Grips
Matched Grip description:
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- The fulcrum is created by the side of the index finger and thumb. The thumb should always be opposite of the index finger
- All fingers should be curled around the sticks
- Ring and pinky fingers should be curled around the stick for maximum control
- Use the wrist with slight forearm motion as if knocking on a door
- Grip should be the same whether you are in sticks in or playing position
Traditional Grip description (master matched grip BEFORE traditional grip):
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- Place the stick between the base of the thumb and the first finger
- The thumb should touch the side of the first finger on the first joint
- Middle finger should bend slightly and rest on the side of the stick
- The stick should rest around the first joint of the ring finger
- Make sure the little finger has the same contour as the ring finger and the index finger. Curling the pinky finger too much can cause arm tension, so be careful!
- Turn the wrist like twisting a door knob
- The grip should remain the same when at "sticks in" or playing position
Playing Areas
The edge: good for soft passages
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Halfway btw. center and edge: good resonance, less articulation
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On the right edge over snare bed: same as edge with more response
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Drum Height
Too High
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Too Low
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Juuuust Right
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Stick Heights
**add slideshow to demonstrate appropriate heights pp.18-19
Basic Stroke Types
Legato Sticking:
- Stick rebounds off of the drum head in a smooth motion
- All fingers stay in contact with the stick as it rebounds
- All fingers are relaxed
- Do not pull the stick up, allow it to rebound naturally
- Stick is stopped, after it makes contact with the drum head, by slightly squeezing with the fingers
- All fingers stay in contact with the stick, stopping the stick after striking the drum
- Squeezing the stick too hard will cause unnecessary tension in the hand and may cause the stick to "buzz" into the head
- This stroke is primarily used for accents followed by taps or grace notes
Sticking Notation
R stands for using the Right stick and L stands for using the Left stick.
R -> = R R R R R R R R
R L -> = R L R L R L R L
Changing Heads
Tuning