avoid blisters. This article should help to clarify the topic of blisters.
