Finger length and bone structure of the hand

O

Ovfit

Member
I was thinking of this earlier today which might have no significance whatsoever,but the experienced or seasoned drummers in the group might have some input or thoughts.

Does one's finger length or bone structure of the hand have anything to do with better control or quicker speed?
Whenever I watch videos of professional drummers,I like to take a look at their hands to see if the hand is big or small, long fingers short fingers etc.
Not sure the anatomy of the hand has anything to do with better control or speed.

Thanks
 
In my experience and observation over 45+ years of drumming, I believe that a person's DNA has much to do with their potential ability/skill level. Drumming is a rather physical (even athletic in some cases) activity, and like any physical/athletic activity, there are certain factors that contribute to an individual's performance ceiling. Bone structure certainly plays a role, as do muscles and nerves. The rate at which the brain fires and sends signals to the limbs is also not necessarily equal. There are what is known as "fast twitch" and "slow twitch" muscle fibers, and these develop differently among different people. The fast twitch type tend to control the "sprinting" activities, whereas the slow twitch would affect the endurance more. Some drummers are very fast for short bursts, but not necessarily for long stretches. Others can keep a particular pattern going indefinitely, or play 4+ hour gigs every night. Also, different players require different amounts of practice to maintain peak performance. There will always those players, who, regardless of how much time they put in, are never able to play what certain others can, whether it be speed, four-way independence, complex odd time signatures, or even basic feel. People are simply different. The word we use to describe this difference is talent. Different people have different levels of raw talent. I'm sure everybody reading this is aware that Buddy Rich is quite often considered the best drummer of all time (particulars of style not withstanding). I'm also sure most would agree that, regardless of how much time they spent practicing, they don't believe they'll ever be able to play like Buddy (present company included). And why not? Because no one else is Buddy Rich! (has his DNA).

If you look at any professional sport, there are those who excel more in certain aspects of their game, and much of this can be attributed to their basic body size, weight, type, etc. In American Football, for example, the defensive linemen practice the same number of hours per day/week/month as the running backs and wide receivers, but could never run the 40 yard dash in the same time. Likewise, those zippy ball carriers probably can't lift as much dead weight in the gym as the guys on the line. A simple look at their body types will show you why.

So, with drumming, the length of hands, fingers, arms, legs, etc., and the makeup of muscle fibers, combined with brain and nerve activity (in short, a person's DNA), can certainly have an impact, IMO.​
 
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Good answer. I'm familiar with fast twitch and slow twitch muscles being a former fitness instructor. I believe proper nutrition and exercise also plays a big role in someone's endurance and capabilities.
And yes I agree someone's DNA plays a big role as well as far as discipline, determination passion etc.
 
Consider The Chain GIF by MCDM
 
Big body and big hands gives you power. Little body and hands gives you agility and speed.

Similar thing with slow twitch versus fast twitch muscles.
 
I have noticed that longer fingers sometimes get in the way of producing open double stroke rolls, as they end up "overwrapping" the stick and touching the palm, which takes them out of the stroke. I usually have those kids place the stick at more of an angle across the palm of their hands...

and in traditional grip, longer fingered people can't close the "T" as well as they should, but same with short fingered people (like me...which is one of the many reasons I went to tenors/quads)

shorter fingered people sometimes have trouble with multi mallet keyboard playing, usually manifesting in not being able to get some of the bigger interval spreads....
 
Interesting observations, but it’s not like you can try other hands, or muscle builds. I think it’s just desire to work with what you have, because you don’t get a choice.

This is why a 5-foot guy like me doesn’t have a problem playing a Bonham-sized kit. I simply made my body do what I wanted it to do because that’s what I wanted to do.

I once saw Sting play bass and I noticed how big his hands were which led me to the conclusion that that’s why he plays the way he does. Then I go back and see my old college buddy, a 5’ 3” female, play her six-string bass really well and conclude that she just got on with it and made her body do what she wanted.

This is a Yoda moment: “judge me by my size, do you?” The power of positive thinking and just NOT accepting any excuses is the key to better drumming. Or at least to the drumming you want to achieve.
 
There is a whole bunch of research related to ratio of index to ring finger. 2D:4D ratio. The idea became popular that a testosterone surge produces men tending to have a shorter index finger in relation to ring compared to women. Now it's based on a premise and not any real data-even to this day as far as I know, but it's been linked to Alzheimer's, Dementia, cancer and cardiovascular disease and a whole host of bull crap with personality traits, etc. . It's amazing the house of cards and how once initiated it spread like wildfire-there maybe something related to drumming or piano??
 
Interesting question, and interesting replies.

I would suggest it makes little difference beyond a certain point. I'll take three examples.

I, myself, have long, thin fingers. After lots of time, hardwork, practice, and good tuition, I have developed my playing to a level that lets me play anything I want to play, both on the snare drum and the drum kit.

Rick Dior has shorter, slightly thicker fingers, and small hands (I hope he won't mind me saying), and is one of the best snare drummers on the planet, and a phenomenal kit player to boot.

Thomas Lang has enormous, thick, muscular hands, and we all know how he plays.

As the ladies often remind me, it's not the size, it's how you use... them!

EDIT: No ladies, including my wife, ever remind me of that... :(
 
Here's the thing I find when there's always a anatomical thread or physique and my personal favourite the gym threads, none of it matters. Good drumming comes from lots of practice and having technique.

Do any of the big guys here get told they look like a drummer or is it just me?? I really don't get that and never will. There's a myth that it's a physical job. It is if you doing it wrong. Only physical thing about drumming is lugging them around.

I still go and watch my old teacher play if I have the time. He's 70 and runs rings around me in control, speed, power, dynamics etc and he looks nothing like a drummer apparently but he practices religiously and has done for 60 odd years.
 
mikyok said:
Here's the thing I find when there's always a anatomical thread or physique and my personal favourite the gym threads, none of it matters. Good drumming comes from lots of practice and having technique.

Do any of the big guys here get told they look like a drummer or is it just me?? I really don't get that and never will. There's a myth that it's a physical job. It is if you doing it wrong. Only physical thing about drumming is lugging them around.

I still go and watch my old teacher play if I have the time. He's 70 and runs rings around me in control, speed, power, dynamics etc and he looks nothing like a drummer apparently but he practices religiously and has done for 60 odd years.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much the beginning, middle, and end of it!
 
mikyok said:
Here's the thing I find when there's always a anatomical thread or physique and my personal favourite the gym threads, none of it matters. Good drumming comes from lots of practice and having technique.

Do any of the big guys here get told they look like a drummer or is it just me?? I really don't get that and never will. There's a myth that it's a physical job. It is if you doing it wrong. Only physical thing about drumming is lugging them around.

I still go and watch my old teacher play if I have the time. He's 70 and runs rings around me in control, speed, power, dynamics etc and he looks nothing like a drummer apparently but he practices religiously and has done for 60 odd years.
Click to expand...
And it was just a thought that entered my mind, so decided to ask the group. Always nice to get different opinions. It's good education👍
 
Hand size comes into play for guitarists and pianists, as one might expect, but I don't think it does for drummers. Bluesman Robert Johnson had huge hands, and his fingers looked spider's legs. I have small hands and short fingers. You work with what you have. Science has yet to perfect hand transplants, as far as I know. ;)
 
mikyok said:
Here's the thing I find when there's always a anatomical thread or physique and my personal favourite the gym threads, none of it matters. Good drumming comes from lots of practice and having technique.

Do any of the big guys here get told they look like a drummer or is it just me?? I really don't get that and never will. There's a myth that it's a physical job. It is if you doing it wrong. Only physical thing about drumming is lugging them around.

I still go and watch my old teacher play if I have the time. He's 70 and runs rings around me in control, speed, power, dynamics etc and he looks nothing like a drummer apparently but he practices religiously and has done for 60 odd years.
Click to expand...

Hmm, people always peg me as the drummer of our group but I am a little guy 140 lbs/65 kilos.
Physique definitely makes a difference, but I agree with the others that really practice and dedication in one's heart make the real difference to the outcome.
My R hand has numerous fractures that were never set and makes a very different grip than my L, but I just listen closely to match them up and don't worry that the mechanics don't match.
 
Interesting stuff.
Louie Bellson was a small framed gent with tremendous speed and dexterity.
Neil Peart was a tall man with machine gun fast hands and legs.

Steve Gadd is a smaller sized guy with a legendary groove.
Abe Laboriel Jr. is a plus sized guy with a killer groove.

Beats me. I really need to go practice.
 
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Yes all different anatomical permutations👍.

I met Louie a couple of times in the early 70s at drum seminars/concerts . Extraordinary skills and so musical! Also quite a gentleman.
back in the day a lot of jazz groups would give free concerts in the parks. I don't know if that happens anymore but Louie Bellson, Supersax and other groups I don't remember would give free concerts on Saturdays or Sundays
 
This is interesting. I have small hands and short fingers 5'6" height. after reading this I think the average size might be optimal. It was mentioned earlier that stick size makes a difference and that makes sense too. Choose the stick that functions best for your hands. I'm no master but I can pull off most fills ok, at least I think they're ok. I don't think I could play guitar or piano very well with my hands but I've always felt like I'm meant to be a drummer. I've been playing since Christmas of 69 no training just playing my heart out. Pro drummers do come in all shapes and sizes though.
 
From the shoulder down through the elbow wrist and hand, we have a total of 34 joints, 27 in the hand alone! Not only that, but as has been discussed above, we come in different sizes. I believe the size differential plays a lesser role than the complex individual comparative relationships of finger length: the length of bones and relative placement of the joints. For example, the finger length relationships of your hand likely differs from someone else's. Compare hands among others and you'll see differences such as how long the little finger is in relation to the ring finger, etc. These differences all play a role in how we execute our technique.

This is why I believe that it is essential, and more beneficial than simply copying others, to have a thorough understanding of the principles at play in whatever we are trying to do. Understanding the basic principles of what needs to happen, combined with our own inquiry and engagement in the process, is a big factor. Copying others might work, but when it doesn't, first principles reasoning is the way to go.
 
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