I’m Brandon, a Biomechanics Specialist, Fitness Educator, Gym Owner, and Drummer. My approach is rooted in the belief that a deep understanding of physics and human physiology leads to a healthier, more fulfilling life.
In this space, I share insights and analysis on biomechanics as they relate to fitness, drumming, and overall well-being. My goal is to provide both practical and evidence-based perspectives that can enhance your physical performance and quality of life.
I am also passionate about educating others on business and entrepreneurship. With the right knowledge, creativity, and application, I believe anyone can create the life they aspire to.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me!
Not so fast... Foam rolling works the same way as static stretching. It indirectly stimulates the golgi tendon organ which eventually sends a signal to the muscle to relax or "let go" on a comprehensive level. This can be a great tool for drummers with a tight gastrocnemius, reducing the workload on your much smaller anterior tibialis, which might be important considering how popular high spring tension is for fast playing. Not to mention the fact that Tama makes a product specifically to help with this(ie. the cobra coil). Haha and you're welcome...🤘
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0aCiXgPYEmo.htmlsi=OTf9dQCXkcSVtxls this might help Provide some insight. References paper cited as well.
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0aCiXgPYEmo.htmlsi=OTf9dQCXkcSVtxls this might help Provide some insight. References paper cited as well.
good video! only asterisk is if you play buzz/press rolls. with those rolls, it is sometime beneficial to widen your arms put and pump with the elbows so you can keep your wrist straight. this helps especially with louder and faster buzz rolls!
Brandon, mind if I ask a question? I usually wear converse/chucks cause they’re flexible/minimal and was about to get some barefoot shoes, but I had to get a ganglion cyst cut out of one of my tarsometatarsal joints and while I’m working on correcting my technique, I’m worried about the impact of playing making it come back or damaging it further. Would running/shock absorbing type shoes be bad for technique? I know they wouldn’t have the bend you’re talking about, what would you recommend for tackling both joint protection and a good feel? Thanks so much 🙏🏻✌🏻
It's good information, the only thing I think should be clarified is that there's no right or wrong way to play a stack, but I totally get that short form videos can be limiting. There's the sounds that the stack makes depending on stick attack angle, kit setup position, how tight the stack is on the cymbal stand, your preferences and what is right for the song. I used to mount a small 6", lightly tightened stack, level in the cowbell spot above the bass drum batter hoop. I hit on the top like a hihat, across the entire top surface like I'm hitting a ride bell, but also on the edge facing away from me for the slightly chunkier sound.
Everyone has different anatomy, for me personally I have no problem playing high speeds like 280-300+ bpms effortlessly whilst having a wider stance gives me more stability and lets me swivel wider which is very natural for me to get that power even at higher tempos, same goes with leaning foward a bit or using your elbows to generate more power to hit drums or cymbals (it's not herently wrong technique or bad if it works & doesn't hurt)
My bench sits slightly lower than normal so I position my stacks lower and all my other cymbals are angled beyond 45 degrees because I like access to the full cymbal without changing my arm angle.
This seems to check out in my experience- I had a drum lesson with a pro drummer well known for his double bass playing about 15 years ago- he told me that my pedals should be very far apart compared to his, reason being that upon meeting I was a foot taller than he was! I always believed it until I saw a couple other drummers playing very relaxed hips and lots of free ankle control- similar to my height with their drive shaft set with 0 extension. It’s a lot less struggle when I set them closer. Makes sense from a balance and stability standpoint to keep everything as close to being in line with the throne as possible. Thanks for your helpful explanation 🙏
As much love and respect as I have for the late great Neil Peart, he totally played with his elbows out. His form seemed to get even worse when he raised his snare drum for his first instructional video in 1996 “A Work in Progress” where he worked with Freddie Grube. He played with the snare like that for the rest of his career. I was uncomfortable for him, watching him play like that. Again, no disrespect to him. He was still a great player and innovator and original artist.
@brandondrummechanics love your stuff was trying to find email to chat? Here's a question tho, do you have something you'd recommend to help make your non dominate hand more supple? just more reps? my upstroke feels very stiff on my left and I'm trying to isolate and enhance the correct motion. wondering if you have tips or a short I might have missed. Really appreciate all your vids! thank you!
The old Sleishman double-pedal designs seem to do a fairly good job of keeping the feet together, though AFAICT the newer models seem to have added some distance.
socks slide too much despite being ultra comfortable. Bare feet feels great but you are going to start sweating after no time at all doing double bass work and then you have an even slidier foot than than with the sock!!
These are honestly great tips for any instrument or anything in music. But I wouldn’t consider this the “fastest way” per say, but instead I’d probably call it the only good way to practice lol. And the 10,000 hour rule still stands, but to get there you need the proper efficiency of practice.
Came here to see if I'm teaching my students properly. Happy to see someone clearly explaining everything I've been sharing in my lessons about thrones. I always tell my students that they will hear bad myths about thrones. Great video
Yeah well, algorythm is a thing and I can assure you, I already know all of that and much more about Dave Weckl. Just check out my drumset and you will understand lol.
Brandon, you speak about ergonomics of a foot and that's good. But what about playing bass drum perspective? What is ergonomic for walking not necessary to be ergonomic for drumming. The evolution didn't know it will bring us to footpedal. Like the man bellow said he use weightlifting shoes for his purposes. It may be not so wrong, right?
Hilarious, I happen to be using brass Power Wrist Builders while watching this. I had them reversed because they're getting too light to play tip forward.
I was skeptical of stretching back when I was really into strength training because I'd seen the research about decreased force production. HOWEVER, I now have a bulging and dehydrated L5-S1 and I've found that stretching out my hip flexors, groins, hamstrings and glutes provides relief from pain and tightness. I was just wondering whether there's an explanation for this given that it's apparently not the right thing to do?
