Just like many instruments and being “in the zone” with anything, it’s easy to forget something important while playing, forgetting to breathe. It’s an odd phenomenon, but this does happen often, especially with drums; it’s easy to tense up while playing. The breath shortens. Shoulders rise. Forearms lock. Precision gives way to stiffness, and especially with fast grooves, it’s easy to stop a steady, consistent breath. Over time, this actually reduces your presence when playing.
And as you know, presence is the most important part of playing any instrument.
So, what can you do to improve your presence while playing?
1. Breathe while playing
It might sound obvious, but staying aware of your breath while you drum can completely change how you feel and sound. Start noticing when your breath gets shallow or stops. Then gently bring it back. No need to force it, just keep it flowing. A steady breath often brings a steadier groove.
2. Practice meditation
Mindfulness doesn’t just help in life; it helps in music, too. Even five minutes a day of simply sitting and noticing your breath can make a huge difference. That calm awareness you build off the kit? It naturally follows you when you sit down to play.
3. Let your breath guide your motion
Before a practice or a show, take a deep breath. Feel where your body holds tension.
Shoulders? Hands? Jaw? Use the exhale to release it. As you play, keep checking in.
The breath can act like a metronome for your whole body, keeping you relaxed, open, and present.
If you’re curious to go deeper, here’s a great video that breaks this down even further:
Learning to breathe while you play isn’t just about technique. It’s about the connection between your body, your mind, and the music. And the more connected you are, the more alive your playing becomes.