Drummers often find themselves in situations that make them feel nervous. This could happen during a jam session, a live concert, or even while practicing. That nervous energy can be tough to deal with, but it can also help spark creativity. The important part is how we learn to use that energy.
First, let's look at why we feel nervous. This feeling usually comes from being scared of what others might think, wanting to do a great job, or not being sure about our skills. Instead of trying to push those feelings away, it's better to recognize them. When you notice your nerves, you can change how you think, turning anxiety into excitement. For example, instead of stressing about “What if I mess up?”, try asking yourself, “What cool sounds can I make right now?”.
After you acknowledge your nerves, it's time to use that energy in a good way. Here are some helpful tips:
Breathing Exercises: Taking deep breaths can calm your nerves. Before you start playing, take a deep breath for a count of four, hold it for four, and then breathe out for four. This helps reduce anxiety and gets your mind ready to be creative.
Move Your Body: Sometimes, moving can help shake off nervous energy. Before playing, get into a rhythm with your body. You can tap your feet or sway a bit to help loosen up. Pair this with holding your drumsticks for some extra practice.
Play with Purpose: Focus on what feelings you want to share, rather than worrying about mistakes. Let every hit of the drum express something. For example, if you’re feeling nervous, you might play fast, quick beats, or use that energy to hit the drums powerfully.
Look for inspiration in different types of music. Jazz drummers, for example, often play based on how they feel and what’s happening around them. Listen to how they connect with other musicians. Learning to respond to music as it happens helps turn nervous energy into a quick move that improves your improvisation.
Improvisation is like a muscle: the more you practice, the stronger it gets. Regularly do exercises that focus on improvisation. Record your sessions so you can check how you’re doing. Think back to times when you turned nervous energy into creative sounds. Over time, you'll grow more confident in your improvisation skills, which will make nerves less of a problem.
By accepting nerves as a natural part of playing, drummers can find exciting new ways to improvise. This approach helps improve their music and how they express themselves on the drums.
Drummers often find themselves in situations that make them feel nervous. This could happen during a jam session, a live concert, or even while practicing. That nervous energy can be tough to deal with, but it can also help spark creativity. The important part is how we learn to use that energy.
First, let's look at why we feel nervous. This feeling usually comes from being scared of what others might think, wanting to do a great job, or not being sure about our skills. Instead of trying to push those feelings away, it's better to recognize them. When you notice your nerves, you can change how you think, turning anxiety into excitement. For example, instead of stressing about “What if I mess up?”, try asking yourself, “What cool sounds can I make right now?”.
After you acknowledge your nerves, it's time to use that energy in a good way. Here are some helpful tips:
Breathing Exercises: Taking deep breaths can calm your nerves. Before you start playing, take a deep breath for a count of four, hold it for four, and then breathe out for four. This helps reduce anxiety and gets your mind ready to be creative.
Move Your Body: Sometimes, moving can help shake off nervous energy. Before playing, get into a rhythm with your body. You can tap your feet or sway a bit to help loosen up. Pair this with holding your drumsticks for some extra practice.
Play with Purpose: Focus on what feelings you want to share, rather than worrying about mistakes. Let every hit of the drum express something. For example, if you’re feeling nervous, you might play fast, quick beats, or use that energy to hit the drums powerfully.
Look for inspiration in different types of music. Jazz drummers, for example, often play based on how they feel and what’s happening around them. Listen to how they connect with other musicians. Learning to respond to music as it happens helps turn nervous energy into a quick move that improves your improvisation.
Improvisation is like a muscle: the more you practice, the stronger it gets. Regularly do exercises that focus on improvisation. Record your sessions so you can check how you’re doing. Think back to times when you turned nervous energy into creative sounds. Over time, you'll grow more confident in your improvisation skills, which will make nerves less of a problem.
By accepting nerves as a natural part of playing, drummers can find exciting new ways to improvise. This approach helps improve their music and how they express themselves on the drums.