I had a grip epiphany!

[zambizzi]

I hope I'm not speaking too soon...but I had a pretty serious breakthrough a few days ago, in terms of my grip. I think I've pin-pointed what helped develop my arm injury, at least the part specific to my grip - not relaxing enough was the other part of it.

So, I've been agonizing over technique, posture, grip, meditation, breathing, and everything in-between. I realized after hours of watching videos of other drummers, live drummers, etc....that I was using my index finger far too much. What made this worse is; I was using a stick far too light for my hands which made it less obvious that I needed to use *less* index finger. My fulcrum has always been middle-finger + thumb, but I realize now that my index finger was gripping as well sometimes, and getting in the way of -and- absorbing rebound.

So, after two years, one simple adjustment (and learning to relax) has made the last 3 days entirely pain-free. In fact, the first night I started letting my index finger "hang" from the stick instead of interrupting my fulcrum and gripping the stick, I noticed an immediate difference. Suddenly my movements required less effort, I could grip more loosely, and I felt no strain on my wrists and forearms.

Now, I feel stupid because I was constantly ragged on by my teacher about using middle-finger+thumb for my fulcrum but subconsciously disregarded my overactive index finger. It's something I was consciously aware of but wasn't acting on, physically.

Could it really be something so simple? It's obvious now why my Moeller triplets never made any sense in the context of my actual drum kit playing. I would practice them correctly (no index finger getting in the way) but not play the kit this way, after warming up.

DUH! :|

[caddywumpus]

Good for you!

I alternate between different grips I've learned all the time. I sometimes use my index finger as the fulcrum, and sometimes my middle finger. They have different feels and it switches up my playing, much like playing matched grip switches up the playing of somebody who plays traditional grip.

By the way...would you call this an "egriphany"? *groan*

[burnthehero]

I experienced something similar to this not too long ago. For me, I was just using sticks that were way too small for the type of drummer I am. I just wasn't getting any response from the stick and it was hard to find a balance point.

[zambizzi]

Good for you!

I alternate between different grips I've learned all the time. I sometimes use my index finger as the fulcrum, and sometimes my middle finger. They have different feels and it switches up my playing, much like playing matched grip switches up the playing of somebody who plays traditional grip.

By the way...would you call this an "egriphany"? *groan*

I would also say that I do. If I'm using more fingers than wrist, my fulcrum would be index+thumb and the middle finger would be used to generate strokes. A quick single-stroke roll is the first thing that comes to mind...

I never had a problem w/ that, really...other than maybe pinching the sticks too hard. Working on Jojo's "valving" technique has helped me loosen up there, a bit. But the majority of the time I was trying to use both fingers to grip the stick, choking rebound and creating a weird fulcrum. I'm think I'm past that (I hope!)

And thanks - finally MY jokes aren't the most corny, on the forums. :P

[zambizzi]

I experienced something similar to this not too long ago. For me, I was just using sticks that were way too small for the type of drummer I am. I just wasn't getting any response from the stick and it was hard to find a balance point.

Sticks play a huge part for us guys who are focusing heavily on technique and haven't developed a great grip, yet.

I was using the lacquered Weckl Evolution sticks which felt nice...but would stick a little *too* well to my fingers, which made my problem worse. Even when I was relaxed, my index finger would "grip" the stick...and I'd always end up a little sore after hours of using them.

I like the Jack DeJohnette sticks because of the paint finish (and weight, balance, etc. of course). The finish helps me grip the stick w/ less effort but doesn't get overly sticky once the friction builds up.

[jonescrusher]

Sticks play a huge part for us guys who are focusing heavily on technique and haven't developed a great grip, yet.


Interesting. The fact that the finish of the stick is significant to the effectiveness of your grip should probably tell you that you still have a fair way to go in developing a totally effective grip. But your recent realisation is perfect reason to take heart and keep on practising. Improvement in all areas of playing seems to be a never-ending series of epiphanies, even false horizons - false in the sense that attainment of one goal merely opens the door to the next level. It's a beautiful thing.
A tip - work Mayer's finger exercise into your practice schedule, if you haven't already. The development of strength across all fingers of the hand is crucial to a really good grip. Firm, not choked.

[zambizzi]

Interesting. The fact that the finish of the stick is significant to the effectiveness of your grip should probably tell you that you still have a fair way to go in developing a totally effective grip. But your recent realisation is perfect reason to take heart and keep on practising. Improvement in all areas of playing seems to be a never-ending series of epiphanies, even false horizons - false in the sense that attainment of one goal merely opens the door to the next level. It's a beautiful thing.
A tip - work Mayer's finger exercise into your practice schedule, if you haven't already. The development of strength across all fingers of the hand is crucial to a really good grip. Firm, not choked.

I agree, that's basically what I was saying. I've been playing for less than 2 yrs. and I'm still sensitive to the type of stick that I use. I feel that some of the flaws in my grip have been exposed by using heavier sticks that have a less "sticky" surface. The weight helps me utilize rebound a little better and the finish stays dry and smooth.

I have been doing Jojo's "valving" thing almost everyday and it has helped tremendously. I definitely have better control overall, as a result. At first the transition from finger-to-finger was a little awkward...more so w/ the index and middle fingers...but that has smoothed out quite a bit and I can change between them fairly quickly. Of course, the biggest "trick" to this technique is staying relaxed and not gripping too hard. This is a technique where my weakness (using the index finger in the fulcrum) becomes obvious and I'm trying to learn how to do that w/ a softer grip.

I like how Jim Chapin put it in one of his videos when he said to "pretend like you're holding a bird in your hand - grip hard enough to keep it from flying away but not so hard that you'll hurt it".

You've been really helpful and I have to thank you - you got me thinking about technique more seriously through some of our older discussions.

[burnthehero]

I switched to traditional grip about 6 months ago and for the whole time I've been using 8D's. It's basically a 7A but a half inch longer. After a while I just felt like the sticks were working against me. I had an old pair of 3A's laying around from my matched grip days so I decided to give those a try and, holy smokes, the bigger sticks gave me so much more response and rebound than the smaller ones ever did.

So yeah, you're right about needing the right sticks when developing your technique. It's important to find something that works with you and not against you.

[zambizzi]

I switched to traditional grip about 6 months ago and for the whole time I've been using 8D's. It's basically a 7A but a half inch longer. After a while I just felt like the sticks were working against me. I had an old pair of 3A's laying around from my matched grip days so I decided to give those a try and, holy smokes, the bigger sticks gave me so much more response and rebound than the smaller ones ever did.

So yeah, you're right about needing the right sticks when developing your technique. It's important to find something that works with you and not against you.

Exactly...heavier sticks make me feel as if I can utilize rebound far more and not push/pull the sticks to get movement. I have big hands and when I used 7As last year, I felt like I was gripping them more to hang onto them.

I used Jojo Mayer's signature sticks for a while and very well may once again, in the future. They're a little heavier than 5A and not quite as thick as 5B, and they're just under 16" in length. Very unique and "finger friendly".

[kjsm]

this kidna thing i find generally avoided with balancing out (unfortunatley for your wallet, by experimentation, though i add you probably only need try a few different pairs in your career to find something suitable...its best not to be too addicted to one signature model especially if its very new or very old and might get discontinued or be low on availbaility...play with 5As and 5ANs if you can!) with a stick thats neither too big (feels slow due to having to use more of your twitch muscles to just hold the things) and not too small (where you're lockin your grip to hold on to them).