I played in shoes for several years then switched to socks/barefoot. Another benefit worth considering is that when a set of shoes die, you don't have to relearn the feeling of playing. If you get used to barefoot or in socks, you ALWAYS have the right footwear with you.
It’s funny timing, I was literally thinking this morning on if I should wear shoes or my barefoot shoes while drumming, I think I’m going the barefoot shoe route. Very good explanation. Great vid.
I've been using treaded socks for a couple years, now. That gets you past the problem of the abrasive surfaces. And honestly: I'm not a "barefoot guy" as a rule and don't want to touch things without socks on. Nevertheless, the change in how drumming feels is so, so worth it. It just feels so much better and so much more creative to have all my toes engaged in the process of hitting or holding down pedals. It's especially nice on the hi-hat, where there are a myriad of subtle variations of tone. Rolling your toes to get just a slight extra sizzle out of the hats is amazing. But the bass pedal is great, too. Feathering it for more resonant sounds is a breeze when you're making direct contact!
I learned playing drums at home, always barefoot from very beginning. It's very natural and comfortable to me. IMHO playing drums in shoes is like playing piano or guitar in gloves - still possible, but it better to take them off. Another benefit playing barefoot is that it doesn't matter which shoes you wear, you're always have the "right and the most comfortable shoes" for playing with you.
You should go out and buy a really nice pair of thicker moisture wicking socks and see if ya like it. Sort of an in between shoes and barefoot. I've been doing that for a couple of years, and I really like it. Plus it's easier to mix it up for stage looks because they're cheap. There is something just kinda... "right" feeling with barefoot once you do it for a while.
Too easy to stub a toe or step on a sharp object without shoes, and then, in the break, don't we walk to the dirty restroom with the wet floor? Places where we play our drums require some protection. Most shoes don't adversely affect our pedal work.
Wrong! You play barefoot, you run the risk of your foot sliding uncontrollably on the foot board. That being said, tennis shoes are not optimal either. You need to wear light shoes. Like dancing shoes.
I have to say that I am very surprised you didn’t even mention the issue of the feet and hands having to absorb the impact of the stick and beater hitting the drumhead!! That constant shock to the bones because of vibrations from the stroke impact shooting up the limbs cannot be good for the body regardless of what you are or not wearing!!! I’m at a loss that you as a therapist did not even mention this important aspect of playing the drums!!! I know many drummers who can no longer play because of injury sustained by either hitting too hard or because of age catching up to them due to the damage to the body caused by the constant impact the limbs have absorbed for years!!!!
certified personal trainer and touring drummer here .. your bone and muscle increases resiliency with every impact. it’s why contact sports like football are around. it’s how we can fight for sport. if impact only wore you down and never strengthened you, then there would be no pro football because everybody would be worn down by the time they’re done with high school ball. like the man said in the video, you gotta micro-progress and continual, controlled small impact is apart of it. he also said to not jump into it. sure, maybe he could have went into more detail but we can comment infinite comments on vids talking ab things they can go into more detail ab. as a creator you gotta pick your battles in what you put in your vids to not nuke the pacing and keep a throughline traveling through every topic. I’ll stand up for the man, he made a good vid. that being said barefoot till I’m 6 ft under
I played in shoes for several years then switched to socks/barefoot. Another benefit worth considering is that when a set of shoes die, you don't have to relearn the feeling of playing. If you get used to barefoot or in socks, you ALWAYS have the right footwear with you.
Nailed it! Thanks for sharing! Love it!!
It’s funny timing, I was literally thinking this morning on if I should wear shoes or my barefoot shoes while drumming, I think I’m going the barefoot shoe route. Very good explanation. Great vid.
Thanks so much! It’s definitely a “choose your own adventure “situation. Keep me posted!!
I've been using treaded socks for a couple years, now. That gets you past the problem of the abrasive surfaces. And honestly: I'm not a "barefoot guy" as a rule and don't want to touch things without socks on. Nevertheless, the change in how drumming feels is so, so worth it. It just feels so much better and so much more creative to have all my toes engaged in the process of hitting or holding down pedals.
It's especially nice on the hi-hat, where there are a myriad of subtle variations of tone. Rolling your toes to get just a slight extra sizzle out of the hats is amazing. But the bass pedal is great, too. Feathering it for more resonant sounds is a breeze when you're making direct contact!
How lame! I didn’t even talk about socks! Thank you so much for sharing that. If it works for you, fantastic!!
Love playing in just socks - sometimes the metal pedal is too cold haha!
It’s a good vibe! Love it!!!
I've been playing barefoot for about 15 years now, loving the freedom of movement every minute of it!
Love it! So glad to hear 👊👊👊👊
I learned playing drums at home, always barefoot from very beginning. It's very natural and comfortable to me. IMHO playing drums in shoes is like playing piano or guitar in gloves - still possible, but it better to take them off. Another benefit playing barefoot is that it doesn't matter which shoes you wear, you're always have the "right and the most comfortable shoes" for playing with you.
You should go out and buy a really nice pair of thicker moisture wicking socks and see if ya like it. Sort of an in between shoes and barefoot. I've been doing that for a couple of years, and I really like it. Plus it's easier to mix it up for stage looks because they're cheap. There is something just kinda... "right" feeling with barefoot once you do it for a while.
Too easy to stub a toe or step on a sharp object without shoes, and then, in the break, don't we walk to the dirty restroom with the wet floor? Places where we play our drums require some protection. Most shoes don't adversely affect our pedal work.
I searched for this video, you’re awesome.
A favourite drummer lacerated his toe on his pedal. So why?
I play shoeless quite often, but i dont like to do it because if i play fast doubles the beater wacks the boney top of my foot and really hurts!
I play in socks with grip tape on the pedals.
I really can't feel the pedals with shoes on, socks do me right
Please, talk about fingers
Sure!!! What would you like to learn more about?
I wanna know how to save them
What do you think about left hand open or closed? Anyone know?
Do you mean open handed playing! Great question
Wrong! You play barefoot, you run the risk of your foot sliding uncontrollably on the foot board. That being said, tennis shoes are not optimal either. You need to wear light shoes. Like dancing shoes.
Thanks for the comment! Appreciate your position!
😃👍DRUMMERS you all have to try the mesh water shoes!! They're in the next best thing to being barefoot!!
I have to say that I am very surprised you didn’t even mention the issue of the feet and hands having to absorb the impact of the stick and beater hitting the drumhead!! That constant shock to the bones because of vibrations from the stroke impact shooting up the limbs cannot be good for the body regardless of what you are or not wearing!!! I’m at a loss that you as a therapist did not even mention this important aspect of playing the drums!!!
I know many drummers who can no longer play because of injury sustained by either hitting too hard or because of age catching up to them due to the damage to the body caused by the constant impact the limbs have absorbed for years!!!!
If you feel impacts from the sticks or pedals it simply means you do it wrong way.
certified personal trainer and touring drummer here .. your bone and muscle increases resiliency with every impact. it’s why contact sports like football are around. it’s how we can fight for sport. if impact only wore you down and never strengthened you, then there would be no pro football because everybody would be worn down by the time they’re done with high school ball.
like the man said in the video, you gotta micro-progress and continual, controlled small impact is apart of it. he also said to not jump into it. sure, maybe he could have went into more detail but we can comment infinite comments on vids talking ab things they can go into more detail ab. as a creator you gotta pick your battles in what you put in your vids to not nuke the pacing and keep a throughline traveling through every topic. I’ll stand up for the man, he made a good vid.
that being said barefoot till I’m 6 ft under