drumming secrets

No, this time not a metaphore for interesting drum lesson stuff.......But exactly what the word 'food' stands for: that stuff you put in your mouth when you get hungry....

It is very interesting to think about this subject; on all my trips round Europe, Asia and the U.S.A. I can say that I have eaten a lot of different sort of food. When I played gigs, not every promoter manages to organise a proper meal for us musicians, but it was quite interesting how I discovered that when I eated a quick meal or fast food, I was short of energy for a whole concert of 2 hours! It took me a while to find out about what food actually does with for a human body! With the help, watching the programs and reading books, of my all time heroe Jamie Olliver, I learned a lot more about digesting and proportions of food, what to eat and what to eat not!

First thing that comes to mind is this: drummers play a physical instrument, so during a concert it is at least 2 hrs of hard work. Not to mention the carrying arround stuff and building up - breaking down moments before and after the shows!

During the show a drummer has to concentrate and put in all the energy that he's got, to make the band sound on their tops! Tempos should be steady, no arrangements mistakes and a consistant sound!

Sounds more like a top sport, doesn't it? If you would ask an athletic sportsman what he eats, you probably get a very acurate list of what his diet includes! Now why is it that when we think about musicians, we think about booze, drugs, rock and roll and fast food? Is it the rock 'n roll  immage we get pushed in our faces through watching MTV, or is it the good old time misserable stories of bands like The Rolling Stones we adore so much?.....

Playing music as a professional musician especcially for a drummer is a job that needs serious attention if it comes down to a healthy way of living!! And that starts with proper meals, if not offered by the local promoter, just buy it your self; you eat to get the right energy out, so it's logical to get the best energy in first!

Now here is what I started to do:

first I changed some house rules to begin with; I wanted to cook every day and learn what is great and healthy food to prepare and to eat. Now my wife and I are both very fond of good tasting food, so I have put myself to the big test: how can I cook healthy food that tastes great?

Lucky for me I travelled a lot in Italy, so I have had many occasions where I learned from the local dishes and by asking the cook what he did and how he did it! Of course I took some pictures of my favorite meals that I have eaten 'on the road'. And at home I simply tried to copy the taste by experimenting, asking other great cooks and trying to beat my own dishes every time again!

I am not going to border you with tips about how to prepare a meal; I might do that in another blog, but for the time being here are a few tips for drummers:

1. eat some fruit during the soundcheck  (banana or apple)

2. snacks between soundcheck and the actual concert? Better not!

3. eat organic pasta 1,5 hour before a gig. Don't eat a too heavy meal!

4. a little glas of wine is ok during dinner, but don't touch that 2nd glas!

5. drink water before you start having dinner, and don't drink anything during your meal.

6. wait with coffee or any other drink till 30 min. after you had your last dish; give the body time to digest the food!

7. have water on stage, but not fizzy; have it on stage 30 min. before showtime, so the water can adapt to the temperature on stage. This way it is not too cold!

8. Don't drink more than 2 x 50 ml during the show.

9. after the show sit down and do some cooling down exercises on a pad.

10. have that one little beer you deserve, but never drink & drive!!

Maybe one day I'll put a nice recipe for you,but for now just look at the pictures of fabulous dishes I have had on the road!!

Buono apetito!