Traditional Grip

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kds

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It's been a couple of decades since I played and starting up again. Always used the traditional grip. What are the best exercises to re-learn this grip and regain stamina and flexibility in my left hand. Thanks.
 
I think I've made decent progress with my traditional grip. It's taken a long time, and I probably would have been best served by studying it specifically with any of the numerous trad grip players out there, but I've found a lot of great free information on Youtube. This Rick Dior video was particularly useful to me. He explains some exercises, but really breaks down the grip in a helpful way.
 
I played traditional grip for my first six months as a drummer. My instructor's perspective was that switching from traditional to matched is easier than starting with matched and attempting traditional later. That's a matter of opinion, of course, as are many elements of teaching, but I tend to agree with him on that point. In any case, once I got a taste of matched grip, I never returned to traditional. Matched seemed so much more efficient and versatile to me. On the other hand, I never aspired to be a jazz specialist (nor do I now), but if I had, I likely would have stuck with traditional grip. Nothing prohibits the use of matched grip in jazz, but traditional grip looks more fitting to me in that genre. That, too, is just a personal conviction.
 
What is your reasoning for switching to traditional? I was taught and have played traditional grip all my life. I want to switch to matched. Already started the process. I'm sure it seems really strange to most people why matched grip would feel so awkward. I'm sure, eventually, it will feel more natural to me.
 
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I played traditional grip for years. Then in college was encouraged to switch to matched. I still practice a little bit with traditional grip as I find it provides me with better feeling when playing softer Jazz or using brushes. However, at this point I prefer matched. I would say with traditional grip start by holding the stick in the fulcrum and working on getting the bounce. Then start to incorporate your pointer and middle fingers to play the bounce while your ring and pinky help to control the direction.
 
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understand your motors.

thumb
index finger
wrist

play isolated strokes using each motor individually

this video does a nice job of explaining

get with a proper instructor for a lesson or two to check on your progress

skip to about 1:40

 
I played both when I was a kid, and now it seems like very few people recommend trad grip these days for ergonomic reasons. As I'm now 60, not in any pain, and enjoying it, I do it a little when playing light jazz, but I tend to agree with those who think it's not very ergonomic. My hands and wrists clearly like being over the sticks vs under.
 
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Timmy said:
What is your reasoning for switching to traditional? I was taught and have played traditional grip all my life. I want to switch to matched. Already started the process. I'm sure it seems really strange to most people why matched grip would feel so awkward. I'm sure, eventually, it will feel more natural to me.
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Always played traditional.
 
I would say use whatever you did when you first learned, and add some of the suggestions above...

but as @MG1127 mentioned, just make sure to use your motor points correctly, and find exercises that target those correctly
 
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kds said:
It's been a couple of decades since I played and starting up again. Always used the traditional grip. What are the best exercises to re-learn this grip and regain stamina and flexibility in my left hand. Thanks.
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Welcome back to Drumming and to Drummerworld!

I also took off about 20 years between serious drumming (while raising a family) to get back into it again within the last few years and LOVE it.

Do rudiments using only matched grip, excluding trad until you feel your left hand matched (nearly) equals ability of trad. Like tying one hand behind your back to force yourself to learn it.
 
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This might sound a little strange, but it worked for me. I played traditional grip my whole life. After a long period of not playing I increased my left hand dexterity and drumming technique with the following exercises:
I started using my computer mouse with my left hand.
I started brushing my teeth with my left hand.
I practiced writing with my left hand.
I operated my cell phone with my fingers on my left hand.
In other words my left hand was my weak hand and I set out to change that. These exercises improved my left hand drumming.

.
 
I think there is a video of Mike Johnson explaining the history behind Trad grip and thus, on a kit drums, he says it's more natural to use matched trip because you have the same force on each hand at the very beginning.
 
Hollywood Jim said:
This might sound a little strange, but it worked for me. I played traditional grip my whole life. After a long period of not playing I increased my left hand dexterity and drumming technique with the following exercises:
I started using my computer mouse with my left hand.
I started brushing my teeth with my left hand.
I practiced writing with my left hand.
I operated my cell phone with my fingers on my left hand.
In other words my left hand was my weak hand and I set out to change that. These exercises improved my left hand drumming.

.
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Hmmm, this is very interesting. I think I may try this myself.
 
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