1) Gradually increase your practice time. Start by practicing for short periods of time (15-20 minutes) and gradually increase your practice sessions by 5-10 minutes each day or a couple times a week.
2) Proper drum technique. Make sure you're holding the sticks correctly, relaxed, and not gripping the sticks too tightly. Don't play too hard. Play the drums with a loose grip and use a wrist motion instead of an arm motion.
3) Use the right drum kit. Your drum shells, drumheads and drum sticks should be sized correctly and set up properly. Ensure that your drum throne and drum pedals are set at the correct height and distance so you aren’t straining to reach the bass pedal or cymbals.
4) Practice regularly to build callouses. Your hands will develop callouses or hardened skin if you consistently practice. These toughened areas will protect your skin from developing blisters.
5) Take frequent breaks. To help your hands recover, avoid practicing for hours at a time. Allow your hands time to rest and recover between practice sessions.
6) Wear gloves or tape your fingers to reduce friction Some drummers find that wearing gloves helps reduce the amount of friction produced by the sticks against the skin. Another alternative is to tape your fingers.
7) Apply hand lotion or moisturizer after practice to keep the skin on your hands from drying out. Use a moisturizer or hand cream that contains aloe or vitamin E, as these ingredients can help to soothe and protect the skin on your hands.
8) See a doctor. If you do develop a blister, see a doctor to get it checked out. Blisters can become infected, so it's best to consult with a medical professional if you have any blisters from practicing drums.