Hey guys, I'm just wondering if there is any way that you can start to have knee trouble through drumming, I don't know exactly what is going on, but my knees have been "clicking" a lot lately, and I am hoping nothing is wrong, I'm just wondering if anyone knows, or has any experience of joint troubles due to drumming, and any ways to try to make drumming less stressful on the old knees and the like. It may be nothing, but I don't really want to take any chances! If it carries on I'm going to see a doctor, but for now, I would appreciate any feedback on this! Things like stool height, pedal technique and stuff! Thanks in a advance!

Misenko.

(I hope nothing is wrong! I'm only 17 and shouldn't be getting joint problems!!! :-/ )

It's age...your joints are loosening up/wearing.  And it only gets better!

Make sure you are stretching out before you play. Your Achilles Tendon is going to get worked out a LOT more with your heel down. This is due to the fact that when you lift your toes (ball of foot) to play, you are flexing your foot to the maximum when the heel is down. Lifting the heel means you don't have to lift the toes as much to play. If your foot were parallel to the floor this would be a big deal ... but it's not. When it's on the pedal board, you heel is LOWER than the front of the foot. Lifting the heel is making the foot more parallel with the floor.

I'm just explaining what's going on and by no means trying to say you should use one technique over another. You just need to stretch out your legs and feet. Remember all those calisthenics you had to do back in school? Well, now's the time to start doing them again.