Drummer Cafe Community Forum

Hey, I played a biker bar down here in Florida last week outside, and reality may have slapped me in the face. It was 100 degrees outside, however the heat has never been a problem until that gig. We moved inside, and I still had to break after the thrid set, and just couldn't finish the fourth. I am 44 and never had a problem. It just seemed I was getting too old to move the heavy DW stuff and play. Am I? Has anybody else found this breakdown occuring around this age? When is it coming? I know you don't see many pro atheletes playing at 44 and the song list is pretty rockin'. I hate to think like my head says "no problem" yet my body just won't go there anymore? When does it start happening? I will try again when its cooler, however that sucks, as most gigs are outside down here and I am thinking it may be timke to hang it up. Anyone get through age 44 Playing hard rock? Any advice?

You need a good fan.

Pare your kit down to nothin'

Take your Geritol and don't booze.  Motrin is your friend the next day  :)

Playing with economy of motion helps (no fun though) but 100 degrees is a 100 degrees-  my friend was a florida drummer for a long time and Mr. A is also.  Only take air conditioned gigs? ???

Rockin' is alot different now than in your 20's ain't it?  I had a sweat fest this past weekend also- got thru it alright and played pretty good.  I'm not a big sweat head usually, but at least a couple of times a summer, when I least expect it, I'm in a hot place.  We had A/C but it wasn't anything to write home about.  I didn't get my core temp down until I froze myself in the van on the way home- it took at least 20 or 30 minutes.

If it's just that one gig, you more than likely suffered from heat exhaustion - it doesn't take much, and if you're not prepared for the heat, it'll sneak up on you.  Check on the web for preventive measures to deal with this.

But if it's been repetitious of late, you might want to get checked out.  During a gig, just take it easy and stick to the basics.  Save the shredding for another time.

We had some guest musicians the other night and played through the last break.  Never again!  I work construction during the day, and it's hot up here as well.  That last long set was NOT fun.

I'm 47, live in Florida, and play plenty hard. The secret is pacing yourself, and making things as easy for yourself as possible, so you can focus your energy on playing. Use a fan, use the simplest, lightest, easiest-to-pack-up gear that can still get the job done, use the most comfortable throne you can afford, possibly with a backrest, make sure you've eaten enough and aren't drinking too much booze, and drink plenty of water. If caffeine helps, load up on coffee, diet coke, or mountain dew. And when you take breaks, take advantage of them - stand up, get away from the kit, and let your body relax before the next onslaught.

But pacing yourself is probably the most important. Be aware of how much of the gig is still ahead of you, and hold back a little if you need to make sure there'll still be enough energy left for that final set.

I'm spoiled in that recently I've mostly done single or double sets, not the 4,5, or 6-set marathons I used to play. When I do play a 3- or 4-set gig, I'm pretty tired by the end. But I also pace myself carefully, not drinking too much beer, and keeping an eye on the clock. There's nothing worse than fading out before the gig is done!

I find myself sweating more during setup and teardown these days.  But yeah, the bombastic set can take a toll - especially with high heat and humidity.  What's that line from the first Indiana Jones movie?  "It's not the years, its the mileage."

+1 on all the  suggestions made so far.  Drink water and and Gatorade before, during, and after the gig.  If you feel thirsty, you're already starting to dehydrate.  Water handles that.  But  Gatorade and other sports drinks replace minerals you lose through perspiration. 

And yeah, get a fan!  Lately I've been using one that clamps onto my rack or under my high-hats.  For longer gigs or outdoor gigs I'll use a larger fan positioned behind me.

I have found caffeine makes me too tense and things don't flow smoothly when I play. But it might work for other people. It's interesting, there is this killer drummer north of here who plays professionally, gives lessons during the week and travels too. I went to see the band and there he was packing up a little practice pad kit that he works out on an hour before each gig so he's very warm. He said he used to just do the pad for the hands but then found his feet were'nt as warmed up as his hands so added the bass drum pad. I was surprised as he is so accomplished and has been playing over 30 something years. He's in pretty good shape and doesn't smoke. I did see him eating cookies. :) I think drums are so physically demanding that it does make sense to warm up like an athlete. This warm up he does is in addition to regular practice. He's phenomenal so it's working for him. He's in demand and he makes his living as a drummer. 

I wanted to add one more thing. I was watching a band with a young drummer when I went outside from watching a band with an older 50 something drummer during the break. The young drummer was doing ok during the second break. The older drummer was unbelievable. He was doing some really high energy and complicated things that cooked!  At the end I went over to watch the young drummer and he was TIRED. You could tell he was kinda losing it - slowing down a little and missing a few beats. He was barely twenty - if that.

44 is definitely not too old. E.g., Steve Smith will be 51 in August, and going stronger than ever... so are countless other older players.

I suspect you just had a down night... no big deal.

In addition to the comments / suggestions above, good technique can help make things a little easier. E.g., staying relaxed in our playing and not hitting harder than we need to helps conserve energy.

I'm a few years older than you and I find the same problems when we enter summer time. The humity is bad, worse than the heat. I hace a very large floor fan I put on an open side of the stages we play on. This should give you a good cross breeze and help you maintain your energy level. Got the idea from my dad who was active until age 65 and never did a summer gig without two large floor fans. Having band mates help bring and take out the equipement also helps alot. Save your energy for the important things. like playing, not hauling. I other ideas mentioned are all good and will keep you going for more years that you want.Use that fan.

I am 54 - today as a matter of fact, and I truly don't feel any effects which would be caused by fatigue. I still play plenty hard but we organize our sets so the order of the songs dosen't burn anyone out. I also exercise regularly with weights and areobic types of activities. I really believe that is the key. Heat exhaustion is another matter. As Dave said, it is VERY important to be aware of your body's need for fluids. So drink lots of water and keep on rockin'!!
mp

Wow! I thought I was getting too old as well! I had an outside gig this past Saturday. By the time I got my kit set up, I looked like I had been in the shower with my clothes on! I drank water the Friday night before and during this outside gig the following day/evening. When I got home Saturday night, I was too tired to unload my gear! I just went in and hit the rack! 44 is proving to be more difficult than 24 was! LOL. I'm glad I still enjoy a good ole bottle of cold water. More so now than BEER!  ;) Although the ice cold Corona I had in the fridge was tasty on Sunday!
I guess the next thing I need to do is figure out is what I need to do to cut back on gear I bring. I played full kit Friday AND Saturday! 

I'm 58, and here in Texas am constantly playing either outside or in venues whose air conditioning is less than optimal.  A few weeks ago I played a 2 1/2 hour big band tuxedo gig (with no breaks) in the afternoon, followed by a 4 hour rock club gig that night.  I moved, set up, and tore down all my gear by myself for both gigs.  By the time I got home I was pretty whipped, but the gigs themselves were surprisingly easy.

All the above suggestions about dealing with heat, like water, fans, etc., are right on, and I follow them religiously.  I don't drink booze until I'm through playing, and I don't go to gigs hungry.

For a time last summer I was in a trio that played very energetic jazz at an outdoor gig every week in July and August.  Temps were routinely over 100, peaking around 105-107.  We had 3-4 large fans going all the time, and I have a small one behind me now for just about every gig.

44's only too old if you're not in shape.  I know two drummers 75 and 82 who are still playing regularly, and the 75 year old plays 3-4 hours 3 nights a week, often in a suit.  The 82 year old plays in 3 bands that I know of, and called me once to sub when he had simultaneious gigs booked.  They're my idols, along with 80 year old Roy Haynes.

Only bring whats neccessary to the gig-leave all the other stuff home.  Bring LOTS of cold water and drink it often.  I like to use a lt. towel soaked in ice water to put on my head sometimes when its very hot.  And I bring 2 fans.  Stay away from beer/booze-

And just play smartly-conserve your energy around the kit when you can-

When I know I'm working in hot weather I load up on carbohydrates and salads all week. (pasta...lots of it)....Then on gig day I stick to water or Gatorade....By the way, I'm 58. Worked last week at a motocross national as a checkered flag man in 100 degree heat. Got back to 100 degree heat in Minnesota. I've got 3 gigs this week and pumping starch again.... Don't let the band push you too hard. Tell them you need to pace yourself. It's different for drummers....The heat doesn't bother me. I had a roofing business for over 25 years plus played 5 nights a week, and raced on weekends. The carbs and water was the only way I survived those years.... Pace yourself and have fun. Booze will bring you to a halt in hot weather.    :P

Just a note about the caffeine.  If I'm not mistaken, that will worsen the effects of dehydration.  Stick to the gatorade and water...

Good to see you back louderdb!

Actually I'm not sure about the caffiene, but anything with sugar has a less than optimal effect on hydration.  It takes 1 molecule H₂0 to break down 1 molecule sugar.  A percentage of any liquid consumed with sugar in it goes to the digesation of it.  I'm not sure how it works with diet drinks, Aspartame, Nutra sweet.

Maybe you need to get into shape. A couple weeks ago I stacked 45 70# (that's a bit more than half my weight) bales of hay in my barn, in 95+ deg, by myself. It was a good couple hour workout and I was tired, but by no means done in for the day. And I'm 42. (I'm thinking that hauling a kit at some point will pretty much be cake for me ;D)
 So no, 44 does NOT mean you are done! Altho 100 w/ humidity is bad, it does sound like you simply need to improve your fitness!

robyn

Another dinosaur (53) checking in and just got home from playing a big band gig with plenty of energy in over 90 degree heat. Went through a couple bottles of water each set and a couple during the break. Feeling great and helped the other guys load the pa gear too. I'm by no means in great physical shape but I do pay attention to what I do and how I lift things. I'm in complete agreement with keeping well hydrated with water as being a key to feeling fit.

I'll check in during the 2 weeks I have left of being 52.

Many good posts with many good suggestions.  The two main ones I will repeat are: bring a fan, and HYDRATE.

I had a problem last weekend for the first time in forever.  We played 2 sets, each about 1hr. and 15 minutes long and it was HOT in the venue.  I'm usually not really tired after I play, but that night I was.  I take it as something about that night, not something that is happening in general.

I am 48 and still playing those type of gigs also.  I have actually started bringing my own mic's and board and speakers to the gig because I am involved in some rather loud bands.  I just have one question that I have been asking for about 20 years now.  WHERE'S THE ROADIE??  Wouldn't it be nice to just show up and have the kit in place, play the gig, have some fun and then just split. Next night . . . . same thing.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  That's the big problem in hot, humid weather. Your body absorbs water FAR slower than it can absorb it. I learned this when seriously bicycling in hot weather. Don't wait till you are thirsty to drink, by then it's too late. Drink as much WATER as you can at a gig right from the start in hot weather. Alternate water with a gatorade type drink.

51 and doing all the gigs I can get.

boomerweps

I'm 54 and still rocking and not in a chair :DI have plenty of water or gator aid nearby for dehydration.The adrenaline keeps me going even during tear down.I feel it the next day when trying to get out of bed.I don't drink BUT it still feels like a hangover!!!!

I melt in the heat.  Always have.  I don't think age is a big factor.  I think it has more to do with your level of conditioning, what you're used to, and what you do to cope with the heat.

The important thing is to realize that heat is a big issue, and take constructive steps to cope with it.

Once you get overheated, you're toast.  It takes hours to get your core temperature back down.  And longer than that to feel normal again.

I have got to agree boomerweps,
I am 45 and I sweat like crazy but I drink lots of water and Gatorade, Popel or some sports drink.
I alway run a fan, even in the air condition.  I have had problems with mild dehydration and heat
stress so I try to eat a banana a day and something that will keep the leg cramps down also is
one bottle of Tonic water on the day of the hot show. If you are an Ice Tea drinker or coffee drinker,
both of them are dieurectics.  Not the best thing to drink really to conserve water.  When I was
in a Navy engine Room that was 110 to 115 degrees we drank a lot of water and intentionally
salted our food.  Salt helps you retain water so you don't sweat it all out.  Sweating is your bodies
way of naturally cooling itself off but when you do you loose a bunch of salt and Gatorade and these
sports drinks replenishes sodium.  Eat good and salt your food just a bit and hydrate before, During and after you play. 44 is not that old, or atleast I didn't think so until I played a gig in a ball room that
we had to move all the equipment up 2 flights of stairs.  I will never take another gig with 2 flights of stairs, or unless we have some young 20 year olds to help.  I also have to agree with one of the earlier comments about packing up, moving, setting up, breaking down and unpacking wears me out
worst than anything else and my large drum kit is not the problems It packs up very nicely in hard cases.  I own the PA and none of it is lite.
                                         Nutty
                       

Too much in common, Nutty.
I'm retired USN after 20 years on subs.
And ownin' & haulin' the PA is a real PITA.

Just Saturday our "soundgal" (fader pusher & can tweak the EQs) had probs geting my miced kick signal and had some bass guitar micing probs, too. They "fixed" the BG by  pulling the inserted comp out (unknown to me) and when she said no signal on the kick, I swapped to another snake channel not used since the full kit wasn't miced. Just checked today & found the probs. We insert comps on each desired channel. On the compressor the insert snake had two TIP marked plugs for in AND out on one comp channel & the other comp channel had two RING marked plugs for in AND out. Don't know who the "helpful" plugmiester was ;>(

boomerweps

USS Yosemite AD19,  Flight Deck, in the Carribian. The Atlantic ocean.  The ships band was called Main Control,100 degrees with a wind.You know what I mean?

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/3120/fh0000086mj.jpg
My oldest son is on a sub right now out of Virgina Beach.
I have to work 12 hours tomorrow.
                                     Good Nite,
                                               Nutty