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