what grip type do you use?

[peanut23s]

just a pollof sorts, of what is used by who.

i use a german grip needs work on the right hand but left is perfect even thoughim right handed ?

so what do you use

[Guz2]

I used to use English grip (that Keith Moon made up) but my techer threatened to cut off my finger if I didn't use a proper grip. But I don't know, what's the difference?

[LM201]

I use French with my left hand and German with my right

[Ian Williams]

The three most common ways to hold your drum sticks, and not limited to, are:
1. Matched grip.
2. Traditional grip.
3. French grip.

This will guide you:
http://www.rockdrummingsystem.com/underground/drum-articles/using-proper-stick-grips.php

All the Best,

[Trench.one]

my bastardised Traditional, Right hand: German/Frencg (depends what I'm playing or where on the kit_. Left hand: traditional, but instead of two free fingers where the stick rests on the third finger, I only have the index finger free with the stick resting on my middle finger.

But I play matched and traditional traditional when it suits.

The key is to be versatile

[BattleArmor]

Just to clarify....

Trad. and Matched are ways of holding the stick. French. German, etc. are different positions.

Back to the question. I find myself generally using matched with german grip, but I am trying to get into Trad. I also find myself switching to French to do rolls on toms. I am able to roll faster using my fingers. Thats something Jojo Mayer taught me.

Some kids say "American Grip". I really don't know what that is, but leave to the American's to have to create their own way of doing things....again.

[stasz]

Some kids say "American Grip". I really don't know what that is, but leave to the American's to have to create their own way of doing things....again.

American grip is sort of a hybrid type of grip, although i'm not sure if "american grip" is an official name. Basically instead of the thumbs being pointed inward like in german grip or straight up like in French they point diagonally inward at an angle. I use this grip although I use french grip in my right hand for the ride cymbal.

[maddrummr]

For a jazzier setting I will use traditional in my left and french in my right. For rock i will usually have an american grip, German if I'm using the bell, french if I need to go a bit on the speedy side.

[Ian Williams]

Fellows,

Can you define or clarify the American and German grips?

Many Thanks,

[Jeff Almeyda]

Dom Famularo's book "It's your move" is the definitive source for all of this info.

In matched grip. there are several possible positions. The oldest is the German grip. This was quite literally, the grip that the Germans used on their field drums. The key idea is "around the barrel". Imagine a barrel in front of you and you play around it. The palms are down and the sticks are in a V shape. The elbows are out.

Napoleon hated the Germans and didn't want his men doing anything like them so the French grip was developed. This is the classic timpani grip. The thumb is facing the sky and the pinky is facing the floor. Elbows are in. Great for finger control no so great for power.

When Gene Krupa was a big star he was once asked what kind of grip he used, German or French. He said "American". This grip is like a hybrid of the two. The palm is facing down but the arms are not going "around the barrel". The V shape is tighter. The elbows are in.

Nobody uses the old school "German Grip" anymore unless they want to look like a Revolutionary War Drummer. The modern variation of the German grip doesn't go "around the barrel" . Today most people refer to any palms down grip as German.

In modern terms: German= palms fully down, French= thumb up and American is somewhere in the middle.

Realize that there are no hard lines here: A person can have a French/American or a German/American grip as well.

[Sardaukar]

I use all types (american, german, french) depending on what drum I am playing to. I often have fun with the traditional grip also, tho I can't do everything with it yet. I'm using americal classic 2B's, I love their weight and balance.

[Ambidextrous]

Hi I use Traditional grip.

[mind_drummer]

Left hand = Traditional grip = 60%, German + American grip = 40%

Right hand = French + American grip = 100%

[Drummertist]

I use German (palms down). It really helps me relax while I'm playing. Also, my right hand needs work but my left hand plays with it perfectly and I'm right handed too!

[LeeLovesSabian]

I use German (palms down). It really helps me relax while I'm playing. Also, my right hand needs work but my left hand plays with it perfectly and I'm right handed too!

I use the german-matched grip as well

[SEVNT7]

Traditional is weak, slow, uncomforatble, impractical and quiet.

Tell that to Buddy, Gadd, Weckl, Vinnie, Dennis, Morello, Jojo etc....

[mattsmith]

Traditional is weak, slow, uncomforatble, impractical and quiet.

Yeah, you're right. Every time I see this weak, slow, uncomfortable, impractical and quiet Buddy Rich solo, I think the same thing lol.

http://drummerworld.com/Videos/buddyrich1970.html

Seriously dude. Think about what you say. It's cool to have opinions, but not if you can't back them up.

[joshisaces]

French. Sometimes American.

[Guz2]

Yeah, you're right. Every time I see this weak, slow, uncomfortable, impractical and quiet Buddy Rich solo, I think the same thing lol.

http://drummerworld.com/Videos/buddyrich1970.html

Seriously dude. Think about what you say. It's cool to have opinions, but not if you can't back them up....How can a drum solo be impractical?

[joshisaces]

Fellows,

Can you define or clarify the American and German grips?

Many Thanks,

Traditional Grip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg2fqlqoE-I&feature=related

German Grip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYj8N3bQ8VM

American Grip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VUTwzxR2o8&feature=related

French:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTPbb35JcUI&feature=related

[Guz2]

It depends but last time I looked it was:

Right Americano
Left Germanish

[drumhead61]

I use traditional exclusively

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Relax, guys. It's just a troll, or a couple of trolls...
Casper

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Yeah, you're right. Every time I see this weak, slow, uncomfortable, impractical and quiet Buddy Rich solo, I think the same thing lol.

http://drummerworld.com/Videos/buddyrich1970.html

Seriously dude. Think about what you say. It's cool to have opinions, but not if you can't back them up.

Wow, every time I see that, I see something new. Just noticed the sweat drops, beautifully caught in the profile shots. Awesome. and that single stroke roll....man, just too powerful...
C

[LM201]

Relax, guys. It's just a troll, or a couple of trolls...
Casper

What's a troll in the internet language?

[stasz]

What's a troll in the internet language?

This isn't really the place to ask, but they are users who post rude and/or off-topic remarks http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)

They are also known to be several inches tall, made of plastic, have crazy multicolored hair and rarely wear clothing.

[Hercraft]

I use matched "american" grip, but in some ocasions when I perform a fill I notice that with my right hand I figure it out a sort of a french grip but not using my fingers...

I think thats a mistake, isnt it?

Im working harder to "muscle memory" my single stroke rolls so to keep the grip at
the same grip accessing tom and floor tom.

Advices?

[Toza]

Traditional is weak, slow, uncomforatble, impractical and quiet.

traditional is strong, fast, comfortable, practical and very loud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0V4Aqs2D48

hahahahhahahahaha

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

What's a troll in the internet language?

A troll is someone posing as a serious member of the community, but whose only goal is to stir up the waters, create confusion, and sidetrack the discussions. In this case, what he did was "baiting" us with a very crass remark sure to infmame tempers.

Just part and parcel of all internet conversations.

Casper

[Guz2]

traditional is strong, fast, comfortable, practical and very loud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0V4Aqs2D48

hahahahhahahahahaI was just saying I don't like it. Others obviously have different opinions and prefer trad grip and also use it very well such as Buddy...And the other ones.

[Toza]

I was just saying I don't like it. Others obviously have different opinions and prefer trad grip and also use it very well such as Buddy...And the other ones.


its ok. they are all cool

[Reelrick]

I pretty much switched to the germanish overhand from traditional a long time ago. I've noticed that a lot of people play overhand more with their hands having the thumbs up, using a lot of wrist action (Carter Beauford, etc.). I can play a good bit faster with my left hand in trad position than the german overhand I am accustomed to...but when I try to change to more like a lot of drummers like Beauford I just can't do it. My left hand kinda gets all wobbly when I try to change, so I'm sticking with the palms down left overhand for now; I think it's been too many years one way and my hand has a memory of it's own.

[Gyrefalcon]

Standard traditional, my right hand depending on the position of the drum or what I am doing. Mostly German on the snare, American on the up tom, French on the ride (using a push-pull motion), and French or American on the down tom depending on how loud it needs to be.

As for the comments on traditional grip, since when is practicality a requirement for music? The feel of an unmatched grip is its greatest strength, it forces you to think of the hands as different entities instead of constantly trying to play catch-up between your weak and dominant hand. Not everyone likes that or benefits from that, but I do.

[joosti]

Matched (20 characters)

[Ian Ballard]

Napoleon hated the Germans and didn't want his men doing anything like them so the French grip was developed.

What is your historical evidence for this?

There is no evidence that such a grip was ever used in military marching in any country, much less that Napoleon had a "hand" (no pun intended) in it's development.

[VedranS]

I use matched grip, because I started that way, and don't have the patience or desire to learn traditional and bring it up to par with my matched. It probably ends up being "americanish" but I try to use a german sort position as much as possible, so I can use my wrists to full advantage. If I'm using a lot of fingers I turn it upward to a frenchy position, but it probably ends up functionally being more "american". Also, if I play quietly or on the ride, it's more french so I can support the stick with my fingers. All around, the positioning of my palms, and the muscle groups I use change depending on where on the drumset i'm playing, volume, my level of fatigue, speed...

Likewise, the fulcrum also changes, although in keeping a fluid fulcrum, I try to have it be as solid in any one position as it can... So, for finer playing I'll use a first joint index fulcrum, for continuous fingers I'll use an index second joint fulcrum, for most regular rock playing I use a middle finger fulcrum, when I get tired or for "showmanshippy" banging and loud finishing cymbal crash type stuff i use a pinky/ring finger fulcrum...so yeah, all kinds of grips.

[Bruce M. Thomson]

I use a matched grip but have been experimenting with altering it after I read a very good article in Drums Etc. It basically says that the best way to hold the stick is not with the index finger but with the second finger as your lead grip with the other fingers following suit and that this works as a better fulcrum and saves your energy, if you snap your fingers that would essentially be the grip. I even tried just for experimentation reasons holding the sticks primarily with the baby finger; this was the way the 18th century battlefield drummers did it so they could go for hours with out tiring. not practical for everyday playing but it started me on the path change. I must say that even with a few things to get used to, I do get a better bounce and it does conserve energy. It has actually become a bit of an obsession for me lately as has my snare drums, it's hard to break old habits but has become necessary. I would love to share the article but would have to scan the pages as they are not on line yet (Drums Etc.). If anyone does not mind that I will gladly do so.

Happy Holidays

[what the funk of it]

After a lot of experimenting, what feels best for me is the french grip.
Thumbs on top, stick straights and paralell. It just seems that my fingers have so much more controll over the bounce (than german/american, whatever you call it).

What is the difference between german and american style grips?

[Muffled Tom]

A mix of American and French, but my teacher is slowly guiding me towards the 100% American. I can't do traditional and honestly I don't see any reason why I should.

Is there?

[Ian Ballard]

I think the Jo Jo Myer thing, involving the transition between French and Germanic, is great. Start with one--playing a single-stroke roll--and slowly move to the other without stopping and without changing the sound.

There is no way, I would or could use the same grip all the time... not even close. There are times when I'm more strictly German--doing double-stroke roll stuff--and a bit more thumbs-up playing the toms, particularly the floor.

My grip is a rip-off of both Tony Williams and Buddy Rich. "WAIT A MINUTE!"... you say. "They are too different for you to do both!" Exactly. There are times when a Tony approach gets the motion and dynamics I need, as well as leverage and power. The Buddy stuff comes in when I need the sticks to do the work and the balance-point of the stick is more strictly observed. Sort of like "French" and "German"... "Buddy" and "Tony" are techniques within themselves, neither one nor the other of the traditional grip styles, but perfection, as far as humanity is concerned.

[oldrockdrummer]

I use matched grip and apply the moeller technique. it gets the best speed and power for me with the least amount of effort

[Ian Williams]

My combinations are:
1. Traditional grip: left hand, French grip: right hand.

2. Traditional grip: left hand, Matched grip: right hand.

3. Matched grip: left and right hands.

4. French grip: left and right hands.

Benefits:
Traditional: quick strokes, dynamic control.

Matched: fast movement on the set, maximum control.

French: fingers control the stick, speed, endurance.

This will guide you:
http://www.rockdrummingsystem.com/un...tick-grips.php

[blink44]

roughly 70% of the time im playing traditional grip.

[intheruff]

About two years ago I used matched grip with thumbs up. However, because of some lessons I took, I'm now playing palms down and thus seem to be able to use far more bounce. In spite of the 'change', I find myself reverting to thumbs up occasionally, expecially when playing fast fills.

[SharkyBait911]

I play american matched grip but i really wanna learn open handed and traditional grip !!!!

[Dalton M]

I like to hold my sticks with my hands.

[Dalton M]

Haha. I'll elaborate.

Generally the lighter the music, the more French grip I use, especially on the ride or hats, and when I start to play more heavily, my hand(s) will turn over more towards German.

Using a matched grip, my both of my hands do what I said above, but when I play using a traditional grip, my traditional (left) hand is like Steve Gadd's grip; far back fulcrum and palm facing kinda upwards. But for both grips, I grip the stick far back and my right hand always does what I said in the previous paragraph.

I also love the Moeller Technique, but I can't really do it with my left hand in traditional style.

[KalashnikoV]

I generally use German grip, but will occasionally switch my left hand to playing Traditional on the snare (particularly for jazz applications.) I use French on the bow of the ride, but German for the bell of the ride.

[Ian Williams]

I play american matched grip but i really wanna learn open handed and traditional grip !!!!

Go for it mate, (practise) x 3.

This will guide you:
http://www.rockdrummingsystem.com/un...tick-grips.php

[Aggressivec]

I have had NO proper training, so I play french...

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

In reading the responses, it seems there is a misconception to what a "grip type" is. Many responses mention hand positions, mainly in matched, as opposed to grips.

The only reason the French, American, and German hand positions were named, is that they originated far earlier than the drum set. The French was invented to play a set of two or three timpani, arranged in a horizontal array before the drummer, with wide dynamics. The German evolved to play powerful strokes on a carried drum, under fire, for long periods of time. One drummer, one drum!

But these positions are roughly the same with regards to grip and finger placement, and just represent extremes of wrist rotation!

When drumset playing evolved, with multiple playing surfaces at many angles, drummers naturally used the full spectrum of wrist rotation (for both hands in matched, and for the right in traditional). As teaching practices were refined, it became practical to isolate the two extremes, French and German, in practice. The American was just a name given to a position drummersnaturally go to, in between those two.

Neither the French, German, or American, are grips per se, just points in the wrist's rotation spectrum. In matched, if you have the facility, the left and right will dynamically and independently go through the whole rotation spectrum many times in a song!

In actual playing, if you stick to just one position, you will be doing nothing more than limiting your expression. Those of you that say you play "American" probably have not yet learned either the French or the German positions fully, and therefore your hands have limited options in the moment. If you think you are a "French" player, you have just put a limiting label on your hands. And the same goes for exclusive "German" players.

I write this to open up the thinking for those of you who have labeled yourself in a non-productive way. The goal for me is to empower everyone to practice hand positions isolated, and to play with full self-expression, unhampered by flexibility, or label issues!

Casper

[Alex Luce]

Good post Casper!

Alex

[Sardaukar]

A mix of American and French, but my teacher is slowly guiding me towards the 100% American. I can't do traditional and honestly I don't see any reason why I should.

Is there?

The only reason I'm practising it is that it looks great. It's all showmanship, like Jojo said it :-D Ofcourse you can get those chops going with both grips, but it just takes more time with trad. grip in my opinion, simply because fever and fever use it these days, and even fever teaches it. When I first saw a trad-gripper doing a grind-core gig, I was like wow, that just breaks the laws of the physics..

E: What a great post, Casper. I'm not sure why does this thread even exist since every drummer end up using all mentioned grips for the matched grip.

[WYdrummer09]

I switch back and forth a lot. I play all aspects of percussion.

I use more of a french grip when I play timpani and mallets.

I use american matched grip & traditional when I play drum set. I play mostly jazz, latin, and funk. It is just easier when I can switch back and forth.

[Sardaukar]

Traditional is weak, slow, uncomforatble, impractical and quiet.

Hehe ;) Sarcasm is a sport.

[h3r3tic]

100% matched grip and Open-handed playing!
position (German, American, French grip) depends on which cymbal/drum I want to hit and depends on the dynamic I'm using.

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Good post Casper!

Alex

Thanks so much, Alex and Sardaukar, for the props!
Casper

[lhindependance]

i play matched but i was always taught that you play traditional in the marching bands because the drum is on an angle. seeing as that angle is not there on the drum set why play traditional?

[Boomka]

What is the difference between german and american style grips?

Marketing.




2020202020

[SharkyBait911]

Matched grip
I kinda play german grip ! but i do use trad grip alot aswell YEY

[eddiehimself]

I just use matched. I couldn't really imagine using trad for heavy music, ime you just can't get any power down, or move round the kit very fast. It's great for doing snare rudiments but i can still do what i need to do in matched.

[Bonz0]

I use both but primary the matched grip, I use traditional just when playing jazz or something very soft.

[groovemaster_flex]

a lot of it depends on the style i'm playing.

i tend to play "pipe band" traditional when i play jazz music or lighter rock with my left hand. and of course pipe band. that's basically "mock" traditional. in what most drummers know as traditional, the stroke comes from two fingers resting on top of the stick. in pipe band traditional, all the stroke comes from the thumb. the fingers are just there to catch.

for rock, my left hand generally plays german grip.

my right hand always plays french, arm tight to the side with the thumb on top of the stick.