Trad Grip Group!

I'm in! I learned traditional grip in high school marching band and used it through university marching band, drum corps, and indoor percussion, and incorporated it into my set playing. Never really looked back. I don't have as much volume power as matched, but way more finesse and control than matched.
 
Hmm...

Recently been trying to learn trad grip and it's coming along.

Two things...

(i) After playing for a while it begins to make the bones in my finger next to my pinky ache. Perhaps I'm holding the sticks too tight??

(ii) I find it practically impossible to strike cymbals with my trad hand (left). Literally I just cannot seem to do it. Is this normal? Something I just need to hone and work on.

Generally I find it pretty comfortable for the often very fast, snare orientated, punk beats I play in the originals band I'm in.
 
This was also posted to the group (I also joined)

I made this video about 6 years ago; it was to help a friend of mine out on a Forum and got over 35,000 views (that was a surprise).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLOsohq89ZU

I come from the Scottish Pipe & Drum band school of thought in regards to traditional grip; the thumb is the real "power player" in that variation. I found the "Duthart Grip" (Alex Duthart, Scottish Drumming Innovator) able to open up the range of motion for me.

Alex Duthart Info http://www.rspba.org/html/assochistory.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE2Q6YTmUrg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_krvdvAKz0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkLFeW-n4dY
 
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Hmm...


(ii) I find it practically impossible to strike cymbals with my trad hand (left). Literally I just cannot seem to do it. Is this normal? Something I just need to hone and work on.
END QUOTE

if you don't mind a bit of flair, you can spin the stick to a better position.
try this.
keep the stick between your ring finger and your social finger
open your hand so that the stick can move past your thumb.
turn your hand over.

you should end up with the stick sticking from between your fingers, like Wolverine. try it out. its a very fun way to switch from snare to a nearby crash with just a flick.
 
Hmm...

Recently been trying to learn trad grip and it's coming along.

Two things...

(i) After playing for a while it begins to make the bones in my finger next to my pinky ache. Perhaps I'm holding the sticks too tight??

(ii) I find it practically impossible to strike cymbals with my trad hand (left). Literally I just cannot seem to do it. Is this normal? Something I just need to hone and work on.

Generally I find it pretty comfortable for the often very fast, snare orientated, punk beats I play in the originals band I'm in.

I would try Youtube videos of Buddy and some of the other greats to see how they crashed with the traditional left hand. Cymbal placement would be the first step. Height and angle would have to change and you would have to clear the hihats, but do some looking around.,
 
Pretty much every teacher I've had has commented on the fact that I play traditional and want me to switch.

They also say I'm dong it wrong, though they all seem to have almost completely opposite opinions on why it's wrong. Obviously, they're all strictly matched players, so.......

Thing is though, I can do anything I want with it and apart from some stress around my picky bone several years ago when I was first starting out I've never had a problem. A slight adjustrment inspired by Jim Chapins DVD fixed everything.

I feel loose and relaxed and can easily play with all the speed and power I want all day.

I just love how it feels sitting behind the kit and groove when I play traditional.

Matched works ok too. That's what I do when I teach. There's just something about Mar... ehm... traditional, though.
 
(ii) I find it practically impossible to strike cymbals with my trad hand (left). Literally I just cannot seem to do it. Is this normal? Something I just need to hone and work on.

it is most comfortable to me when I crash like this

EDIT: no idea why it is coming up sideways... it was not like that when I uploaded it ....

so taco neck and you get the idea :)

23mlfls.jpg
 
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