Playing seated - Are some chairs better?

[Tonio]

Dear Amigos,
I always play seated for a variety of reasons. This is the traditional Afro-Cuban orthodox approach, and the method that was drilled into me at gunpoint in Brooklyn decades ago. I do a lot of quinto lifts to change the drum's pitch and open the bass tones more, and that is essential to my style. Can't do that with a stand. I'm also a lazy slob who likes to sit on his fat ass all night and I can easily hide a beer behind my tumba. Such discretion makes perfect sense to me on boring (but good-paying) society gigs!!
Now sitting at the correct level with your arms at the exact right height is VERY important. Doesn't Giovanni say that in a video? And isn't that a six of Miller behind his Palladiums in that same video? Well maybe that was in the Jerry Gonzalez video! Anyway, please buy yourself a COMFORTABLE adjustable drum stool, set it where you are most happy, get a back massage (from Shakira or JLo if you can), and try not to knock over your beer in front of the entire band for Christ's sake.


Saludos,



Berimbau

yeah what he said.

But back pain is a PITA(pain in the ass) too. I have upper back problems, and sitting can be tiresome. Salsa/Latin style I will be on the throne. POP, rock eveything else I use stands.

But I think its more about the venue. Big concerts, use a stand. More intimate gigs , use a throne just like Bermibau, hide the brews.

T

[Berimbau]

Well another good reason to play seated is that if the brews DO catch up with you - when you pass out it's not as far to fall down!!


lol,


Berimbau

[trickyricky]

<=== Whoa, look at that!! I haven't been called Junior in years.
Thank you drum family for the great responses. Looks like we all need to take care of our backs. YOUNG DRUMMERS PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

By the way, mine is Shorinji-ryu

Peace, Love, and paying gigs to all!
the tRICKster



Edited By trickyricky on 1136620614

[onile]

I guess you haven't been in the South for awhile huh Junior? :p :laugh:

Alafia Abure Trickyricky!
I feel that, although I'm primarily a 'seated' player, we should all be able to play either way, standing or sitting! As was pointed out in a couple of the previous posts on this thread, playing Salsa, and latin rythms, it's fun to get into the groove and dance while playing. Seated, it's a bit difficult to dance, but hey, I rock the jell (soft "j") out of my throne when playing. :p

Besides pana, as in all martial arts training, we must develop our techniques on both sides, in this case, sitting and standing. It's only the comfort level that's the issue (back pain not withstanding). Which reminds me, I once hurt my back and went to work. After stting at the computer for a couple of hours, it became pretty unbearable, so I put in a "leave" slip to go home. I was so out-of-it, that when I sent it up to Administration, I didn't pay attention to it. A month later, after the leave slips were processed, I got mine back, and upon closer inspection, I noticed that it read in the reason for leaving section, I had put............."back stain" Oooooooops!

Suave!
Onile!

[franc]

berimbau,
jajajajaja!!! great !! like you . i play seated. i am stuck with the afro cuban orthodox approach. most masters congueros uses the seated position. to tighten or to loosen nuts is best while seated. beside you can handle and caress your congas with much love. i agree in a straight back posture. level of arms and a good throne which you can position for best result. for the can of beer you can get these gadget that you position in a hat , which can hold the can of beer!!! . no, spill at all, jajajajaja my best and áche ♪ franc

[El Boni]

It's so reassuring to find that everyone has the same problems! I used to get terrible backpain, which I'm pretty sure was initially caused by an Aikido injury. One particularly sadistic instructor made me do 100 rolling breakfalls as a punishment for something-or-other - result? one 'sub-luxed rib', which is excruciating and completely debilitating.

I agree that the height of your seat isn't something you can afford to be vague about - too high or too low and you're asking for trouble. I play seated by preference, but use stands where I'm playing other instruments blah blah blah...

Actually Onile, I've found that the standard hand/wrist/arm stretches for Aikido are perfect for warming up and down for congas. You use these?

Hope your back-stain cleared up OK.

B

[onile]

Alafia Abure El Boni!
I'm afraid I remember very vividly the front and back standing, and kneeling rolls from one end of the "dojo" to the other. I would get so dizzy, it wasn't funny. As for the wrist stretching, it is such a great exercise to warm up the wrists, yes I do use it, and recommend it to my students!

Those exercises paid off when executing the "katatetori" technique, and any other one for that matter. I had some good fun when I was younger and doing it, but then.....................eh I discovered porn!:D :p

I actually began giggin' more and just drifted into another direction.

As for my "back stain" :p yeah, it cleared up, but my face was red for quite some time afterwards! Duh!

Humor! don't leave home without it!

Suave!
Onile!



Edited By onile on 1137068045

[captainquinto]

Well ... since katatetori is a "hand grab" I can see how the transition to porn could occur! :p
Also - as franc says - it's best to tighten or loosen your nuts and caress your conga while seated!
So glad that a forum with so much good information doesn't become too stuffy.

OK - on the topic, now. It has been stated that seat height is the key. I'm curious how much
variation is out there. I try to keep my arms as close to parallel with the ground as possible
but have seen differently in videos. Quick poll? Parallel, slightly downward or upward?

Peace!
Cap'nQ

[JohnnyConga]

When seated u should be at a height where ur arms are at 90 degrees at the elbow like this [_ ....."JC" Johnny Conga...

[onile]

Kiambote Abures!
Yo! Cap'n Q! you crack me up! :p

I would have to agree with abure JC, having your arms at a 90 degree angle with the playing surface of the drum is what is mostly recommended. I must say however, I have noticed that some drummers play all over the place, different angles and all.

Adelante!
Onile!

[franc]

i am with my friends!! have to say the same . arms at 90 degree angle. in solos get it tight between your legs, move and caress the conga and make beautiful music. ahiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii !!!!! áche to all franc

[onile]

“Échale semilla ‘la maraca pa’que suene, cha-cu-cha pero que cha-cu-cha e”

Adelante!
Onile!