Hey Austin, did you march at some point or had a drum Corps instructor? I always thought you had pretty drumline esque hands. I marched dci, wgi, and college and I have noticed kit players without the drumline background play with more thumb twitch and arm and not as much wrist turn.
I never did actually! However, when I was at M.I, Rob Carson taught a class that was essentially hardcore marching snare technique and I got pretty obsessed with it then. I spent A LOT of time practicing material for that class and that whipped my hands into shape pretty quick haha.
I started playing again after 35 years. Match grip just felt too strange. I’ll be able to play traditional again when I’m 70! Something to live for. Thanks. Oh yea, fantastic explanation.
Agreed! Match grip is just weird. Of course, I wouldn't think so if I'd learned it that way. Best thing I saw on TV back then was Joe Morello with Dave Brubeck. Awesome!
I played quads in highschool and never learned traditional. After two years of not drumming, I got really into The late and great Peart before he passed. That documentary about him relearning the drums in a circular manner with Freddy gruber was really inspiring. I’ve been playing left hand traditional for the last two months and FINALLY I feel natural. I can’t wait to try these moeller taps and the 4 point control concept. Tapping the sticks with the fingers top down looks so gangster
Best quote I heard at a workshop I attended (can't remember who, think it was Gavin Harrison), also paraphrasing: "Traditional grip is really great for showing people that you know what you are doing"
Another great quote that is worth repeating, " traditional grip is not a natural grip, you have to earn it ,but once you do it will be such a great weapon " .Maybe I just made it up ! I play trad. grip wrong way around ie. my right hand is holding the stick in that method, I keep trying to change but it's hard but I know it is a better grip particularly for ghost notes. Use both grips according to the music.
Just started practicing after 40 year lay off due to car crash always played match but now definitely going to master traditional thanks for the training love it
I’ve only been playing 1.5 years on a practice pad kit. It’s coming along, but I want to get traditional grip down bad. I keep practicing but it’s 50/50 for me. I always go back to traditional. I’m down with your “you earned it” comment 😭 one of these days
I've been doing Revolutionary War reenactments for decades and began looking for a way to stay involved but no longer carrying a firelock in the smoke and fire battlefield experience. I love traditional music so drumming is my choice--starting out as a duty drummer relaying commands and will learn tunes as time goes on. I'm teaching myself (along with research into 18th-century drumming) and your video is a tremendous help--particularly the exercises. Thanks.
The snare is adjusted differently to accommodate the steeper angle, fine, but what about the HH? That is adjusted for the right hand grip and way out of adjustment to play it with your left. And now space needs to be provided for your left hand to the left of the rack Tom. It seems so impractical behind a kit. And, yes, I’m aware there are famous people that play this way. Imho, go traditional grip only if you desire to play/walk parades.
I loved your explanation - simple, efficient and straightforward. I've been playing exclusively with traditional grip for about two years, but it's always good to watch new and different explanations, and especially - a functional one! congratulations.
Preach! I always go back to the most basic stuff from time to time. Sometimes you just find that little nugget of understanding that escaped you before, even if you're already beyond the beginner stage. I reckon this concept applies to virtually everything in life - always make sure your foundation is as wide and reliable as possible. From there, sky's the limit.
How wonderful to see a drummer who can hold his sticks correctly . I learned this way about 70 years ago. Then no one would hold their sticks traditionally. It was a sign of weakness to do that. Now female drummer , aged 82. Excellent video.
I knew a Vera who was Senoir class woman and she operated a big front loader type thing , and she would load dump trucks with dirt from her property.. U cant possibly be the same Vera, right??? St.Louis metro area?
Jim Chapin and Ed Shaughnessy showed me so much control with both hands, but mostly the left hand, where many drummers still don't do it where we would call correct...After 65 years of playing, those lessons are still with me.
@Javier Cruz jazz is honestly my favorite genre, but I haven't really gotten into rock. Obviously there isnt a wide variety of rock songs played in church 😂
@Javier Cruz when you start playing the drums with passion means that you play the drums so good !!!When you have the skills inside you then that makes you want to play more !And if you play more then you get better !It would be a pleasure if you sent me on my Instagram : billycrush_official to have a debate because it is great to talk with others about these things !!!
Austin..... you did it again! Well presented and explained. I have been playing for about 50 years and I use traditional, matched and French grip. It all depends on the style of music you are playing as far as I am concerned. I love the control and softness that you get with traditional and the power you get with a matched grip. Like you said so well, whatever works for you and the music you are interpreting.
I've just begun my trad grip journey a few weeks ago watching and working through Igoe's Great Hands currently. I like what all you put up here. Your two key pieces of advice from this for me 1.) go all in and do it full time 2.) it's gonna take some serious time to master. Thanks for the video.
This grip has helped my left shoulder so much, as I have nerve damage. It's just a nice flow as well with the snare angled away slightly. I've been doing this ever since I started playing, because it hurt my wrist if the snare drum was flat to the ground. Great video! still the best traditional grip instruction four years later! I also love that practice pad, going to look for one
There are some absolutely woeful YT teachers out there. They *might* know what they're talking about but they're useless at explaining it in a way that I understand. Your teachings are clearly well thought out, well articulated and I'm happy to have discovered your channel! Thanks.
Awesome lesson. I’ve been toying with learning traditional, as I’ve begun playing to jazzy/funky drumless tracks, which I’ve found to be way more satisfying than copying someone else’s playing. Subscribed, and will be binging on your vids.
Totally agree! I love to throw a little drumless Funk into every session. The freedom from rigid structure carries over for when I play the rock/metal songs. I instinctively find myself hitting extra an extra splash, random Ride Bell hit or Ghost notes that get sprinkled onto the otherwise driving engine feel of metal and the hard 4 time of rock.
Great video. I was matched for ever, then I took my drums to a cabin for two weeks and came back traditional. I can't go back, as i feel my brain has developed creatively around the traditional now. It is just another mindset.
I picked up traditional from marching snare line in high school and have used it ever since. I actually dont subscribe to the drastically different snare drum positioning - I keep it about the same height and angle I'd play for matched. Keeping the traditional hand lower and more flat allows the stick to strike the head at a very similar angle to matched while still keeping the different wrist motion.
Lookin good Austin! I was 27 years old when I seriously added this grip... Vinnie, Tony, Steve Gadd, ..... Then 10 years later I'm watching and listening to Bill Stewart..... I then learned it doesn't matter which grip, If you have the desire to put in the work good things will happen Austin's putting in the work!
Currently the music teacher in a school in Mongolia. Thought I would get better at the drums during lockdown/no school. Great video. Really helped. Thanks dude.
Watched your lesson last night. I've been playing for about 50 years on and off due to circumstances beyond my control. Have always played traditional grip but never really had much speed built up. Simply by tilting the snare like you said made an instant and noticeable difference. Amazing how something so simple could be over looked all these years. Great lesson, thanks!
Beautiful demonstration Austin. Notibly, just how to setup the snare which gets overlooked. The main point i got from it was performing a rim shot, you don't have to drop your shoulder, which i never realized if you just raise the snare. Plus, the open and closed hand position strokes. All your videos really come to life. You da man Austin as always. Anyone need advice on recording, checkout Austin's vids on that topic also !!
Thanks for such a detailed and well-produced video! Learning traditional grip is my resolution for 2024. I incorporated it, sort of, into my right hand when I had an injury a few years ago but haven't been able to get it going with the left. I'm eager for that to change!
I sliced open my right forearm muscles and tendons fall through an old glass door. I needed surgery and was out of commission for over 7 months. The silver lining was I had a chance to learn traditional grip with the left hand. I am not great around the kit but pretty fierce with rudiments on a pad or snare. It is worth having it in the arsenal id say
Great lesson on traditional grip. I started out using this method on a marching snare with a single shoulder strap and no leg brace in the 60's. The snare just hung down on your left side. The traditional grip was the only way to play the marching snare with a set up like that. When you graduate to a set of drums I think the matched grip is more advantageous if you want more control and more speed. It always amazes me to see the finger control that great drummers are able to achieve using both styles. I really liked the four step practice exercise for the left hand. Thank you very much for this excellent lesson.
15 years a drummer and I've never seen or used a ball joint snare stand. Just changed my life. Been frustrated as hell with my current stand with its fixed joints (not of which work for me) Its never felt right! Rushing out to get a new one and start practicing this asap.
I was doing “closed grip” this whole time and I saw all these videos saying that you do traditional grip “open grip” and now I’m realizing that the way I do it is normal too!!! What a relief because I just could not get used to the open grip and kept changing back to closes naturally while I play
from what ive seen with a lot of marching drummers (if anyone's interested in how we do things): take the "open" position, curl the index finger in slightly so the thumb is between the first and second knuckle. instead of turning from the forearm, always turn from the wrist at low/medium heights (turn from the arm only when you need to play loud as balls ), and drop the back two fingers at the faster tempos (use the thumb control). most importantly, and listen up drumset players. if you want to adapt to a more rudimental approach, ALWAYS KEEP YOUR INDEX FINGER AND THUMB ON (middle finger usually stays on as well ;D) (you're welcome for anyone who wants to join the marching side)
Excellent demonstration of how to play traditional grip Austin. You’ve done a great job of breaking the technique down and showing how to improve on this. Very well done!
I have been playing for 42 years and never got traditional grip down. This is the first video I came across that explained it well enough to take another crack at getting better at it. May biggest issue is that when I try to start using fingers for faster speeds, my stick goes everywhere but straight down! How do you train your fingers to keep the stick straight? Is there a specific excessive to “train” your fingers to keep the stick in an even path as it approaches the drum? I’d love to know WITHOUT someone saying either “you just do it” or “practice”. I get both of those answers. I really just want to know what exercises to use. TIA
I'll put it like this. Neil Peart of Rush (RIP) used matched grip for 35 years then one time he ran into Steve Smith of Journey and commented to him that he really loved the fluidity of his drumming after having observed him in action with Journey and again at a workshop. He said he'd gotten some really great tutelage by a man whom he referred Neil towards. Neil put in some work with this man as a coach to learn how to incorporate traditional with his repertoire. Neil explained it as how he came to envision his technique becoming more fluid and circular. Personally I am a matched grip player at present and only because I've never put in the work to become proficient but when many of my heroes (drum mentors at a distance) have used traditional and matched intermixed with their chops I will eventually follow in their footsteps.
Many, many thanks. A big eureka moment for me from your video. I played trad grip in my youth for a number of years and now getting back to drumming just for fun, 50 years later Ha! ha! ( that's not a miss print...) Bought a electronic set recently and now really enjoying myself. Never knew about the finger techniques and am slowly coming to grips with this. I was trying to do everything from just the fingers but your demo of combining the moeller technique really was a 'shot in the arm" for me , excuse the pun. Sooo much more natural for me to involve the arm and wrist. I just wish that videos and talented teachers like you, willing to share their expertise, had been available in "my day". To-days drummers are so lucky. Excellent quality of videos, in production, content and your natural teaching skills. Again, many thanks.
That is some clean technique! Just perfectly clear and intentional notes, sounds *so* pretty. I'm too busy working on other stuff right now, but when I tackle traditional grip eventually, this is the video I'll return to. ✌️
I was struggling getting a powerful stroke and instead I was getting like a buzz stroke every time I wanted to hit hard. But watching this video you mentioned the elbow thing and karate chop and that seemed to do the trick. Thanks a lot man you're awesome
This is exactly what I've been looking for to understand traditional grip. What brand of snare stand do you use and what is this model with the ball joint? I had never heard of that until today. I agree that it's frustrating dealing with the hinge joint.
I've been researching RUclips videos for a drummer friend of mine trying to find something helpful that addresses muscle fatigue and after watching this video it dawned on me that alternating between different grips might help with this. Am I on the right path with that line of thought? Any additional insight you could add would be most appreciated. Excellent teaching skills!
Ive never could do match grip well always used traditional since 60s ,learned it that way ,total comfort that way,for those who are just learning this grip, as Austin have patience. You ll love it down the line, Buddy Rich total traditional too
buddy rich reversed his stance on matched grip at the end of his career and actually used matched grip often. Early, he criticized matched grip, but later admitted that it made more sense on a drum set. This video does not adequately explain why traditional grip existed.
I’m a pleb. Never learned tradition grip. Partly because I’m lazy and love my matched grip, and part because I don’t have to carry a rifle. 😆 good shit though man 👍🏼
Great videos as always here on this channel. As for traditional grip, I think it’s worth mentioning that there are only four muscles involved in the left hand when playing like this. Therefore, it is much more difficult to develop as opposed to matched which uses over 20 something muscles. Even a guy like Max Roach switched to matched grip as he got older to make it easier to play. Thankfully, his playing didn’t really change too much. Just something to think about.
Good stuff. I would say that it does not need to be traditional grip as all or nothing, however. I've been matched grip forever and decided to start messing with traditional a few years back. I haven't mastered either, but I have found some interesting differences that I can use to musical advantage anyway. I get a different backbeat from trad grip left hand, for example. I suck at getting rimshots that way, but there's a timing difference that pushes the feel a bit and I like having that option. Singles are a bit easier with traditional left hand, too, but I'm not as good moving that grip accurately around the drum set. I'm sure I'd be better with traditional if I did it all the time, of course, but it's cool to have the different physical and musical options even with some technical shortcomings. One place I have always used traditional is with brushes. It's nice having the different grip positions to get different sounds. I have found that my left hand stroke with brushes is kinda funky though, without having the same bounce as with the sticks. I remember Vinnie talking about the psychological differences between the grips, too - suggesting that he's inspired to play different things based on the feeling of playing with one grip vs. the other. The adventure continues....
Hello Austin, I fully support the ring finger staying on the stick throughout the movement. The stick remains one with the hand and the stroke remains consistent. Though the top finger technique is much used, the ring finger technique is Buddy Rich technique….watch him play ostinato in perfect time, the arm remains at the drum level. Then a slight twist rotation of the wrist…..repeat….no need for height to get movement of the stick. Donny Osborne with Mel Torme, also perfected the technique. Low level, ring finger up against the stick provides consistent control. Finally, the pressure on all the fingers is really light on the stick. Thumb is not back but forward, touching the index. Thanks for your videos
Loosing my grip on ring and pinky and muscles gettin stiff and paining bad, so i decided to change to trad from matched. gonna visit a doctor soon, fingers crossed. Thanks for the video ❤️
I am 76 years old and I'm starting over again after being a professional drummer for years!Always use traditional grip. But boy do I need a lot of help! what I was wondering is, you get more bounce out of a practice pad than the snare.
At the one minute mark, you admitted that this traditional grip was made for a marching band. I pretty much already knew that. I’m still in a learning stage. I’ve had three different teacher’s and all of them wanted the same identical grip, of the sticks for both of the hands. I don’t ever plan on doing a March Drum playing environment. At home I practice on RUclips music videos and and join in. And I do play each week at our Church Worship Service. The music at church consist of organ, piano, harmonica and flute type instruments. And of course my snare drum 🥁. I do have a set of mallet’s, stick’s and wire brushes. I don’t have a rotating ball type of stand fore my snare. I have the regular three claw grip style holder. I’m disabled from a ruptured brain aneurysm and stroke from 2012, I sit in a rolling walker and set up my snare next to the isle of the second row. ( my pastor is fine with that ) this is my situation and set up. Should I try to learn changing up my left hand grip, webbing the sticks through my fingers, for a sit down environment, or should I continue the way I was taught? I do plan on completing my drums into a full kit one day, with a bass, toms, etcetera. I gave up my guitar do to hearing issues and finger control after my stroke. But I always had great rhythm and that’s why I chose drumming instead.
Wow, total novice and learned so much! Dumb question - where can I subscribe to drum sheet music? Is there an "Apple Music" of drum sheet music? Again, apologies if that's a dumb question, this is my first week! Thanks!
Thank you very much for this post, your explanations and help! I'm not a drummer, music is very close to my heart, therefore, the drums too and that's how I came across your channel. Ps. Steve Gadd... for me, one of the greatest - certainly the greatest - that I was able to experience live❤️
Awesome! The Moeller- technique played in traditional grip is very, very elegant! I'll try to learn it, although I played the matched grip for many years. Looks very fine!
Thanks Austin for another fantastic video, great insight there... that practice pad looks very nice I will look into one of those, really nice exercises to practice and you are right you have to put the work in. How about a quick video on your effortless transition from matched to traditional??👍🏻
Hey Austin. Great video, very insightful and helpful! I’ve been playing traditional grip I guess “full-time” for about 2 years now and all the tips mentioned in your vid are just bang on! Also when you brought up the two types of grip, that being “opened” and “closed” grips I also thought of Vinnie and the Virgil. Keep up the good work man!
Both grips are good. I started out with traditional grip when I was a teenager in the 60's. However, there are many times that the match grip works well, particularly when combining the rack tom with the snare drum alternating. If you want to see an excellent example of using both, watch a video of Joe Morello playing "Take 5". If you are using only one grip, then you are limiting yourself.
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Hey Austin, did you march at some point or had a drum Corps instructor? I always thought you had pretty drumline esque hands. I marched dci, wgi, and college and I have noticed kit players without the drumline background play with more thumb twitch and arm and not as much wrist turn.
I never did actually! However, when I was at M.I, Rob Carson taught a class that was essentially hardcore marching snare technique and I got pretty obsessed with it then. I spent A LOT of time practicing material for that class and that whipped my hands into shape pretty quick haha.
It was amaaaaaziiiiiing. Thank you!
Best instruction on traditional grip I've ever see.
the second best instruction, the first is Dave weckl
Also best instruction I’ve ever see.
Yes.
I started playing again after 35 years. Match grip just felt too strange. I’ll be able to play traditional again when I’m 70! Something to live for. Thanks. Oh yea, fantastic explanation.
Me too!!
Agreed! Match grip is just weird. Of course, I wouldn't think so if I'd learned it that way. Best thing I saw on TV back then was Joe Morello with Dave Brubeck. Awesome!
Here same Iam 60 and I think everything start again over.
@@balenokuski3466 unless your marching, it is proven match grip has far more benefits than traditional
hell yeah
I played quads in highschool and never learned traditional. After two years of not drumming, I got really into The late and great Peart before he passed. That documentary about him relearning the drums in a circular manner with Freddy gruber was really inspiring. I’ve been playing left hand traditional for the last two months and FINALLY I feel natural. I can’t wait to try these moeller taps and the 4 point control concept. Tapping the sticks with the fingers top down looks so gangster
Best quote I heard at a workshop I attended (can't remember who, think it was Gavin Harrison), also paraphrasing: "Traditional grip is really great for showing people that you know what you are doing"
Another great quote that is worth repeating, " traditional grip is not a natural grip, you have to earn it ,but once you do it will be such a great weapon " .Maybe I just made it up ! I play trad. grip wrong way around ie. my right hand is holding the stick in that method, I keep trying to change but it's hard but I know it is a better grip particularly for ghost notes. Use both grips according to the music.
Just started practicing after 40 year lay off due to car crash always played match but now definitely going to master traditional thanks for the training love it
@@danielreily2701 sounds like Rob Brown I think
I’ve only been playing 1.5 years on a practice pad kit. It’s coming along, but I want to get traditional grip down bad. I keep practicing but it’s 50/50 for me. I always go back to traditional. I’m down with your “you earned it” comment 😭 one of these days
@@danielreily2701 i love using "reverse" traditional but my teacher hates it
I'm 44, been playing match grip since age 7, and this is exactly what I was looking for to learn the basics. Great video!
I've been doing Revolutionary War reenactments for decades and began looking for a way to stay involved but no longer carrying a firelock in the smoke and fire battlefield experience. I love traditional music so drumming is my choice--starting out as a duty drummer relaying commands and will learn tunes as time goes on. I'm teaching myself (along with research into 18th-century drumming) and your video is a tremendous help--particularly the exercises. Thanks.
Another beautifully shot, edited and delivered Austin-style video. This is drumming education at its best! Great job man!
Thanks Jack!
Ditto!
The snare is adjusted differently to accommodate the steeper angle, fine, but what about the HH? That is adjusted for the right hand grip and way out of adjustment to play it with your left. And now space needs to be provided for your left hand to the left of the rack Tom. It seems so impractical behind a kit. And, yes, I’m aware there are famous people that play this way. Imho, go traditional grip only if you desire to play/walk parades.
I loved your explanation - simple, efficient and straightforward. I've been playing exclusively with traditional grip for about two years, but it's always good to watch new and different explanations, and especially - a functional one! congratulations.
Preach! I always go back to the most basic stuff from time to time. Sometimes you just find that little nugget of understanding that escaped you before, even if you're already beyond the beginner stage. I reckon this concept applies to virtually everything in life - always make sure your foundation is as wide and reliable as possible. From there, sky's the limit.
How wonderful to see a drummer who can hold his sticks correctly . I learned this way about 70 years ago. Then no one would hold their sticks traditionally. It was a sign of weakness to do that. Now female drummer , aged 82. Excellent video.
There's no 'correct' way to hold your sticks
Vera - ur 82 yrs old and female drummer???!!! :0
Wow
I knew a Vera who was Senoir class woman and she operated a big front loader type thing , and she would load dump trucks with dirt from her property.. U cant possibly be the same Vera, right??? St.Louis metro area?
Jim Chapin and Ed Shaughnessy showed me so much control with both hands, but mostly the left hand, where many drummers still don't do it where we would call correct...After 65 years of playing, those lessons are still with me.
I’m a 14 year old drummer, been playing for 2 years, this is the best traditional grip tutorial out there 😄
Cool I'm 13 and I've been playing for about 4 years and I've just started playing for my church
@Javier Cruz well I appreciate you not coming at me because I'm a Christian, what genre do you like to play?
@Javier Cruz jazz is honestly my favorite genre, but I haven't really gotten into rock. Obviously there isnt a wide variety of rock songs played in church 😂
I am a 14 yo drummer too I ve been playing for 6 years it is truly a nice video
@Javier Cruz when you start playing the drums with passion means that you play the drums so good !!!When you have the skills inside you then that makes you want to play more !And if you play more then you get better !It would be a pleasure if you sent me on my Instagram : billycrush_official to have a debate because it is great to talk with others about these things !!!
Austin..... you did it again! Well presented and explained. I have been playing for about 50 years and I use traditional, matched and French grip. It all depends on the style of music you are playing as far as I am concerned. I love the control and softness that you get with traditional and the power you get with a matched grip. Like you said so well, whatever works for you and the music you are interpreting.
0:48 that was clean
@Minecraft Platinum Fireworks bruh
This video is so comprehensive and so well demonstrated!
I've just begun my trad grip journey a few weeks ago watching and working through Igoe's Great Hands currently. I like what all you put up here. Your two key pieces of advice from this for me 1.) go all in and do it full time 2.) it's gonna take some serious time to master. Thanks for the video.
Great video and instruction. The two camera angles really help understand the positions as well. Thank you!
This video changed my view on traditional grip a lot. I never really saw the benefits to it before, but I do now
This grip has helped my left shoulder so much, as I have nerve damage. It's just a nice flow as well with the snare angled away slightly. I've been doing this ever since I started playing, because it hurt my wrist if the snare drum was flat to the ground. Great video! still the best traditional grip instruction four years later! I also love that practice pad, going to look for one
There are some absolutely woeful YT teachers out there. They *might* know what they're talking about but they're useless at explaining it in a way that I understand. Your teachings are clearly well thought out, well articulated and I'm happy to have discovered your channel! Thanks.
I've been wanting to properly learn traditional grip for a while now, just to be able to switch between, and this is extremely helpful dude!
Awesome lesson. I’ve been toying with learning traditional, as I’ve begun playing to jazzy/funky drumless tracks, which I’ve found to be way more satisfying than copying someone else’s playing. Subscribed, and will be binging on your vids.
Totally agree! I love to throw a little drumless Funk into every session. The freedom from rigid structure carries over for when I play the rock/metal songs. I instinctively find myself hitting extra an extra splash, random Ride Bell hit or Ghost notes that get sprinkled onto the otherwise driving engine feel of metal and the hard 4 time of rock.
I've been playing for over 40 years. This is an excellent explanation for beginners. Great job.
Your videos are some of the best drum instruction on YT. You are a natural teacher. Articulate, intelligent delivery of super useful information!
The best instruction video on traditional grip on RUclips, period.
The quality of this video is unbelivable. Thanks!
Great video. I was matched for ever, then I took my drums to a cabin for two weeks and came back traditional. I can't go back, as i feel my brain has developed creatively around the traditional now. It is just another mindset.
Thank you for the very detail teaching.
I picked up traditional from marching snare line in high school and have used it ever since. I actually dont subscribe to the drastically different snare drum positioning - I keep it about the same height and angle I'd play for matched. Keeping the traditional hand lower and more flat allows the stick to strike the head at a very similar angle to matched while still keeping the different wrist motion.
Thanks . Just learnt my snare drum has been set too low. For over 50 years 😆. Playing like a pro now ❤🙏🙏🙏
Lookin good Austin! I was 27 years old when I seriously added this grip... Vinnie, Tony, Steve Gadd, ..... Then 10 years later I'm watching and listening to Bill Stewart..... I then learned it doesn't matter which grip, If you have the desire to put in the work good things will happen
Austin's putting in the work!
Currently the music teacher in a school in Mongolia. Thought I would get better at the drums during lockdown/no school. Great video. Really helped. Thanks dude.
Watched your lesson last night. I've been playing for about 50 years on and off due to circumstances beyond my control. Have always played traditional grip but never really had much speed built up. Simply by tilting the snare like you said made an instant and noticeable difference. Amazing how something so simple could be over looked all these years. Great lesson, thanks!
Beautiful demonstration Austin. Notibly, just how to setup the snare which gets overlooked. The main point i got from it was performing a rim shot, you don't have to drop your shoulder, which i never realized if you just raise the snare. Plus, the open and closed hand position strokes. All your videos really come to life. You da man Austin as always. Anyone need advice on recording, checkout Austin's vids on that topic also !!
I’ve struggled with traditional grip for years. No power or coordination.
This will definitely help. Great explanation. Thank you.
How's that traditional grip going? I'm having the same problem with power and coordination...the progress is slow and matched is much easier.
Thanks for such a detailed and well-produced video! Learning traditional grip is my resolution for 2024. I incorporated it, sort of, into my right hand when I had an injury a few years ago but haven't been able to get it going with the left. I'm eager for that to change!
This is hands down the best instructional video I have ever seen. 100% Perfect
Of all the drum lessons I have seen on RUclips, yours is the best, period! New subscriber! 👍
I sliced open my right forearm muscles and tendons fall through an old glass door. I needed surgery and was out of commission for over 7 months. The silver lining was I had a chance to learn traditional grip with the left hand. I am not great around the kit but pretty fierce with rudiments on a pad or snare. It is worth having it in the arsenal id say
Cool, calm, full explanation of techs. Teaching is in your blood, man. Good Stuff!
Great lesson on traditional grip. I started out using this method on a marching snare with a single shoulder strap and no leg brace in the 60's. The snare just hung down on your left side. The traditional grip was the only way to play the marching snare with a set up like that. When you graduate to a set of drums I think the matched grip is more advantageous if you want more control and more speed. It always amazes me to see the finger control that great drummers are able to achieve using both styles. I really liked the four step practice exercise for the left hand. Thank you very much for this excellent lesson.
15 years a drummer and I've never seen or used a ball joint snare stand. Just changed my life. Been frustrated as hell with my current stand with its fixed joints (not of which work for me)
Its never felt right! Rushing out to get a new one and start practicing this asap.
...Excellent demonstration of the various positions of traditional grip. Lesson for all! Thanks!
I was doing “closed grip” this whole time and I saw all these videos saying that you do traditional grip “open grip” and now I’m realizing that the way I do it is normal too!!! What a relief because I just could not get used to the open grip and kept changing back to closes naturally while I play
Best video on RUclips about traditional grip. Big thanks to you!
from what ive seen with a lot of marching drummers (if anyone's interested in how we do things):
take the "open" position, curl the index finger in slightly so the thumb is between the first and second knuckle. instead of turning from the forearm, always turn from the wrist at low/medium heights (turn from the arm only when you need to play loud as balls ), and drop the back two fingers at the faster tempos (use the thumb control).
most importantly, and listen up drumset players.
if you want to adapt to a more rudimental approach, ALWAYS KEEP YOUR INDEX FINGER AND THUMB ON (middle finger usually stays on as well ;D)
(you're welcome for anyone who wants to join the marching side)
Excellent demonstration of how to play traditional grip Austin. You’ve done a great job of breaking the technique down and showing how to improve on this. Very well done!
I have been playing for 42 years and never got traditional grip down. This is the first video I came across that explained it well enough to take another crack at getting better at it. May biggest issue is that when I try to start using fingers for faster speeds, my stick goes everywhere but straight down! How do you train your fingers to keep the stick straight? Is there a specific excessive to “train” your fingers to keep the stick in an even path as it approaches the drum? I’d love to know WITHOUT someone saying either “you just do it” or “practice”. I get both of those answers. I really just want to know what exercises to use. TIA
I'll put it like this. Neil Peart of Rush (RIP) used matched grip for 35 years then one time he ran into Steve Smith of Journey and commented to him that he really loved the fluidity of his drumming after having observed him in action with Journey and again at a workshop. He said he'd gotten some really great tutelage by a man whom he referred Neil towards. Neil put in some work with this man as a coach to learn how to incorporate traditional with his repertoire. Neil explained it
as how he came to envision his technique becoming more fluid and circular. Personally I am a matched grip player at present and only because I've never put in the work to become proficient
but when many of my heroes (drum mentors at a distance) have used traditional and matched intermixed with their chops I will eventually follow in their footsteps.
Many, many thanks. A big eureka moment for me from your video.
I played trad grip in my youth for a number of years and now getting back to drumming just for fun, 50 years later Ha! ha! ( that's not a miss print...) Bought a electronic set recently and now really enjoying myself. Never knew about the finger techniques and am slowly coming to grips with this. I was trying to do everything from just the fingers but your demo of combining the moeller technique really was a 'shot in the arm" for me , excuse the pun. Sooo much more natural for me to involve the arm and wrist.
I just wish that videos and talented teachers like you, willing to share their expertise, had been available in "my day". To-days drummers are so lucky.
Excellent quality of videos, in production, content and your natural teaching skills. Again, many thanks.
Great tutorial and very inspirational. Thanks so much!
Superb! I’m a lefty and have an injured right thumb causing stick control . Have been wanting to try traditional and this video was perfect.
That is some clean technique! Just perfectly clear and intentional notes, sounds *so* pretty. I'm too busy working on other stuff right now, but when I tackle traditional grip eventually, this is the video I'll return to. ✌️
I was struggling getting a powerful stroke and instead I was getting like a buzz stroke every time I wanted to hit hard. But watching this video you mentioned the elbow thing and karate chop and that seemed to do the trick. Thanks a lot man you're awesome
Very clear and didactic explanation with great examples how the traditional grip can improve technique. The best video around. Thanks!
Best traditional grip video on RUclips. Thanks Austin, great vid as always.
Great traditional analysis, Austin. Very nicely explained and executed. Great work!
This is exactly what I've been looking for to understand traditional grip. What brand of snare stand do you use and what is this model with the ball joint? I had never heard of that until today. I agree that it's frustrating dealing with the hinge joint.
Thank you, thank you, thaaaaank youuuuu!!!!! I was dreaming of a video like this one for 30 years!
This was well explained and well demonstrated. Nicely done!
Many thanks Austin.. just what i was looking for,
All the best
Jay
Best tutes on traditional grip techniques in my estimate. Thanks!
I've been researching RUclips videos for a drummer friend of mine trying to find something helpful that addresses muscle fatigue and after watching this video it dawned on me that alternating between different grips might help with this. Am I on the right path with that line of thought? Any additional insight you could add would be most appreciated. Excellent teaching skills!
Thanks Austin, the 5 to 10 years learning curve is a spot on way to set expectations right.
Ive never could do match grip well always used traditional since 60s ,learned it that way ,total comfort that way,for those who are just learning this grip, as Austin have patience. You ll love it down the line, Buddy Rich total traditional too
buddy rich reversed his stance on matched grip at the end of his career and actually used matched grip often. Early, he criticized matched grip, but later admitted that it made more sense on a drum set. This video does not adequately explain why traditional grip existed.
gotta be honest, i don't even play the drums or any type of percussion. this just seems like useful info, thank you!
Thanks for showing us this traditional hold of the sticks!
Thank you for being a patient instructor!!!
Thumb bounce...awesome bro. Im only 40 years into playing
4 point control practice is very helpful. Thanks for your detailed explanation.
You are very kind to put this great info online. Many thanks. Brilliant.
I’m a pleb. Never learned tradition grip. Partly because I’m lazy and love my matched grip, and part because I don’t have to carry a rifle. 😆 good shit though man 👍🏼
I love traditional grip. This video is just great. Thank you!
Great videos as always here on this channel. As for traditional grip, I think it’s worth mentioning that there are only four muscles involved in the left hand when playing like this. Therefore, it is much more difficult to develop as opposed to matched which uses over 20 something muscles. Even a guy like Max Roach switched to matched grip as he got older to make it easier to play. Thankfully, his playing didn’t really change too much. Just something to think about.
Good stuff. I would say that it does not need to be traditional grip as all or nothing, however. I've been matched grip forever and decided to start messing with traditional a few years back. I haven't mastered either, but I have found some interesting differences that I can use to musical advantage anyway. I get a different backbeat from trad grip left hand, for example. I suck at getting rimshots that way, but there's a timing difference that pushes the feel a bit and I like having that option. Singles are a bit easier with traditional left hand, too, but I'm not as good moving that grip accurately around the drum set. I'm sure I'd be better with traditional if I did it all the time, of course, but it's cool to have the different physical and musical options even with some technical shortcomings.
One place I have always used traditional is with brushes. It's nice having the different grip positions to get different sounds. I have found that my left hand stroke with brushes is kinda funky though, without having the same bounce as with the sticks.
I remember Vinnie talking about the psychological differences between the grips, too - suggesting that he's inspired to play different things based on the feeling of playing with one grip vs. the other. The adventure continues....
This is fantastic traditional grip lesson. I will definitely be recommending in future.
Hello Austin, I fully support the ring finger staying on the stick throughout the movement. The stick remains one with the hand and the stroke remains consistent. Though the top finger technique is much used, the ring finger technique is Buddy Rich technique….watch him play ostinato in perfect time, the arm remains at the drum level. Then a slight twist rotation of the wrist…..repeat….no need for height to get movement of the stick. Donny Osborne with Mel Torme, also perfected the technique. Low level, ring finger up against the stick provides consistent control. Finally, the pressure on all the fingers is really light on the stick. Thumb is not back but forward, touching the index. Thanks for your videos
amazing dude. finally someone who explains it well!. i was BIG struggler on double strokes trad!
Loosing my grip on ring and pinky and muscles gettin stiff and paining bad, so i decided to change to trad from matched. gonna visit a doctor soon, fingers crossed.
Thanks for the video ❤️
Great instructional video. I learned match grip but I have a studio and sometimes have a high schooler who needs to do trad for marching band.
I am 76 years old and I'm starting over again after being a professional drummer for years!Always use traditional grip. But boy do I need a lot of help! what I was wondering is, you get more bounce out of a practice pad than the snare.
There is a lot of misinformation on the internet but never in your chanel...nice video as always
A great lesson. Thank you very much.
Very through explanation and nicely presented. Great job! and thanks!
This was extremely helpful. Thank you
i love that little flick between matched and traditional at 0:47 , very nice
thank you so much for this lesson, Austin
At the one minute mark, you admitted that this traditional grip was made for a marching band. I pretty much already knew that. I’m still in a learning stage. I’ve had three different teacher’s and all of them wanted the same identical grip, of the sticks for both of the hands. I don’t ever plan on doing a March Drum playing environment. At home I practice on RUclips music videos and and join in. And I do play each week at our Church Worship Service. The music at church consist of organ, piano, harmonica and flute type instruments. And of course my snare drum 🥁. I do have a set of mallet’s, stick’s and wire brushes. I don’t have a rotating ball type of stand fore my snare. I have the regular three claw grip style holder. I’m disabled from a ruptured brain aneurysm and stroke from 2012, I sit in a rolling walker and set up my snare next to the isle of the second row. ( my pastor is fine with that ) this is my situation and set up. Should I try to learn changing up my left hand grip, webbing the sticks through my fingers, for a sit down environment, or should I continue the way I was taught? I do plan on completing my drums into a full kit one day, with a bass, toms, etcetera. I gave up my guitar do to hearing issues and finger control after my stroke. But I always had great rhythm and that’s why I chose drumming instead.
Wow, total novice and learned so much! Dumb question - where can I subscribe to drum sheet music? Is there an "Apple Music" of drum sheet music? Again, apologies if that's a dumb question, this is my first week! Thanks!
Was I in need of this. Thank you so much
Thanks for this. I was getting frustrated because I couldn't do the open traditional grip, but the closed grip feels great.
That was amazing . I subscribed based on this alone . I appreciate your relaxed and concise while thorough teaching style.
Thank you very much for this post, your explanations and help! I'm not a drummer, music is very close to my heart, therefore, the drums too and that's how I came across your channel.
Ps. Steve Gadd... for me, one of the greatest - certainly the greatest - that I was able to experience live❤️
Excellent explanation. All your presentations are of a very high level - I haven't seen any better.
Awesome! The Moeller- technique played in traditional grip is very, very elegant! I'll try to learn it, although I played the matched grip for many years. Looks very fine!
Thanks Austin for another fantastic video, great insight there... that practice pad looks very nice I will look into one of those, really nice exercises to practice and you are right you have to put the work in. How about a quick video on your effortless transition from matched to traditional??👍🏻
Hey Austin. Great video, very insightful and helpful! I’ve been playing traditional grip I guess “full-time” for about 2 years now and all the tips mentioned in your vid are just bang on! Also when you brought up the two types of grip, that being “opened” and “closed” grips I also thought of Vinnie and the Virgil. Keep up the good work man!
watch a zillion videos on this subject, this one is the best.
Thanks man, I always wanted to get into traditional grip and this helps a lot. keep up the awesome content!
Both grips are good. I started out with traditional grip when I was a teenager in the 60's. However, there are many times that the match grip works well, particularly when combining the rack tom with the snare drum alternating. If you want to see an excellent example of using both, watch a video of Joe Morello playing "Take 5".
If you are using only one grip, then you are limiting yourself.