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Posted: **Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:48 pm**

Ive been meaning to ask this question for some time now. Basically I have developed a habbit maybe not a bad one , I tend to play with my head facing due west mostly when Ive learned a new groove and drill for an hour or so to bed it in . At ttimes I feel a little strain nothing real bad , just a little ache.
I have noticed many Congurero`s do a similar thing . I try to deliberatly exagerate by facing NNE but it feels better when I play with my head facing west .

Any other player here do the same ?
Is there a method I could use to try stop it for fear of repetative strain injury?
It up to now has not given me any trouble though , well nothing too painfull just a slight twinge .

Marco

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:20 am**

That's... very strange?! ???

Do you mean that you face West as in on a compass-bearing?
.. or West as in looking over your left shoulder (ie: looking straight-ahead being North)?

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:58 am**

Yes I turn my head to the left position north being front and centre.

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:34 am**

Hahaha.... I do the exact opposite, I find myself turning my head to the right!!! But I havn't noticed any strain or pain.

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2007 1:13 pm**

Im glad to hear Im not alone , I must add that ive ben playing for almost a year now , The strain aint really a bother more of a concern that i may be doing damage .
Im sure its the norm amongst others .

Thanks

marco

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2007 1:40 pm**

How's your hearing? Better in one ear than the other?

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2007 3:46 pm**

Same thing here!Allthough I have extensive hearing damage in my left ear!

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:53 pm**

CongaTick wrote:How's your hearing? Better in one ear than the other?

I have an audio test done at work on a regular basis , My hearing is fine . maybe my right ear is more a tune to the right side of the brain ............mmmmm maybe ?

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:34 pm**

I wind up looking left also once thoroughly engaged. Also have a tendency to play with my mouth open without even knowing it. ???

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:49 pm**

CongaTick wrote:I wind up looking left also once thoroughly engaged.

Yeah, ditto. Don't know why but sometimes it seems as if I can be a bit more consistent, when "monitoring" with my right ear. Well, not really, but that is just how it has happened. I probably have an extremely dumb look on my face too when doing it. :O

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:03 pm**

Ever notice alot of congueros pull in their lips between their teeth - amost like biting down on them?

You should break the habit of facing in a direction all the time. Do you have a breathing problem? You should be facing straight forward with a smile

Occasionally facing the band leader, members for cues or looking around at fans. Looking at the drum is ok sometimes.
But whatever works.

T

Posted: **Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:21 pm**

When playing by myslef, I also sometimes find myself turning my head slightly-- though perhaps only about 25% of the time (the rest of the time my head is square on my shoulders). When I become conscious of it, or if I'm uncomfortable, I try to straighten out so I don't aggravate my on-going neck problems.

When I do turn my head, it is mostly to the left (doesn't have anything to do with compass direction, I'm not a homing pigeon, LOL). This is probably because I use my right hand in the center of the drum more often than I use my left hand for the center.

When in an ensemble, I often will turn my head to more clearly hear (or focus on) another player in the ensemble. I usually play off of other things that I hear-- frequently either accenting something, or extending someone else's phrase, or whatever.

Posted: **Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:49 pm**

I find myself playing/jamming with my eyes closed!
Just getting into the groove and feeling it. It also helps build the internal memory of where the drums are. Maybe in a past life I was a blind musician...dunno.

The few videos of Barretto I've seen, I've noticed him facing to one side. Maybe to hear better during the gig.

G :cool:

Posted: **Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:18 pm**

I'm not sure if it would help your situation but someone once advised me to use a long mirror periodically, straight in front while practicing and I do find it's helpful in a general way to observe your technique. It's really quite enlightening at first, I noticed things with my hand and arm positions that had never occurred to me. I think it's provides a familiar view as we are used to watching others either live or in video from that perspective.

Barrie

Edited By No.2-1820 on 1198013983

Posted: **Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:44 pm**

You know, that's a very good suggestion! My wife and I just moved into a house with mirrored closet doors in the bedroom, and I've found myself periodically playing in front of them. It's amazing what you can learn by watching YOURSELF.

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Head position