Mike Mangini's grip???

[JWM]

So... what's really up with Mangini's grip? He never explains it in detail on the MD backstage interview...

He obviously keeps a gap between the index and thumb, so I know for sure that the stick is placed at the first joint of the index.

But what of the back fingers? He always seems to have the middle, ring and pinky fingers so neatly on the stick. Is there a middle finger fulcrum going on? I can't imagine he grips with the ring/pinky...

[Jeff Almeyda]

I study with Mike so maybe I can help.

Mike uses a standard fulcrum, (first joint of the index finger) for "normal" playing. All fingers are on the stick. He does wrist, fingers all with that grip.

For WFD runs Mike uses the "shiver" technique. The elbows come in close to the body, the sticks line up straighter and the pinky actually comes off of the stick. For those familiar with Mike's shiver technique, it does NOT come from the fingers but rather from the entire upper body. When I mean shiver, I mean just that. Mike has harnessed the shiver reflex that causes muscls to contract as fast as the nervous system will allow.

BTW, there's one thing that has nagged at me for a few months but I never boеhered to really get into it. A few months back someone posteв a vid of Mike playing a bossa nova at the MD fest and it appeared as if Mike did not have great hand technique. That was due to the poor choice of clip. If you watch the entire peformance or, even better, the interview afterwards, you will find out that Mike was trying to emulate the "chops level" of most of those guys playing that stuff. As a matter of fact, in the interview he playes the part "correctly" to show how "correct" isn't always right.

But, except for the shiver technique, Mike plays pretty much like evryone else. Standard fulcrum, American grip, wrist and/or fingers.

[King Of Drums]

Oh thanks I've been wondering about that too. When I saw a video of him at WFD he actually didn't seem that relaxed to me, so I guess that was the "shiver" technique.

[Jeff Almeyda]

Oh thanks I've been wondering about that too. When I saw a video of him at WFD he actually didn't seem that relaxed to me, so I guess that was the "shiver" technique.

Yeah, the amazing thing is that he claims it produces LESS stress on the body than finger control does. He says that the stress of playing so fast gets spread out over larger body parts instead of just being borne by the little fingers.

About the WFD, you have to realize that those guys are going all out in order to get those high scores. Relaxation does not get you any bonus points.

It also does not rely upon any rebound at all to execute. He can do it in the air or on any surface.

[the skin man]

When I mean shiver, I mean just that. Mike has harnessed the shiver reflex that causes muscls to contract as fast as the nervous system will allow.

Maybe that's how he does some of the stuff he does in this video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pROEtW2UGCc


The stuff he starts doing at about 3 minutes doesn't sound like something that is humanly possible.

[grue]

ive used this type of shiver tech. for over 25 years on guitar/ bass to play fasts lines and such. after just over a month on drums, im pretty sure ill hit 16ths@250 before the new year. hands or feet its kinda the same, with feet though, your knees must float, so work your whole leg.

[Legacyrik]

ive used this type of shiver tech. for over 25 years on guitar/ bass to play fasts lines and such. after just over a month on drums, im pretty sure ill hit 16ths@250 before the new year. hands or feet its kinda the same, with feet though, your knees must float, so work your whole leg.

If you are saying you'll use the "shiver" on drums I wonder... Although that may be a good technique for the WFD I wonder about everyday drumming. I mean when you are hitting a single drum, tensing up your entire body might be able to be applied advantageously but how do you move from you snare to a tom when your whole body is tensed up?

[Jeff Almeyda]

If you are saying you'll use the "shiver" on drums I wonder... Although that may be a good technique for the WFD I wonder about everyday drumming. I mean when you are hitting a single drum, tensing up your entire body might be able to be applied advantageously but how do you move from you snare to a tom when your whole body is tensed up?

Actually, the whole body is not tensed up. This is a common misconception of this technique. Check out Mike's videos on Youtube or at Mikemangini.com. He moves faster than anyone on earth around the drums.

[Raymond Bloom]

Maybe that's how he does some of the stuff he does in this video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pROEtW2UGCc


The stuff he starts doing at about 3 minutes doesn't sound like something that is humanly possible.
he's using the rimroll at that part!

[Legacyrik]

Actually, the whole body is not tensed up. This is a common misconception of this technique. Check out Mike's videos on Youtube or at Mikemangini.com. He moves faster than anyone on earth around the drums.

Understanding I think Mike is sweet, doesn't he tense up his shoulders and tricepts to do the shiver? I'm still a beginner but seems like keeping you upper arms relaxed is crucial to moving around the kit.

[dw D]

god love that rim roll, ive been practicing them for 2 years and their not bad. They certianly freak out your non-drummer friends!

[JWM]

ive used this type of shiver tech. for over 25 years on guitar/ bass to play fasts lines and such. after just over a month on drums, im pretty sure ill hit 16ths@250 before the new year. hands or feet its kinda the same, with feet though, your knees must float, so work your whole leg.
You MAY be able to hit 250 for very brief runs by January, but to sustain it (60 seconds minimum) with consistency and power (not to mention coordinating it with the hands) will likely take you A LOT longer (ask Derek Roddy and George Kollias).

But I'd love to be proven wrong, so be sure to post some video!

One quick note though-- don't confuse hitting those tempos with being "good" at drums. To be dimensional, versatile and musical takes most of us (including Mike Mangini) years or even DECADES.

But best wishes and welcome to the wonderful world of drumming!

[the skin man]

god love that rim roll, ive been practicing them for 2 years and their not bad. They certianly freak out your non-drummer friends!

What is a rim roll? Is it different from the one handed rolls?