Grips

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Matched Grip description:

• Palm is facing down (unlike timpani grip)
• When holding the stick you should see a "V" shape between the thumb pad and the index finger
• Firm grip, NOT tight

• 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

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Traditional Grip description (master matched grip BEFORE traditional grip):

• Right hand maintains the same grip as matched grip
  
• The hand should be held out with thumb on top
  

• 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

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Playing Areas

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The edge: good for soft passages

Halfway btw. center and edge: good resonance, less articulation

On the right edge over snare bed: same as edge with more response

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Drum Height

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Too High

Too Low

Juuuust Right

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Stick Heights

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**add slideshow to demonstrate appropriate heights pp.18-19

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Basic Stroke Types

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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

Staccato Sticking:

• 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

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Sticking Notation

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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

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Changing Heads

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Tuning

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