As a beginner drummer, it is crucial to understand the appropriate way to hold your drumsticks. Lack of this process will result in poor technique, undesirable habits, and a slower learning rate.
You may play with better control and efficiency and get the most considerable rebound by using the proper grip. Your ability to become a better drummer will take longer the longer you put off learning how to grip the sticks.
By reading this article, you will learn how to grip your sticks correctly and advance as a drummer.
Traditional grip
#1. What Is the Traditional Grip?
The military bands are responsible for the customary grasp. Drummers in military marching bands commonly wear their snare drums on their sides, hence the term “side drum” for the instrument. The conventional grip was created to simplify playing the side drum, but it also functions on a standard drum kit. It involves holding the left-hand drumstick between the thumb and index finger.
#2. Steps
a. Step 1
When shaking someone’s hand, place your left (or weaker) hand with your palm facing inward.
The drumstick should be placed between your thumb and index finger, then between your middle and ring fingers, with your ring and pinky fingers bent downward.
“Underhand grip” is the name given to this grip style.
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b. Step 2
Take the drumstick with your right (or leading) hand, palm facing in.
The leading hand’s thumb should be placed on top of the drumstick, and the remaining fingers should support it from the bottom.
“Overhand grip” is another name for this grip.
c. Step 3
Please find the best balance posture where the stick bounces the most by attempting to influence its rebound.
In this position, practice full strokes by spinning your forearm like a doorknob.
You can bounce the stick with control over a rebound without slipping up or down once you have located the equilibrium point.
d. Step 4
Once your stick moves, bounce it with your thumb while keeping your forearm still.
To gradually increase the tempo, try bouncing the stick while playing quarter notes in time with a metronome.
#3. Pros
– Learning the traditional grip is advantageous since it produces a sound perfect for playing simple drum patterns like those seen in jazz music.
– The angle at which a drumstick strikes the drums can be easily changed.
– Because the left hand’s weight is primarily under the stick, it is simpler to induce double or more bounces with the left hand.
#4. Cons
– Developing equal strength and stamina in both hands can take much time.
– The left underhand grip uses fewer muscles than the proper overhand grip, which results in more work done by each muscle.
– Moving around and playing different drums is more complicated.
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Matched grip
#1. Steps
a. Step 1
Your hands should be in front of you, palms down.
b. Step 2
Put the sticks between your thumb, middle finger, and ring finger in the center of your hands.
c. Step 3
Both hands are raised overhead with the thumbs on top of the drumstick and the remaining fingers supporting it from the bottom.
#2. Pros
– It gives us more control over the stick and consumes less energy because using a standard grip requires more effort from the fingertips.
– Strokes are more potent and effective at moving the kit around.
– Because the sticks are held in a similar position in both hands, the weaker hand may imitate what the more substantial hand is doing.
#3. Cons
– It doesn’t work as well with jazz music as a traditional drip.
– Cross-handed Hi-hat playing can make it difficult for you to make full strokes.
French grip
#1. Steps
– Align your palms forward, hold your drumsticks in the corresponding grip position, and make sure your thumbs are pointing upward.
– The hands’ palms are in line with one another, and the stick is predominantly moved with the fingers rather than the wrist.
– The thumb and index finger press together at this point.
– To reduce muscle strain when playing, avoid wrist movements and keep all elbow rotation.
#2. Purpose
Using the French grip, drummers can play at speeds that would be challenging to achieve with any other style of grip. You will become an expert in finger control and utilize it to the fullest.
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German grip
#1. Steps
– Start by placing your index finger, thumb, and other fingers under the stick while holding your drumsticks at the balance point.
– Palms are downward and parallel to the playing surface, such as a drumhead.
– Looking top-down, you should establish a 90-degree angle with the sticks and strike the drum with an outward and inward motion.
– The wrist is primarily used to move the stick.
#2. Purpose
Because you will have excellent wrist control, the german grip is the most proper grip for slow tempos. It is the most robust matching grip when compared to other versions.
American grip
#1. Steps
– Place the stick between the thumb and the index finger’s first joint, then loosely close the other fingers around the stick.
– With the back of your hand at a 45° angle, place your sticks on the snare drum.
– You will strike the drum with up-down motions rather than outwards-inwards.
#2. Purpose
With the American grip, power comes from the entire arm rather than just the wrist, giving you access to a lot more energy. This grip equally makes use of the fingers, wrist, and arm.
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Do I Need To Pick Just One?
No. The beauty of it is that. Each of the three Matched Grip versions has benefits. The ideal method is to become familiar with them and use them in various circumstances.
When performed carefully and quietly, French Grip, for instance, may be fantastic. Regarding heavy hits and energy-intensive parts, German Grip is a powerhouse.
Feel free to go back and attempt to learn each grip once you have a strong foundation in drumming. You will be astonished at how you can use them in many circumstances.
Another thing is to unwind. Holding your sticks ferociously is not advised. Playing rigidly will make you tired and frustrated. You will sound better, and your mind will be better able to comprehend what you are playing if you are relaxed.
Do not undervalue the value of becoming familiar with the various grips. Test your grip with your rudimentary drum routines. It is a great way to determine which one you like.
Conclusion
No matter what drumming style you favor, it is vital to understand the different drum stick gripping techniques. By practicing various matched and traditional grips, you can sharpen your technique, improve your control over the drum sticks, and play the drums with more finesse. Always check frequently to see if you are still in the proper stance while training. Practice is tremendously beneficial, but only if it is done correctly. You risk long-term harm if you focus too much on the music without paying attention to your form. If you practice wrongly, you will not develop the appropriate muscle memory. This book should have provided you with many different styles to include in your repertoire.
