Reverse Traditional Grip

[kung_f00]

Hey guys,

Just as a preface: I'm a right-handed drummer.

When I started learning how to playing marching and concert snare at an early age, I watched a lot of other people playing traditional grip. I had started out playing matched grip, but because traditional is the more accepted grip amongst marching players I felt inclined to start learning traditional.

However, I didn't learn how to play traditional from books or instruction. I learned traditional from watching other drummers live or on television. For some reason, my mind didn't translate the whole "mirror image" idea into understanding the grip, so I started playing with my right hand in the traditional form. Basically, I play traditional with my hands reversed. Left hand plays matched, right plays traditional.

When I play concert snare I feel comfortable with this reverse traditional grip. It allows me to get smoother rolls, flams, drags, ruffs, etc. I also get really good rebound in my right hand when I hold the stick traditionally.

When I play drumset, I play matched grip comfortably, and it works for when I play tom-fills or ride patterns. However I feel more comfortable on snare and hi-hats playing this reverse traditional grip. My personal issue is that I want to be able to play reverse traditional on set, but it's very difficult to play ride with my right hand because my hand position causes the stick to rebound away from my hand and results in a loss of grip and control.

So, to make a long story short ... is there anything I can do in terms of ride-playing that would allow me to keep this reverse traditional grip for drumset? Do you guys know any drummers (besides lefties) that play this way? Have I revolutionized a right-handed grip?

[jangus]

Well the best solution I can think of is switch. "Reverse" traditional is not right, it totally defeats the purpose of why traditional grip was created. Sorry I can't help. And you didn't create this, theres a kid a know that plays like this because hes uneducated, and hes bad. Its more of a problem than an ability, and I imagine it would make you look dumb to other drummers.

[fat in the middle]

here is something i found that may help you


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIM82Wn-EKI

[Deathmetalconga]

I play "reversed" too, but it's not quite the same.

I have left hand matched and right hand traditional, but I play open, with left hand on ride and hihat and right hand on snare. I find it's good to have my dominant hand playing snare and traditional allows more subtle playing, while my left hand is matched for greater bounce on the hats and ride.

www.terrasonus.com

[kung_f00]

Well the best solution I can think of is switch. "Reverse" traditional is not right, it totally defeats the purpose of why traditional grip was created. Sorry I can't help. And you didn't create this, theres a kid a know that plays like this because hes uneducated, and hes bad. Its more of a problem than an ability, and I imagine it would make you look dumb to other drummers.

Okay, this was completely unnecessary. There's no reason to flame me or any other drummers. And I wouldn't really go around calling people "uneducated", when your response lacked any real reasoning behind your claims. Reverse traditional does not defeat any purposes that I can clearly see, because it is a matter of comfort with sticking and grip.


And to fat in the middle, thanks for that video. I see how she's managed to work with the 'reverse traditional grip' with the main ride infront of her rather than off to the side. Luckily, on my kit my secondary crash/ride is in the same position, so I may switch the placement of my two rides to better accomodate my grip. Thanks a lot!

[foursticks]

Oh ignore jangus, he can be un-necessairly blunt at times. As for the reverse grip thing, I suggest you switch your kit around, much like that lady. Whatever works for you really.

[Tama Player]

I also play reversed traditional. Except i call it Inversed Traditional Style, ; ) Anyways, it is very comfortable to me, but i can play traditional too. It really depends on how you feel, if you want to play that way then you should i think. You cant say this can you "you cant setup your drums tha way because its looks stupid"? I think the same the goes for grip, why not use it that way? Anyway, I think you should play that way if thats the way you feel like playing it.

Peace
AGR

[tommapex]

And to fat in the middle, thanks for that video. I see how she's managed to work with the 'reverse traditional grip' with the main ride infront of her rather than off to the side. Luckily, on my kit my secondary crash/ride is in the same position, so I may switch the placement of my two rides to better accomodate my grip. Thanks a lot!

I don't know if you noticed, but she is playing open handed. Her right hand (using traditional grip) is playing the snare, her left hand (matched grip) is playing the hi-hat and ride. I suspect that moving your ride to the middle of your set will still help you out.

Good luck! Let us know what you do and how you make out.

[Mcot2]

You might want to work on matched or traditional though because if you do any studio work or anything where you have to use someone elses set up its going to be very difficult to play.

This is why many many lefties use right handed golf clubs and ect....

BTW the orginal traditional grip was invented so that drummers could play a slinged snare which was slung over the sholder and tilted. Playing it with the other hand does in fact defeat the orginal purpose of why traditional was invented.

In my honest opinion traditional is useless. It serves absolutly no purpose and anyone that tells you they can get more control with it is saying that because its what they orginal learned, and thats what there most comfortable with. In todays age everyone should just learn matched, then you don't have to worry about any fancy drum setups or special arrgament of cymbols or not being able to cross over easy.

And I feel bad for anyone whos drumline has to play trad because everyone else is, it is a dead skill that is time wasted when you have to learn how to play it.

[kung_f00]

You might want to work on matched or traditional though because if you do any studio work or anything where you have to use someone elses set up its going to be very difficult to play.

--

BTW the orginal traditional grip was invented so that drummers could play a slinged snare which was slung over the sholder and tilted. Playing it with the other hand does in fact defeat the orginal purpose of why traditional was invented.


If my 'reversed' trad. grip doesn't work on a kit, I play just as well with matched grip. Matched just doesn't really fit my fancy when I'm playing second-line snare grooves or 16th/32nd patterns between hi-hat and snare. When I get back to my kit after Christmas break I'll work on the arrangement of my kit and experiment with my quirky little grip.

As far as the history of traditional grip, I understand that it was developed for the tilt of the snare on a sling, however one would still change to the "reverse traditional" if they were to switch the snare to their left side. The fact that the conventional traditional grip is in the right hand really means little, because in my belief.. it's how the hand holds the stick, not necessarily which hand holds the stick that makes it 'traditional'.

[jangus]

And I feel bad for anyone whos drumline has to play trad because everyone else is, it is a dead skill that is time wasted when you have to learn how to play it.

Well thats not really true. Trad grip can do a lot for the feel. In a rock beat I would never do it because I want as much power as I can get, but in a jazz comping pattern I find it much easier.

Now that comment of mine was really blunt. That "uneducated" kid I was talking about, well you would just have to see him, take my word for it, it's a real show.

Now if you played reverse traditional open handed, right hand on the snare, I can understand it. That chick was quite impressive. But if you are playing traditional on your hi hat or ride, its just not logical. You should clarify.

And no offense by this, but I find that it will be more comfortable to play traditional with your right hand at the beginning, because its your dominant hand I'm presuming. However, I think playing like that rather than learning it with the left is just an excuse to take the easy route.

Of course, people will find the truth, or what I think is the truth to be rude.

[Mcot2]

I play jazz fine with a matched grip. The traditional grip gives you no advantage....

As for slinging it the other way to fit a reverse grip, again, its what the masses do. If everyone has there drums one way, yours better be that way, especially if your marching with them....

[jangus]

I play jazz fine with a matched grip. The traditional grip gives you no advantage....


Well I find it gives a lighter touch.

[Mcot2]

Well I find it gives a lighter touch.

Thats because your more used to it. In all reality touch is something that is developed REGARDLESS of the grip used.

[wybasher]

... The traditional grip gives you no advantage....


LOL... right there you lose credibility.

Traditional grip allows me to hold the sticks differently... can't do that when it's matched grip... well because... it's matched. Hmmmm....

[anp27]

And to fat in the middle, thanks for that video. I see how she's managed to work with the 'reverse traditional grip' with the main ride infront of her rather than off to the side. Luckily, on my kit my secondary crash/ride is in the same position, so I may switch the placement of my two rides to better accomodate my grip. Thanks a lot![/QUOTE]

Hi! I'm that lady you saw in the video. It's cool to hear that you play like I do, it's pretty uncommon, ya know. I've always played this way, btw. I've always had to position my ride to the left, I can never 'ride' with my right hand, always felt weird and uncomfortable to me. Right-handers must find people like is very strange...hahaha However, I will always play this way, I'm never going to change just because it looks weird or something. You and anybody shouldn't have to change either!

[Jookbox]

Well the best solution I can think of is switch. "Reverse" traditional is not right, it totally defeats the purpose of why traditional grip was created.

using your logic, left handed traditional is just as 'wrong' since drumset players aren't playing their snare on an angled sling.

[Raymond Bloom]

Hi! I'm that lady you saw in the video. It's cool to hear that you play like I do, it's pretty uncommon, ya know. I've always played this way, btw. I've always had to position my ride to the left, I can never 'ride' with my right hand, always felt weird and uncomfortable to me. Right-handers must find people like is very strange...hahaha However, I will always play this way, I'm never going to change just because it looks weird or something. You and anybody shouldn't have to change either!
so is there a possibility to get some lessons form you? For example, this friday evening? khehehe 8))

cool video, neat groove, great stuff!
keep the trad alive!

[anp27]

so is there a possibility to get some lessons form you? For example, this friday evening? khehehe 8))

cool video, neat groove, great stuff!
keep the trad alive!

I'd be happy to give you lessons for free, anytime, but you'd have to fly me over from Malaysia hahaha Thanx, and yes, keep the trad. alive!

[Raymond Bloom]

I'd be happy to give you lessons for free, anytime, but you'd have to fly me over from Malaysia hahaha
aww, the good ol' feeling of being rejected :-)) lol

[hauk]

i'd say just experiment with ride placement, good luck
as for defeating the purpose of trad grip, well maybe so but trad was invented to overcome a problem that now doesnt exist... especially on set. so now trad has a new purpose - some prefer how it feels!

[BigSexyPanda]

I say try to learn to play open handed. It might be pretty difficult riding with the left hand, but I think you might find it will definitely open up a lot more possibilities, if you're willing to take the time to try and learn to play like that, but hey whatever works right? good luck

[Mcot2]

LOL... right there you lose credibility.

Traditional grip allows me to hold the sticks differently... can't do that when it's matched grip... well because... it's matched. Hmmmm....


So you can hold the stick a different way? Is that an advantage, I think not. Tell me one thing you can do on traditional grip that cant be done equally or better on matched. Exactly, there is nothing.

I realize many people are comfortable with traditional and willl say they get better touch and feel out of it, but it is simply untrue that the same touch and feel and ghost notes cant be played matched just the same or better.

Again, why should ANYONE learn traditional when matched gets you more power, easier movements around the kit, and the SAME touch and feel as traditional once you become used to it.

[foursticks]

He might have been joking...

[Mcot2]

I suck at interweb sarcasam so I dont know.