Muscle tension

[James M]

I was practicing speed drills today and one of the problems I'm having is muscle tension in the arms. In my experience, tension is the most difficult techniqal road block to speed and accuracy in playing guitar. It took me years to overcome this, and it's annoying to have to readdress this with congas.

Anyone out there learning on there own will %99.999 of the time encounter this problem along the way. Just be aware of it early on and constantly. One of things I do, is play what ever is giving me tension problems (generally fill type patterns) and play at a speed just under the tension zone and slowly work from there. Watch your arm and elbow positions, and don't forget to breath steadily. On the Giovanni and Changuito "Evolucion de los Tumbadores", they suggest holding your breath for more fast, complicated, riffing, but I would suggest against that. You need that oxygen!

It anybody out there have any more advice for dealing with tension?

[Raymond]

As mentioned here before, to playing percussion there are psychological and phisiological sides to it. Tension could be caused by bad technique, muscles that are tired and/or hesitation (specially when breaks and fills are to ocurr) because the lack of proficiency or confidence in your playing. Breathing while playing is important. (Lots of people say that I do not appear to enjoy playing because I am serious while playing. On the contrary. What I am doing is breathing and been relaxed so I be receptive to anything that is going on while "we" are playing).

The easiest way to handle your problem is to relax. (Easier said than done). The best way to accomplish this is through proficiency in the instrument. The more proficient you become the more confident you are going to feel with playing and/or breaks.

If your problem is not that you are relaxing it could be bad technique or that you are "overdoing" your playing. (If you are just starting playing congas or any other percussion instrument there is no way all the muscles involved will be "fully developed" to resist extended playing. If you just starting you most likely cannot keep up with the rudiments or exercises of Changuito or Giovanni. There you have to give yourself a "break" in some way until you build strength and skills to do what thy are doing.... If you do that you will start building tension while trying to keep up with something you do not have the skills or strength yet). Playing with "tension" creates bad habits or relying in bad techniques to try to keep up...

Check what is the cause of your tension and work with it. It might be difficult at the beginning but the more proficient you become the easier it will get... Work relaxing and create proficiency and develop the muscles involves in playing. I hope it helps...

Saludos!



Edited By Raymond on 1080571223

[Jongo]

Hey Congueros, I am also having trouble with a lot of tension building up in my forearms and elbows. I have good technique but I do have a tendency to overplay a little when I am really getting into it. I have started focusing more on my breathing and trying to breathe deeply and that had helped but it has not totally solved the problem. I need some advice on what to do. Have I been playing too much and need a break? I stretch and try to warm up, do I need to do more of that? Are there some specific stretches I need to do? I love to play so taking a break is not a very good option. Any tips the pros and amateurs out there can give are really appreciated. Thanks
Juan

[CongaCaja]

You have tension in your elbows? I've never hear of tension in a joint, but if you have pain in inside of your elbow or top of your forearms...well, then you might have tendonitis. That's not a good thing. I had that many years ago when I used to play 6 hours a day ( touring with a drum corps and playing with sticks ) and I was forced to stop. Though I continued to play other instruments while I rested my arms, it was at least 3 months before I could starting playing intensely. It sucked.

I hope that you don't have this but if the pain continues, perhaps you should see a doctor.

It's good that you warm up. I think the amount of warm up needed depends on the person and the level. For me personally, I need lots of warm up time. My preference is 20-30 minutes before attempting to do something very challenging or any chop-building.

best of luck!

cjk

[L.Fonseca]

I must for mine experience agree with congacaja. Warm-up very very well and don´t overplay. Tendons are like muscles, you can not try to run 30kms in a row if you start jogging, you must do it gradually, same for your tendons. But the big difference is if you abuse your muscles they probably will be ok quick, but if you abuse your tendons you have a big problem. I stoped played for 8 months and i am still doing fisiotherapy everyday because i have tendonitis in both hands it will probably will take 2/3months or more. I have it because of doing 4hours of rudiments in a row, that´s is stupid in every aspect, because i wasn´t evoluting more for that and caught tendonitis. Be really carefull there are people that can never play again due to ignoring. But when i come back to play it will be so wonderful..

My best to all!
Luis Fonseca

[Jongo]

Actually the tension is not in my elbow joint it is in my forearms and like around my elbow joint. I was having some pain in my elbow joint and I took a break for about a month. Stretching and warming up more and trying not to overstress my arms has helped that problem but I still have a lot of tension in my arms and I do not want to develop tendonitis so I am trying to avoid that at all costs.
I don't warm up for nearly 20 to 30 minutes. I do more like 10 so maybe I will have to work on that. I have been putting a heating pad on my forearms and that seems to help. A buddy of mine even does acupuncture to help his arms. I guess I will trying warming up longer and relaxing more
Juan

[JohnnyConga]

Great advice from all.. what I would add is this...before you play do some push ups, yes push ups, to help build your arms and joints. Second is relax the 3 points of your arms when playing...the wrist, the elbow and the shoulder. Relax and breath normally. Though playing is somewhat cardiovascular, I would also recommend a series of "warm ups", like rolls, and some rudiment exercises, then you can start to "play along" with your music. try to put in at least 2 hours a day on the drum, at least. Work out a plan for playing, excersizing, rhythms, etc....a Mentor would also help you on your way....hope this helps...."JC" Johnny Conga....

[yoni]

Yeah, great advice alright. I think all kinds of arm and hand stretching is very important, before and after playing, just like dancers and athletes do. The point about breathing is something I need to work on... sometimes I just forget to breathe, especially while doing something complex or when I get into a trance-like state at times... suddenly I need air and the sudden need can sometimes break the flow.

I once read an interview with drummer Elvin Jones where he emphasized how important it is to keep breathing, and how many drummers forget to at times. So I'm trying to keep my breathing smooth and even.

[Raymond]

My 5 cents in additon of what I said before....

My experience is that to play congas you need to have strength in your arms, shoulders, chest, elbows, and wrists. Is not like you need to become a bodybuilder but remember you need to "build them up" to resist and play correctly. Therefore, the correct technique and relaxing, meaning don't overdoit for the sake of getting volume, is extremely important...

Pain in elbows????? Aren't you playing without using your shoulders and chest or perhaps your wrists????. It looks like it. I think most of the "pressure" while playing congas will be in your shoulders, chest and wrist. I believe the elbows are like "facilitators" in the process unless your trying to get volume and use your elbows to try to get. Notice that most congueros play very "relaxed" in regards to the elbows and what you see is "shoulders and chest relaxed" with wrist.

The elbow pain look like you are "restricting" your shoulders and chest and your tensioning your elbows.. (Not a doctor but it sounds like that is what you are doing)....

Another opinion...I hope helps!

Saludos!