Rich Patterson's ergonomics in drumming

ICMP teacher's guide to perfect posture

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

Yes! You are one of the few drummers on earth who really understands this. Modern Drummer magazine did a feature on drum kit ergonomics and most of their education team is pitifully unaware of anything you mentioned in this video. I have a similar video, I mentioned these concepts in my double bass book (this is especially important when playing 2 kick drums), and I teach all of my students to be aware of their sitting position just as you describe it. I am glad that I am not alone in this crusade.

[@jonti69ify]

During rehearsal last night, i thought of the advice given about the V position and altered the angle of my bass drum by about 1 inch to the right, WOW what a difference that made to my playing. Not only did it open and free up my foot and technique but also made the balance of my whole body better and much more comfortable thank you superb professional advice.

[@MastanehNazarian]

Great video!! Posture, breathing, focus and creativity are so intertwined so ergonomics are a great starting to point for creating overall success. So awesome that you're addressing the chair cutting into the back of the legs: such a simple and rich point to bring attention to and reduce the chances of injury.

[@ianstuart5689]

Really, really helpful, this guy needs his own channel.

[@silky2916]

I think a big thing that alot of people miss out is the actual position where you sit on the throne its self, if you sit further forward on the throne you naturally will sit up more straight because your center of gravity will be more forwards on the throne giving more power. sitting far back on the throne will make your back arch and you'll lean and curl forward because your bodies center of gravity will be not where its supposed to, meaning alot more work will have to be done to keep your back straight, thus using more energy to keep yourself upright, this can hinder your playing.

[@themusallone]

I like to sit down, play "airdrums" and place the drums etc exactly where i would naturally hit each element of the kit. If that makes any sense! After playing for a while, you dont think about it. You just put stuff where you know you want em.

[@Danfromoverthere]

Awesome video thanks man it helped me correct some bad habits especially being I’m short

[@jamac1276]

Great video, the tip about the V position has made a huge difference in my drumming! My foot work just went up 10 notches. Very professional advice thank you!

[@StuartJrBarrett]

Great video! I just try some of these techniques

[@Danfromoverthere]

Great video!!!!

[@hombreenojado]

You won't be getting in contact with him through here since it appears that MusicRadar just archived this single clip and not even the continuation of this series. Disappointing since he's covering stuff that most drummers don't think of and it has significant effect on playing ability. Still digging to see if I can find the other videos.

[@hombreenojado]

I never did find any other videos from this series. Something I've noticed from my own practice of Stick Control: I LEAN! I tend ot favor the right side. So when trying to play through the exercises the left hand lands flat, and I hit the rim... repeatedly. If I put down the stick in my right hand and basically shove that hand in my pants pocket or let it hang the left hand instantly becomes less retarded and the arc to the head lands true. The lean is barely noticeable... but it's there. I haven't figured out a way around it... yet.

[@hombreenojado]

I haven't found them so far. Unfortunate because this is better than many other ergonomics videos.

[@kinserjosh]

​@@hombreenojado thanks for looking

[@michelhoth1]

Excellent video master.

[@OlivBackBeat]

Thank you RICH !

[@paistesnpearls2301]

Agree with the V-position. The problem with a double bass pedal setup is that the left bass pedal occupies the "natural" place your foot would fall on the hi hat pedal. Now the V is much wider, and your feet are not providing good support. How can you best compensate for that, short of ditching the left bass pedal? Thanks

[@Jagadrums]

The first part untill 5:15, is abot sitting high or low wich i personally think it depends on varios factors, but to be fair its a very good job. Now from 5:16 you are %100 right and that made instantly more relaxed and a lot better control on my right foot. Thus it made de me change my Tom, floor Tom and ride location a little bit. Try to imagine... Suddenly distances from one Tom to another change...

[@eduardoboccolini5073]

Really really good lesson...should always be the first on the kit...but: Patterson does it brilliantly

[@alekseysky-daziel3283]

nice playing dude. look forward to meeting you as I'll be in your lessons next year as I'll be joining your uni :)

[@Juanah92]

Aleksey Sky-Daziel He does look like a teacher I'd like having classes with.

[@Juanah92]

How are your classes going?

[@rockdahaus]

Hmm... i like to sit behind the kit like you... right in the middle of to high (like Mike Portnoy is sitting) and to low (like Nicko McBrain is sitting). Everyone should try to sit higher or lower and the middle of it. Every drummer should decide for themselves, in which sitting position he/she is the better drummer.

[@diogofonseca199]

I feel like I owe this guy money

[@JamieDrumz]

Very informative video - thank you.

[@alessio8123]

Great video! I was definitely using the wrong posture.

[@JohnKeyser]

Very insightful.

[@trevormcmanis]

Great Advice! 100% correct

[@k0mbutcha]

very helpful, thanks!

[@titobalkani8240]

Damn, did a bump or two did we?

[@svenflaco4866]

totally

[@docterblack]

Great info, thank you

[@luisrico777]

Thank you so much!

[@whocantexplain]

This was great!

[@paulspeter9820]

good to hear about the V position of the feet; I've been playing that way for many years but I find my BD foot swims around on the pedal, I've even taken to putting some non slip tape on the pedal; I play from the ankle; any hints to stop the swim effect? Buddy Rich's set up I've always thought was very ergonomic, though he did suffer from back problems towards the end.

[@Adrian_888]

Great video! Do you have the other parts?

[@Danfromoverthere]

This also helped being I had seven spine surgeries

[@thinktank8389]

Id like to know about key turn technique. Uses all main grips in unison. Cheers

[@abe_ismain]

Thanks!!

[@richardgoldman8761]

Slightly below knee level if you have good posture and if you have long arm and legs. Your below knee level is drastic, and anyone sitting that low can easily lower their HH. Anytime you sit above your knees you’ll always be falling fwd when you lift your legs. The problem is everyone’s physical makeup is different, long arms, short torso, long legs, short torso, etc. etc. lots of combinations. Unfortunately there’s ‘no’ safe general rule.

[@mikejayshafer]

And I think he also said you can 15% or more on car insurance with GEICO

[@scootscoot97warlock90]

well this was about Step 1 , nothing mentioned about drum height or having them close together or having the Tom higher than the snare or any of that, just feels like the whole video was spent on how to set on the throne

[@penkatadrums]

Hey, Rich, why do you think after having such a good explanation about it, there are still drummers like Dave Grohl and Chad Smith that sit very low?

[@larrytate1657]

I know it's strange. I think it might be because they started that way from day 1.

[@TheVenusProjectInfo]

+penkata drums There are heaps of famous drummers that do things that you should avoid.

[@Jagadrums]

Have you cheked out the vector pedal?

[@austin.valentine]

Ever study Alexander Technique?

[@plaanett]

Ergonomics is the key

[@user-lo1iv6tu6r]

Bazinga

[@ThatSobob]

Good lesson but you why do you have to swallow so loud lol

[@SKragseth]

Dude the swallowing bothers me too. So often and loud

[@mariek130]

I think you were dehydrated, and should've had some water before doing this video.

[@smallcc7961]

I'm trying really hard not to say anything, but GD that's was distracting.

[@grolarqc]

Excellent lesson Rich.... but those saliva and swallowing sounds are disgusting.

[@synterlu]

Some people have that (disgust at those sounds), I forgot what the condition is called.

[@carterfelderva]

Misophonia. I have it, but eating (especially crunchy stuff) is far, far worse than swallows.

[@Bhazalt]

ASMR

[@richardjbonenfant4933]

N