Buddy Rich Left Hand Study Part Two

Buddy Rich had a certain grip that was perfect. If you look closely at some pictures and zoom in on the nuances, then try it yourself.....you'll begin to get an idea of what the stick starts to do by itself.

[@henryzelman33]

Very helpful video. Presented in an easy to follow demonstration.

[@mrjohnstgeorge]

Have fun. Great way to get a musical tap dance on the snare.

[@jemmace2586]

I've recently started playing traditional grip (about a year ago) I've started using my thumb as the main fulcrum and found that my third finger does get in the way , I really am at a early stage of the grip and being comfortable with it I am taking all the correct pointers and seeing some really, really good analysis videos on the traditional grip, yours is right up there I've got to say, thank you for taking the time to video your experience and I think your technique is a very good example of how-to, I'll keep on keeping on, thanks again, from the UK, oh and subbed!! 🙏

[@dylangatenby9928]

By the way, Freddie Grubber is an excellent teacher!! Glad to see you incorporate his ideas into your videos and drumming

[@mrjohnstgeorge]

Yes, I really like his: 'stay out of the way' approach. Let the stick finish and let it breath with that amazing motion. You only get that with a traditional grip. Thanks...

[@dylangatenby9928]

@@mrjohnstgeorge Yes it’s true. Not everyone is able to be a drummer, not everyone a guitarist or not everyone a pianist or bassist or trumpeter or saxophone players and so on and so on etc. It takes a certain gifting and talent to lean drums as well as the other instruments mentioned. Freddie Gruber understood the drums where others who couldn’t play the drums or understand techniques. Buddy was the same way. All drummers speak the same basic language but may have more knowledge than others. Some may be beginners some intermediate and some advanced. It just is the way it is. Freddie was a superb teacher and I really enjoy all of his approaches to the drums.

[@dylangatenby9928]

@@mrjohnstgeorge Yes it’s true. Not everyone is able to be a drummer, not everyone a guitarist or not everyone a pianist or bassist or trumpeter or saxophone players and so on and so on etc. It takes a certain gifting and talent to lean drums as well as the other instruments mentioned. Freddie Gruber understood the drums where others who couldn’t play the drums or understand techniques. Buddy was the same way. All drummers speak the same basic language but may have more knowledge than others. Some may be beginners some intermediate and some advanced. It just is the way it is. Freddie was a superb teacher and I really enjoy all of his approaches to the drums.

[@mrjohnstgeorge]

@@dylangatenby9928 My first feeling behind the drums was to compliment the music. Maybe one cymbal tap would do it. Maybe a big bomb before the accent would do it. Maybe a straight shuffle with no accents would help feature the soloist. DRUMMERS SHOULD SERVE THE PLAYERS. Listen to what's going on around you and serve it.

[@jeanmichelrene]

Very liked your video. Lot's of practice on the way for me :)

[@kwgm8578]

Years ago I was a hot drummer. No more, as I went back to the piano and now I've gotten old. But, I once had a great drum teacher who taught me a few finger and wrist exercises that helped me achieve a decent, never great, left-handed buzz roll. You are on your way, so let me share these two ideas that who knows, may help. First, the grip between thumb and first finger is important. I exercised bouncing the left stick on the pad without the use of fingers. This exercise insists that you snap the wrist at a right angle to the pad, a skill that you've discovered on your own. The proper angle of the downward stoke is a key to getting a consistent bounce. The movement of your thumb, from its base toward the first or forefinger is called adduction. The fat, fleshy area of the hand between the thumb and first finger is the location of the muscles that control adduction. You can feel this group of muscles contract if you hold this area of your left hand, with your right thumb and forefinger, an then open and close the left thumb like you're gripping a drumstick. The idea of the no-finger bounce is to strengthen these muscles. Use a heavy stick, like a 5b parade stick. Grip it tightly between thumb and forefinger, and snap the wrist downward at a right angle to the pad, relaxing the wrist a little to allow the stick bounce. Repeat. If you snap the wrist too hard, the stick will get away from you, so start slowly and without using too much wrist power at first. As your thumb adduction strength develops, you can use more force, but always keep the stick under control between thumb and forefinger. The exercise works the muscles involved in thumb adduction, and the wrist snap-twitch motion. Have you ever watched an Olympic sprinter practice starts. This develops what the sports medicine guys call the "fast twitch" reflex. Drummers with blazing speed and finely developed stick control also need to work their fast twitch reflexes. Ok, the next exercise is also a fundamental hand builder. This time you, you can use both hands in the standard grip, with all the fingers. Again, start slowly. The idea here is to do a slow alternating 8th note roll. One-and two-and, etc. Use a light downward stroke and snap the wrist upward, quickly but in a controlled manner. Don't let the stick bounce. Down, then snap up approximately 45° of stick movement. It is OK to grip the stick a little tighter at first, eventually you want to work on a relaxed manner of playing, developing only the upward wrist snap, and add speed slowly, but always under control. This exercise builds the upward wrist strength and twitch reflex. That's it. Try them for no more than ten minutes a day. These exercises build strength and control over time. You will not notice any great changes in your playing during the first few weeks. But give them a chance to work their magic over a year, and you'll notice many changes in stamina, control, and precision in your playing. Best wishes and thank you.

[@mrjohnstgeorge]

Wow! What detailed thinking. This will take time for me to give credible application. Thank you. Hey. Make a video on your approach! Be well.

[@kwgm8578]

@@mrjohnstgeorge Hi there. I hope it helps. Take your time. It's been over 50 years since I've played drums, so I won't be making any videos, but if I have any more memories that will apply, I'll share them. I don't know why the famous KZbin algorithm served up your video to me, other than I watched an old movie with my wife last week titled "The Gene Krupa Story." His solo on Benny Goodman's Sing Sing Sing is out of this world. Maybe it remembered that I once watched a few of the Buddy Rich appearances on the Carson show? But that was years ago. Hey, have you seen Buddy's "Playing the House" solo with the Muppets? Wow! Live in beauty, friend.

[@rickysamuel6279]

Does the weight of stick could affect single-stroke one-handed roll? which stick do you recommend for jazz drumming, I need your opinion. Thanks

[@mrjohnstgeorge]

Hello Ricky. I like the Vic Firth Buddy Rich stick. It has weight at the back (for power) then tapers thin to the tip (for jazz technique) Try a pair. Thank you for your vote of confidence!

[@rickysamuel6279]

@@mrjohnstgeorge You're welcome, I love jazz, for now I'm using Promark Rebound 7A FireGrain Hickory

[@allenlumeyer2428]

Vic Firth AJ5. Great balance, length, and girth for me.

[@nealsausen4651]

I studied this left hand technique with FRED GRUBER for many years. He called it the “contrary motion” as the top two fingers move away from the grip. The bottom, two fingers move towards it and vice versa, but there is a secret that I’ve never hear people talk about and that’s the weight distribution of the stick.

[@mrjohnstgeorge]

Buddy showed a fellow vy the name of Ken Loomer a technique. Hold the stck more towards rhe middle. That balance area seems to help.

[@nealsausen4651]

@@mrjohnstgeorge : yes, I know! Freddy should be this country motion technique back in 1981. It took me quite a while to get it! What I’m talking about, is the balance or weight factor what I’m talking about Has to do with the seesaw affect of a stick in the hand in the left-hand traditional grip.

[@lorisf3882]

Hi John - do you use this out/in technique for double strokes ? Cheers

[@mrjohnstgeorge]

Hello Loris. I used the out/in for slower double strokes that are 'slower' where I don't lost control of the stick. Again, keeping the stick BEHIND the ring finger knuckle is the key to control. Once I pick up speed on a double, I ease up on the grip and let the stick fly on it's own. If you try to 'bounce' a double stroke at a slower speed with your hand free and open, you could lose the stick as well as your timing. GRIP THAT PUPPY at slower speeds! Thanks for checking the video. All the best and let me know how you do..

[@stevendrums1]

Very helpful!! I’m a match grip player, But trying to learn traditional with not much success . Are you in Miami? I noticed the UM logo. Do you teach? Thanks

[@mrjohnstgeorge]

Give it time. You need to train the muscles in your hand. Just tap along with some shuffle music. Not too fast. Let your hand breath. In and out. In and out. Every day. 29 minutes. Check back with me in a month. (My daughter went to UM ) I don't teach because I'm not that good really.

[@stevendrums1]

@@mrjohnstgeorge you are very kind , and I sincerely appreciate your advice. I play six nights a week in the Florida keys,and don’t have the inspiration I did when I was younger. I’ll try to discipline myself to try this. And again, thank you sincerely!

[@ladyshiva69]

dont need it you dont use it .i never bothered

[@darkresc]

@@mrjohnstgeorge I think you are awesome and an even better teacher! You are great at explaining Buddy's left hand. Thank you very much for the awesome video!

[@mrjohnstgeorge]

@@darkresc Thank you. I hope the information makes upur playing more enjoyable. Feeling that stick dance along with your thoughts is something you only get with a traditional grip. Let me know how upu do.

[@Alex-gx5vs]

Это сколько надо иметь свободного времени что бы этим заниматься . А работать кто будет . Дороги строит кто . Коров доит кто Дома возводит кто .???? Барабанщики 😂😂😂😂 Всем барабанщикам по лому и на рудники