Drum Stick Grips. Drum Traditional Grip versus Match Grip. Traditional versus Match Grip "This page presents the facts as well as some advice and a few opinions on grip.
The opinions on this page are my own, and are just opinions based on playing, teaching, and studying drums since 1978. Although I use both traditional and match grip in my own playing, I strongly recommend match grip to my students. I use traditional grip with snare drumming and Jazz drum set playing, and match grip for everything else. " -Mike Prestwood Just starting out? Personal Note: Personally I started with both traditional and match grips right from the beginning and have stuck with both. Match and Traditional Grips Although much has been written about match versus traditional grip and a debate continues, it's really a simple issue. Match Grip With match grip, you hold both sticks the same. Focal point is either the pointing finger (orchestral grip) or middle finger (marching grip). Traditional Grip (left hand) Focal point is between thumb and pointing finger. Jojo Mayer DVD - Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer.
Get a grip: How to hold the drum sticks. In this article we will be taking a little look at the secret art of holding a drum stick!
Don’t forget that drum sticks are not the only type of drum-hitting impliment you can use. Brushes, rutes and rods can be used instead of sticks. Drums are full of tones and textures all itching to be explored. For now, the drum stick shall be our weapon of choice… Confused about grip? I’m going to assume that you have held a drum stick before. The truth is: There is NO single unique way of correctly holding the drum sticks.
The crux of the issue is this: Sometimes you want to be free and flowing with fast or gentle strokes. As you develop as a drummer, you will find your grip develops too. So, what types of grip are there? In a broad sense there is ‘Traditional Grip’ and there is ‘Matched Grip’. Matched Grip This refers to any type of grip where the two hands hold the sticks in the same way as each other (as in a mirror image). Traditional Grip Mixed (or Combined) Grip How to hold the drum sticks. Learning the Proper Snare Drum Grip. Getting off to a Great Start: Learning the Grip by: Mark Wessels and Jeff Queen If you're just beginning to play the drums, this is the place to start!
I'll explain the basic snare grip in detail and give you some pictures to look at when you can't understand what I'm saying (which happens often, according to my wife). The Right Hand Grip: First, set the proper hand & forearm position: Without the sticks, let your right arm hang loosely at your side, then lift your hand, palm side down. Keep your shoulder and elbow relaxed and close to your body. Step ONE: Find a point on the stick that is about one third of the way between the butt and the tip. Step TWO: The shaft of the stick should fit in the heel of the hand, with about an inch sticking out from the edge of the palm. Step THREE: Wrap the fingers loosely around the stick. Check out Robert Anderson's perfect grip and playing position: 1) His shoulders and elbows are relaxed. 2) Forearms are horizontal to the floor.