Wrist training

[centralzeke]

Hi everyone, I have a technique question, especially for those of you who have really good matched grip technique.

I've been having a problem with my left hand for a while now (like every drummer). One of my problems I believe stems from the fact that I don't have enough fingers on the stick. The best I usually do is my pointer and middle finger, this is how I usually control it, but I still lose control this way some times and can't do the same things my right hand can.

I see these amazing drummers and they keep all their fingers on the stick to help. I feel like if I could do that with my left hand, then it would get much better technique-wise. Does anyone recommend trying to keep all your fingers on the stick and play with JUST MY WRIST, to pave some of the muscle motions that I don't have?

[caddywumpus]

Does anyone recommend trying to keep all your fingers on the stick and play with JUST MY WRIST, to pave some of the muscle motions that I don't have?

For starters, yeah. Then, as you grow accustomed to the wrist motion, loosen your grip while keeping all of your fingers on the stick, and as you get faster, you will naturally start to incorporate your fingers into your strokes as well.

But, yeah, all fingers on your stick, held somewhat firmly (not tense) to your palm, and all wrist motion. Utilize the bounce and learn to "follow" the rebound.

[Daphfz]

Agree'd caddy! i must emphasize, Do not tense up ur grip when using all fingers, do your best to keep your fingers on the stick, it may take awhile for you to get the feel of the grip and learn to utilize ur fingers n the rebound correctly, but when it happens, you'll know :)

[chocorion]

I usually use a mix of the two, wrist and finger strength...It's hard to explain, but a good work out for your fingers would be as follows:

RRRR or LLLL < using only your thumb and index finger
RRRR or LLLL < using only thumb and middle finger
RRRR or LLLL < using only thumb and ring finger
RRRR or LLLL < using only thumb and pinky

and keeping every other finger off and away from the stick...

So, you should be able to go RRRR LLLL RRRR LLLL while switching individual fingers that you use. And this should improve your individual finger strength as well as wrist strength and dexterity. Also, it will train you to keep fingers on the stick. Hope this helps!

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

If you want a proven system for absolutely killer development of your weak hand, get Dom's The Weaker Side. It is a one year program where you do a 1 hour drill every day. The drill changes and at week 40, my right hand wrist strokes are [I]considerably[/I better than my left, which is amazing! My weaker right has such confidence in this stroke, and I can do things with it I never thought possible.

I highly recommend this program.

Casper

[centralzeke]

Okay thanks. I only have a practice pad only the summer and I do have that book so I'll try it. Do you practice it with loud strokes (full) or what?

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Okay thanks. I only have a practice pad only the summer and I do have that book so I'll try it. Do you practice it with loud strokes (full) or what?

Central, nice to see you again, by the way. My feeling is it has been a very long time!

Okay, I use half strokes for The Weaker Side. Some interesting things I have found using this book is that it is a very demanding and challenging drill. Thirty minutes non stop is a real whopper of a workout. It is a great test for technique: if you are not relaxed enough, or not warm enough, or if your technique is off, you will feel it very fast, and you will never get through the entire drill. So The Weaker side constantly checks your technique.

Also, since there is not a single accent in the book, if you play it in German position, as Dom recommends, it is all wrist. So a lot of calories are pounded into that pad. Your hands are like pistons. But pretty much anything else you encounter after that will be very easy. Plus, there are direct applications, like playing ride ostinatos or hihat ostinatos: there, you will often play pretty loud notes on the hihat or ride for a song. Granted, it's 4 minutes vs. 30, but again, if you can do 30, you will last three sets of four minute songs with brief pauses!

Good luck with it, I am really excited to hear your results, so keep sharing!
Casper

Casper

[centralzeke]

Thanks, Powerstroke. Oh and by the way, what do you think Claus Hessler is doing here?

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

These drummers who have perfected technique are amazing (Jojo Mayer, Benny Greb, Claus Hessler)...

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

Thanks, Powerstroke. Oh and by the way, what do you think Claus Hessler is doing here?

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

These drummers who have perfected technique are amazing (Jojo Mayer, Benny Greb, Claus Hessler)...

He's doing a freehand thing. It's on the JoJo DVD, isn't it?

For me, these boundary techniques are a distraction. Something to divert myself with, just like stick tricks etc. But I will not spend serious time on this stuff until I am happy with my double and single strokes, my jazz time, and my kit mobility.....

Said tongue in cheek, but you know what I mean, right?
Casper