Traditional grip

[jyak24]

I'm new here so forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong place or something.

I've just started practicing traditional grip over matched grip. I've been watching videos, following step by steps (vic firth one), going by pics, and using tips my drums teacher had given me. I'm still finding a lot of problems.

-I'm getting a blister on my ring finger
-my pinky keeps wanting to cross over my ring finger (either behind or in front), instead of keeping parallel
-I know I should try to relax my fingers more, but every time I do my middle finger slides and begins to curve instead of staying kind of straight on the stick.
-it just doesn't feel comfortable and my wrist/arm keeps hurting!

Again, I've only just started using trad grip, practicing on a practice pad and watching videos, etc. Is this normal, to have these problems at first? Or am I doing something seriously wrong?

[pass the peas]

It sounds like you really need to relax your grip. I wouldn't stress too much about your pinky. If you're relaxed, it may curl under or in front of your ring finger a bit. Everybody's hands are different. Can you get good rebounds with your trad grip hand? When I started playing, my grip was so tight, I choked my rebounds completely. Practice multiple bounce strokes with your trad hand, get as many bounces as you can. Try to keep your thumb closed around the knuckle on your index finger, but let everything else loosen up. Jojo Mayer's tip about practicing with a coin between your thumb and forefinger was right on for me. Make sure you keep your wrist straight, and don't worry so much about your middle finger.