For a drummer like Todd Sucherman, whose career with Styx has stretched across decades, the technical side of playing is a given. But as he’s learned from years on stages and in studios around the world, there’s a whole other layer of challenges that doesn’t show up in sheet music or gear specs. And according to him, many of those struggles come from within: poor habits, mental tension, and small oversights that add up.
In a recent conversation reflecting on his long musical journey, Sucherman didn’t talk chops or speed. He turned instead to the physical and mental tendencies that, in his words, “sneak up on drummers.” These habits don’t always appear in obvious ways. It’s not just about playing too fast or too loud, it can be as simple as how a player holds their shoulders, how much grip they apply to the sticks, or whether they’re even breathing steadily during a set.
Over the years, Todd Sucherman watched countless players: beginners and veterans alike, fall into the same traps. Tension in the body, a mindset that’s too focused on perfection, and a tendency to rush can wear down a drummer’s performance. And it doesn’t stop there. These habits often become deeply rooted, especially if no one points them out early on.
What Todd Sucherman has come to believe is that relaxation, not just physically, but mentally, isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. He explained that the drummers who connect most deeply with their music tend to be the ones who aren’t trying to prove anything. Instead, they’re simply listening, responding, and flowing. “The best playing happens when the body isn’t fighting the music,” he remarked.
This isn’t just theory for Sucherman. He’s applied the same thinking in his own work, whether recording a tight groove in the studio or navigating long sets on tour. Those moments when the music just clicks, he says, are usually the ones where he’s not thinking about the parts at all. Instead, it’s instinct, comfort, and awareness driving the performance.
He’s also taken that message into his teaching. Through masterclasses and clinics, he urges drummers to pay attention to their posture, their breathing, and what’s happening in their minds while they play. The goal isn’t to relax for the sake of being casual, it’s to create space where the music can speak clearly. Tension, in contrast, only clouds that.
Though many associate modern drumming with technical flair or speed, Sucherman’s message is a reminder that subtlety still matters. A well-placed note played with confidence and space can often say more than a flurry of fills. And for those who want to grow, he encourages not just better practice routines, but better habits overall: on and off the kit.
As he continues touring with Styx and mentoring the next generation of players, his focus remains steady. It’s not just about playing the drums, it’s about understanding the person behind them.