Learned drums playing traditional grip. I even kept the traditional grip when I first started on drum set. About a year and a half ago I was determined to learn match grip. I completely agree about the power of match grip. However, I feel like I can just groove more and sit back and be in the song with traditional. I love having both as a tool now.
+Cory Maxey You just feel that bit more rounded of a drummer when you know both grips, for whatever reason. Like when you master driving stick. You're like 'Ok, now I can drive this car...AND this car.' But yea, grooves just feel a bit more relaxed and comfortable to me with traditional. Especially the straight pocket stuff.
CaptainWhirlwind yea, I approach a song differently with each grip. Match grip is easier to move around the kit, in my opinion. For example, When I play a song that has more of a tom groove I'll usually play match grip. When I'm trying to channel my inner Nate Smith or Steve Jordan (kick, snare, hats/ride) I love traditional grip. It's really just a feel thing because I know both grips can do whatever you want.
Enjoy your lessons so much. I’m 70 years old and have been drumming for 55 years. However, I’m not in your league yet. I was trained in the traditional grip and I think that, if that is what you learn than you also will develop all the power you need. I could go on about this, but I don’t want to be boring. You are a terrific teacher.
Just wanna say hey Rob. I'm not sure how I found your channel but I'm glad I did.I'm a drummer from the states playing in a worship band and just wanna say thank you for breaking down drum rudiments and making drumming simple. I've been playing a couple decades and just needed that "polish" that comes from going back and practicing rudiments. Just goes to show you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Back in '62, I was taught the trad grip by a local jazz drummer. For years I shunned the match grip a la Buddy. Later I discovered the power of the match suited harder rock tunes especially without amplified drums. Now I use both depending on the demands of the song, sometimes during one song I'll switch back and forth. Also, some parts of the E-kit are easier to reach with match grip in left hand (the rim triggers of the toms, for example!. BUT the trad grip looks and feels much sexier when wailing on your snare, throwing accents around. I encourage all to develop both grips, even though the trad grip is more difficult to master, IMO. Great stuff as usual, Rob. I hope we get to see the demise of the fuzzy stick live on video!
As the son of an oldschool drummer that just bought my kid his first drumset, I finally went ahead and asked my dad as I'd been getting curious about it. His answer as to why it was a thing was that it came from marching band, where the snare was mounted diagonally, with the strap hanging over one shoulder.
I have this same problem. I can play traditional grip comfortably on the "wrong hand." But, when I try to play it correctly (left hand) I still struggle to get the power and comfort I have using the right hand. Still going at it, though. Hella determined to get it down!
Rob Brown You should still try it from time to time to keep up with it. Who cares what it looks like? It could catch on someday and everyone will be doing it. Then you could say you helped set the trend.
Nice lesson! Great teacher. I still like what Tony Williams said regarding matched and traditional grip. To paraphrase; " When you love something you want to explore it every way possible."
I learned traditional - had the snare drum slanted and everything. Then finally went matched and use that most of the time. When I pick up brushes, though, I typically use traditional and that muscle memory is still there! I like 'em both but if I were to teach anyone, I'd probably teach matched unless they were in a drum line or something. There's just not much "reason" to pick traditional when you know that it was created just for a slanted marching posture and in a drumkit-only context you just don't have that.
Matched for me. Good enough for John Bonham, Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford etc so good enough for me. I think matched gives better balance too. You can always spot an old jazz drummer as they always look like they have a crick in their neck. I have played trad but just for sitting in on jazz sets. I had a teacher so it was matched grip for rock and trad for jazz but once I left him I just played everything in matched. I still sounded the same so made no difference. A little like when you look at a maths problem and you find there is more than one way to reach the same solution.
I started traditional grip cuz I thinks it looks more “traditional” and my right hand has never been as strong as my left (lefty) no matter how much I tried so I thought my switching will help me even my hands out, it’s been about 5-6 months now and I absolutely love it. It sucked ass at the very beginning but your videos and a couple of others have helped me through it Thanks brother!!
I have recently started playing traditional grip more frequently and doing research to understand all the nuances of the grip. *Really enjoyed you traditional grip video!* The main reason is I really like the way it feels drumming that way. Also it looks cool ;) I also have noticed that for certain things I want to do, It is much easier for me do it in traditional grip. Plus due to an old wrist injury, my left hand is a little weaker holding the stick match grip and it's a little difficult to pull off some of the things I want to do. Plus I think it's always good to honor the "traditional" ways of drumming :)
After about 8-9 years of matched, I started practicing traditional and I definitely feel like I can swing better and it just feels better for playing funk and jazz. However, you're right about the power aspect. I one day hope to have the powerful backbeat of Stewart Copeland, but until then, I have to use matched for rock-punk-metal situations.
Started Traditional in grade school, switched to matched in high school (aka rock band), wish to develop my traditional grip. 45 years later am shocked (and bummed) when I realized I'm lost when I try traditional. This vid and your other one on How to Develop a Killer... has helped me & convinced me to continue in developing my traditional grip. BTW, your comments on how traditional has affected you & your playing is very insightful... Thanks!!
"It's like driving stick." Excellent metaphor and I'm taking it with me. As a drum-capable bass player, I occasionally like a trad grip because it encourages my snare to be busier and with more subtlety for jazz. You can't help but picture yourself as one of the greats handling the business.
I’ve also tried to go from my match to traditional and gave up many many times, one of the reasons for giving up was I felt I needed to adjust my snare angle to compensate for the rim shot crack I got with my match grip. I guess I need to learn traditional grip with the same snare angle as with the match. Thanks Rob! Pete
I'm just starting out and found this quite useful, insightful. I started with matched grip but find my left hand lags behind the right and the stick doesn't feel as comfortable in my left hand when using matched grip, so I've been thinking about trying traditional grip for that reason, it just seems more intuitive to me.
When I first started getting serious about playing the drums, I was about eleven years old, I saw pictures of Ian Paice - who is left-handed - and thought this was the way to play, so my first years playing the drums were as a right-handed player, playing the kit set up for a left-hander. I then found out that Ian is left handed, and that I could set the drums up for a right-handed player, so that's what I did. In the long run, it has meant that I can lead, or change my playing around with ease, so it has actually helped me as a player.
I grew up playing traditional grip and I love it. It especially feels right when my right hand is playing on the ride cymbal, whether in jazz oriented stuff or rock based when appropriate. What I still find difficult with traditional grip is playing cross handed stuff on the hi hat. I find that my crossed right hand inhibits to some degree any natural stroke with my left hand. So for cross handed on the hi hat, matched is easier for me. However, I really don't like switching back and forth. Rob, do you have any tips on how to make cross handed playing feel more natural with traditional grip?
Thank you, Rob. You answered all my initial questions (ones I had coming here). I'll continue using matched until that strong desire for having a traditional hold impels me too.
I began with what I call the Military Grip (Traditional) when I started learning the rudiments in a military band as a 12 year old, but when I moved on to kit playing, I abandoned it in favour of Matched. I was performing in Rock bands with the attendant volume levels, so Matched Grip, in combination with rim shots in the left hand, seemed to make more sense. Also, some years later, I also implemented the Open Style, where the left hand plays the hi hat, so I moved even further away from the Military Grip. Matched Grip it was. Now that I'm older and playing jazz exclusively, I have found that the Military Grip has made a come-back. For jazz playing, it definitely has some benefits-I no longer need the volume and attack for the back beat. Historically, the Military Grip stayed around for decades because it lent itself well to the bouncy, buzzy techniques of jazz comping, but even the greats, such as Max Roach, Tony Williams, and others, have used the Matched Grip when soloing and moving around the set. I would say learn both, especially if you play a lot of jazz.
Back in 2006 I had been playing matched for over 20 years when some friends and I were working on a free form jazz project. I decided to give the traditional a try. It felt smooth on my left hand side when it came to making quick accent notes on my Hats and crash. The power was not there and it got a little uncomfortable not being used to it. Something I plan on revisiting in the future. Cool vid Rob! Thanks!
very cool video. I played matched grip for 23 years before I switched to traditional grip due to a left arm injury (I'm right handed). I've now been playing traditional grip for 13 years. It took 10 years before the traditional caught up to the matched grip so to speak. I have so much more fun playing traditional grip and can make the music feel better with traditional for some reason. Since I'm more fluent with traditional grip now, I'll never go back to matched grip.
Yes my jazz teacher likes me to use Trad grip for lessons. I find the posture thing happens too. Partially, it happens because in order to move your hands to the toms and hit everything your posture has to change because your hand needs to go over in a way that would be more difficult if you hunch over or get "too close" to the drums. So it does improve posture and makes you think about what you're playing because it's different.
Despite starting out playing jazz I always used match as I guess I wanted to get more into rock & my idols at that time mostly did that (& it looked easier to be honest!). Then I found out 2 of my favourite drummers, Mitch Mitchell & Stewart Copeland used traditional. I to this day have never done more than flirt with traditional grip so don't have any real prowess. I only use it for brushes as another commenter said. I kinda wish I'd started with it. Another great & very helpful video. Many thanks Rob
I play matched grip but I think with the traditional grip you can play more light ghostnotes and you have more dynamic range due to the fact that you dont put a lot of weight on the stick with the palm... sorry for my english haha.. I'm 44 now so I think it's to late to change the grip after playing 30 more years matched grip...
I played only match grip up until about a week ago. Now I been practicing traditional hardcore. I love it just because even tho it didnt feel natural at first, now that I'm starting to get the hang of it I feel that my drumming is much more efficient in terms of wrist and hand movement. But honestly the only reason I started playing traditional is because I think it looks so much cooler than match hahahah
Hi Rob, thank god I'm not the only one to have done this. My right hand traditional is easy. My left is an ongoing battle but it is getting easier. It's also fun playing a sort of matched traditional. I find when I play jazz, traditional just feels and sounds right. With rock, matched grip. Great videos and much love from a British guy living and teaching in Germany :D
Hi Rob. Great video, very inspiring as always. Always liked people doing things differently. Think of left-handed Elisabeth Cotton fingerpicking upside down on her right-handed guitar, electric left handed guitar players like Albert King or Otis Rush playing also upside down, Jeff Healey playing with his guitar on his lap. In sports, think of high jumper Dick Fosbury revolutionizing his art with "back-first" technique. So whatever works for you, i guess, finding your own voice and style. Until someone comes up with some kind of new disruptive grip technique ?
I used to play drums in highschool and now at 31 am trying to relearn. Granted i was never too great to begin with lol turns out i had developed awful habits for double stroke rolling. I always used matched grip but one of the things that has peaked my interest in relearning has been drumline videos, specifically the snare section. I think i want to learn traditional, simply because it seems there is more flare potential with that grip. Also it just looks badass lol
Having learned the traditional way because I played in a Pipe band first ( man was I a busy drummer ) I took that grip to my kit and played that way for years. But when I joined a rock band I switched to match for as you noted the power. I still predominantly play match but when I need to do anything with finesse ie press roll I automatically go back to traditional because I do it better that way. I think your point of there is no right or wrong on this issue is well said. I do think as you have proven with your playing that if you can do both it makes you a more versatile and therefore better drummer... thanks for the insight keep up the good work. Greetings from the Shwa....
I started playing open hand and being a guitar player that has a super strong wrist action on my right hand one day I used trad on my right hand but held it between first and second finger ...wow it felt so cool that I use it 30% of the time ....it helps developed my guitar and stick action at the same time
I play both grips. I agree that natural grip is easier when you need the power. I like trad grip when I play jazz. I think it's easier to cover the dynamic range, especially when playing softly. I grew up playing trad grip, and only switched to natural grip when I injured my hand in an accident. After I recovered, I could play both ways, and I play what fits the type of grove I need.
Jim Chapin, in his video "Speed, Power, Control, Endurance", explains the evolution of grips. The traditional grip came from people marching with drums and the drums not being flat in front of them as they marched. The drum was on an angle and matched grip would have made it awkward to hit. When drummers finally sat down and started playing, they continued the tradition of the grip. Jim said that traditional grip doesn't make sense on a drum set and suggested that there is no reason why traditional grip needs to be used. He even went so far as to say that crossing your hands so the dominant hand can play the hi-hat is passe and even a holdover from the traditional grip. Simon Phillips and Carter Beauford are two examples of matched grip players who have stopped crossing their hands to play the hi-hat. They put a ride cymbal above the hi-hat to make it easier to play using their left hands. Occam's Razor. If two procedures produce the same results, the simpler one is the better. Matched grip makes more sense when playing on a drum set. Marching band drummers who play the multi-toms play with matched grip while the snare drummers continue to play with traditional grip.
also add in the physical strain (like Weckl experienced) after years and years of heavy hitting with traditional grip and IMO you have some functional reasons to prefer matched.
@@maeu59 so did Jojo Mayer I believe. However I think Rob and other trad cats are on to something, Neil Peart put it amazingly if you look up "Peart matched vs traditional" , paraphrasing but "matched makes sense functionally, you're using more muscle groups, but traditional can make more sense MUSICALLY" kind of blew my mind along with Rob's analogy of traditional being like driving a stick shift!
Great video. I've always preferred matched grip. I broke both of my wrists (at separate times) when I was starting to play drums as a teenager. Ever since then, I just can't get the same kind of power with traditional grip... but I always felt a little awkward holding the stick like that.
cool, that thing with the "stick license" kinda make sense to me. back in the days, the tradgrip was kind of the drum set grip, right? and the matched grip was for playing tympani and stuff, right? buddy rich used to talk like that. personally, tradgrip give just higher parameters. everything has it's duty. or being more precise, matched grip gives to much freedom 😜 But what i like is, it regulates the volume. i love quite drums. it's a art form itself, playing quite but with the same energy, right?! thanks Rob for the great insights. just luv to watch and listen to your stuff. greets from germany. markus
You really told it spot on on explaining the concepts of feel and what feels better for you. I myself play match grip, but I'm thinking about learning to build up my left hand using traditional grip just to feel and experiment with a slightly different approach to the drums. Anyways. Great video
+CaptainWhirlwind You'll end up discovering new things about your own playing once you learn traditional, only because you're forced to do stuff you already know how to do, differently. If you're as much of a nerd as I am, you'll find that pretty exciting
Well until now I thought I was alone in playing traditional grip the wrong way round . Why ? I remember a big kid ( I was about 6 years of age ,now 63) telling me when I asked him how do you hold drum sticks ? Well I did what he told me and it was wrong and I have tried to change but give up. I will keep trying but will continue to use both matched and arse about traditional . I am so fast with the right hand and totally frustrated with my left with that grip. I am amazed we share that.
Traditional grip is better for that schwung feel, gives a different snare/cymbal crash sound, different ghost notes and slightly different groove/timing, when i record something played traditional grip somehow it sound also more traditional..
Hey Rob, me personally really agreed to the point where you said that it makes you feel cooler when you play. I got one question though, how did you learn to roll this strong on the toms? They sound so hard, man! Id love if you would explain it to me. Greetz, David (intermediate drummer)
+David Baak It was 100% a matter of strengthening the thumb and the cradle between the thumb and the index finger. My trad grip tutorial covers that cradle in detail.
I learned traditional grip first in elementary school and then learned matched during middle school/high school and now I can play both fairly equally. What I've found is that traditional grip allows you to be a lot more chill on the left hand. Volume mostly comes from your stick height rather than how much force you drive through the stick, and with traditional you're just rotating your wrist to get the desired height rather than lifting your hand up and down in matched. You can even get more sound with less effort from your left since the rotation of the wrist ends up giving you an added "whip" motion. And you're using different muscles, so I feel that I can relax and play a lot longer on my left hand in traditional than my right which is in matched grip. I feel like my right tires out after a while and I inevitably have to "muscle" it out, which makes me tired even faster. But that can all be resolved by just playing more and building up your stamina so you can play longer. I also feel traditional can be limited when you're trying to do rounds on the toms during a fill. It feels a lot easier to do get around the kit and cross over your hands in matched grip. Ultimately, the grip doesn't really matter. Like you mentioned in the video, there's no true advantage to playing either way. Take any drummer who can play both grips equally and you'll notice no difference in his/her playing ability or sound quality.
Been playing 40 yrs traditional grip, just got Jim Chapin dvd on Moeller Technique, Learning it using both match & traditional. Transition to Match is extremely easy. I remember Traditional being very difficult.
when tuning toms do you only wait for the wrinkles to dispensary directly in front of the lug or also in between lugs? there is space in between each lug, do you look at that?
I use both grips, but I started with trad grip. I find a little Moeller method goes along way;) I actually learned matched grip just to have an extra tool. Trouble is my rudiments are better in trad, but my rimshots are better in matched (for a long time I avoided rimshots as I didn't see the point, till I saw your videos)
Totally Agree with the comment that you feel with like a different drummer and have to approach things differently depending on the grip. It can definitely add some color to what you’re doing or just get you thinking about the same old thing at a different way. so even though I’m at matched grip guy I do spend quite a bit of time, especially on rudiments, using traditional. it just feels different and I think that’s a good thing
Traditional grip is what I like to use mainly on the snare drum for lighter dynamics and ghosting but prefer matched grip when playing fills around the toms it's not difficult to switch grips from going from playing Traditional grip on the snare and then switch to matched grip to play fills on the toms I picked that up from watching Jon Hiseman
I learned drums in traditional grip and feel much more comfortable. However, I've never truly mastered matched grip, mainly because I did not feel a difference in power with backbeats, as I felt as I could do the same with both just fine, is that because my left hand is extremely weak? As a drummer, should I master matched grip? I know I am 5 years late to the video, but I've simply had the same insecurity for not feeling so hot with matched grip, being extremely prevalent nowadays.
Rob, I have the same issues that the traditional grip feels better in my right hand. I'm working to change it. If you watch the movie The Wings "Rockshow". The drummer did the very same thing you used to do.
You talked for 15 minutes about this and kept my interest the whole time. I guess you're just interesting to listen to. That being said, you play matched and traditional right and left. It would have been interesting to see you play double wrists up. Or reverse matched, not sure what to call it.
Rob Brown. I'm a left handed drummer, who plays a right handed set. The only thing's I do different, is that I set my ride on the left hand side, and I also hit the snare with my right hand and the hi-hat with my left hand. I'm wanting to learn to play traditionally to change it up, so would the original way that you done it work for me with the traditional grip? Drummer for thirteen years btw.
I play both, depending on what I do. If it's a bit more smooth, groovy back-beat type thing, or if I use brushes, I go with trad, if I play rock/punk/metal I do matched. It also depends a bit on the speed, because my trad grip is not nearly as fast as my matched. But I have to agree with you that playing trad gives you that extra oomph in the attitude, makes you flow better and feel like a boss.
I decided to use traditional mainly because of those reasons. It flows and feels better. Also strong rim-shots feels better with that grip. Ofc it's requires a lot of practice, but I won't give up :D I like it when you said you feel different drummer with traditional grip and feel it the same. Playing with the index finger is the hardest part to master and playing equal singles felt impossible at the beginning. I totally understand why there are still drummers that put a lot of effort to master this grip but I'm sure it's worth of it. I love your drumming lessons, keep it real Rob! Greeting from Finland :) ps. I played traditional in my right hand too when I decided to play open-handed, but then I went back to crossed. It was cool, but afterall I didn't find it comfortable. Lenny White plays open-handed and trad in his right hand, but he's a natural lefty so :P Btw, I'm gonna apply to Pop&jazz Conservatory of Helsinki next spring, have you got any tips for practise?
Rob, one of the main differences between matched grip and, "the drum way" is the elbow location. With traditional way you can hold your elbow to your body on the snare. You are more steady that way. It also allows you to do the one hand roll so much easier and faster. You begin to involve your thumb and finger too. My favorite way is one and one left hand or right doesn't matter. Drive both, stick and standard. Matched they are outward. This makes it real hard to move around the kit. Matched is very limited. You end up eventually with one and one grip and two separate BD pedals too. You play and teach well,..use Oak man, I shredded til I realized the more expensive Oak and Hickory are worth it. Plus you sweep up splinters much less often.
Thank you for the videos (and the other Traditional Grip videos you posted previously). I have shifted to open-handed yearssss ago, but have been observing traditional grip drummers like Vinnie Colaiuta or Steve Gadd during my open-handed phase. Just the past year or so, I decided to go back to cross-handed (I'm righty and not ambidextrous). To my surprise, I feel much comfortable playing in the traditional grip than matched in that fashion. Maybe I've been watching too much of Vinnie Colauita, Tony Williams, and (now my favorite) Steve Jordan :) My grooves got greasier and funkier in that fashion. Still a long way to go on developing my left hand grip, but somehow it has improved a lot than me learning to get really comfortable playing open-handed... My shuffles are smoother. My playing behind the beat is much better. Overall, feel-wise, just better. Maybe that's the secret to Steve Jordan's pocket? :) I'll always have the open-handed technique (matched grip, of course) when I need the loud backbeats! Thank you, Rob. Very nice insights!
I started playing matched and mainly continue to do so, but I’ve been working on traditional strictly because of the feel. I think at some times it feels more musical and natural than matched. I still play brushes traditional though
I think learning both grips is a plus for the weak hand. Using different muscle groups also provide a way to prevent overuse injuries. Rob is 100% correct that traditional is not as good for power as the matched grip.
The way I look at playing the set changed. Now everything comes from the snare meaning everything you play can be played just on the snare or pad then to intergrate toms and bass ride into it then switching to trad grip gives me a more open sound then the bass toms ride should be next to or below the snare in the mix
Hi, Rob. As always excellent video, thanks for sharing it. I prefer the matched grip because it has more power. But de traditional grip looks nice to play jazz.
bro i just - i mean i looked that up and couldn't find anyone who used that with their RiGHT hand. i forgot about it and thought i'd just see your take on trad grip in general - i feel like i want to learn it - then you bust this one out.
For me its the 80/20 Rule. I am 80 percent traditional and 20 percent matched . I find rudimentary drumming much easier in traditional considering Copland and Carlock are 2 of my favorites . I can get that Buddy Rich bounce with that grip much easier then matched . I use matched grip when like you said Rob , when I need that power or if I need to get around the toms quickly such as a metal sound would require . I totally see what you mean about feeling like a different drummer with the different grip . I also use matched for funk in that sense . Everything else for me is traditional !
I have been playing 40 years and taught myself match at 32 years old, after playing traditional til then. I use everything. Mueller, match, traditional, match, french match. Whatever feels right for the gig or tune. I play in with a major r and b , blues girl several times a month. She closes her show with a Led Zeppelin medley . I play her show traditional until that medley. You just get a little more power, but less finesse.
I notice that whichever hand you use the traditional grip, you do have to compensate by dropping that shoulder a little. If you are in marching band, with the snare slung off to your side, you really have to use the traditional grip. Other than that, it doesn't seem to matter.
I think the discussion needs to be in context with your kit and your sticks. I use traditional grip and play a Vintage Ludwig Vistalite kit with Vic Firth hammers . Which are basically marching band sticks made out of hickory. Super heavy and fat :) . My take on power it's not a problem with traditional grip. For me my 10/12/13 inch toms are much easier to access that sit over the high hat on the left. Using the traditional grip allows me to keep my left shoulder down while hitting those toms. Several years ago, I converted my concert toms to double heads and changed to the modern Ludwig suspension mounts Toms 14/15/16 which allow me precisely place those three toms with a slight curve to the set. Same as the 10/12/13 actually, only in front of me over the twin 24 bass drums. At those angles and height playing those drums with traditional grip is totally natural for me. From what I have seen modern kits seem to be much smaller and lower these days. Perhaps that makes a difference. I am using two 18 floor toms and i can easily reach them with both hands in a traditional grip. Many decades ago when learning to drum, I was taught traditional grip by a very good teacher. I guess I am still trying to get to the level of that teacher with the grip I was originally shown. Iv never seen it as a limitation to my playing. Interesting discussion. I enjoy your channel. Keep drumming.
I've played traditional for my entire career....60+ years now in 2024....I took an entire year doing matched grip, because most of my younger students played matched.Most now are doing both..So for me I play both, depending on what I'm playing.
My 2¢ … With trad, there's a slight whipping motion from the hips, it may be small, but it's definitely there … so it's a bit more like throwing a ball or a punch, and yeup, it makes you "swing" with your body a bit more - especially if you try doing it with your throwing ( i.e. "wrong" ) hand. This inevitably will make the music feel different than the, mostly shoulder down, whip of matched - so with trad, a bit of hips and therefore, a bit of swing, is kind of "built in", as opposed to matched where it doesn't automatically happen quite so much, so you have to make a point of building up the swing instinct a bit more - but obviously, it's entirely possible, just a bit less automatic.
Being totally honest, I adopted matched grip just because I saw Neil Peart using it. This video was the first time I really tried to find out what the real reason is someone would use it. I enjoy looking a bit different when I jam with folks who don't see a lot of drummers using it these days. And it also gave me something new to try at a certain point in my playing. I certainly have devoted a fair amount of practice to figuring out how to obtain a phat backbeat from it, when it would have been easier to use matched. I simply never play matched anymore. Maybe I should be practicing both.
I grew up as a drum corps guy. Serious snare chops with traditional grip. Now, in my mid-40's, my body is starting to tell me it might be time to switch to matched from here on out... Some shoulder / left arm issues that traditional grip can't possibly be helping... :(
First of all, I play my hi-hats almost exclusively with my left hand (open-handed), although I am right-handed. I have been playing for about 3 years, and have just recently started to practice traditional grip. I usually use it in my left hand while on my kit. I notice a definite loss in power, though it does open up some possibilities on the snare with backbeats (I find it easier to hit a rim shot with trad grip). I do also notice it's a little easier to boost the speed with trad grip because my left hand is a little weaker and slower than my right hand with a matched grip. Lastly, I find it a little more difficult to get around the kit with trad grip, although this can probably be attested to my inexperience with it. As a side note, I have always played matched French grip (albeit a poor technique French grip) as opposed to a German or American grip. How do you guys/gals play?
+Nicholas Petitjean Took me a really long time to get comfortable actually getting around the kit with the traditional. Still in great at it but it has definitely gotten way way better
Hey that was 3 years I was judge . I really was under qualified to be a judge and so many young kids could play so well in any style. I had to qualify that .
I’m getting pain in my right thumb at 56 and I think drumming is aggravating it. So I’m going to use traditional grip in that hand to shift the pressure to a different place.
Matched grip open handed.That is the way I would like to play. I tried once traditional grip, and while it looks good, it is ankward to play, at least for me.
Just watch any Buddy Rich clip or even Mike Shrive's performance at Woodstock ,what a weapon to be able to play such a fast clean single stroke roll . Then decide which grip is better . I still play traditional the wrong way round ,hell I have tried to change . I do play match grip most of the time . So Rob ,your not alone but congrats on being able to get your right hand to teach your left.
On a serious note, I was taught traditional grip and just feel more comfortable using it. There are times that I go to matched but I always find myself coming back to my comfort zone.
I want to learn traditional grip because I feel like it will force me to relax. Also I maybe grew up watching That Thing You Do and thought Guy Patterson was the coolest thing ever.
can we all just take a moment to think about how funny it was when buddy rich said you can’t get around the kit with matched grip
Bonham would gladly object that statement
He just meant you can't get around as good as he can.
There is an ergonomic truth to what he says. You can’t say hit drums 180 degrees apart with matched
R Cullen do you mean drums that are on both sides of the drummer? you can easily hit everything you need on the kit with matched grip
yes
Learned drums playing traditional grip. I even kept the traditional grip when I first started on drum set. About a year and a half ago I was determined to learn match grip. I completely agree about the power of match grip. However, I feel like I can just groove more and sit back and be in the song with traditional. I love having both as a tool now.
that's really cool to hear. Do you think your approach to the drums and
playing style feels different than your regular playing style?
+Cory Maxey You just feel that bit more rounded of a drummer when you know both grips, for whatever reason. Like when you master driving stick. You're like 'Ok, now I can drive this car...AND this car.' But yea, grooves just feel a bit more relaxed and comfortable to me with traditional. Especially the straight pocket stuff.
CaptainWhirlwind yea, I approach a song differently with each grip. Match grip is easier to move around the kit, in my opinion. For example, When I play a song that has more of a tom groove I'll usually play match grip. When I'm trying to channel my inner Nate Smith or Steve Jordan (kick, snare, hats/ride) I love traditional grip. It's really just a feel thing because I know both grips can do whatever you want.
Rob Brown yes, straight pocket is traditional grip. Matched can move around more bc it has more angles of attack. Love your videos man.
i want to learn traditional grip just cause i think it looks cool, and i think that's a good enough reason
Dayumm right it is. We buy cars, clothes and shoes ‘cuz they look cool, so why not.
Enjoy your lessons so much. I’m 70 years old and have been drumming for 55 years. However, I’m not in your league yet. I was trained in the traditional grip and I think that, if that is what you learn than you also will develop all the power you need. I could go on about this, but I don’t want to be boring. You are a terrific teacher.
Just wanna say hey Rob. I'm not sure how I found your channel but I'm glad I did.I'm a drummer from the states playing in a worship band and just wanna say thank you for breaking down drum rudiments and making drumming simple. I've been playing a couple decades and just needed that "polish" that comes from going back and practicing rudiments. Just goes to show you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Hi Rob - I am a traditional grip player! I have only used this grip since 5th grade! Thank you for sharing your story!
Always appreciate your sincerity. You are the only one I know who can play a matched traditional grip !
Back in '62, I was taught the trad grip by a local jazz drummer. For years I shunned the match grip a la Buddy. Later I discovered the power of the match suited harder rock tunes especially without amplified drums. Now I use both depending on the demands of the song, sometimes during one song I'll switch back and forth. Also, some parts of the E-kit are easier to reach with match grip in left hand (the rim triggers of the toms, for example!. BUT the trad grip looks and feels much sexier when wailing on your snare, throwing accents around. I encourage all to develop both grips, even though the trad grip is more difficult to master, IMO. Great stuff as usual, Rob. I hope we get to see the demise of the fuzzy stick live on video!
As the son of an oldschool drummer that just bought my kid his first drumset, I finally went ahead and asked my dad as I'd been getting curious about it. His answer as to why it was a thing was that it came from marching band, where the snare was mounted diagonally, with the strap hanging over one shoulder.
Correct! Way back in war times!
Mate what a cool story and video of you playing that way back in 2004!!!! Very versatile!
I have this same problem. I can play traditional grip comfortably on the "wrong hand." But, when I try to play it correctly (left hand) I still struggle to get the power and comfort I have using the right hand. Still going at it, though. Hella determined to get it down!
Rob i think you should of kept playing the "wrong" way lol
I think it was very unique.
Qui Tv Ugh 😑 I think it looks jacked up. lol
Rob Brown You should still try it from time to time to keep up with it. Who cares what it looks like? It could catch on someday and everyone will be doing it. Then you could say you helped set the trend.
i used to play that way all the time for a wee while, it is kinda fun haha
Nice lesson! Great teacher. I still like what Tony Williams said regarding matched and traditional grip. To paraphrase; " When you love something you want to explore it every way possible."
I learned traditional - had the snare drum slanted and everything. Then finally went matched and use that most of the time. When I pick up brushes, though, I typically use traditional and that muscle memory is still there! I like 'em both but if I were to teach anyone, I'd probably teach matched unless they were in a drum line or something. There's just not much "reason" to pick traditional when you know that it was created just for a slanted marching posture and in a drumkit-only context you just don't have that.
Matched for me. Good enough for John Bonham, Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford etc so good enough for me. I think matched gives better balance too. You can always spot an old jazz drummer as they always look like they have a crick in their neck. I have played trad but just for sitting in on jazz sets. I had a teacher so it was matched grip for rock and trad for jazz but once I left him I just played everything in matched. I still sounded the same so made no difference. A little like when you look at a maths problem and you find there is more than one way to reach the same solution.
I started traditional grip cuz I thinks it looks more “traditional” and my right hand has never been as strong as my left (lefty) no matter how much I tried so I thought my switching will help me even my hands out, it’s been about 5-6 months now and I absolutely love it. It sucked ass at the very beginning but your videos and a couple of others have helped me through it
Thanks brother!!
I have recently started playing traditional grip more frequently and doing research to understand all the nuances of the grip. *Really enjoyed you traditional grip video!*
The main reason is I really like the way it feels drumming that way. Also it looks cool ;)
I also have noticed that for certain things I want to do, It is much easier for me do it in traditional grip. Plus due to an old wrist injury, my left hand is a little weaker holding the stick match grip and it's a little difficult to pull off some of the things I want to do.
Plus I think it's always good to honor the "traditional" ways of drumming :)
+drumbum185 That last point in particular. Drum nerds get it👌🏾🙂🇨🇦
After about 8-9 years of matched, I started practicing traditional and I definitely feel like I can swing better and it just feels better for playing funk and jazz. However, you're right about the power aspect. I one day hope to have the powerful backbeat of Stewart Copeland, but until then, I have to use matched for rock-punk-metal situations.
Started Traditional in grade school, switched to matched in high school (aka rock band), wish to develop my traditional grip. 45 years later am shocked (and bummed) when I realized I'm lost when I try traditional. This vid and your other one on How to Develop a Killer... has helped me & convinced me to continue in developing my traditional grip. BTW, your comments on how traditional has affected you & your playing is very insightful... Thanks!!
Your drumming and approach to challenges is inspirational af
I'm barely getting matched grip down let alone traditional :-)
"It's like driving stick." Excellent metaphor and I'm taking it with me. As a drum-capable bass player, I occasionally like a trad grip because it encourages my snare to be busier and with more subtlety for jazz. You can't help but picture yourself as one of the greats handling the business.
I’ve also tried to go from my match to traditional and gave up many many times, one of the reasons for giving up was I felt I needed to adjust my snare angle to compensate for the rim shot crack I got with my match grip. I guess I need to learn traditional grip with the same snare angle as with the match.
Thanks Rob!
Pete
I'm just starting out and found this quite useful, insightful. I started with matched grip but find my left hand lags behind the right and the stick doesn't feel as comfortable in my left hand when using matched grip, so I've been thinking about trying traditional grip for that reason, it just seems more intuitive to me.
When I first started getting serious about playing the drums, I was about eleven years old, I saw pictures of Ian Paice - who is left-handed - and thought this was the way to play, so my first years playing the drums were as a right-handed player, playing the kit set up for a left-hander. I then found out that Ian is left handed, and that I could set the drums up for a right-handed player, so that's what I did. In the long run, it has meant that I can lead, or change my playing around with ease, so it has actually helped me as a player.
I grew up playing traditional grip and I love it. It especially feels right when my right hand is playing on the ride cymbal, whether in jazz oriented stuff or rock based when appropriate. What I still find difficult with traditional grip is playing cross handed stuff on the hi hat. I find that my crossed right hand inhibits to some degree any natural stroke with my left hand. So for cross handed on the hi hat, matched is easier for me. However, I really don't like switching back and forth. Rob, do you have any tips on how to make cross handed playing feel more natural with traditional grip?
Thank you, Rob. You answered all my initial questions (ones I had coming here). I'll continue using matched until that strong desire for having a traditional hold impels me too.
What kind of bike are you riding
I began with what I call the Military Grip (Traditional) when I started learning the rudiments in a military band as a 12 year old, but when I moved on to kit playing, I abandoned it in favour of Matched. I was performing in Rock bands with the attendant volume levels, so Matched Grip, in combination with rim shots in the left hand, seemed to make more sense.
Also, some years later, I also implemented the Open Style, where the left hand plays the hi hat, so I moved even further away from the Military Grip. Matched Grip it was.
Now that I'm older and playing jazz exclusively, I have found that the Military Grip has made a come-back. For jazz playing, it definitely has some benefits-I no longer need the volume and attack for the back beat.
Historically, the Military Grip stayed around for decades because it lent itself well to the bouncy, buzzy techniques of jazz comping, but even the greats, such as Max Roach, Tony Williams, and others, have used the Matched Grip when soloing and moving around the set.
I would say learn both, especially if you play a lot of jazz.
Back in 2006 I had been playing matched for over 20 years when some friends and I were working on a free form jazz project. I decided to give the traditional a try. It felt smooth on my left hand side when it came to making quick accent notes on my Hats and crash. The power was not there and it got a little uncomfortable not being used to it. Something I plan on revisiting in the future. Cool vid Rob! Thanks!
very cool video. I played matched grip for 23 years before I switched to traditional grip due to a left arm injury (I'm right handed). I've now been playing traditional grip for 13 years. It took 10 years before the traditional caught up to the matched grip so to speak. I have so much more fun playing traditional grip and can make the music feel better with traditional for some reason.
Since I'm more fluent with traditional grip now, I'll never go back to matched grip.
Yes my jazz teacher likes me to use Trad grip for lessons. I find the posture thing happens too. Partially, it happens because in order to move your hands to the toms and hit everything your posture has to change because your hand needs to go over in a way that would be more difficult if you hunch over or get "too close" to the drums. So it does improve posture and makes you think about what you're playing because it's different.
Despite starting out playing jazz I always used match as I guess I wanted to get more into rock & my idols at that time mostly did that (& it looked easier to be honest!). Then I found out 2 of my favourite drummers, Mitch Mitchell & Stewart Copeland used traditional. I to this day have never done more than flirt with traditional grip so don't have any real prowess. I only use it for brushes as another commenter said. I kinda wish I'd started with it. Another great & very helpful video. Many thanks Rob
I play matched grip but I think with the traditional grip you can play more light ghostnotes and you have more dynamic range due to the fact that you dont put a lot of weight on the stick with the palm... sorry for my english haha.. I'm 44 now so I think it's to late to change the grip after playing 30 more years matched grip...
Neil Peart explored trad grip around your age.
As a massive car guy/petrol head your "driving stick" analogy convinced me, gonna woodshed some traditional...
I played only match grip up until about a week ago. Now I been practicing traditional hardcore. I love it just because even tho it didnt feel natural at first, now that I'm starting to get the hang of it I feel that my drumming is much more efficient in terms of wrist and hand movement. But honestly the only reason I started playing traditional is because I think it looks so much cooler than match hahahah
"That's why you don't see a lot of metal drummers using the traditional grip, it would look kind of ridiculous."
Challenge accepted, my friend.
Virgil Donatti actually auditioned for dream theatre using traditional grip
Nick pierce, just sayin🤷
Cozy Powell used traditional grip alot!
Bruno Valverde in Angra Band
Vinnie Colaiuta
Hi Rob, thank god I'm not the only one to have done this. My right hand traditional is easy. My left is an ongoing battle but it is getting easier. It's also fun playing a sort of matched traditional. I find when I play jazz, traditional just feels and sounds right. With rock, matched grip. Great videos and much love from a British guy living and teaching in Germany :D
Glad to know I'm not the only one who can play right Traditional grip well
Your playing reminds me of an album called “Tokyo live” Free spirits with Dennis chambers. One of my favorites.
Great story. My drum teacher showed me the traditional and used the match grip with mallets. Your playing sounds great.
+Paul Montero Thanks, man 🙂🇨🇦
Hi Rob. Great video, very inspiring as always. Always liked people doing things differently. Think of left-handed Elisabeth Cotton fingerpicking upside down on her right-handed guitar, electric left handed guitar players like Albert King or Otis Rush playing also upside down, Jeff Healey playing with his guitar on his lap. In sports, think of high jumper Dick Fosbury revolutionizing his art with "back-first" technique. So whatever works for you, i guess, finding your own voice and style. Until someone comes up with some kind of new disruptive grip technique ?
I used to play drums in highschool and now at 31 am trying to relearn. Granted i was never too great to begin with lol turns out i had developed awful habits for double stroke rolling. I always used matched grip but one of the things that has peaked my interest in relearning has been drumline videos, specifically the snare section. I think i want to learn traditional, simply because it seems there is more flare potential with that grip. Also it just looks badass lol
Having learned the traditional way because I played in a Pipe band first ( man was I a busy drummer ) I took that grip to my kit and played that way for years. But when I joined a rock band I switched to match for as you noted the power. I still predominantly play match but when I need to do anything with finesse ie press roll I automatically go back to traditional because I do it better that way. I think your point of there is no right or wrong on this issue is well said. I do think as you have proven with your playing that if you can do both it makes you a more versatile and therefore better drummer... thanks for the insight keep up the good work. Greetings from the Shwa....
I started playing open hand and being a guitar player that has a super strong wrist action on my right hand one day I used trad on my right hand but held it between first and second finger
...wow it felt so cool that I use it 30% of the time ....it helps developed my guitar and stick action at the same time
You're a wonderful drummer. Thank you for creating and posting.
Damn! You inspired me to sit down and FINALLY comes to grips with Traditional Grip. Thank You Sir!!!!
Thanks. That was the overview I was looking for :)
I play both grips. I agree that natural grip is easier when you need the power. I like trad grip when I play jazz. I think it's easier to cover the dynamic range, especially when playing softly. I grew up playing trad grip, and only switched to natural grip when I injured my hand in an accident. After I recovered, I could play both ways, and I play what fits the type of grove I need.
Great video and all those explainations made sense to me.
Jim Chapin, in his video "Speed, Power, Control, Endurance", explains the evolution of grips. The traditional grip came from people marching with drums and the drums not being flat in front of them as they marched. The drum was on an angle and matched grip would have made it awkward to hit. When drummers finally sat down and started playing, they continued the tradition of the grip.
Jim said that traditional grip doesn't make sense on a drum set and suggested that there is no reason why traditional grip needs to be used. He even went so far as to say that crossing your hands so the dominant hand can play the hi-hat is passe and even a holdover from the traditional grip. Simon Phillips and Carter Beauford are two examples of matched grip players who have stopped crossing their hands to play the hi-hat. They put a ride cymbal above the hi-hat to make it easier to play using their left hands. Occam's Razor. If two procedures produce the same results, the simpler one is the better. Matched grip makes more sense when playing on a drum set. Marching band drummers who play the multi-toms play with matched grip while the snare drummers continue to play with traditional grip.
also add in the physical strain (like Weckl experienced) after years and years of heavy hitting with traditional grip and IMO you have some functional reasons to prefer matched.
@@t3hgir Weckl also said if he was just starting out he’d play matched.
@@maeu59 so did Jojo Mayer I believe. However I think Rob and other trad cats are on to something, Neil Peart put it amazingly if you look up "Peart matched vs traditional" , paraphrasing but "matched makes sense functionally, you're using more muscle groups, but traditional can make more sense MUSICALLY" kind of blew my mind along with Rob's analogy of traditional being like driving a stick shift!
Great video. I've always preferred matched grip. I broke both of my wrists (at separate times) when I was starting to play drums as a teenager. Ever since then, I just can't get the same kind of power with traditional grip... but I always felt a little awkward holding the stick like that.
If it allows you make the sounds you want, it's "right." : )
cool, that thing with the "stick license" kinda make sense to me. back in the days, the tradgrip was kind of the drum set grip, right? and the matched grip was for playing tympani and stuff, right? buddy rich used to talk like that.
personally, tradgrip give just higher parameters. everything has it's duty. or being more precise, matched grip gives to much freedom 😜
But what i like is, it regulates the volume. i love quite drums. it's a art form itself, playing quite but with the same energy, right?!
thanks Rob for the great insights. just luv to watch and listen to your stuff. greets from germany.
markus
I just started drumming. I am lefty and i feel comfortable with traditional grip with my right hand. Should i continue this way?
You really told it spot on on explaining the concepts of feel and
what feels better for you.
I myself play match grip, but I'm thinking about learning to build up my left hand using traditional grip
just to feel and experiment with a slightly different approach to the drums.
Anyways. Great video
+CaptainWhirlwind You'll end up discovering new things about your own playing once you learn traditional, only because you're forced to do stuff you already know how to do, differently. If you're as much of a nerd as I am, you'll find that pretty exciting
Well until now I thought I was alone in playing traditional grip the wrong way round . Why ? I remember a big kid ( I was about 6 years of age ,now 63) telling me when I asked him how do you hold drum sticks ? Well I did what he told me and it was wrong and I have tried to change but give up. I will keep trying but will continue to use both matched and arse about traditional . I am so fast with the right hand and totally frustrated with my left with that grip. I am amazed we share that.
Traditional grip is better for that schwung feel, gives a different snare/cymbal crash sound, different ghost notes and slightly different groove/timing, when i record something played traditional grip somehow it sound also more traditional..
Hey Rob, me personally really agreed to the point where you said that it makes you feel cooler when you play.
I got one question though, how did you learn to roll this strong on the toms? They sound so hard, man! Id love if you would explain it to me.
Greetz,
David (intermediate drummer)
+David Baak It was 100% a matter of strengthening the thumb and the cradle between the thumb and the index finger. My trad grip tutorial covers that cradle in detail.
I learned traditional grip first in elementary school and then learned matched during middle school/high school and now I can play both fairly equally. What I've found is that traditional grip allows you to be a lot more chill on the left hand. Volume mostly comes from your stick height rather than how much force you drive through the stick, and with traditional you're just rotating your wrist to get the desired height rather than lifting your hand up and down in matched.
You can even get more sound with less effort from your left since the rotation of the wrist ends up giving you an added "whip" motion. And you're using different muscles, so I feel that I can relax and play a lot longer on my left hand in traditional than my right which is in matched grip. I feel like my right tires out after a while and I inevitably have to "muscle" it out, which makes me tired even faster.
But that can all be resolved by just playing more and building up your stamina so you can play longer. I also feel traditional can be limited when you're trying to do rounds on the toms during a fill. It feels a lot easier to do get around the kit and cross over your hands in matched grip.
Ultimately, the grip doesn't really matter. Like you mentioned in the video, there's no true advantage to playing either way. Take any drummer who can play both grips equally and you'll notice no difference in his/her playing ability or sound quality.
+Marty Sanchez Good points there👌🏾
Looking at those sticks just makes me think of all the splinters I'd get 😂. Great video Rob, keep them coming.
Been playing 40 yrs traditional grip, just got Jim Chapin dvd on Moeller Technique, Learning it using both match & traditional. Transition to Match is extremely easy. I remember Traditional being very difficult.
when tuning toms do you only wait for the wrinkles to dispensary directly in front of the lug or also in between lugs? there is space in between each lug, do you look at that?
I use both grips, but I started with trad grip. I find a little Moeller method goes along way;) I actually learned matched grip just to have an extra tool. Trouble is my rudiments are better in trad, but my rimshots are better in matched (for a long time I avoided rimshots as I didn't see the point, till I saw your videos)
My left hand feels wrong with matched grip. Traditional seems more natural to me.
...I guess I'm the weird one :-D
+DaveLecian Nah, that don't make you weird. Ok, maybe a little bit 😏
Amen my brother!! U not alone
Totally Agree with the comment that you feel with like a different drummer and have to approach things differently depending on the grip. It can definitely add some color to what you’re doing or just get you thinking about the same old thing at a different way. so even though I’m at matched grip guy I do spend quite a bit of time, especially on rudiments, using traditional. it just feels different and I think that’s a good thing
Traditional grip is what I like to use mainly on the snare drum for lighter dynamics and ghosting but prefer matched grip when playing fills around the toms it's not difficult to switch grips from going from playing Traditional grip on the snare and then switch to matched grip to play fills on the toms I picked that up from watching Jon Hiseman
I learned drums in traditional grip and feel much more comfortable. However, I've never truly mastered matched grip, mainly because I did not feel a difference in power with backbeats, as I felt as I could do the same with both just fine, is that because my left hand is extremely weak? As a drummer, should I master matched grip? I know I am 5 years late to the video, but I've simply had the same insecurity for not feeling so hot with matched grip, being extremely prevalent nowadays.
Rob, I have the same issues that the traditional grip feels better in my right hand. I'm working to change it. If you watch the movie The Wings "Rockshow". The drummer did the very same thing you used to do.
You talked for 15 minutes about this and kept my interest the whole time. I guess you're just interesting to listen to.
That being said, you play matched and traditional right and left. It would have been interesting to see you play double wrists up. Or reverse matched, not sure what to call it.
Rob Brown. I'm a left handed drummer, who plays a right handed set. The only thing's I do different, is that I set my ride on the left hand side, and I also hit the snare with my right hand and the hi-hat with my left hand. I'm wanting to learn to play traditionally to change it up, so would the original way that you done it work for me with the traditional grip? Drummer for thirteen years btw.
+Joshua Farmer Right hand traditional will totally work in open-handed situations. Use to do that quite a bit
I play both, depending on what I do. If it's a bit more smooth, groovy back-beat type thing, or if I use brushes, I go with trad, if I play rock/punk/metal I do matched. It also depends a bit on the speed, because my trad grip is not nearly as fast as my matched. But I have to agree with you that playing trad gives you that extra oomph in the attitude, makes you flow better and feel like a boss.
I decided to use traditional mainly because of those reasons. It flows and feels better. Also strong rim-shots feels better with that grip. Ofc it's requires a lot of practice, but I won't give up :D I like it when you said you feel different drummer with traditional grip and feel it the same. Playing with the index finger is the hardest part to master and playing equal singles felt impossible at the beginning.
I totally understand why there are still drummers that put a lot of effort to master this grip but I'm sure it's worth of it. I love your drumming lessons, keep it real Rob! Greeting from Finland :)
ps. I played traditional in my right hand too when I decided to play open-handed, but then I went back to crossed. It was cool, but afterall I didn't find it comfortable. Lenny White plays open-handed and trad in his right hand, but he's a natural lefty so :P
Btw, I'm gonna apply to Pop&jazz Conservatory of Helsinki next spring, have you got any tips for practise?
Rob, one of the main differences between matched grip and, "the drum way" is the elbow location. With traditional way you can hold your elbow to your body on the snare. You are more steady that way. It also allows you to do the one hand roll so much easier and faster. You begin to involve your thumb and finger too. My favorite way is one and one left hand or right doesn't matter. Drive both, stick and standard.
Matched they are outward. This makes it real hard to move around the kit. Matched is very limited. You end up eventually with one and one grip and two separate BD pedals too.
You play and teach well,..use Oak man, I shredded til I realized the more expensive Oak and Hickory are worth it. Plus you sweep up splinters much less often.
Thank you for the videos (and the other Traditional Grip videos you posted previously). I have shifted to open-handed yearssss ago, but have been observing traditional grip drummers like Vinnie Colaiuta or Steve Gadd during my open-handed phase. Just the past year or so, I decided to go back to cross-handed (I'm righty and not ambidextrous). To my surprise, I feel much comfortable playing in the traditional grip than matched in that fashion. Maybe I've been watching too much of Vinnie Colauita, Tony Williams, and (now my favorite) Steve Jordan :)
My grooves got greasier and funkier in that fashion. Still a long way to go on developing my left hand grip, but somehow it has improved a lot than me learning to get really comfortable playing open-handed... My shuffles are smoother. My playing behind the beat is much better. Overall, feel-wise, just better. Maybe that's the secret to Steve Jordan's pocket? :)
I'll always have the open-handed technique (matched grip, of course) when I need the loud backbeats!
Thank you, Rob. Very nice insights!
I started playing matched and mainly continue to do so, but I’ve been working on traditional strictly because of the feel. I think at some times it feels more musical and natural than matched. I still play brushes traditional though
I think learning both grips is a plus for the weak hand. Using different muscle groups also provide a way to prevent overuse injuries. Rob is 100% correct that traditional is not as good for power as the matched grip.
The way I look at playing the set changed. Now everything comes from the snare meaning everything you play can be played just on the snare or pad then to intergrate toms and bass ride into it then switching to trad grip gives me a more open sound then the bass toms ride should be next to or below the snare in the mix
Hi, Rob.
As always excellent video, thanks for sharing it.
I prefer the matched grip because it has more power.
But de traditional grip looks nice to play jazz.
+Alexander Valverde Cordero It's definitely sexier than matched when you do it right 🙂
bro i just -
i mean i looked that up and couldn't find anyone who used that with their RiGHT hand. i forgot about it and thought i'd just see your take on trad grip in general - i feel like i want to learn it - then you bust this one out.
For me its the 80/20 Rule. I am 80 percent traditional and 20 percent matched . I find rudimentary drumming much easier in traditional considering Copland and Carlock are 2 of my favorites . I can get that Buddy Rich bounce with that grip much easier then matched . I use matched grip when like you said Rob , when I need that power or if I need to get around the toms quickly such as a metal sound would require . I totally see what you mean about feeling like a different drummer with the different grip . I also use matched for funk in that sense . Everything else for me is traditional !
I have been playing 40 years and taught myself match at 32 years old, after playing traditional til then. I use everything. Mueller, match, traditional, match, french match. Whatever feels right for the gig or tune. I play in with a major r and b , blues girl several times a month. She closes her show with a Led Zeppelin medley . I play her show traditional until that medley. You just get a little more power, but less finesse.
I notice that whichever hand you use the traditional grip, you do have to compensate by dropping that shoulder a little. If you are in marching band, with the snare slung off to your side, you really have to use the traditional grip. Other than that, it doesn't seem to matter.
I think the discussion needs to be in context with your kit and your sticks. I use traditional grip and play a Vintage Ludwig Vistalite kit with Vic Firth hammers . Which are basically marching band sticks made out of hickory. Super heavy and fat :) . My take on power it's not a problem with traditional grip. For me my 10/12/13 inch toms are much easier to access that sit over the high hat on the left. Using the traditional grip allows me to keep my left shoulder down while hitting those toms. Several years ago, I converted my concert toms to double heads and changed to the modern Ludwig suspension mounts Toms 14/15/16 which allow me precisely place those three toms with a slight curve to the set. Same as the 10/12/13 actually, only in front of me over the twin 24 bass drums. At those angles and height playing those drums with traditional grip is totally natural for me. From what I have seen modern kits seem to be much smaller and lower these days. Perhaps that makes a difference. I am using two 18 floor toms and i can easily reach them with both hands in a traditional grip. Many decades ago when learning to drum, I was taught traditional grip by a very good teacher. I guess I am still trying to get to the level of that teacher with the grip I was originally shown. Iv never seen it as a limitation to my playing. Interesting discussion. I enjoy your channel. Keep drumming.
I've played traditional for my entire career....60+ years now in 2024....I took an entire year doing matched grip, because most of my younger students played matched.Most now are doing both..So for me I play both, depending on what I'm playing.
My 2¢ … With trad, there's a slight whipping motion from the hips, it may be small, but it's definitely there … so it's a bit more like throwing a ball or a punch, and yeup, it makes you "swing" with your body a bit more - especially if you try doing it with your throwing ( i.e. "wrong" ) hand. This inevitably will make the music feel different than the, mostly shoulder down, whip of matched - so with trad, a bit of hips and therefore, a bit of swing, is kind of "built in", as opposed to matched where it doesn't automatically happen quite so much, so you have to make a point of building up the swing instinct a bit more - but obviously, it's entirely possible, just a bit less automatic.
Being totally honest, I adopted matched grip just because I saw Neil Peart using it. This video was the first time I really tried to find out what the real reason is someone would use it. I enjoy looking a bit different when I jam with folks who don't see a lot of drummers using it these days. And it also gave me something new to try at a certain point in my playing.
I certainly have devoted a fair amount of practice to figuring out how to obtain a phat backbeat from it, when it would have been easier to use matched. I simply never play matched anymore. Maybe I should be practicing both.
I grew up as a drum corps guy. Serious snare chops with traditional grip. Now, in my mid-40's, my body is starting to tell me it might be time to switch to matched from here on out... Some shoulder / left arm issues that traditional grip can't possibly be helping... :(
First of all, I play my hi-hats almost exclusively with my left hand (open-handed), although I am right-handed. I have been playing for about 3 years, and have just recently started to practice traditional grip. I usually use it in my left hand while on my kit. I notice a definite loss in power, though it does open up some possibilities on the snare with backbeats (I find it easier to hit a rim shot with trad grip). I do also notice it's a little easier to boost the speed with trad grip because my left hand is a little weaker and slower than my right hand with a matched grip. Lastly, I find it a little more difficult to get around the kit with trad grip, although this can probably be attested to my inexperience with it. As a side note, I have always played matched French grip (albeit a poor technique French grip) as opposed to a German or American grip. How do you guys/gals play?
+Nicholas Petitjean Took me a really long time to get comfortable actually getting around the kit with the traditional. Still in great at it but it has definitely gotten way way better
Rob Brown yeah took you four years to get comfortable right? Ive watched a lot of your vids..thats longer than ive been playing 😅 keep rockin man
Hey that was 3 years I was judge . I really was under qualified to be a judge and so many young kids could play so well in any style. I had to qualify that .
I’m getting pain in my right thumb at 56 and I think drumming is aggravating it. So I’m going to use traditional grip in that hand to shift the pressure to a different place.
Matched grip open handed.That is the way I would like to play. I tried once traditional grip, and while it looks good, it is ankward to play, at least for me.
Just watch any Buddy Rich clip or even Mike Shrive's performance at Woodstock ,what a weapon to be able to play such a fast clean single stroke roll . Then decide which grip is better . I still play traditional the wrong way round ,hell I have tried to change . I do play match grip most of the time . So Rob ,your not alone but congrats on being able to get your right hand to teach your left.
On a serious note, I was taught traditional grip and just feel more comfortable using it. There are times that I go to matched but I always find myself coming back to my comfort zone.
I want to learn traditional grip because I feel like it will force me to relax. Also I maybe grew up watching That Thing You Do and thought Guy Patterson was the coolest thing ever.
Nick Piece is a traditional grip metal drummer and he plays with a ton of power. I think it looks cool!
For the most part I use matched, but sometimes if I'm playing something really up-tempo or with brushes I use traditional.
What grip will make my left hand not so left handed?
That's how I started too! Traditional grip in the "wrong" hand too!
Hands down 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
On a awesome explanation on insight on each method.....
BTW I have the same mindset on shredded drumstick(s)