How to hold the Drumsticks: A Beginners Guide, Get the perfect drumstick grip.
By Drummers Art
July 4th, 2018
Image by Pexels
This article is not about which grip to use, but rather how you can implement most of them to become a versatile... and astounding drummer. Of course, if you are a beginner, you should start with the one grip you feel the more comfortable with your playing. If it is possible, take a pair of drumsticks when reading this guide, so it is easier for you to try it out.
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Using the drumsticks the wrong way is perhaps one of the worst things that can happen to a drummer because of two reasons. First, it limits your capacities and mobility around the drum set. Second, it can have negative effects on your wrists’ health. It is very important to learn the techniques the right way. So here is a step to step for the most popular and common methods. However feel free to explore different ways of holding the drumsticks.
But before you try any of the techniques, there are three conditions that you should consider when choosing a grip.
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It doesn't bother any part of your body (pain)
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You are comfortable playing that way
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You don't feel physically limited around the drum set.
Matched Grip
This grip usually refers to the techniques where the drumsticks are held with an underhand grip in both hands. This grip is the most common one, mainly because it is easier than the traditional.
However, there are small variations within the matched grip that slightly affects your drumsticks control. Nevertheless, the great thing about these matched grip variations is that you can interchange it according to your needs without any problem. So here are the three established ways of the matched grip.
German Grip
In this grip, your palms are parallel to the drumheads and rim. That way you can use the force of both your wrists and hand to have a powerful stroke. Therefore, the movement and power in the German grip rely mainly on your wrists.
Step 1: First put your hand with your palm facing up.
Step 2: Put the drumstick on your hand. And try to slightly hold it with your finger, especially the index finger.
Step 3: Try to have your drumstick in a diagonal position and then Flex your index finger around it.
Step 4: Firmly hold the drumstick with both your thumb and index finger. Most of the stick control would come from this position.
Step 5: Now surround the drumstick with the pinky, ring and middle fingers. These three fingers give stability to the grip movement.
Step 6: Finally, move your hand in that position with your palm facing down. Remember the movement of the drumstick depends on your wrist while its control depends on the thumb and index finger grip.
French Grip
The French technique is when you hold the drumsticks perpendicular to the drumheads and rim. Hence, the drumstick rests on your fingers. This method can give you a lot of control over speed, essentially because you are allowed to move the drumstick with your fingers (that are much faster than the wrists).
Step 1: Hold your hand perpendicular to the floor.
Step 3: Put the drumstick between the thumb and index finger. Try to use them as a pivot point of a see-saw. Taking into account that the harder you hold the stick with these two fingers, it would bounce much less. So it is up to your preferences.
Step 2: Set your thumb and index finger as if you are picking up something with them.
Step 4: Now use the three remaining fingers to move the drumstick. Just use the thumb and finger as the pivot point, and the center of your pinky, middle and ring finger for movement.
Here you can see how this grip should work. The thumb and index finger are controlling the stick (working as a pivot point). And the remaining three fingers are creating the movement of the drumstick.
Step 5 (Top View): Remember, the movement of this grip depends on your fingers. Hence it is important to have your palm perpendicular to the floor or drum drumhead.
American Grip
This is an intermediate grip between the French and German grip. In this technique, your palms create a 45-degree angle with the drumhead and rim. With this grip, you can control the drumstick both with the wrist and fingers. So you can have a little of both worlds, speed control, and power.
Although you have to take into account that you would not have the same control nor the same power as with the French and German grip respectively, still this grip can be very useful and comfortable.
Step 1: First put your hand with your palm facing up.
Step 2: Put the drumstick on your hand. And try to slightly hold it with your finger, especially the index finger.
Step 3: Try to have your drumstick in a diagonal position and then Flex your index finger around it.
Step 4: Firmly hold the drumstick with both your thumb and index finger.
Step 5: Put your three remaining fingers a little loose around the drumstick. This allows greater mobility with the fingers when compared to the German method, but you are allowed to hold it at the same time.
Step 6: Finally, move your hand to a position where your palm is at a 45-degree angle with the floor. In this position, you should be allowed to use both your fingers and wrists to move the drumstick. This is the intermediate between the French and German grips, both technically and positionally.
Traditional Grip
This traditional method uses both an underhand and an overhand grip simultaneously. You hold the drumstick with the palm facing up and the other facing down. This grip became popular between trap, and later jazz, drummers. So most of the jazz legends as Gene Krupa, Tony Williams, and Buddy Rich use this grip.
Also, it is a more complex grip, mainly because it is not an instinctive way of holding a stick (your muscles are not used to it), and at first is harder to control. Additionally, if you hold it the wrong way it could affect your wrists health. Then, it is very important to master this grip in your practices before using it in the long run. So here is a step to step of how to hold the traditional grip.
Step 1: Put your hand facing up with your thumb away from the palm.
Step 2: Leave a space between your middle and ring finger. Just like the ​Vulcan salute.
Step 3: Put the drumstick in your palm, letting it rest between your thumb and index finger.
Step 4: Flex your index finger surrounding the drumstick, while you hold the shaft with your middle and ring finger.
Step 5: Flex your pinky and ring finger for stability. Some drummers use it this way.
Step 6: Put your thumb on top of your index finger for control. Then slightly flex your middle finger for more stability. And there you have it!
Make sure the two resting points are on top of your ring finger and the area between the thumb and index finger. Also, try to make your fingers relaxed, without forcing the position.
Additionally, try to have the drumstick locked between the thumb and index finger, without any space to move. Otherwise, you lose control. Similarly, try to have a slight hold of the drumstick with your middle and ring finger, so you have a more stable grip.