Thomas Lang: "Traditional Grip Vs Matched Grip" (Drum Lesson)

[@colinaldridge9529]

Absolutely the most thoughtful commentary on the subject, and Thomas is comes across as so friendly and humble!

[@acordaomundoereal2871]

Thomas is a lot frindly and humble.

[@ddummer]

I switched to traditional grip when I was 25 after playing matched grip for 13 years... simply because I liked the challenge. Now 27 years later I got it to a place where I am happy with it. ;)

[@dodytris6708]

same as me brother.. and traditional grip looks so coool LOL

[@44amanaplanacanalpanama44]

I'm so glad someone finally put this tradition under logical scrutiny. For years those of us who played matched have been criticized for no good reason. In fact, it is healthier and more natural.

[@MonacoRocha]

Matched is so much more Natural....

[@nikoshatzimichael984]

Tell this secret to Dave & Vinnie!

[@bighouse5804]

@@nikoshatzimichael984 Both dave and vinnie had hand injuries from playing traditional even though they do it so well. Dave also said in a clinic that if he were to start over he would learn matched every time

[@jonbongjovi1869]

does anyone know why when I drum (or most drummers drum)our muscles wanna do that thing where we're biting our gums or whatever it is? i never ever noticed drummers doing it.....until i became a drummer 3 years ago....and then I looked at all kinds of drummers on YT and most do it too! so weird!

[@shum8104]

it's not healthier, it's not more natural. match grip seems that way because you suck at traditional.

[@jeffreyappezzato9179]

When I started in 1983, I didn't know any better, so I started with match grip. After a 20 year layoff, I played match again, but I felt the tug to play traditional grip. I have found that traditional grip is useful when playing more rudimental patterns. Its certainly fun to switch between the two.

[@nathanwinn4375]

I’m not a “trained” drummer, so I never developed my traditional grip. I play around with it when practicing some rudiments sometimes, but Thomas is absolutely right. There isn’t a practical reason for traditional grip anymore. HOWEVER…the traditional grip CAN add textures and ghost notes that matched doesn’t do for me. It feels correct to play jazz with a traditional grip to allow the softer touch to come through with all kinds of little goodies and textures. But ultimately, matched grip is the best for an overall drumming utility. Excellent discussion, Thomas!!

[@bighouse5804]

>the traditional grip CAN add textures and ghost notes that matched doesn’t do for me I would argue that's due to a lack of development in the matched grip rather than an intrinsic fault of the grip. Not to say you aren't doing matched right, but there's no inherent reason you couldn't achieve those same textures and ghost notes with matched grip given enough time to develop it. That includes the softer touches needed for jazz imo, though of course there is subjectivity and if it feels right to play jazz with traditional grip there's nothing wrong with that

[@scottlowell493]

@@bighouse5804 yes, matched grip, especially open handed development >traditional. Lack of nuance is just lack of development. "Traditional" ghost notes and textures...that implies the right hand holding like the conventional matched grip can't do those things. Zero logic there.

[@nowisthetime7461]

@@bighouse5804 Along with that, a matched French grip might be good for jazz, ghost notes, etc. where is more in finger control in instances where you're playing relatively softly.

[@jazzhole8208]

I guess it depends on the player. As Thomas already said, even after he switched to matched, he's still able to play traditional much better. Rick Dior said the same. he plays matched grip on daily occasions, but his traditional grip is much more controlled and feels more comfortable. And i guess every trad grip player would say the same. . . And every pressure or wrong posture will lead to issues, trad or matched 🤌

[@jazzhole8208]

And i wouldn't agree on the time and efford of development, building a reliable traditional grip technique. The movements are completely different from one another, so each hand had it's own link/areal in the brain. What 'could' lead to a much faster development, bcause the informations for the movements come from different sources in the hemispheres. There is a weak hand, always, and tradional grip makes it easier thru the rotation/finger movement to overcome this weakness. But you should only learn trad grip if you want it to, bcause, it's one more thing in your arsenal of playing your favorite instrument ❤🥁

[@wannabeadrummer]

Best description of the drumming grips I've seen, no nonsense.

[@rei7587]

I don’t play drums at all but I watched the entire thing and enjoyed every second. Really insightful stuff from the history to the thought processes and dedication to the craft.

[@chiselcheswick5673]

I remember Neil Peart going from matched to traditional grip, but he also changed back again due to the limitation it put on him especially with regard to power. Great to hear such a logical explanation... thanks 👍

[@loucontino4804]

Wow! Pretty wild that I had this video pop up on my U-Tube recommends cause I am seriously thinking about changing to matched grip...AGAIN! I played traditional grip for 8 years, then went to matched grip for 20 years and then back to traditional grip for the last 22. So here I am after playing 50 years looking at Jack DeJohnette playing only matched and now Thomas saying all of the right things here to make me believe it may be time to go matched again. Very cool explanation and of course, he is a wonderful musician who can do far more than play drums.

[@maxopthof3449]

For the most part it is true. I have played for 30+ years always matched. That being said, there are times when something seems easier or more effective with traditional. Take playing a rhythm on the hi hat and snare. Especially if there is a lot of ghosting and or syncopation, there is a benefit to not raising the left(traditional) hand into the right(matched) hand. Also, after playing almost completely matched my whole life, somehow I get a quicker double stroke from a traditional grip in my left hand. All that being said, when Thomas Lang speaks, I (and every other drummer should) listen. Truly one of the greatest technicians to grace the drumset. Thanks for the lesson.

[@KikoFreitasMusic]

The only thing missing is the concept. Comprehend that the traditional grip is an art form, not related only with speed, power or control. We should listen to the old masters and the way they approached to Music, not only to technique, in order to understand the meaning of each stroke related to music. My admiration to Thomas, a great player. It’s just a new point of view 🙏🏼

[@fanolima1029]

Grande Kiko Freitas professor na arte da bateria

[@jonbongjovi1869]

then WHY DIDN'T BUDDY RICH USE TRADITIONAL GRIP with his RIGHT hand?

[@nealsausen4651]

@@jonbongjovi1869 : one-word answer:……. “TRADITION”!

[@seppoinnanen5577]

The most thorough explanation of traditional vs matched grip. Thank you, sir 👍

[@Chiroman527]

Thomas, thank you for a very thoughtfully presented topic for Drummers. As a 70 YO, retiree, who returned to playing drums , solely for enjoyment as a pastime in retirement, after over a 50 Year Hiatus, I have been watching instructional YT Videos for a couple of years now. This is one of the Best I've seen. I learned the Traditional Grip in exactly the way you described: First lesson in 1966, "here's how you hold the sticks"... But in accordance to this info, when I returned to the drums in 2019, although I may have started using the Traditional grip, but quickly gravitated to the Matched Grip. Everybody's body mechanics vary, and for me, notice that I am better able to roll my forearm to play trad grip on the snare (I think that although I have Not been able to play Golf for a few years now due to spinal issues that forced my retirement, I would "roll" my left arm and wrist which caused me to Slice my drives and even Iron Shots), but with 3 Rack Toms on my set ( Thomas used the old term drum Set, not rum Kit), it is much more difficult to play around the kit using a Trad grip. Thomas' reference to Buddy Rich were very interesting, as Buddy Rich played with Superhuman speed. Never seen anything like it. Do yourself a favor, if you have not seen Buddy Rich play , watch his performances on The Tonight Show with Johnnie Carson... Holy Sh*t...

[@jonbongjovi1869]

Thomas never says you can't get superspeed out of trad grip. he says it's going to harm your body SOONER than matched grip.

[@grafikdrummer]

For me a great benefit of traditional grip is, that the stick is not controlled behind the fulcrum but before or at the fulcrum. That´s extremely useful for playing soft. I think it's no coincidence that the traditional grip lastet very long in classical jazz styles, because swing comping requires exactely that.

[@jordanvincenzo464]

So, you can’t play quiet with your right hand? To me, there’s just a lot of motivated reasoning with traditional grip. People are taught that way, and then they work their way backwards to justify why it’s better. As soon as you could put the drum at any angle you wanted, that grip became obsolete and unnecessary. About the only time it might have some benefit is if you’re playing brushes, which might require a movement in your left hand that matched grip can’t do.

[@grafikdrummer]

@@jordanvincenzo464 Of course you can play quiet with the matched grip, I just find it easier to do so with traditional grip, because there is no leverage in the process. But you are right: it only makes sense if you are already a traditional grip player. I would never recommend learning traditional grip to a matched grip player just for playing soft. But I wouldn't do so for playing brushes either. On the contrary: there are several aspects in playing the brushes that are easier to master with matched grip.

[@halla6323]

To me traditional and matched grip are really the same grip. I found that be learning traditional grip it also helped me understand the match grip mutch better.

[@DevonHberman-im6bx]

@@jordanvincenzo464you just mad cause you can’t play traditional, admit it.

[@DevonHberman-im6bx]

@@grafikdrummerbrushes are definitely not easier match grip, you’re drunk.

[@bereangirl7118]

When I first started learning rudiments on my Slingerland snare drum back in 1963 , my drum teacher taught me using trad grip as that is what he used . In 1964, I switched to matched grip and have been using it ever since. Although I can still play very well with trad grip I have always believed that matched grip is a far better and faster way of learning to control the bounce and rebound of the sticks which are more evenly spaced across from each other on the pad or drum compared to trad.

[@MrFchank]

Knew the story of the marching drummers and the traditional grip,but what a great explanation from one of the best in the world.

[@josephgiarraffa6379]

I play both grips and use them according to what I’m playing and feeling You playing swing you using traditional It allows ghost notes and nuances that I feel match grip don’t give naturally You playing rock and riding concert toms you use match for power and control It’s nice to have both grips as you may need This is my take You got guys like Virgil who plays hard and can ride his toms incredible and he uses traditional grip There can be exceptions plus he is a sick man when it comes to his playing 😂Thomas Lang is an alien by the way from planet drums just an extraordinary player teacher clinician and too humble

[@nikoshatzimichael984]

Virgil needs work with his traditional sticking. The most powerful traditional stroke is that of Vinnie. He plays so smooth jazz and so hard rock with his traditional grip.

[@actionjackson8439]

Periods and commas. You'd be amazed at how less ignorant you sound by using them. Give it a try.

[@ricklieffering241]

What a great explanation by a great drummer. I attended one of his clinics once, during which he played a five stroke roll on the bassdrum. I was blown away so I asked him how he did it. He didn't hear me or misunderstood and started playing paradiddles or something on the kicks, like it was nothing. " No the five stroke roll" I said, and he went oh right, prrrap prrrrap prrrap prrrrap. A supersolid 5stroke roll with his bloody feet. Absolutly insane.

[@ziggysanderson]

A great education on the grip for sure. I do recall Dave Weckl mention one benefit he likes about traditional was the angle of the stick that can be achieved. The stick butt can be raised and enables a different angle to generate a different sound. I am a matched player and just use traditional for fun, it looks cool :)!

[@richp4449]

Excellent commentary and review of the pros and cons of traditional vs matched grip. I started playing drums when I was 14. I’m now 71 and still playing. I think the reason for that is that I switched from traditional grip to matched grip about 5 years after I first started to play and was taught using traditional grip. After years of struggling to just become proficient with traditional grip, I just decided (on my own) to switch to matched grip. It made all the difference in my drumming life. I instantly felt freed up to play freely with a grip that felt good and natural. In my early days of drumming, matched grip was frowned upon. But I didn’t care. I was done with trying to play like Buddy Rich and his distain of traditional grip did not deter me - thank goodness. By switching to matched grip, I could now ‘copy’ my right hand technique to my left hand. This made learning rudiments much easier and faster. But making the switch didn’t come without lots of practice. I really had to relearn how to use my left hand after years of using traditional grip, even though the traditional grip motion is so much more natural. Thank you Thomas for your commentary and inspiring play. Long live matched grip!

[@merlynscave]

I watched nearly all of this and get your point, but. Seeing as most people are right handed it seems apt that using your left hand in a different way works for coordinating the sticks. Steve Gad, Vinnie, etc both use the traditional grip as well as Buddy. I have been playing for 45 years and when I need total control I use traditional grip, when I want rock power I use matched grip, or timpani grip. I think all drummers should learn both.

[@KONAMAN100]

What a tutor, great deep knowledge and when he demos what he's talking about, wow. Top educator, master player.

[@geoffreysmith4618]

This is an unbelievably helpful video. I am 62 an grew up playing traditional grip because…well Buddy Rich!! Duh! However, I definitely never mastered it but it is in my head. Getting back into drums again I was seriously thinking about switching to match and found this video. Your massive chops in either camp give you a significant amount of credibility. Thank you.

[@drumvlado]

Very interesting and thorough look on the subject. I have to say that I personally find two benefits of traditional grip, but that could be subjective: One is that it gives you a different feel and this does affect the groove and a s a result as well what you end up playing in the same musical context. And two - it is so much better at low dynamics. Probably this is why the vast majority of jazz players use it. You can be really delicate and quick at the same time. Best is to know both and use them accordingly, but, of course, that really depends on what kind of music you play.

[@drumdiscussion7776]

Thomas is a good teacher. This is very interesting and insightful. The discussion will continue forever.

[@johngeorges1510]

I was involved with a Colonial reenactment group and I never heard of the drum on the side. The sling (rope in very early times), put the drum at an angle and therefore traditional grip happened. The drumset started late 1890s. Those drummers studied with military veterans. Gene Krupa studied with Sanford Moller.

[@DriftSpaceZero]

Playing with arms crossed and traditional grip are tied to the same origin; those marching band drummers were the first people to sit at the drum kit, and were used to holding their left stick "traditionally," so they crossed their arms to access the hats easier. If we're acknowledging "traditional" grip is awkward: why not also extend that to playing something (hats) on your left side with your right hand? Crossing arms is the same sort of "desperate solution to a silly problem" (@2:54) that you mentioned early in the video. Drummers learn to cross their arms because they've been seeing others do it, and it "looks right," but it doesn't make ergonomic sense; Simon Phillips had this realization part-way through his career.

[@gregschweizervoice2265]

Like you, I feel really comfortable with traditional because that's how I came up. Now that I'm getting back into it after years away, I see the logic of match grip and that's what I'll focus on. You make a comprehensive and strong case for gripping both sticks the same. Thank you!

[@JunkerOnDrums]

Buddy played matched grip once in a while, especialy in tom tom soloing. I think a lot af drummers uses traditionel grip because og tradition, and as you mention, it may make the drummer "think" different regarding the musical situation he/she is in.

[@glennkithcart4899]

I have been playing traditional grip all my life. I started at age 8 and am now 66. I took 30 years off and came back to playing and got it back fairly quickly however I now want to switch to matched. Thomas clarified my thinking on the physical aspect of it (It never occurred to me that the grip changes the way you think about playing but I knew that technique was different from watching good matched drummers). My reason for wanting to switch is that I found that my left hand was much harder to get back into shape after so many years away from playing. My body is old and definitely needs more recuperation time after playing. I have felt that matched grip made more sense. You use the same technique and exercises to develop each hand, you have no limitations on how you move around the kit, you can more easily learn to lead with the weaker hand, you can play left handed much easier (when I am hitting my hats with my left hand with traditional grip it feels odd). I play progressive rock and dabble in jazz, latin and r&b. The challenge is to find a way to make myself used matched grip when it feels like a fish out of water compares to switching back to traditional and I can sound so good that way. But I want to get that good with matched for all the reasons I've stated but I feel like I'm back in 1st grade drumming again. Anyone have this problem? I also bought a double peddle and have been putting a lot of time into that... wow, what a different feel. It is starting to feel natural to me and it seems to work better with matched grip. All four limbs tend to work better together that way. I guess I will just have to go back to hard work on rudiments again to get that left hand to change.

[@MrDaveangelo1]

There`s just one thing about traditional grip that made me pick it over a matched one - it looks WAY cooler)))

[@dodytris6708]

i do think soooo

[@aldomauricioable]

could be bro, but the problem in my case is when you have to play latin music and needs to play the cowbell with your left hand, is almost impossible and meaningless, I started too with traditional but have to change it and in my surprise, I get way better with my left hand while practicing common cowbell pattern. I simply do not have the time to practice traditional grip so, yes it looks cooler but I have not seen any drummer playing a cowbell pattern with traditional grip 🤷‍♂🤷‍♂

[@DrumsTillDeath]

My first 5 years playing was in Orchestra and Marching band. I was taught traditional. I then began playing with Rock Bands that required more volume then dynamics and switched over to match grip like some of my hero’s. I immediately found it easier to play the higher toms with more ease and consistency. But between the low tunings and change of grip, some of the bounce was taken out of my step so to speak and as a result my new technique forced me to relearn simple rudiments again. Ghost notes which were natural for me, had to be practiced again. Some hurdles 4 sure. Ultimately I started switching grips seamlessly and use both to this day. If I could do it all over it would be matched grip all the way.

[@mauriziogoldoni2606]

Hi Thomas! We met 10 years ago in Finale Emilia, Italy, where you did a great clinic (video on YT). I drove you there from Modena train station. Thank you for coming and for this most accurate explanation.

[@substance1]

I think that some drummers can utilize the traditional grip to great success like Joe Morello, but your right, it takes a lot of technique to NOT get carpal tunnel syndrome using that grip.

[@homerinchinatown2]

I'm a lifelong matched grip player but I've been fussing with traditional grip for a few years now. One thing that never gets as much mention is timing with matched vs trad in the left hand. I have found that my backbeats are different with traditional grip and I think it's that the stick hits just a little more ahead of the beat due to its angle with trad grip. I also suck at rimshots with trad grip so I don't use them, which also may have an effect. Regardless, it is a way I can take advantage of a natural difference with the grip when it makes musical sense. If I had been a long-term trad guy I might have weeded out that tendency, so perhaps it's a benefit of being a noob... It's a different tangent, but one way I've always used trad grip is with brushes. I thought from early on that the differences with that grip would allow for different hand/finger motions, which it does. I think it may be more relaxing with brushes too, as the brush naturally rests on the drum head, where I want it to be most of the time.

[@bilmatt2865]

The best stick technique observations by far.Stuff that no one dared to question.

[@49Macman]

Didn't know some of the details of the reason why marchers stopped traditional grip. Thanks!

[@TTPDrums]

Only time I ever play traditional grip is when I’m playing light jazzy stuff. It just feels better and there’s that shuffle/bounce thing that seems easier with the left hand for the fast swing stuff. Check out “rotten kid” by Buddy rich for an example of the left hand bouncing ghost thing. I’m sure there’s a better term for it! Great video 😁😎

[@GuidoNietmann]

What a privilege that i can see a awesome lesson with an incredible teacher like Thomas Lang here in youtube. Thanks a lot for sharing this!

[@allanloayza2056]

Hello Thomas Lang. I'm Allan Loayza, I wanted to thank you because your techniques are very useful to me. Greetings from Lima -Peru

[@joelwatkins4377]

By the way, this was the best video I have ever seen on the subject. Great insight from a great drummer!

[@edellis515]

I soooooooo love traditional grip. I admit one reason is it LOOKS SOOOOOOOO COOL

[@stanislouse4168]

I'm with Thomas on this. And I've done both. The planes have to change on the set between matched and trad. I was always taught not to be a "one-sided" drummer. But in the end the left NEVER sounds the same on the drum only because of the way the stick is held. And because of that, you practice what sounds better in the end by changing the patterns favoring one side in the legit world of classical performance. So all the years of asymmetrical playing (practice) is thrown in the garbage for the sound in the end; which I thought was funny! And that thought came down from one of the highest rated music conservatories in the world. Nice discussion Thomas.Wish you would comment on the tonal aspects of this.

[@drummerboy69n]

Bill Stewart plays jazz matched grip.

[@tylerpedersen9836]

And he’s one of the best jazz drummers out there.

[@ryanl3260]

The idea of traditional inspiring asymmetrical thinking/playing makes a lot of sense. But as a new drummer I find it way more comfortable to play with matched. Nice lesson!

[@702ringo1]

As he said, there’s a lot of great drummers out there but in my opinion there’s only one Thomas Lang! He’s the best there is! My thanks to the three drummers I studied most growing up, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, and Louis Bellson. I believe all three would be in agreement that this gentleman is the best there is. Thank you Thomas for being such an amazing drummer, teacher, and performer. You are a true credit to our craft!🥁

[@phillamoore157]

What an excellent lesson. Thank you for posting!

[@markmurphy4529]

Excellent explanation ! Best I've ever heard regarding the issue! ✅👍🍀

[@mathealleinzuhaus6041]

I'm not a drummer and probably never will play the drums but this was so interesting that I had to watch to the very end of this video. Amazing!!!

[@leandroconte2690]

Thomas is from other planet. Such a beast. I started with traditional grip just for curious. As a newbie, i can say it becomes easier to develop rebound in your weak hand with traditional.

[@DerekTJ]

I love this. Trad grip to me has always been snobby. Im right-handed. I fell for the orthodoxy for a while and I really pushed myself on it when I binged on a lot of the tutorial DVDs but eventually thought, this is bs. And having given it a real go, I one day was talking to someone (guitarist) about it with sticks in my hands at the kit and I unknowingly used switched to trad grip on my right hand and it was 20 times better than my left, even though I had literally never used in my life. The most beneficial change I ever made was switching to open-handed; that's where its really at. I'm still useless with my left though 😆 Addendum: when Neil Peart switched to trad I thought then, that there has to be something in but nah, Neil didn't stay with trad for long.

[@KeatingJosh]

That one album changed my life.. test for echo!

[@benbarletta2927]

I was taught traditional originally, and whenever I sit in front of the practice pad, I automatically pick up my sticks like that. That said, when I was first taught, I was told to slant my snare drum to accommodate traditional. Marching snares before racks were used still felt more comfortable traditional. Now sitting behind a drum kit, I don't see the benefit. Snare is he only percussion instrument that uses this grip, every other instrument (timpani, mallet percussion, etc.) uses matched grip. In a jazz situation, traditional is handy if you are changing to cross stick. Interesting take on it, thanks Thomas!

[@marcusguzman5018]

I definitely have as much power with traditional grip as I did when I only used matched grip traditional grip gives you much more freedom of movement plus extra power... I do utilize Mirrored Traditional Grip... Traditional in both hands

[@mwqs1]

Thanks for this thoughtful explanation on grips.

[@guzonthedrums]

Thanks for the lesson Thomas. I think there's one advantage of using traditional grip: it makes you think different, and as result, you will sound different

[@drumpab1318]

bravo! finally someone! great thx! its kind of feel like release for that guy ..

[@fweddyfwintsone4491]

Buddy Rich often criticized matched grip, but I've seen him "accidentally" play matched grip a couple of times (rare footage). His matched grip playing was just as impressive as his traditional grip, but he still argued against it. Mr. Lang makes some great points about the history and crutch of match grip. I had to switch to match grip because I was a left handed drummer raised on a right handed drum set, which, I think may have been the great Billy Cobham's challenge as well, so I consider myself in good company. :) My feet were "right footed", but my hands were "left handed". Whew, what a mess. Matched grip help me overcome many issues.

[@Gretchluver1]

@MortalGamerDC1 85 It's not a contest.

[@jonbongjovi1869]

@@Gretchluver1 yes it is. and we are all trying to find the winning answer.

[@nealsausen4651]

BUDDY RICH did not use Matched grip by accident! Find the KZbin video of him playing “HAWAIAN WAR CHANT” With the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Buddy uses traditional grip on the intro and all the choruses (with the ensemble)…..and on the out chorus and Switches to match grip for the Solo section and back to traditional grip for the “Blazing” out chorus!…. Perfect lesson in the art of combining traditional grip with match grip within a musical piece!!!! A very young buddy rich it’s on KZbin it’s black-and-white video from a movie check out his solo with match grip and then he goes to traditional grip for the finale it’s a mind blower! Just watch the video track it down on KZbin and watch it

[@Gretchluver1]

@@jonbongjovi1869 There is no winning answer, apart from what works best for you and you alone. Otherwise, you're just pissing in the wind.

[@stevendrums1]

@@Gretchluver1 when I piss in the wind,… I use match grip 😊

[@MrCherryJuice]

I played matched grip for years but wanted a more rolling feel to my playing, like, say, Mitch Mitchell, Jon Hiseman and Danny Seraphine. These were all jazz-rooted players, though I was always a rock, pop and r&b player with no jazz chops. The first two originally played traditional though switched to matched for volume (no drum mics in those early days). I'm not sure about Danny's earliest days. Then I read where Neil Peart said he felt his left hand (using matched grip) was merely swinging at the floor and his snare got in the way. He noted that the slam down on the snare created a physical shock on his body, as did the pull up out of the stroke, because he was literally attempting to reverse his movement while his arm and body were in a downward motion. Like me, he sought a more rolling motion where the stick would strike the drum and continue into an upward arc, so there was no shock and shift of inertia. It's like playing a cymbal, where one plays across it in a circular motion, not directly into it (unless playing straight quarter notes). That circular motion is similar to bouncing the beater off the bass drum head. Not only does the stick or beater move back to playing position as part of the stroke movement, by getting it off the cymbal or head once the stroke is made the response is fuller due to reduced choking by the stick sinking into the head or cymbal for that split second before it is pulled off. Unfortunately for Mr. Peart, his realisation possibly came too late, as he suffered from physical issues - key to his reason to retire from RUSH - likely caused or exacerbated from all the hared and heavy downward motion of his playing.

[@palmiuga]

Quando dice "focusing", il fuoco della telecamera cambia. Incredibilis!

[@FrederickJohnSebastian]

Very interesting about Symmetry v Asymmetry, maestro. In regards to Matched grip, your hand is only over the stick if you use German grip. If you use the French variant, the majority of your hand is also underneath the stick? And IF you examine the wrist movements in French and even American it is not the waving motion but a hinge motion like you're casting a rod in fishing? In the case of traditional, I was always discouraged from approaching the stick from below; rather it was advised to approach the stick from the side with the stick perpendicular to the drum and the palm faced the side of the drum not upwards: as if you were ''shaking hands with the snare'. One held the stick in place with your thumb and you gently wrapped your fingers around the stick. The thumb was your fulcrum.

[@jimdrumsburton9925]

Yes! Matched grip is far superior and flexible! (Flexible - there are 3 basic variations; German, French, and American). There is NO technical reason to use traditional grip. The ONLY reason to play traditional grip is to honor the drumming tradition. Or, if you have so much invested in it, you don't want to change. But matched is worth the change. If you are new or just getting serious about hand technique, definitely go matched! Thank you for this video Mr. Lang!

[@joecoleman288]

At 9:35 he explains the reason I switched from match to traditional. I did adjust my kit angles to accommodate that grip. I'm much more comfortable now as a result. A side benefit, I had to pay more attention at first to how I'm playing, so it's made me a better drummer by changing my grip.

[@kman4310]

As a drummer who uses matched grip ,,,,thank you. It just makes sense.

[@salmonella4u]

Starting at 11:17 in this video. That is the reason why I play using the traditional "marching" grip! Because, with matched grip, both of your hands are NOT doing the exact same thing on the drum kit. Perhaps, on one drum, but not the kit as a whole. I always called it the "hammer hand" (right hand, for cymbal rhythms and accents are certain counts of notes ) and "nail hand" (left hand, for detailed notes including ghost notes, and accents pertaining to alternate counts of notes, as well as pops and rim shots). I feel like I can be much more versatile with the marching grip, compared to the matched grip. I also was taught the marching grip when I was little, but I was defiant. I refused to play that way, simply because I had an authority control complex. lol. I didn't want to be told what to do or how to do it. So it was matched grip, until I was in my 20's. I decided to go back and try the marching grip again. There are benefits to using the two different grips, depending on a situation. Performances that include a little more single or plain double strokes, where everything is the same and sounds that way too, evenly, respectively, are good for that and things like double crossovers. Things where you basically "mirror" both hands in all you're playing. With the marching grip, your techniques are more detailed and not so robotic. You noticed everything a little clearer and they punctuate in jazz, big band, show band type music. That's what sets someone apart from just merely blending in and not feeling backed by the drummer. The drummer shouldn't seem robotic and matched grip evenness, if it really was, for everything, and the drummer can shine through, back the band and not just accompany it or blend in the background too much with jumbled together playing that is barely distinguishable. I can go blazingly fast with either grip though. I have one kit set up just to use matched grip playing on, and another one for the marching grip style. The matched grip set is fun, but the other one is for more "serious" playing. One more thing: You can articulate with your fingers, once practiced for years, with the marching grip. You'd be surprised, how much less you have to move your hands around the kit and you can stay centered and focused. It's easier on my left fingers, wrist, and arm to do it that way. Just "pressing" with a matched grip, won't let you do everything you want to.

[@NerismaStudios]

I use both, which one I use is based on what I’m playing, but more often, what mood I’m in. Matched is more natural and easier to adapt to when first starting. Traditional just “looks” cool at this point

[@richardohenry354]

I love how you explain the difference between the grips ,I also love the way you sound with the strokes, i would love to be able to play like you.

[@laurab7302]

I love the holistic explanation! One which the Western mindset doesn't often consider.

[@nixneato]

This is such a nice video. Thomas is one of these people who are so advanced they know the journey is not over. How can you not love the guy's playing and personality.

[@thibodaux3424]

You can't argue with that! Lots of people say that for jazz and matched grip you can't really have a light touch for ghosted notes, etc. but I disagree. It's all a mental head space issue really. There are a couple of things like some stick on stick and brush ideas that traditional grip makes easier due to the angle but when it comes to sound or dynamics there's no difference other than it taking far longer to get your hands together with traditional grip.

[@le_bam7]

This video was very insightful and made points I didn’t even realize consciously about the traditional grip. Thanks for this!

[@mykimikimiky]

thank you for sharing your extensive knowledge and experience!!!!

[@philosophy5134]

I am curious. If traditional grip is so much better. Why aren't both sticks held in traditional grip ?

[@nelsonvanvickle8862]

I could listen to Mr. Lang all day. He is truly my biggest inspiration to “get better” and I’m a 53 year old who’s been hitting the skins since age 15. If I had 1/5th of Tom’s talent I’d be 110 percent better than I am now..

[@RandyHanley]

He's such a brilliant man.

[@michaeljuliano8839]

I will say there is a benefit to ghost notes with the traditional grip. I play both grips preferring matched for heavier rock-type music and traditional for jazz.

[@martincoronado9232]

Just very recently I try to study and learn to play the traditional grip. I play like most drummers with my left hand but I can do a reverse traditional grip where my right hand is playing on the high hat in traditional mode in my left hand in match grip. What I found difficult was trying to do the traditional grip on my left hand when you have three upper toms. I think I’ll stay now with the traditional grip

[@shimshimdrumma5459]

Very well explained Thomas, thank you . I watched this and really enjoyed your explanation of the differences and how it would ( makes perfect sense) affect your musical decisions. Bravo!

[@alexm9338]

What a comprehensive overview... Very informative. Thanks Thomas!

[@marksimpson2321]

Yes there are historical reasons for use of traditional grip but there are surely mechanical differences that enable different techniques to be done differently with the different grips.

[@RS-bs3mj]

Never knew the history of traditional grip! Thanks for sharing this knowledge! Cheers!

[@kevinabanto4315]

I play matched grip and I love it. Thank you so much Thomas for this great explanation, everything that you said makes sense. It’s a relief.

[@nikoshatzimichael984]

@MortalGamerDC1 85 tell this secret to Dave & Vinnie!

[@702ringo1]

I love this guy! My opinion here-he’s the premiere drummer of our age. I think he’s the best in the world-not to take anything away from all of the amazing drummers there are now both male & female-this man is an amazing teacher. 🥁

[@ninocatacutan2779]

I was not a big TL fan until I saw him live. It was a life changing experience

[@tortillasarenotbiceps7622]

He's one of the best, but there are guys like Vinnie, Virgil, Weckl, etc who are on par, most of whom use traditional. It's personal choice really.

[@ziggysanderson]

He is in the very top tier for sure, has an incredible power and technique.

[@jonbongjovi1869]

@@tortillasarenotbiceps7622 i prefer the BENNIE Grip, ha ha

[@treylh82]

This is all 100% true. It’s all about what you want to do as a player and how much you want to put into practice. For me, I was ready for a change from match grip in my early 20’s after playing quints in marching band, going to a trap set, for me, it felt better and had more feel to play traditional. It took me a good solid two years to feel comfortable with good technique to have a solid back beat with the left hand. Long story short, any drummer should start match gripped, and later developed traditional, but I can’t emphasize proper technique enough! No short cuts or fast tracks just bc you might think it looks “cool”. I literally tried just to push myself, and in my 40’s, I have all the power in my strokes and feel no handicaps in my playing, but again, is completely based on the preference and proper practice of the player. I’m nothing special, and I do push my traditional grip constantly, but at this point, it feels exactly the same way as my right hand. I’m not having to extra practice for my left vs my right, bc I’m doing all practice with equal leads. I would give all this praise to Virgil Donati from the power drumming approach where everything is equal lead i.e. every exercise is started with the right, and then done with the left lead.

[@treylh82]

I forgot to emphasize that the traditional grip oddly enough, felt natural for me, so I’m not advocating that traditional is the way to go. It’s literally about preference.

[@arsonne]

Best video on the subject. Traditional grip just makes no sense. People play it because their heroes do or because it looks cool, but when it comes down to it there's no real reason. I don't even buy the stuff jazz guys say about it's easier to play ghost notes. You put the same time it took to learn trad grip into your left hand ghost notes, you'd have an amazing light touch plus all the benefits of matched playing.

[@mellilore]

Jojo Mayer once said: "I play traditional because I feel my hands are different from each other and traditional grip perfectly suits and seconds that feeling". After 38 years of drumming starting out from traditional grip I can say I agree with him. BUT what Thomas says here is 100% true, at the point I teach matched grip to my young students.

[@RogerBiwandu]

Jojo plays more and more match grip now, so does Steve Gadd. The only one warrior left is Don Vincenzo Colaiuta, the GOAT. PS : well, Keith Carlock plays trad grip too.

[@thomgallagher1061]

Todd Sucherman plays traditional as well, sneaks in some match grip from time to time, but does not appear to suffer his playing whatsoever. I make use use of matched from time-to-time, mostly to accommodate sample-pads etc..

[@jtfdrums]

@@RogerBiwandu Steve Smith, Antonio Sanchez, and Stewart Copeland as well.

[@RogerBiwandu]

Thom Gallagher Good call on Todd.

[@RogerBiwandu]

Jon Fishman Except Stewart, who doesn't play that much, the other are really not what we could call heavy hitter.

[@gazzabel7040]

He’s absolutely right Ian paice said exactly the same thing however Dave weckl did say for jazz it just feels better using traditional grip of course because there’s no heavy backbeat in rock you need the weight of your hand to get that crack ...unless your Stewart Copeland of course who just plays a rimshot which incidentally is really hard and can be painful with traditional grip ...

[@MiguelLaos-r5d]

Magistral enseñanza y explicacion. Saludos desde Lima,Perú.

[@vincepizzolattovideoblogge7246]

Really fantastic information and it's really about what's happening now than in the past fantastic

[@patrickselden5747]

Thank you, Thomas, for this interesting and thought-provoking essay... ☝️😎

[@BFG]

Wow. That's some great analysis of the traditional grip.

[@Rhythmic1]

I don't use it very much. Only on the rare occasion when I'm playing standards or straight ahead jazz. It feels more natural in that environment. I feel like I have more control of my left hand for the type of snare work that style of music calls for. It's the way I was initially taught as well but when I moved into other types of music where you have to slam home the backbeat matched grip made much more sense. But even when I'm using it I'm still switching between the two grips.

[@SwappingIsSaving]

I wonder if, for right-handed people, this grip could actually result in a more even sound as it forces you to place more attention on your weaker hand, whereas with matched grip it's a lot easier to approximate what the right hand is doing and sort of get by.

[@Danalmagrodrumsnbass]

I struggled to develop force and speed using traditional grip and to this day it's still not that great. I do appreciate using it for push pull motions and Moeller. Other than that, match grip is just the way to go. Awesome explanation. 👍🏼

[@enginkazanci4727]

Whatever Thomas says is right is right. Period! He is the greatest ever, who could know better?

[@Biggensan]

Spot on!

[@gregjacksun]

Absolutely the best explanation.

[@drew-shourd]

Great video, Thomas, I am very curious what your thoughts are on drummers like Todd Sucherman, (drummer for the rock band STYX since about 1995) and he plays predominately traditional grip and KILLS it!...where most players that use traditional grip are jazz players.

[@garyblair3033]

Sina drums played matched until she took Jazz lessons. When I started school band, the snare drum. I tought it allowed more transitions.

[@rbtz07]

His favorite drummers all played Traditional Grip because of their 'asymmetrical" thinking. Also, just about all the breakthroughs in Modern Drumming came from Traditional Grip players. From Marching Snare Drum rudiments to the invention of the drumset itself almost a hundred yrs ago, also this is why play hand over hand on the drum because of the Traditional Grip. Swing beats and the backbeat was all invented by Traditional Grip players years ago. So here's my olive branch: the trad grip makes no sense in today's playing, but, lets not forget the asymmetrical thinking American drumners years ago gave us this wonderful template called Modern Drumming. Use the Trad grip or not, but there is no doubt in my mind it's history was pure genius.

[@toddneilmacintyre]

Excellent explanation! I’ve tried to play traditional grip at times but it really feels unnatural for me. Besides, it’s way easier to switch between fingers, push pull and wrists. American grip for me. \m/

[@cm-jz8qr]

Traditional grip is great for brushes ( sweeps etc)