This is a very sensitive subject amongst drummers and educators.
Let me begin to say that most of my favourite drummers play traditional and that I play matched grip.
Why has traditional grip survived so long?
Ok before you stone me to death with hate comments lets look the history of drumming and discuss this like gentleman (ladies also welcome).
The drum is the oldest instrument in the world but the drum set or Traps, as it was called when the concept started is one of the youngest instruments.
The traditional grip came form the marching drummers. The way the snare drum was tilted made it very uncomfortable to play matched grip. It isn’t practical so no one considered it. This traditional method past on to the traps and is still very respected in modern drumming today.
Let look at some advantages of the two.
Traditional
If you are playing right handed the left hand plays traditional and the right hand natural.
A big advantage is the sensitivity and control on your left hand meaning you can do very complex fast and sensitive accented doubles on the left side of the drum set arrangement.
Single stroke rolls are more consistent.
You are able to play more comfortable close to your upper body.
Matched Grip
When you are using matched grip it is easier to learn a new technique because your strong hand can learn it first and after you are satisfied with it you can mirror the weak hand to the strong.
It feels more comfortable playing the toms on the right hand side.
Double stroke rolls sound smoother.
You can produce more volume with your left hand.
If you are playing open handed there is less strain on you left hand.
Well you decide, both have there advantages.
You can also decide to use both depending on what you are playing.
In my humble opinion I think the drum set is still evolving and the techniques of playing will evolve with it.
Your comments are appreciated…
Thursday, January 4, 2007
The three positions
Positions
There are three grips/positions we use in modern drumming these days.
1. French
2. American
3. German
The French grip we use primarily for fingers the grip is similar to the timpani grip. I actually blend French into the American position in finger execution for faster doubles and rolls.
To start of fingers we use the pure French grip to give us the correct feel and control before we blend it in (pictures will be posted soon).
American is your balance I would say between French and German.
From American you can move easily to French or German if required.
German is a grip we use for very hard rim shots. The grip is rarely use as a main grip because it doesn’t feel that comfortable all the time and feels very limited to just the snare drum. The palms are very flat and elbows aren’t touching your body.
There are three grips/positions we use in modern drumming these days.
1. French
2. American
3. German
The French grip we use primarily for fingers the grip is similar to the timpani grip. I actually blend French into the American position in finger execution for faster doubles and rolls.
To start of fingers we use the pure French grip to give us the correct feel and control before we blend it in (pictures will be posted soon).
American is your balance I would say between French and German.
From American you can move easily to French or German if required.
German is a grip we use for very hard rim shots. The grip is rarely use as a main grip because it doesn’t feel that comfortable all the time and feels very limited to just the snare drum. The palms are very flat and elbows aren’t touching your body.
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