drumming secrets

Hi Juan,

I have a question that really bugs me!

As a young drummer I have always used ear plugs to protect my ears when I play the drums. The brand I use is called "Hearos" and works fine for me.

Today I play with several bands and it's going kind of OK. Some bandmembers think I play too loud and they always want me to go down on the volume. To me that doesn't feel right and most of all I kind a lose the joy of getting rid of my energy. So my plan is to tell them to wear ear plugs too, but I thought before suggesting this to my band, let's get some advise first.

So what do you think on this matter? Do you use ear plugs at all?

Hope to hear from you

Sincerly,

Casey Burnell (Brooklyn, NY)

Hi Casey! 

Thanks for your question...quite interesting this case, it really is! 

Ok, first of all: yes, I do use ear plugs. When do I use them? When ever I am spending hours of teaching drums (the noise of 2 drum sets can be very damaging!) or when I am studying for many hours in a row. Do I use it at concerts? That really depends on what kind of concert that is. When I am doing many shows on a tour, the first 3 concerts I play without any ear plugs, so I am able to hear every musical detail. At the same time it gives me the opportunity to get used to the fysical energy I am using with the current dynamics and volumes. After a couple of shows when all the music and the program is settled, it's more likely for me to use the ear protection then. By then I have learned to fysically feel how loud I play and that prevents me from hitting too hard in general!

Having said that, I realize that when you grew up with playing drums wearing ear plugs, you can't even tell what your volume is when you play, or what an acoustic drum set sounds like! Have you thought of that at all?

It could be possible that you are used to hard hitting, because of your ear protection. Now think about this question: have you ever seen a new drum kit being sold with a set of hearing protection? .....

Don't get me wrong here, I do recommend them however not under every circumstances.

I have found out  at auditions, when new students want to apply for their dreamstudy at our school, that the drummers that sound the worst,  often wear ear plugs! There is a total absence of  dynamics and that explains why I never hear music in their way of playing...... probably it has got a lot to do with the 'miss-use' of hearing protection!!

So Casey, try and find out how hard you actually play without using ear protectors before you suggest anything to your band....maybe start working on less volume and greater  dynamics. I can assure you that it will serve the musicality in your playing.

Good luck and have fun discovering a new audio world.....

Juan