| The way you hold your drumsticks plays a vital | | | | the matched grip method of holding your |
| role on the quality of sound that you produce and | | | | drumsticks, you just simply hold both sticks in the |
| the length of time that you will be able to play | | | | same way with your palms facing downward. All |
| your drums. Unfortunately, the proper holding of | | | | your finger tips should rest lightly on the |
| the drumsticks is one of the most ignored and | | | | drumstick. The good thing about using the |
| neglected protocols when it comes to playing the | | | | matched grip method of holding your drumsticks |
| drums. If you are one of those drummers who | | | | is that you can use the same gripping style when |
| have not really been holding your drums, you will | | | | playing other instruments such as the timpani, |
| most like hurt yourself in the long run so start | | | | chimes and other types of percussion |
| paying close attention to how you hold your | | | | instruments. Another popular way of holding the |
| drumsticks. Always remember that your | | | | drumsticks is the traditional grip which allows you |
| drumsticks are extensions of your hands and not | | | | to hold your drumstick with your palms facing up |
| just an accessory that you use to hit the drums | | | | with your fingers gripping the sticks from |
| with. Gripping Your Sticks If you are still a | | | | underneath. The traditional grip is very popular |
| beginner and you still have not established a way | | | | among jazz drummers because this allows better |
| of holding your drumsticks, it would be best for | | | | dynamic control. If you are aspiring to become a |
| you to ask your music teacher to show you how | | | | jazz drummer, it would be a good idea for you to |
| to hold your drumsticks properly and practice that | | | | practice holding your drumsticks in this manner |
| kind of grip. Learn the right way to hold your | | | | from the very start so that you will be able to |
| drumsticks right from the start. Always | | | | get the hang of it. However, if you have no plans |
| remember that unlearning something is a lot more | | | | on concentrating on jazz music, it would be best |
| difficult than learning something for the first time | | | | for you to use the matched grip. Note that if are |
| so make sure that you start your drumming | | | | using a bigger drum kit, the traditional grip may |
| lessons in the right direction. Different people have | | | | make it difficult for you to move around |
| different ways of gripping their drum sticks. The | | | | especially if you are using a bigger drum kit. You |
| most common way of holding the drumsticks is | | | | may find it quite awkward to hit your cymbals in |
| the matched grip. The matched grip is very easy | | | | this position. |
| and is very popular especially among those | | | | Liz Cooper is a freelance editor for Your Drum |
| drummers who are into pop music. When using | | | | Set. |