Playing seated - Are some chairs better?

[trickyricky]

Hi everybody. I just wrote a post about how much I liked the rubber feet for the congas. The only problem I had was the last time I played my back hurt terribly the next day. I was playing seated with 3 congas in front of me, legs spread wide so I could get close enough. Maybe I should have been using the feet on two drums, and held the conga with my legs. Anyway, I was seated on a computer chair with no arms. I thought it would be like using a drummers seat or stool, because I never leaned back. My back REALLY hurt the next day and for a few days after. I know I have some bad discs but I will not quit playing at this time. I have gone back to playing in basket stands so I can stand up. I have changed the configuration of my congas to a triangle, conga in middle, quinto and tumba in back, and practicing that way so as to maybe use that configuration in the future seated. Wouldn't have to spread my legs as far to get close.

Do any of you teachers advise students on their posture while playing? Are certain chairs better than others? Thanks in advance for the help.

peace,
trickyricky



Edited By trickyricky on 1136424715

[Bataboom]

Do you think it might be because you have a back problem more then your seat? Reaching for the tumba or what ever drum you have furthest from you might have strained your already hurt back. I just started playing seat recently I sit on a folding stool that is about drum thrown height however I have a decent back. A desk chair sounds like would be the right height to me. Maybe no matter what you sit on you might have back pain from your bad disks.

[onile]

Alafia Abures!
I, the King of bad backs greet you! :p

I'm pretty sure that every one of us on this forum, have practiced a martial art of somekind in our lives. Well, I've studied and taught two, Northern Shaolin Praying Mantis, and Aikido! Sweet soft styles right? Well, one morning I was teaching the youth group Aikido class, and like a fool, didn't warm up before the class, and "ka-pow", pulled a muscle in my back. I learned that it never seems to go away after that, unless you strengthen your back muscles. Yeah, like I do that!

In anycase, I've been to chiropracters, and general physicians, and I can't remember which one actually said this to me, but it went a little something like this................back problems, that's the price we pay for walking on two feet! Can you believe it?

Anyway, strengthen your back, but always keep in mind that you have an injury and should be mindful of it. Between sets, don't just sit and let your back muslces get cold, move around, walk, stretch gentley. If you think about it, your back has an incredible job to do, when you walk, sit, stand, run etc. Placing your drums in a diamond formation is a step in the right direction. BTW look up information on 'ergonomics' it can help you understand this a bit more.

I have tried to play standing, and can make it through an evening (four sets), but dang if I'm not hurting the next day. All sacrifices we make for the love of the drum!

Take care of your back my friend!

BTW- Get yourself a decent throne! Sitting on regular chairs, computer chairs, folding chairs etc. is like buying a new suit and wearing a dirty, smelly and off color pair of shoes with it. Not recommended! Show some love to yourself and get a nice throne you can sit and play on! Your back and bottom will thank you for it!

Respect!
Onile!



Edited By onile on 1136439822

[Bataboom]

Show some love to yourself and get a nice throne.

hey I like that ! LOL

[mco]

I play congas seated but because of age, long hours spent commuting, and a disproportionately long torso, I've suffered from moderate to severe back pain. Purchasing a quality throne with a backrest has helped a lot.
I've been using a Tama First Chair throne (round) with the Tama HTB5 backrest. The backrest is adjustable and tiltable, allowing me to sit near the edge of the throne while still having the backrest providing lower lumber support.
Here's a link: http://www.music123.com/Thrones-Tama-b150d810.music.
Besides the throne backrest, stretching and excercise has helped. I'm also using a lumbar support pillow with my car seat, and that has helped a great deal (I commute ~ 3 hours a day by car). mco

[ABAKUA]

I always play standing and encourage all my students to do the same.
Correct posture is very important, getting into the habit of slouching is far too easy when sitting at the drum. Very important to keep your back upright and straight when playing.
I hate playing seated, when I began I would always play seated, wasnt till my 2nd or 3rd year of playing that one of my mentors got me up to play with his band, (he used 4 congas on stands) and I loved the ease and comfort of being standing. Just felt far more natural to me.
Needless to say, the following weekend I started saving up for some good quality sturdy stands.
I have been playing standing now for 15yrs and have never had a problem.

[Isaac]

I like the higher energy of playing standing, not to mention
you can dance a bit. However I feel I can get a fuller
subtler range of sounds easier while seated. I guess
I switch back & forth depending on the gig. If there's too much driving involved, I'll play standing.
Many years ago I saw the Stan Kenton Big Band,
featuring Ramon Lopez on congas. He retired in Florida
and passed on a few years ago. He had his congas
on a stand but sat on a tall padded bar stool with a
foot rest. He could then play either sitting or standing.
The best of both worlds - ergonomically speaking.
I also suffer from lower back problems, an injury from my days as a sleeping car porter on the Canadian Railway. I asked my chiropracter what the best position for my back is. He answered - change and motion is the best. He signed me up for some beginner Tai Chi, which helped
me maintain some strength through the basic Tai Chi
warm ups.
When I play seated, the next day my lower back is very sore. Playing standing also can hurt if you have lower back or hip issues, but it does build up your strength.
Come to think of it, I need to find a chair like
Ramon had, so I can switch back & forth, depending on the stand. I don't need to stand for a Bolero.

~ Isaac ~ (funky tradition)

[windhorse]

http://www.rocnsoc.com/nitroseries.html

[captainquinto]

Hey gang!

Here's a pretty good starter for easy stretches. Your body will thank you.

http://www.nismat.org/orthocor/programs/lowback/backex.html#Ex13

... practiced a martial art of somekind in our lives

It was Shuri-Ryu for me!

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... uriryu.jpg

[niallgregory]

Try getting used to both man ! Standing is cool for playing Salsa/latin jazz etc, as is sitting.But if your playing in a folkloric setting you need to be able to sit for very long periods of time , bata ,rumba are all played sitting down {traditionaly} so try and get used to both.My back is in a bad way also.OH THE PAIN , THE PAIN :angry:

[Berimbau]

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

[arpa]

In anycase, I've been to chiropracters, and general physicians, and I can't remember which one actually said this to me, but it went a little something like this................back problems, that's the price we pay for walking on two feet! Can you believe it?

I just love that comment! It is kind of relieving to find out that my back problems are not my fault

My fault is bongo... I see that Bongo playing is not so hard to your back, but I have a few spinal injuries and welcome all discussion about this topic.

[onile]

Alafia Berimbau!
Yeah! I like your style!
Keep the rythm going!

Many blessings!
Onile!

[Diceman]

My Pen'eth

I recently discovered the joys of the Cajon (no double entendres intended) Somewhere to sit and it sounds a whole lot better than a frigging drum stool.

Diceman

[onile]

Alafia Abure Diceman!
Cool! and you add yet another drum/sound to your percussive arsenal!

Great!

Odabo!
Onile!