4:34 this is exactly the mistake I've been making for two years and you're the only person I've seen point it out. This video has helped so much! Thank you.
It’s not necessarily a mistake. It’s just quieter. It’s a good idea to be able to do it both ways. To develop volume, you do need the high rebound, as Mr Knudtson says, and his coordination of wrist and fingers with the stick’s own bounce is a perfect example. To play softly, the lower “drop/catch” is the same feel but low.
Man, Dr. G thank you for your expert well produced instructional videos. As a drummer I have performed with many top acts in the 70's. In 1969, I suffered a gun shot wound in my left forearm while serving in the Viet Nam conflict. All was ok until about 2000 when I started losing control of my stick in my left hand. Especially when using the conventional grip. Focusing only on match grip, after about seven years of very little control progress, I am experiencing greater control. I just found your videos about a week now. But man are they HELPFUL. The Relaxation, sliding the stick into that groove and placing the butt of the stick just above the hinge of the wrist are all Super Helpful. I was born to play drums so I have always had a solid Love and Appreciation for them and everyone who puts in the work of Allowing Themselves to Speak Through Their Musical Instruments. Thanks.
Thank you Michael, you are welcome! Hey, I checked your channel out and saw the Dyke & The Blazers playlist! In the late 70's I worked with Eric Gravatt (Weather Report, McCoy Tyner) in a rock band. He played congas, I played drums. (He's as good on congas as he is on the kit!) Every once in a while when we would talk, he would mention Dyke & the Blazers. It was impossible to find their records in Minneapolis back then. I am going to check out your playlist! Be glad to do a ZOOM with you sometime if you have any questions about anything. You can email me at gordy@gk-music.com. All the Best! .
Been checking out all the vids on the open close/push pull technique and this one just nails it . Big V and little V. 4 inches off the pad. This is the best breakdown of this technique Ive come across. Been having problems until I saw this. I was doing the compressed version he demonstrated. It felt wrong, awkwardly stiff and slow. I haven't found anyone who explained this technique in such detail like Gordy. I think I have the basics of the movements down now. Thanks! Amazing teacher. Scary player.
Great teaching. Technique is essentially learning how to make your hands stick bouncing machines. When you get those machines working for you playing effortless.
Thank you so much for your great tuition! I’ve just cracked 60 and on my first basic drum kit, so any help is very much appreciated. Big V little V - love it. Legend.
I never thought that I was going to pass over finger technique , and when I saw push pull technique few years ago I couldn’t understand it and gave up thinking that would be impossible for me, then I found your fantastic videos and I was able to understand the mechanics , and after a month of practice I’ve been developing lot of control , speed and being able apply it in all kind of grooves , fills and rudiments. I’m truly grateful
Thanks a lot for those incredibles teaching videos. Understand the drums by a deep comprehension of our magnificent body machinery is the way i like :-)
I regret that adequate words fail me. Pity I can't give you a million likes for how awesome and the great extent and detail you go to for anyone and no one in your videos. You are a great man! Many, many thanks!
Hello Gordy! Thank you very much for such useful and great video. I have been practizing a lot and now, with your precious advices I can play 16th notes easier and more relaxed. However there is still space for improvement. I'll keep learning from your tutorial videos. Greetings from Munich, Germany. Raul, 10 years old.
These videos have been fantastic teaching tool.After months I’m finally getting functional at doing this technique. Starting to build speed and control. I’ve recommended this to my other drummer friends so they too can have this in there bag of tricks
Thanks Matt! You should check out my Open/Close books too at GK-Music.com. They have some additional info not in the videos. Between the books and the videos you will get the most complete picture of this technique. Glad you like this stuff!
Gordy Knudtson I will most definitely look those up. This technique has been so useful for using with my ride and hihat, I’m able to play so relaxed now and for longer with more power
The big Vee. (Tap) The little vee. (Tap) The big Vee. (Tap) The little Vee. (Tap) I could listen to him repeat that for hours. Excellent lesson. Being so clear with the height of the drum and the position of the forearms is SO important and so often not talked about! I’m constantly trying to get students to set up the drum higher because they are taught at school to put it lower, and they get used to the lazy position of lower hands. And then they wonder why they can’t play.
You are the Mr. Rogers of drums. That is a major complement in my books. I really looked up to Rogers. Thanks for the great tips and making this technique understandable.
Man I can't thank you enough for your "small v big V" explanation!! I'm spending years trying to figure out a good upstroke that flows right with down stroke so I can do it with less glitch. Seems like I tried everything in the map and finally Big V is my up stroke divine answer (at least it feels like it for the current moment}. I owe you a Big One!!! All the Best to you and your family!
Best lesson since years. I found my second stroke not coming up just like you said. Therefore my wrist might feel a little stiff after a while. I guess it comes from playing in a loud hardrock band, while I always tryin to play into the drum and miss the upper motion from the wrist.
Wow... There a tonn vids about this technic, but ur explanation is just so easy to get and it's worked so well for me. Thanks a lot) especially for a wooden balls trick)) I'll try make same one by myself, looks easy)
Saw the Jones Beach show. It was a great thrill to see you play in person. You were great!!! As was the whole show. You need to teach Framtons drummer the open-close. He was working too hard.
Jojo Mayer talks about exactly this technique, being seated and snare drum position are just as important as good technique. The correct height saves you energy, time and pain.
Mr. Knudtson, FANTASTIC series on the O/C technique! Very enlightening, thank you! Could you post the brand of your thick, octagonal practice pad and where one might buy it? Thank you again, you're a great teacher and player! :)
Thanks J.P.! Unfortunately that thick octagonal pad was is no longer available. It was a custom model made for me by Real Feel before the company was sold many years ago. Now I use Prologix and Innovative Percussion pads.
I guess this would be another technique to add to your arsenal i.e. matched grip, traditional grip, etc. but it doesn’t work for me in my normal grip because I tend to hold the sticks toward the balance point this only works if you grip the sticks at the very end. Otherwise the back of stick hits the wrist, stopping the movement.
Hi Gordy. I like your videos;your a great teacher. I have a question, do you have your own way of teaching traditional grip? Would love to have a lesson on that topic.
Thanks, Michael. I don't really teach traditional grip because I don't use it myself. I had a wrist injury many years ago which made me a matched grip player.
Hi, Mr. Knudtson. First at all my congratulation for easy, clear instructions open /close Drum technique. i would like to know where can buy the little sticks that call MASTER STICKS? ???
great video, even after al these years! question : what is the optimal angle in your elbow for this technique? 90 degrees? in other words, if i want to use the open/close technique for fast hihat rythms, how high should my hihat be
Thanks! 90 degrees, or slightly more, for playing on the drum is great, doesn't have to be on the hat. Riding on the top of the hat play with the tip is easier than trying to ride on the edge with the shoulder of stick. For me, the tip on top of hat is never seems to be loud enough. I use Moeller for fast 16ths on the edge of the hat. I do like using O/C on the ride cymbal. You have to experiment to see what works best for you and the musical situation.
Dear Mr Knudtson. Please be so kind and clarify to me a few simple questions in regards to Open/Close. 1) Do you use the index finger as well on fast speeds when open/close technique is applied? 2) When you do a drum fill on the toms/floor tom , a loud and fast one, are you applying Open/close or close handed technique? 3) My middle and ring finger tend to let go when when applying the technique . Are you always controlling the stick with the fingertips or do the stick slides in your first knuckles? Awaiting your reply Thank you sir Knudtson.
Hi Constantinos, 1) Yes you can use the index finger at fast speed. 2) O/C technique is for low volume, loud requires closed hands. 3) It's imperative that the first joint and pad of your middle finger remain in contact with the stick. If the stick is sliding in, you probably aren't holding the stick quite right. Check out Part Two of my Fundamentals videos, somewhere in the middle look for "American grip tips" where I put a stick on top of the other stick to make the middle and ring finger do the work. I think this might help.
Excellent video, thank you. Question: I have electronic drums, and have not been able to get the drum sticks to bounce back anywhere as much as I’m seeing in your video and similar videos. Is that something I’m doing wrong? Or does this technique need to be performed on actual drum heads? Thanks again.
Thanks Zach! I aim playing on a practice pad. They are much "bouncier" than electronic pads or real drums. Get one to practice on. It will help increase the rebound so you can feel the mechanics easier.
I love the tutorials. I’d give thousand likes, the only problem I have is when I am in the open position and i want to execute finger strokes before closing, I see that my thumb turns upwards aligning with the stick. Yours doesn’t move at all. I’ve been more than 10h trying to do it and my finger control sucks
Those “V” tips were JUST the cue I needed for my left hand… a week later I’m hitting 200bpm with ease! I owe you some money for sure😂thank you!!
4:34 this is exactly the mistake I've been making for two years and you're the only person I've seen point it out. This video has helped so much! Thank you.
I watched the video and missed this important detail. I saw your comment and went back and checked it. YES! Thank You.
Me too...years ago...
It’s not necessarily a mistake. It’s just quieter. It’s a good idea to be able to do it both ways. To develop volume, you do need the high rebound, as Mr Knudtson says, and his coordination of wrist and fingers with the stick’s own bounce is a perfect example. To play softly, the lower “drop/catch” is the same feel but low.
This channel is pure gold
Amazing attention to detail...I've never seen anyone break down mechanics this way.
Man, Dr. G thank you for your expert well produced instructional videos. As a drummer I have performed with many top acts in the 70's. In 1969, I suffered a gun shot wound in my left forearm while serving in the Viet Nam conflict. All was ok until about 2000 when I started losing control of my stick in my left hand. Especially when using the conventional grip. Focusing only on match grip, after about seven years of very little control progress, I am experiencing greater control. I just found your videos about a week now. But man are they HELPFUL.
The Relaxation, sliding the stick into that groove and placing the butt of the stick just above the hinge of the wrist are all Super Helpful. I was born to play drums so I have always had a solid Love and Appreciation for them and everyone who puts in the work of Allowing Themselves to Speak Through Their Musical Instruments. Thanks.
Thank you Michael, you are welcome! Hey, I checked your channel out and saw the Dyke & The Blazers playlist! In the late 70's I worked with Eric Gravatt (Weather Report, McCoy Tyner) in a rock band. He played congas, I played drums. (He's as good on congas as he is on the kit!) Every once in a while when we would talk, he would mention Dyke & the Blazers. It was impossible to find their records in Minneapolis back then. I am going to check out your playlist!
Be glad to do a ZOOM with you sometime if you have any questions about anything. You can email me at gordy@gk-music.com.
All the Best!
.
Amazing break down of the technique! Clear, concise, all the mechanics explained and demonstrated. Your channel is a goldmine. Chapeau!
You're a great teacher. Thank you for making this video.
This is exactly what I needed. You're a great teacher. Thank you so much!
Been checking out all the vids on the open close/push pull technique and this one just nails it . Big V and little V. 4 inches off the pad. This is the best breakdown of this technique Ive come across. Been having problems until I saw this. I was doing the compressed version he demonstrated. It felt wrong, awkwardly stiff and slow. I haven't found anyone who explained this technique in such detail like Gordy. I think I have the basics of the movements down now. Thanks! Amazing teacher. Scary player.
A true Master and Educator of his craft. Thank you Gordy
You have taught this method throughout the world and drummers from all countries have learned it for their betterment. Thanks
Thank you Vincent!
Great teaching. Technique is essentially learning how to make your hands stick bouncing machines. When you get those machines working for you playing effortless.
Thank you so much for your great tuition! I’ve just cracked 60 and on my first basic drum kit, so any help is very much appreciated. Big V little V - love it. Legend.
Thank you Andrew!
Always coming back for this. What a wonderful technique.
Best explanation I've seen of this. Very helpful. Thanks.
I never thought that I was going to pass over finger technique , and when I saw push pull technique few years ago I couldn’t understand it and gave up thinking that would be impossible for me, then I found your fantastic videos and I was able to understand the mechanics , and after a month of practice I’ve been developing lot of control , speed and being able apply it in all kind of grooves , fills and rudiments. I’m truly grateful
You are welcome! Glad they were helpful! I also do lessons if needed. You can email me if interested - gordy@gk-music.com. Thanks
You are such a Technical Professor for drumming - - It's THE BEST !!!!!! Thanks for all the Help.
The best Teacher.
Oneof the best tutorials ever
Thanks a lot for those incredibles teaching videos. Understand the drums by a deep comprehension of our magnificent body machinery is the way i like :-)
This is awesome. The best teacher. Thanks
the big V *clap* the little V *clap* the big V *clap* the little V *clap* 😂
you can turn that into a hip hop song
😂😂😂😂
Remember to use about 3" with two little balls
ruclips.net/user/clipUgkxgAUngKJToHx6YhmoHYc0sn7M7Or494yi
Lmao...I stopped at 3:46 to write this exact comment and yours was the first one I read.
Great tutorial!
The little vee...uh
The big vee...yeah
Great video!!!
Very helpful-thank you 🙏🥁👍
And subscribed! Excellent video. Never would of thought to physically isolate the wrist by placing the forearm on a surface. Just like preacher curls!
I regret that adequate words fail me. Pity I can't give you a million likes for how awesome and the great extent and detail you go to for anyone and no one in your videos. You are a great man! Many, many thanks!
Hello Gordy! Thank you very much for such useful and great video. I have been practizing a lot and now, with your precious advices I can play 16th notes easier and more relaxed. However there is still space for improvement. I'll keep learning from your tutorial videos. Greetings from Munich, Germany. Raul, 10 years old.
Thanks Raul, glad to be of help!
Gordy - excellent technique and training. This will help me learn this rather quickly.
You my friend are an excellent teacher. "The big V" is what I was missing😂
Thanks, glad to be of help!
Very nice wrist articulation. Thanks for a great lesson.
These videos have been fantastic teaching tool.After months I’m finally getting functional at doing this technique. Starting to build speed and control. I’ve recommended this to my other drummer friends so they too can have this in there bag of tricks
Thanks Matt! You should check out my Open/Close books too at GK-Music.com. They have some additional info not in the videos. Between the books and the videos you will get the most complete picture of this technique. Glad you like this stuff!
Gordy Knudtson I will most definitely look those up. This technique has been so useful for using with my ride and hihat, I’m able to play so relaxed now and for longer with more power
A lot of thanks for making and sharing your video!!
The big Vee. (Tap)
The little vee. (Tap)
The big Vee. (Tap)
The little Vee. (Tap)
I could listen to him repeat that for hours.
Excellent lesson. Being so clear with the height of the drum and the position of the forearms is SO important and so often not talked about! I’m constantly trying to get students to set up the drum higher because they are taught at school to put it lower, and they get used to the lazy position of lower hands. And then they wonder why they can’t play.
Thank you!
If i became a good drummer this because of Mr. Knudtson. I have learnt the core of drumming by you. Thank you very very very much.
You are the Mr. Rogers of drums. That is a major complement in my books. I really looked up to Rogers. Thanks for the great tips and making this technique understandable.
I was gonna say the Bob Ross if drums! Same thing. Respect
Your explanation of freestroke mechanics is excellent. Thank you for posting this!
Man I can't thank you enough for your "small v big V" explanation!! I'm spending years trying to figure out a good upstroke that flows right with down stroke so I can do it with less glitch. Seems like I tried everything in the map and finally Big V is my up stroke divine answer (at least it feels like it for the current moment}. I owe you a Big One!!! All the Best to you and your family!
Thank you very much!
Excellent breakdown of key points of this technique. Thanks alot!
Best lesson since years. I found my second stroke not coming up just like you said. Therefore my wrist might feel a little stiff after a while.
I guess it comes from playing in a loud hardrock band, while I always tryin to play into the drum and miss the upper motion from the wrist.
Speechless. Great teaching aids and explanations
Phenonmental sir, that could not be explained any simpler. 🙏
I taught (languages and music) for 40 years.
You are a great teacher!
Subscribed!
Thank you Winston!
I really like your videos, I finally got my drum throne setup.
Thanks!
Wow... There a tonn vids about this technic, but ur explanation is just so easy to get and it's worked so well for me. Thanks a lot) especially for a wooden balls trick)) I'll try make same one by myself, looks easy)
Big V and little v ! Realizing these two positions may be a reason I've not mastered this technique. I think I was missing this! Thanks Much!
You are welcome!
Amazing teacher, very informative and educative video.
You are a genius ... Many greetings from Italy.
Thanks Carlo!
Good Helpful video your never to good to learn more.🥁😎🥁
Thank you a lot for your video lessons!!! It helps me so much to understand hand technique more. U do so great job!!!
Thank you!
Gordy is the best teacher every in RUclips!!!!
Fantastic tips .I would have 20 lessons with him .
Saw the Jones Beach show. It was a great thrill to see you play in person. You were great!!! As was the whole show. You need to teach Framtons drummer the open-close. He was working too hard.
Thanks John, I appreciate it!
Wow 4:55 was exactly What i was looking for ... thank you
Me too.. so helpful thank you Gordy
Thx so much!!! Very helpfull !! Greetings from germany Christoph!!!!👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you!
thank you so much for your time this was great
Such a very helpful lesson - greatly appreciated!
Very thorough. Nice job. Giovanni, instructor Long Island Drum Center ( trained by Dom Famularo)
Thank you very much!
Finally, someone explains this how it should
Jojo Mayer talks about exactly this technique, being seated and snare drum position are just as important as good technique. The correct height saves you energy, time and pain.
incredibely usefull, thank you very very much.
I love you'd drumming on the go jazz all stars
Perfect lesson. 🙏🫡
Mr. Knudtson, FANTASTIC series on the O/C technique! Very enlightening, thank you! Could you post the brand of your thick, octagonal practice pad and where one might buy it? Thank you again, you're a great teacher and player! :)
Thanks J.P.! Unfortunately that thick octagonal pad was is no longer available. It was a custom model made for me by Real Feel before the company was sold many years ago. Now I use Prologix and Innovative Percussion pads.
Awesome technique
Waoh great video !! Thank you just what I was looking for .. Best video so far
Thanks this tutorial is brilliant, nice work
Thanks Lloyd!
Thanks Gordy Knudtson Sir
You are welcome!
I guess this would be another technique to add to your arsenal i.e. matched grip, traditional grip, etc. but it doesn’t work for me in my normal grip because I tend to hold the sticks toward the balance point this only works if you grip the sticks at the very end. Otherwise the back of stick hits the wrist, stopping the movement.
Amazing work thank you 🙏
Any video demonstrating how fast can you go with this technique?
-also applying this on a kit
Yes, this playlist at my RUclips channel - ruclips.net/video/AGoPUQDPLKs/видео.html
@@GKMusic54 WOW! that's impressive! left and right combination is so hard to execute! kudos bro!
very awesome lesson ! i wish i know your lesson years ago..
Want to come on my podcast? I’ve been hugely inspired by your teaching over the years.
Thanks! Sure, email me: gordy@gk-music.com
New subscriber. Thank you Gordy!!
Great video, very informative. I can't help but lift my hand above my wrist on both strokes 😐
This is a really good break down of the technique Gordy. great vid.
Gorgeous!!
Very cool video, thank you sir.
You are very welcome
Such precision omg..
Sir u r a freakin genius
Just perfect.
Top Explanation and good Bridge😊 👍👍👍
Hi Gordy. I like your videos;your a great teacher. I have a question, do you have your own way of teaching traditional grip? Would love to have a lesson on that topic.
Thanks, Michael. I don't really teach traditional grip because I don't use it myself. I had a wrist injury many years ago which made me a matched grip player.
Hi, Mr. Knudtson. First at all my congratulation for easy, clear instructions open /close Drum technique. i would like to know where can buy the little sticks that call MASTER STICKS? ???
Hi Paulo, Unfortunately I believe the company that makes them went out of business many years ago.
Just Perfectness from a great teacher.
Great, but what’s the height of your throne in relations ship to your pedals keeping heel up?
Fantastic video !
great video, even after al these years! question : what is the optimal angle in your elbow for this technique? 90 degrees? in other words, if i want to use the open/close technique for fast hihat rythms, how high should my hihat be
Thanks! 90 degrees, or slightly more, for playing on the drum is great, doesn't have to be on the hat. Riding on the top of the hat play with the tip is easier than trying to ride on the edge with the shoulder of stick. For me, the tip on top of hat is never seems to be loud enough. I use Moeller for fast 16ths on the edge of the hat. I do like using O/C on the ride cymbal. You have to experiment to see what works best for you and the musical situation.
Dear Mr Knudtson.
Please be so kind and clarify to me a few simple questions in regards to Open/Close.
1) Do you use the index finger as well on fast speeds when open/close technique is applied?
2) When you do a drum fill on the toms/floor tom , a loud and fast one, are you applying Open/close or close handed technique?
3) My middle and ring finger tend to let go when when applying the technique . Are you always controlling the stick with the fingertips or do the stick slides in your first knuckles?
Awaiting your reply
Thank you sir Knudtson.
Hi Constantinos, 1) Yes you can use the index finger at fast speed. 2) O/C technique is for low volume, loud requires closed hands. 3) It's imperative that the first joint and pad of your middle finger remain in contact with the stick. If the stick is sliding in, you probably aren't holding the stick quite right. Check out Part Two of my Fundamentals videos, somewhere in the middle look for "American grip tips" where I put a stick on top of the other stick to make the middle and ring finger do the work. I think this might help.
Thank you Sir Knudtson and God bless you....
Excellent video, thank you. Question: I have electronic drums, and have not been able to get the drum sticks to bounce back anywhere as much as I’m seeing in your video and similar videos. Is that something I’m doing wrong? Or does this technique need to be performed on actual drum heads? Thanks again.
Thanks Zach! I aim playing on a practice pad. They are much "bouncier" than electronic pads or real drums. Get one to practice on. It will help increase the rebound so you can feel the mechanics easier.
@@GKMusic54 Thanks so much, Gordy! Very helpful.
This is really helpful
Thank you🙏
Excellent video! Can this be done with French grip, or it's most effective in a American or German grip?
I believe a version of it can be done in each position.
"Master Sticks" by Unigrip? Am I spelling that right? (maybe a used pair will come up on eBay)
What's the best routine to train and develop the OC technique?
Very useful... Thank you..
I love the tutorials. I’d give thousand likes, the only problem I have is when I am in the open position and i want to execute finger strokes before closing, I see that my thumb turns upwards aligning with the stick. Yours doesn’t move at all. I’ve been more than 10h trying to do it and my finger control sucks
sensacional!!!
I never understood the point of the push/pull technique. You can do singles just as fast with your fingers (flying fingers technique)
Amazing 👏
Thanks
Sir!!! Thank you!!!! 🤜🏾🤛🏾
Are you squeezing your fingers at all when you create big v or are they just riding on the stick like with a bunch of rebounds?
Yes, a little bit of squeeze, enough to hold the big V position for as long as I want. And they do ride along, when moving out of the big V.
That’s how i do my doubles(papamama) 🙌🏻🙌🏻 learn that in the Army(snare drum corps) 👍🙏