Routine

The Power of Routine in Learning and Creating

Last week, my focus was on the lifestyle and mindset of drumming. This week, my thoughts turn to something that has been with me since childhood — routine.

Before I ever picked up the drums, most of my energy and hyperactivity went into basketball. I remember how far that “obsession” went: even in winter, I would train for two or three hours in snow and icy conditions. That led to a few painful encounters with the ground, but luckily (knocking on wood) I never broke anything.

Even in primary school, my schedule was quite full and structured. I had a daily routine during the week, and weekends were usually reserved for games or family trips. Things changed in high school — along with my habits. Trips and matches were replaced by concerts and parties, sports gave way to music, and one routine slowly evolved into another.

Although I was drawn quite early in my drumming journey to more technically demanding styles of playing, I struggled to find a clear path toward reaching that level myself. I spent a fair amount of time searching for answers online, but with the overwhelming amount of information available, it was difficult to determine what was truly useful and what wasn’t. Occasionally, I came across something that felt right and included it in my practice “program,” but I lacked a real plan or consistent routine. Only in the last few years did I begin to seriously reflect on how, what, and how much to practise — and that’s when the idea for a handbook was born.

For many years, my practice habits placed much more strain on my right hand and right foot. About two years ago, a massage therapist pointed out that the entire right side of my body was noticeably tighter than the left. That alone might not seem unusual, but I had already started noticing subtle differences even in the way I walked — the result of long-term, unbalanced practice. Another thing I became aware of after years of driving was that my left ankle behaved differently from the right because of constant clutch use. Everyday activities also created differences in fine motor control between my hands. These small imbalances may seem insignificant at first, but over time they can lead to more serious issues. Since I plan to stay involved with drumming for many years to come, I began focusing on preventive solutions as well.

Just as strength training includes exercises for symmetry and balance, I now approach drumming practice with the same mindset — aiming to load both sides of the body as evenly as possible. In my own daily routine, and in the routines I encourage my students to follow, I try to promote a way of practising that supports creative playing while also respecting long-term physical health.

Keep on drumming!