How to practice without practicing?

[Frogzacula]

Many of you may notice that if you don't drum for a prolonged period of time (~2+ days) you will come back to playing and feel a lot more tense and tight than usual. I was wondering if there was a way to physically keep your hands in use when you know you do not have the ability to practice.

(I'm asking this because my I will be hiking for a week this summer and then immediately have to go to band/percussion camp. In order to keep our pack weight down we must only take the most essential things.)

Cheers

[VoteLobster]

Mental reps can help with the brain side of things, which is a significant part of drumming. It'll help you keep your memorization and knowledge of the notes where they should be. Pretty important. As far as actual physical things you can do, I'm not sure.

[Spirit Snare 80]

I have used one of those stress balls that you squeeze to help keep my hands
in shape. My morning commute was 45 minutes one way when I taught in Nashville,
so the stress of traffic was eased by this daily practice. I found that my hands were
stronger and my drumming was more powerful when I used this method. I will say
that I did not lay off drumming, so this may or may not work, but it wouldn't hurt
to try. At the very least your hands will find new strength.

The brand was Isoflex and the Amazon link is below:

http://www.amazon.com/Isoflex-Stress-Re ... ress+balls