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There are a few good ways to increase your performance ability at any level of drumming. First of all, let's acknowledge
the fact that nothing takes the place of consistent practice. However, there are other things we can do to maximize our performance.
These factors include proper breathing, relaxation, stretching correctly/warming up, getting adequate rest, a positive attitude,
and proper nutrition. All of these factors affect focus and stamina significantly.
Being aware of your breathing pattern can increase concentration and allow you to "connect" with your instrument
more. You generally want to take slow deep breaths inhaling through the nose and exhaling out of the mouth. For more on this
check out Yoga, Tai Chi or Meditation. This will help with relaxation as well as focus. When warming up make sure that's what
you're actually doing. By that I mean do things to get the blood flowing first, like walking in place and swinging your arms
around gently. Once the muscles are warm, then they can be stretched to greater advantage and with less chances of cramp or
injury. A positive attitude also helps immensely. That's because a positive outlook will manifest positive things into your
life, and that goes for any person in any profession. Nutrition, however, may be the most overlooked aspect of our musical
performance! it affects everything we do, whether we realize it or not. A person who is properly balanced through nutrition
can deal with life's problems better, fight off illnesses faster, and tends to be more motivated in general. Being in balance
is also essential for mental clarity, one of the greatest assets to taking your playing to the next level. On tour, Nutrition
is of utmost importance, especially when having to deal with jet-leg, strange food, little sleep, and smokey clubs.
Here's the problem: our food sources in this country are greatly depleted and our bodies are under attack from toxins
in the air, food, and water supply like NEVER before. In fact, there are from 300 to 500 toxins in our cells now that were
never even seen before 1940! to make it worse, fruits and vegetables are sprayed with chemical pesticides, and picked before
they're ripen on the vine (which is where the essential nutrients develop), and soils are depleted from over-planting. Where
does that leave us? Perhaps in the new field of Nutraceuticals, which are food products that have proven health benefits.
~Jason Rullo
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