The miracle of stretching

Stretching has become one of my tactics to stay in the game. I play drums and piano. I practice daily, I play and jam regularly. I'm going to 58 years old this week. I'm still in the game. 

• ​I stretch away from my instruments, concentrating on my legs, arms, and upper back. 
• ​I try to sit upright at both instruments and not let my head lean forward. 
• I stretch before and during breaks when I'm practicing and rehearsing. 
• I paid for professional advice on what, when, and how to do it. 

​For the past number of years I've attended the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshop in Kentucky. Full of weekend warriors who 3 days in, sometimes after just 2 days were already suffering. Stretching and proper warmups may have helped some, but not all the discomfort they experienced. 

​A word to the wise: Don't wait until you have inflammation and tingling fingers. Carpal tunnel, repetitive strain injuries and worse are no joke. You don't have to be a mature musician to suffer from these problems.

Best,

​David