Tape or no Tape - Do you tape, why and what tape?

[Diceman]

My Global Brothers,

I usually tape only when I have damage, but what about you guys.
Do you tape for protection, improved sound, or prevention?What tape would you recommend and where do you tape, between joints, on finger tips etc.
Do you tape in different circumstances eg noisier situations?
Do you have any other tips de mano?

Spill the beans!
Diceman

[niallgregory]

Hi Diceman,
Why do people tape there hands up in this way.Seen a poncho sanchez dvd recently where he completely corvers his hands in tape.I know that the great Mongo did it but i cant work out the benefits.Surely your hands get tuffer and more able for the abuse they take by not covering them.

[JohnnyConga]

OK guys ..Mongo taped his hands because he had "nerve damage" and very small hands and he hit very hard...I knew him and hung out with him...now I tape because of my fingers "splitting" and to "lend support" to my bones. I now have no cartledge left in my fingers. I also have the beginning of arthritis and taping just seems to help,besides taking an aspirin or two before I play, but not always...I am in my 4oth year of playing the drum and expected things like this to happen to my hands...I also took karate up in my teen years and broke a lot of boards and really just hit a lot of things with my hands, we were into Bruce Lee at the time...hahhaha...and that has taken it's toll, so take care of your hands...you only get one pair..."JC" Johnny Conga ..PS I use Nexus 1inch wide Active bandaids....never a problem...

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[Jongo]

I have used tape when I banged up one of fingers and the tape helped to protect and to remind me to be careful and not do further damage to my finger as I played. Now of course I don't play as much and hit as hard as the great Mongo Santamaria but if you can imagine how much playing he did and with the force and energy he played with Mongo would have to tape his fingers. Like Johnny Congas said he had to protect his hands. The man only had one pair and he had to make them last!

[ABAKUA]

Hey all,

I only tape up when Ive split open a finger, and then I will only tape over that particular section, I normally go over the area twice, anything more than that is overkill/not needed with the tape I use.
I only use just enough to cover the affected area. There is no difference in sound produced. Slaps etc are just as crisp.

I use "Leukoplast BSN medical tape"



Edited By ABAKUA on 1125454467

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[windhorse]

I don't use tape.

[ABAKUA]

I don't use tape.

Ever?

You're either fairy tapping or have extremely conditioned fingers/hands.



jokes brother. :;):



Edited By ABAKUA on 1125544345

[ABAKUA]

While on this topic, another good thing to do...

Provided your hands/fingers are not cut open, the first piss (urine) of the day, first thing in the morning, piss on your palms.
Shake it off, once it has dried naturally by air, you can wash them.
All the built up acids n stuff in your piss overnight as you sleep, is great for making your palms hard/conditioned.
Im entering my 15th year of performing and I only have some callouses on my finger tips from slaps, but the rest of my hands have no callouse, just strong, rough/hard and conditioned.
Correct technique is also essential to prevent callouses build up. As Changuito said, Tata Guines, Giovanni, Anga and himself have no callouses build up for this very reason and technique of urinating on their hands.



Edited By ABAKUA on 1125567130

[windhorse]

Well remember, I'm generally not the sole drummer who has to keep up with other loud band instruments very often. I play Afro-Cuban Folkloric mostly. So, we're trying to blend with acoustic singing and NOT stand out too much. Also, almost no-one I've learned from uses tape. NONE of the great players at the Afro-Cuban camp in Arcata used tape,, except Francisco Aguebella, and I noticed that he hits the drum hard when he plays...
All the other guys use super-efficient technique.

So, you hit it hard, and you pay the price.

The only one I know around here, out of the 20 or so players I've seen, who uses tape is what I call a "banger".
He's an excellent player, but he "hits" the drum.
Also, he's "the" conga player in his band.


Dave

[ABAKUA]

Im not talking about using tape 24/7!!
I rarely use it, and only do so when a finger tears open.

NONE of the great players at the Afro-Cuban camp in Arcata used tape

Im sure they would use some form of tape at one point or another bro, fingers do tear open, and when they do, tape comes out to ease the playing.

BTW, my comments towards you re: fairy tapping etc were in jest, hope you didnt take offence.



Edited By ABAKUA on 1125576701

[windhorse]

No offense taken,, no worries..
And true,, accidents and sores may happen, and if you still have to play then tape 'em up!

I meant there are people who do tape every time, and they seem to be playing harder than the technique I was taught by lots of great players suggests..

you guys all rock whether you tape or not! We are in no place for value judgements..
most sincerely,
Dave

[rumbaman]

How are all you guys doing . Thats a question i used to ask also , but my instructer always said not to use it to condition my hands properly . My fingers have never split but they have gotten very swollen and sensitive . This used to happen before now i use a technique that my instructor always pushes and it is playing with my elbows down and getting those notes out without killing yourself . This increasing the eficiency of your stroke . Playing from your wrists is how he explaines it to me , so that you do not tire your hands or your arms .
rumbaman

[ABAKUA]

I agree. Begginners and students shouldnt use tape, allow time and practise to condition your palms and fingers.
But once you've been around the block gigging back to back for over 15yrs, you will begin to use tape as your conditioned fingers etc break open. Even with good technique. :;):

[Diceman]

Abakua, my brother,
You forgot to mention that you should wash your hands BEFORE breakfast!!!!!

Diceman :laugh:

[yoni]

If I'm going to play some long, long gig OR a few-day festival on hand drums, I will use band aids as preventative help. I prefer the sound without tape, but at age 47 it helps for congas - bandaids, anyway. My fingers also split now and then. I find they split easier when I'm smokin cigs, that lousy habit that I'm mostly out of, but I backslide once in a while...

Cream also can help a lot. I just about swear by one I used to use when I lived in the States - it's called "Corn Huskers' Lotion" and may still be found in many US pharmacies. Has lots of glycerin in it and it worked great for me.