Too much wirst. A bad thing?

[ZildjianMan1023]

hey guys.. i notice when i play very wristy(is that even a word).. i noticed the sticks fly out of my hand for no reason and its not because i have a loose grip.. this happens ALL THE TIME not even when im doing music with alot of wrist.. sometimes i fell my sticks are possesed? ahaha i think its gotta be something a little more logical

[ZildjianMan1023]

anybody at all_______________________________________________ ____?

[ChannelFish]

I'm not sure I completely understand what you mean by wristy but I'm pretty sure if sticks are flying out of your hand, it IS something with your grip. Of course a grip of death is not required but a little more pressure may be needed if the sticks go a flyin' as soon as you start doing a little movement.

[ZildjianMan1023]

i should be more specific, i mean like
when you ad more like a wave motion to your wrist when playing.. idk im pretty sure its not my grip.. maybe i realize when i play that my grip becomes looser.. and grip tape only gives me friction burn

[kung_f00]

Wave motion? Um, I'm not quite sure what you mean by wave motion.. care to explain?

I think two of your major issues lie in your wrists and your grip. I know it's 'going back to the basics', and it's annoying because it seems like back-tracking, but you definitely need to seek some in-person instruction or advice on how to effectively form and maintain the fulcrum grip, as well as better wrist technique, such as Moeller. Trust me, doing so will help out much more in the long run. You'll be able to play better, and most of all you'll be able to hold on to your sticks.

[ZildjianMan1023]

i can play fine with anything else besides JOHN BONHAMS music.. i know this is gonna sound wierd.. but when i do his quarter note and eigth note patterns the sticks just dont stay.. MAYBE! its because i pay so much attention to getting the footwork and feel right and trying to listen to it in my mind that im not paying attention to the grip of my sticks and lossen up.. ive been working on my fulcrum grip now since i was nine im noe fifteen.. ill go over it some but i dont think i need work going over the grip.. i hold my pens and pencis like that when im just holding them

[ChannelFish]

I'm not sure what to tell you then. In my personal experience grip has been the main culprit behind stick droppage but I can't actually see what your doing so I don't know. Maybe try to find a drummer friend/acquaintance/teacher who can watch and evaluate your grip. If none of those are available you could try setting up a playing surface infront of a mirror to diagnose the problem yourself or if you have a camera put up a video. Other people are usually pretty good about finding your problem spots for you.

[kung_f00]

i can play fine with anything else besides JOHN BONHAMS music.. i know this is gonna sound wierd.. but when i do his quarter note and eigth note patterns the sticks just dont stay.. MAYBE! its because i pay so much attention to getting the footwork and feel right and trying to listen to it in my mind that im not paying attention to the grip of my sticks and lossen up.. ive been working on my fulcrum grip now since i was nine im noe fifteen.. ill go over it some but i dont think i need work going over the grip.. i hold my pens and pencis like that when im just holding them

Then if you feel confident enough in your abilities, I would drop the sticks and focus on getting comfortable with the bass-work. If it helps, you can always play the stickings on your knees so you only have to worry about nailing the part with your right foot.

[Ironcobra]

would you by any chance have AHEAD metal sticks?

[ZildjianMan1023]

right now im using neil peart 747 sticks, and pro mark 5a american hickory sticks with the nylon tips. i dont like thick sticks

[ZildjianMan1023]

Then if you feel confident enough in your abilities, I would drop the sticks and focus on getting comfortable with the bass-work. If it helps, you can always play the stickings on your knees so you only have to worry about nailing the part with your right foot.
DUDE! I DO THAT ALL THE TIME I THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY! i play on my knees all the time

[Ironcobra]

well then its got be your grip, ive only dropped wood sticks about 15 times in my whole drumming history, but those ahead sticks i drop every 15 seconds

[ZildjianMan1023]

well then its got be your grip, ive only dropped wood sticks about 15 times in my whole drumming history, but those ahead sticks i drop every 15 seconds

it seems to only happen to me when i play covers i think im trying to hard to play the song in my head and play it at the same time i get lost in the song and loosen my grip subconviously.. when im just jamming without music i never drop them

[kung_f00]

DUDE! I DO THAT ALL THE TIME I THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY! i play on my knees all the time

It's a good practice habit -- one of the biggest secrets to drumming is realizing that it's all muscle memory. Regardless if you're practicing on your kneecaps, on a sofa, or practice pad.. once you get behind a kit, your muscles know how to play what you've been practicing.

At the breakfast table, I usually plug into some heavy double-bass stuff and tap out the patterns with my feet while I'm eating. It helps immensely. But yeah, try tapping out the rhythm in your hands while working solely on the bass pedal. Eventually, you'll get it down.

[ZildjianMan1023]

It's a good practice habit -- one of the biggest secrets to drumming is realizing that it's all muscle memory. Regardless if you're practicing on your kneecaps, on a sofa, or practice pad.. once you get behind a kit, your muscles know how to play what you've been practicing.

At the breakfast table, I usually plug into some heavy double-bass stuff and tap out the patterns with my feet while I'm eating. It helps immensely. But yeah, try tapping out the rhythm in your hands while working solely on the bass pedal. Eventually, you'll get it down.

his stuff is hard and im starting to get it down.. everywhere i go i tap.. mostly on myself.. alot of the time i do double bass stuff but i dont own a double bass pedal (go figure) its wierd when i dont have a bass in front of me i paly heel down but when i play my kit its heels up all the way

[That Guy]

Your probably just unconsciencely loosening your grip. As your playing, your getting comfortable and relaxing your hands. Happens sometimes. Your playing with more wrist (I understand what you mean by wave motion). Without getting too technical try to follow me.

Your playing (wristy) as you say.. think of a bull whip. When a bull whip is cracked there is a place where the motion of the whip comes to and end and you hear a "CRACK". Transfer that thinking to your drumming. The motion comes to and end when the stick meets the drum. Voila~ grip loosens.

That probably sounded really idotic.. lol.

[fazzybOO`]

I tend to agree. Over use of wrist and fingers gives you carpal tunnels syndrome. As long as you stretch your mucles in your arm, nothing bad will happen. Using just arm is so inefficient in my opinion though.

[ZildjianMan1023]

Your probably just unconsciencely loosening your grip. As your playing, your getting comfortable and relaxing your hands. Happens sometimes. Your playing with more wrist (I understand what you mean by wave motion). Without getting too technical try to follow me.

Your playing (wristy) as you say.. think of a bull whip. When a bull whip is cracked there is a place where the motion of the whip comes to and end and you hear a "CRACK". Transfer that thinking to your drumming. The motion comes to and end when the stick meets the drum. Voila~ grip loosens.

That probably sounded really idotic.. lol.


didnt sound idiotic at all. at least someone gets what im saying.. yeah i think it all just has to do with my awareness

[That Guy]

Wow, I'm glad you understood what I was saying. After I re-read my post I was thinking... "man, that sounds so dumb"... lol. You got the point.... FOCUS. It's easy to get wrapped up in our basic playing style and forget the basics of technique (I.E... focusing on the actual moment). Thats when the possibility of error occurs. Just keep in mind that you are playing the drums and focus on what you are doing, even your grip in all aspects.

I have the same problem at times my friend. I get so used to playing a certain way, that I forget to focus on what I'm doing... then... *whoops*.. I'm in left field and I hope that nobody I know was listening.. lol.

Keep it up bro!

[ZildjianMan1023]

Wow, I'm glad you understood what I was saying. After I re-read my post I was thinking... "man, that sounds so dumb"... lol. You got the point.... FOCUS. It's easy to get wrapped up in our basic playing style and forget the basics of technique (I.E... focusing on the actual moment). Thats when the possibility of error occurs. Just keep in mind that you are playing the drums and focus on what you are doing, even your grip in all aspects.

I have the same problem at times my friend. I get so used to playing a certain way, that I forget to focus on what I'm doing... then... *whoops*.. I'm in left field and I hope that nobody I know was listening.. lol.

Keep it up bro!


thanks man i plan on keeping it up for a while, i finally have the answers to all my questions.. nope i lied well this one at least THANKS GUYS