Drum Gloves

[blackcatdigi]

Originally Posted by imloggedin

learn proper stick grip and technique. you can play for hours without breaking a sweat. even when i played with the wrong grip i never had a calass.

OTOH- A drum tech friend of mine used to pour "gallons" of Nu Skin on Chad Wackerman's bloody, blistered hands every show, just so he could get through the night with Frank Zappa; Poor grip?

Personally speaking, I've been a pro drummer for 30 years, I taught for over a decade (starting at twelve), and I've also hung out and traded barbs with Jim Chapin many times over the years.

But, I sweat like a mofo when I perform. I also break sticks/heads/cymbals, blister, callus, bleed, and usually leave pieces of flesh strewn about the stage...

Also, all those metal kids that wear gloves and play a million BPM usually have a lighter touch than most of the jazz players I know.

I guess what I'm trying to convey is that there are no absolutes, context matters.

[fooman]

Ur my hero.
=)

Thanks for sticking up for ppl with damaged hands.

BTW, Vinnie Paul is a puss. He wears gloves to.

[nandoanalog]

Originally Posted by fooman

BTW, Vinnie Paul is a puss. He wears gloves to.

No idea about the puss thing, but he sure aint no drum God.

[fooman]

Originally Posted by nandoanalog

No idea about the puss thing, but he sure aint no drum God.

to you.

[joeq]

Just remember rule number 18 of the 36 Rules for Bands

18. Drummers can take off their shirts or they can wear gloves, but not both.

[imloggedin]

Originally Posted by blackcatdigi

Personally speaking, I've been a pro drummer for 30 years, I taught for over a decade (starting at twelve), and I've also hung out and traded barbs with Jim Chapin many times over the years.

But, I sweat like a mofo when I perform. I also break sticks/heads/cymbals, blister, callus, bleed, and usually leave pieces of flesh strewn about the stage...

youre not doing something right then. leaving flesh on the stage hah. i still stand by what i said about the gloves. your a 'pro' drummer cause youve been drumming 30 years and chatted with jim chapin? NO. even drummers in pro bands arent 'pro' drummers. that means nothing to me. tell me why ive never seen a glove around the big boys, virgil donati, jojo mayer, etc. cause you dont need them, thats why. besides this thread was about a newer drummer talking about wanting gloves. thats not how you learn, you learn proper grip first. ive played in 90 degree+ weather outside for 3 hours too, and i never dropped a stick from sweat OR had flesh strewn about. im not a 'pro' drummer, if i can do it then anyone can. no excuses.

[fooman]

I'm not a 'new' drummer....
I'm just a simple self-taught player. I can keep time to a click, play what the song needs, and I tend to keep a crowd entertained. I'm not a virtuoso like Virgil Donati, but I like to wear gloves.... why is this such a bad thing?

So... can anyone tell me of a decent glove or are you guys just THAT set against them?

[imloggedin]

its nothing against you fooman. youre just not getting it that you dont need to wear gloves. develop proper sticking technique.

[fooman]

I do get it. I'm not being stubborn... it's hard to convey that on the net so I'm sorry if I'm coming off as a whiner.

I just have shows to play while I learn... and the reality of it is that I do need gloves until I improve enough for my current gigs to not suffer.

Once again, sorry for seeming like a whiney kid. That wasn't my intention.

[CompEq]

I think drum gloves can be helpful and ther have been situations where I've been very glad to have a pair nearby. I think I'm using the zildjian ones now, but have used several different types in the past. I don't currently play with them, but they're great for:

1) Cold weather outside gigs
2) Cartage
3) If I've developed a blister
4) The prevention of blisters

1. happens rarely if at all any more, but a stocking cap and drum gloves can be your best friend on a cold outside gig. 2. Whenever I have to shlep my kit around, I always used to get some kind of cut somewhere from the hardware. Drum gloves are the answer. 3. So I don't have as much time to practice as I used to and if I get something coming up I have to put in a lot of practice when I may have little left of any caluses I had before. I've only needed gloves once or twice for this reason, but it happens. The 4th reason is basically what I'm suggesting. Use gloves some of the time and practice without other times. Then you can gradually build caluses and not have to abstain from playing due to blisters.

[donavan]

For the sweating/grip issue, you might try a non-laquered stick. I use the natural by pro mark, but I'm sure there are many different brands available.

I used to have issues with dropping sticks because I don't break them very often and they would start to get slick after a while. The naturals made a HUGE difference, although there was a brief blister phase, which it sounds like you aren't too crazy about.

I have to agree with those who say just develop callouses. Between that and an unfinished type stick, you might be able to save some money on gloves. Just my opinion.

[Goliath|Audio]

Originally Posted by donavan

For the sweating/grip issue, you might try a non-laquered stick.

Beat me to it. Vic Firth sticks and then sand them lightly to take the smoothness off.

I have never worn gloves playing drums. You can play all day long and destroy your hands with a good technique. 3 years of Drum and Bugle Corps proved it to me. F--k I hated Iowa, but I still have my mallet marks on my ring fingers!

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by Tibbon

Not a personal attack, but they always seemed to be something worn by ****** drummers without soul but just with speed and kits too big for a tourbus.

Wow, so much unhelpful but judgmental advice by so many.

Gloves are not a cure all, but they can be helpful.
I sweat a lot and have had a problem gripping sticks in high sweat situations (hot/humid countries under large banks of lights).
Once your grip starts to slip (due to sweat), friction starts to occur and blood blisters are soon to follow.
Incidentally I always tour with at least one large fan by the kit, as the sweat burns my eyes too.
As a rule I don't wear gloves, but I wore gloves for one tour for a simple reason....
We rehearsed for a couple of months and I was fine, playing within myself.
We moved to a week of production rehearsals and for some reason (stage design?) the hierachy of the band decided the drums weren't loud enough and/or didn't project energy to the front of the stage.
I was required to up my energy beyond where I was comfortable.
This added to the stress on my hands, added to the blistering and added to the sweat production.
I had 18 months of shows ahead of me and no time to build new callouses.
My other option was to walk away, leaving the band in the lurch, getting myself a flakey reputation and wiping out nearly two years of employment.
So I grabbed some gloves and all went smoothly for the 18 months.
I've never worn them since and wouldn't wear them for a normal gig, or a studio date.
But they aren't just for '******s' (IMO), or for people with dodgy technique.
Yours sincerely, A. ******
YouTube - Dire Straits - Calling Elvis

[Jax]

Ah, so you're that Chris Whitten.

Much respect to you, sir. Thank you for your contributions.

[rebuskyle]

Originally Posted by blackcatdigi

OTOH- A drum tech friend of mine used to pour "gallons" of Nu Skin on Chad Wackerman's bloody, blistered hands every show, just so he could get through the night with Frank Zappa; Poor grip?

Personally speaking, I've been a pro drummer for 30 years, I taught for over a decade (starting at twelve), and I've also hung out and traded barbs with Jim Chapin many times over the years.

But, I sweat like a mofo when I perform. I also break sticks/heads/cymbals, blister, callus, bleed, and usually leave pieces of flesh strewn about the stage...

Also, all those metal kids that wear gloves and play a million BPM usually have a lighter touch than most of the jazz players I know.

I guess what I'm trying to convey is that there are no absolutes, context matters.

Actually yea...it's VERY possible that Wackerman had poor grip when he was playing with Zappa (am I saying that he's a bad drummer?....NO). Bottom line is that if you're busting up your hands this much you should examine the kinetics of your playing.

In fact EVERY DRUMMER should examine the kinetics of his/her playing from how high your throne is to how far apart your feet are to your grip...and on and on.

Seriously though. This thread has been beat down, and I'm sure that the OP understands what he LIKES to do (play with gloves) and that there are plenty of great drummers out there that use gloves....but the real question is "do you want to be playing in 10 years? 20 years? 30 years?

That is the reason to examine your playing consistently (no matter how good/accomplished you are!).....

2 cents,
kyle

OH...and if you're worried about projecting or getting the volume you're used to how about trying bigger sticks?

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by Jax

Thank you for your contributions.

Thanks to you too.