Most major events in 2021 are gone, and no one knows till when. One day they will be back, though; while there’s music, there’s hope. So don’t hide your headphones for electronic drums, but keep your acoustic skills sharp. There’s still time to train and keep a good shape as a drummer. When the live music returns, it’s going to be loud.

What’s Special About 2021?
The most special thing about 2021 is that COVID-2019 is still here. We got used to wearing masks, scientists have developed vaccines, some of us have already been vaccinated or achieved natural immunity. Still, governments and municipalities are extremely cautious about public events. It means you have much less chances to practice at real gigs. While studios and training bases are not hit that hard, some of them are closed for hygienic reasons, others for economical ones.

Still, 2021 is different from 2020, for just the same reasons. The end of the pandemic is obviously near; not only do we get ready for the current strains, but also for potentially upcoming one. Some day (hope soon) coronaviruses will be just as dull as flu, requalified from an extreme danger to a regular one. Then the music returns with a bang, and the public will be hungry for it. Those ready for this will rise.

Okay, if you have your own basement isolated enough for you to hit the dust out of drums, and your neighbors are not bothered (or even aware), little has changed for you. Otherwise, you’ll need to review your practice.

Practicing at Home
You’ll be okay if you have been practicing at home before. But if you need to relocate your training base, and there’s still no place like home, there are some recommendations on that.

● Use training sets. You might still keep tom and snare training pads, kick drum pedals, and low-volume cymbals. If you have to train at home, these will be of great use.

● Master new techniques. Experiment. This is the perfect time, while you’re not so deep into your musical routine.

● Don’t neglect electronic drums. Playing a session, recording it into a DAW, and then analyzing the result can be a great sort of experience, leading to unexpected conclusions. You can electrify your existing kit with triggers, or purchase a standalone electronic drum set; these days someone might easily get disappointed in music and sell it for half the price.

Studios
There are still studios around. They may raise their fees, and the schedule may be twisted now. But if you want to preserve that real feel of true sticks in your head, full-volume heads and cymbals under the sticks, and the room full of sound, you’ll need that experience.

Maybe studio time in your area got more expensive than before, and paid gigs became extinct. Then you may think of making your own garage or basement a rehearsal room. Find a place where you will be least heard. This will allow you to get as loud as you want.

Self-Care for a Drummer in 2021
If you stick to the traditional manner, and your band still rehearses as usual, just stick to the regular measures. In the open air, you don’t have to wear masks, but indoors, you’d better wear it. Yes, the vocalist too. Yes, all through the rehearsal. Yes, even if you are already vaccinated.

It’s good if you have a habit of wearing gloves. This time, though, they should be full-size. And don’t forget to wash your drums – heads, cymbals, sticks, hardware, everything you’ve been touching. Even after this pandemic, such a habit will remain useful.

Play Safely!
If you can’t imagine your life without playing drums, 2021 is just another year to play, though special in some ways. Share this message on Facebook or Twitter, and may the forces be with you! If you have something interesting to tell, add this to your repost. Or drop a comment down here and make this year a better time to live in!