Technique Fundamentals-Hands

The term “technique” refers to the way we move the sticks to hit the drum. Technique is the critical link between your mind and the instrument. Yet, for some reason, many drummers are never really instructed in how to move the sticks in a natural way, or in how to practice to gain effortless, relaxed execution of their ideas. In this lesson, I hope to help you understand how to use your hands and arms in such a way that playing is a pleasure and never a chore. These techniques do not come from me; they are age-old practices handed down from the masters-drumming legends Sanford Moeller and his student, the great Jim Chapin, whose works I enthusiastically recommend.

The Grip:
Your grip should be firm, but relaxed, as if you were holding an egg. Make a fist around the stick. Now, place your thumb and forefinger a bit higher up, with the stick in between them. They do not touch each other. Notice that your forefinger is not curled around the stick very tightly, and let the stick rest between the first two joints.
Your last three fingers always touch the stick. Curl them lightly around it, and keep the pads of the fingers on the stick. You will not need to extend these fingers much when playing. “Cuddle” the stick into your hand, but stay loose. Notice that the space between your thumb and first finger stays open.
Basically, what you have here is your hand in the position it tends to hang when relaxed, with the stick stuck in it.

Arm Position:
Your arms hang from the shoulder loosely. From the shoulder to the elbow, they’re “dead.” Don’t stick out your elbows or hold them back. Now, hold your palms flat above your knees, not your upper thighs. Your hands should be far enough apart as to be outside the “line” of your shoulders. With the sticks in your hands, this should place the tips above the center of the drum, and the sticks should be about ninety degrees apart. Your hands are above the knees (approximately) and your forearms are parallel to the floor (or a little higher).

The Full Stroke:
The stroke is made primarily by turning the forearm, not pushing from the wrist. Starting from the “sticks down” position, turn your hands so that the stick is straight up in the air. Your palms should face one another, and your hands are outside the shoulder line. Swing the stick toward the pad, and stay loose enough so that it bounces itself back up, carrying your hand with it. Down and up are all part of one motion; don’t “push and pull.” Do not open up your hand to bring the stick up. Let your arm be loose enough to turn up naturally.

Practicing Full Strokes:
The exercise we will use to learn the full stroke is simple: four strokes with either hand, playing quarter notes slowly (about 60-80 on your metronome). Repeat the exercise 50-100 times! Count, “one, two, three, four” with the right hand and then do the same with the left. Then, replace “one” in your counting with the number of the repetition:
“1,2,3,4...1,2,3,4...2,2,3,4,...2,2,3,4,...”

It is incredibly important that you count out loud. It is crucial toward activating your muscle memory (see Mike Mangini’s Rhythm Knowledge). Also, pay very close attention to form and feel. Watch how the stroke looks, and feel the rebound. It should feel like dribbling a ball. Practice this first every day, then play your drumset as normal. Don’t worry about technique when you play; that is for your practice time. Just relax, have fun, and enjoy how warmed-up you are.