Buddy Rich on why he doesn't use match grip

Taken from the 1977 documentary series "All You Need is Love" charting the history of popular music.

[@gcharocks]

This is basically him just saying,"traditional grip is right because that's what I use and I'm buddy rich."

[@gcharocks]

Yeah. There are plenty of great solos by drummers who use matched grip.

[@petervannunen9380]

I am playing the drums for 35 years now. Traditional grip is the way for me. Sure, you can do great solos with matched grip, not going to argue with that. But, like the man says, traditional gives you more flexibility, especially with drum rolls. But let's not split hairs and enjoy this video :).

[@woodsprout]

I just watched a video of him in the 60's doing a solo in matched grip.

[@ochocabra4858]

yeah, not like his. and not even the one here, which is very subdued for him, actually

[@camerontetz2011]

Yeah, he's even got that mad angle on his snare to accommodate for traditional grip (which only exists because of the slant slings gave marching snares), which makes it impossible for him to use match. They're actually completely equal, they strike the drum identically. That's why these modern drum corps are able to use it, despite a demand for extreme precision with every stroke (something jazz doesn't necessarily demand).

[@antibulletdodger101]

If traditional grip is so good, how come he´s dead?

[@PJBonoVox]

This killed me 😂

[@kinbeatss]

Phil Underhill it killed him too

[@kenneth5748]

😂 lmao

[@wieski5754]

💀💀💀

[@danielkuhn4360]

Best comment by far

[@jim2lane]

Traditional grip is a necessity if you have the snare angled down, away from you as most jazz drummers have always done. That tradition was inherited from marching drums where you braced the drum against your leg as you walked. Most modern rock drummers have compensated for this by simply tilting the snare back towards them which makes the more comfortable matched grip just as easy to employ 😊

[@boobtubenoob7061]

I play matched grip and have my snare angled away from me. But I play grind core and black metal. The angle helps with rebound for blast beats.

[@ErickC]

@@boobtubenoob7061 : that's an interesting take on it. Do you have it sit a little lower to compensate?

[@ApartmentKing66]

Thanks for explaining without being a disrespectful asshole like the rest of the turds on this comment board.

[@boobtubenoob7061]

@@ErickC no actually! I used to sit pretty low as I felt it allowed me to get more power out of the bass drum and I’d have my snare flat, but as I’ve moved towards faster playing I’ve raised my seat so my knees are very slightly lower than my hips and angled the snare away, it also gives more volume in the snare cos I get near enough a rim shot automatically with every hit.

[@boobtubenoob7061]

And I haven’t lost much, if any power in the kick tbh.

[@leokimvideo]

Scary part is even played at half speed his drumming is stupid fast

[@namachef]

I find you on the weirdest videos dude

[@mkeuphoria]

With perfect separation between notes

[@ciabound]

Uhm billy Cobham? And billy had the better posture then buddy

[@mikereiss4216]

@@ciabound Billy was very good but nobody was a match for Buddy not even Neil or Carl. Not Bonzo or Keith either.

[@joeyferazzoli8151]

@@mikereiss4216 bruh billy smashes every single drummer you listed

[@kanyesrobloxaccount3933]

Even the way he said "shit" matched the tempo.

[@marilyncatalano6478]

You caught that too. Wasn't it cool!!! I love Buddy.

[@TwoTwoFourSix]

Gražvydas Dimbelis you clearly weren’t following

[@jimfritz9503]

I can t do a lot of what Buddy can do BUT I can say shi* as good or BETTER than he can . Thank you Buddy !!

[@noellalexander9527]

I was saying shit as a kid by the time I put in my Gladwell 10 thousand hours I had moved on to "Fuck Balls". Good to see Buddy remembered the basics.

[@Jmilillo]

He literally kept the “shit” within the triplet feel 😂

[@Granadan]

"aggh, SHIT" - Buddy Rich

[@lupahole]

"lets go outside and i'll show you what its like" :P

[@corysstupidiphone]

i enjoyed it too

[@TotoTom567]

Love how he says it in time.

[@PierreGarrabrant]

Carl Palmer The Sheriff intro

[@Jarl_Thidrandi]

Way back in the day, when I was in 8th grade, first year playing jazz. We were doing the annual jazz festival at our school for all of west washington. I had the solo after the break in night in tunisia. It was my first year playing jazz so my director Matt Armstrong, one of the best music teachers in the world, had me transcribe a solo from north texas jazz band. I worked at it for months til it was as perfect as an 8th grader could get it. So here we are, day of the gig, were up there playing and my hearts goin 200 mph, we get to the part right before the break where theres that unison descending triads part, and I'm fumbling around with the mic trying to find the on switch, not realizing the sound guys had control over that. The break happens and I freeze. Dead air and I went " awww SHIT" right into the mic, which unbeknownst to me, was on. As embarrassing as it was, I never screwed up a solo after that again, and I realized that was probably the worst thing I'd ever do onstage. To this day, if I get butterflies before performing I think of that and laugh and it calms me right down.

[@buttguy]

Buddy is one of the greats, and I've never learned to play trad grip so I can't speak on the advantages and disadvantages with experience, but what I do love is how his example of the dumb shit these match grip kids do nowadays is a slow roll from snare to rack to floor tom. And then the next clip is him being comparatively "creative" which consists of him doing, basically, the exact same thing but faster.

[@nelsonvanvickle8862]

He’s also applying Moeller method flange techniques to make the rolls faster too. Sort of a “conservation of energy” type thing…

[@BlackAndWhiteBand]

@buttguy I SAID THE SAME THING TO MYSELF NOT 2 MINUTES AGO!!! Look, as a drummer I've always respected Buddy Rich, if not for just his playing, but also for being a "celebrity drummer" in an era where all the glory went to the singers or bandleaders of Big Band acts. That said I'm a rock guy and when I heard him say "musicians who cant play the drums form rock bands" (or words to that affect) it pissed me off. Not because it revealed some inner truth that I couldn't face, but rather because he's knocking an artform he clearly knows nothing about. He's also revealing his own insecurities and limitations as a drummer. because let's face it - if Frank Sinatra presented him with a song like The Beatles "Something" and asked him to come up with a rhythm, do you honestly think he'd come up with a part as simple yet effective like Ringo Starr did? Or could he do a 2-hour show with the intensity of John Bonham? No. So if HE doesn't want to be compared to others, he himself shouldn't compare what other drummers did to what he did. The man was a dick. Good drummer though.... 😎😎

[@joeyferazzoli8151]

Don't forget the unclean power triplets hahahahha

[@CFChristian]

Hahahahaha you're right.

[@grammarpolice7339]

tbh i know both traditional and match cus i was center snare for my drum line and play drum set. all i can really say is it was invented because of how snare drums when marched used to be tilted. there’s no advantage other than personally i feel ghost notes are slightly easier

[@sydhamelin1265]

When I was young, I asked my drum teacher if I should learn traditional grip. He asked "are you planning on playing in a marching band, with your snare at your side?" I said no... and he said "then there's no point learning traditional." I still think he's right.

[@Nmdixon-cu7vm]

I’m glad you understand this. I’ve had countless arguments about the same thing with die hard traditional grip players.

[@eliasjakewallace2239]

My favorite one is Thomas Lang saying basically that "I started learning traditional, because I had played matched grip my whole life and I wanted a challenge." Or something like that.

[@creeperkiller9795]

@@Nmdixon-cu7vm it’s a matter of personal preference for me, I play both matched and traditional on drumset and I think they both have their perks!

[@mc76]

And that's why George Bernard Shaw said, "He who can, does. He who can't, teaches." I think I will go with Buddy on this one.

[@sydhamelin1265]

​@@mc76 That quote is nonsense, as it implies no one who is successful would also teach. In music, that isn't the case. I've had two drum teachers, and both didn't teach for the money, but because they loved teaching. They both made plenty of money in the industry playing in well known bands. And, just because you excel at something, doesn't necessarily mean you'll teach it well. Buddy Rich is self-evidently a top tier drummer, but his ergonomics are damaging. If you prefer traditional grip, you don't need Buddy Rich to back you, but his comments about not having the room with matched grip are nonsense.

[@schnozz87]

Hi Buddy, I think the problem is the angle of your snare drum, it would be very tricky to play match grip like that. Try angling it a bit flatter and try again. Hope you post another video showing your progress. Not heard of this guy but he seems pretty talented, I hope his career takes off soon! All the best Nelson

[@Kayametra]

tututuims ieijebdo wooooossshhhh

[@j_freed]

tututuims ieijebdo - Film cinematography has also been dead for years.

[@TSTatum]

That is funny, I would say you have been around for a long time

[@rolllimbo973]

Nelson Sweatyballs I cringed so hard reading this

[@Jez2008UK]

@@vandanasharma9997 I believe he died in 1987 - I remember where I was when I heard the news.

[@jorgecobelo]

I'm so sorry for him never founding the snare stand's wingnut.

[@flops0317]

Ikr

[@gregvinson1]

Very underrated post. Forty eight likes is way too low

[@reto_englert]

This needs more likes

[@bassshred37]

hahaha good one

[@oskariniemi6535]

LMAO

[@aragusea]

Well that clears that up.

[@javlohudzlin4829]

Thanks for the laugh!

[@chrisruiz4729]

Probably one of my favorite solos of his because it’s not solely based on the snare drum for once

[@joeprunera919]

I was thinking the same thing. Nearly every other solo I've heard from him is just him riding the snare

[@Democracy_Manifest]

Buddy Rich is correct. When I go fishing I always use traditional grip on the rod. It just feels more natural. Kids these days know nothing. *Snorts a tablespoon of plant food*

[@littycarboi3048]

@@musopaul5407 Dude same! Did we have the same one?

[@Evildandalo]

The trick is to always keep the fish on a fulcrum

[@A_Final_Hit]

🤣🤣🤣

[@joesutherland2017]

Wasn't expecting the plant food punchline. Neither was my keyboard, nor the floor next to my desk, which is where most of the coffee that came out of my mouth and nose ended up upon reading your comment. Chapeau, good sir.

[@drummingdanny84]

(Guffaws)

[@born2grooveu]

the coke was great back then

[@bonhzeppelin9882]

Yes it was! PURE Cane Sugar instead of High Fructose Corn Syrup! ;-)

[@bmillerdrums]

LMAO

[@garyteves4077]

BASS MARINO believe it or not, BR was straight edge, and kind of a health nut.

[@radicallybean]

BASS MARINO indeed

[@sticktrik]

Gary Teves Bullshit!!! he loved his pot and was a pot head!!!! 100% true!!

[@buisyman]

this is one of the drummers that Neil Peart idolized. Neil used both the traditional grip and the matched grip, depending on what he was doing. I've seen him switch back and forth multiple times in one song.

[@beaudure01]

Neil started using some matched grip later in his career as a way of reinventing himself. There's a good video on KZbin in which he talks a bout it -- search "neil peart matched grip"

[@hilarious5804]

Same with me.

[@brianmcguire5175]

I love this guy and the right way to remember him is with a pinch of salt. He was stubborn in thought but valuable in lesson. Everyday we meet bull headed people but their value on us is our ability to extract the bigger lesson for us. Buddy gave a foolish critique against the matched "timpani" technique when he forgot to mention that his snare was positioned slanted precisely because of his preference for a left handed traditional grip and that if any matched grip player would adjust their own set according to their own technique. He also remarkably doesn't even consider any other drummers choice or free will when it comes to their way of expressing themselves on a rather confirmative and over formulated instrument. For example of match grip suited you physically then that's all the reason in the world to use this method. I mean it's you on the set, if you were to conform to another's model you'd lose your own significance in another's ideal for the instrument. I mean why play at all if you were only to practice what others expected of you irrespective of your own preferences and feelings on the matter. Your journey, your will. Learn from the community but play it your way in the end. Look at what has since transpired in the drum community. Today some of the most celebrated drummers are heavy metal ones. Exactly the kind Buddy rich would have despised but this proves him wrong. He forgot the ears of the listener. We want all of it. Straight, swung, standard , odd, heavy light etc. All of which are valid musical devices any musician can willfully express without concern for rule of thought. Music born from self expression first, kept alive by study and adherence second

[@danielafonseca1873]

i ain’t reading all that🤣

[@brianmcguire5175]

@@danielafonseca1873 listen bro, honestly I'm ok with that but I have to respond to you though by mentioning: never have I EVER, I repeat, EVER felt the need to share a lack of want to read any comment in any thread because it was too long or lengthy as such. Any response I've ever shared was directly corresponding to the topic or theme at hand. Never have I felt motivated to imply criticism of length of speech or opinion from others as of that were a considerate or legitimate response to the over arching topic on focus. Top often I've received such disregard. Fine if you don't want to read it but I disagree with the need from anyone to dislike my attempts at conversation just because it's lengthy. Judge merit and not superficial. Mind you, I'm not against you, more so the people who like what you said, they just following you me thinks

[@sambarnett2410]

Yapfest

[@brianmcguire5175]

@@sambarnett2410 ah sure, it's the internet. Why not. Whose gonna stop me

[@brianmcguire5175]

@@sambarnett2410 one last response, but I did like your comment just so you know(the like was from me), read much? My essay is for whom it may concern. The comment section space allows it. Your comment is for whom though? Me? Don't think so. You address nothing from my comment. For passing lay persons to join in mocking long texts? I think this is the case but I wouldn't be proud of gaining a few passive likes from a few passer by folk let's say in a month's time looking back. I am proud though to read and revisit lengthy speeches I've made that later on found traction when finally considered by more serious viewers. My comments of older have shown my like ratio and positive responses count go up considerably. This essay is still too new for that but my history has given me confidence to stand firm and contribute to the forums. We both will see whose comment has more likes in a few months. Your first like is from me btw

[@drip7547]

Buddy rich:" modern drummers only go brrrrr" Buddy rich: does the exact same

[@apothecurio]

“That’s the extent of their imagination” *proceeds to do nothing but play super fast and just hit in different places* (the follow string of shit you will see in this comment section is some of the most fun I have ever had in the cesspool that is KZbin comments)

[@testudinebobby8532]

Apothe Curio LMAO nice job summing up drumming in a sentence mate. “Just hit in different places”. Yeah, thats called drumming buddy. Nice job trying to bash him with your straight up horse-shit though.

[@testudinebobby8532]

Apothe Curio LOL that solo was fucking sick. Not even an actual solo of his anyways, but if youre gonna tell me that that solo sucked then youre just full of shit

[@testudinebobby8532]

Apothe Curio Imagine calling fucking buddy rich an “uncreative drummer”. Even if youre just saying that this one solo was “uncreative”, then your whole argument is pointless anyways.

[@testudinebobby8532]

Apothe Curio ok

[@georgebaggy]

Why is traditional grip better? Here watch me demonstrate how hard it is to play around a kit with matched grip, ignoring the fact that my kit is ergonomically set up for traditional.

[@treatb09]

most of the people here aren't drummers... or are just people that sit down, play a beat and think they are drummers. real drummers are living a life within rhythm and beat. it doesn't stop when they leave the throne. however, no one here seems to recognize that the old hardware on those sets were junk... he developed his style, n every drummer produces their set up to be within their own abilities and demands. buddy rich demanded the most style and speed. functional style, not just flash and glam... so obviously his drumset is set up to his style and needs. he didn't have a rack system... most of the old mounts were one position and that was it. no ball joints... they were extremely limiting, so you developed around that to get the most out of it that you could.

[@badeugenecops4741]

@@treatb09Good point. I hugged a bee once...

[@colevollrath6705]

@@treatb09 when referring to the older kits, are you talking about drum hardware when buddy rich first started playing drums, or the state of drum hardware in 1977 when this was recorded?

[@treatb09]

@@colevollrath6705 until about the mid 80's hardware wasn't really capable of handling aggression. the expertise buddy has isn't just speed, but he won't hit a cymbal hard enough that the stand collapses. aggressive drummers will break their stands because they can't slow dow in the moment right before hitting the cymbal. speed isn't everything.

[@treatb09]

@KZbin Türkiye Müdür real musicians don't measure themselves by how someone else is/was. sure we develop speed, but its not to be buddy rich.... i'm not sitting in front of a crowd demonstrating his technique to say, " hey guys, i'm like buddy rich..." i wrote my own style and developed it since i was a natural drummer. basically a prodigy, but i quit drums 14 years ago. played guitar for 12, and wanted to play drums again. i still can play things more complicated than most people could ever learn, and its natural to me. what does that matter though? its just that i don't have that stamina to be able to skate 8 hours a day, play drums 6 hours straight anymore... i do have some of the best drums ever made though, and i have learned a certain care that i replaced with technicality when i was younger.

[@tonyneville476]

I played using concert grip from 1964 until 1980. In 1980 and still today I play using match grip. I changed the position of my drums to accommodate match grip and then taught my left hand everything my right hand knows and it changed everything for me. I also began playing double bass drum in 1980 and still do today. However when I first began playing drums in 1964 I learned many of Buddy Rich’s drumming techniques using concert grip and apply his drumming techniques today using match grip. But when I play with brushes I resort back to concert grip and when I’m playing in high energy rock band (yes, today .. currently) and need to do a press roll I use concert grip because that’s the grip I learned to use especially for those techniques. Happy Holidays and Blessings to All!!

[@bertofletch]

Concert

[@steveboltonPG]

I was lucky enough to have been taken to see this man by my father - more than once. But this 'matched grip' thing just isn't an argument.

[@mcintosh1719]

"Those damn teens with their matched grips and their pants all hangin down need to get off my damn lawn!"

[@drummeralbertrivera9577]

Ok boomer

[@greatbyrondo]

@@drummeralbertrivera9577 ....Of course he's a boomer...cause he plays the drums....Ha, Ha, Ha.....Get it..????

[@drummeralbertrivera9577]

greatbyrondo Yup!

[@mattiemclean9882]

Hahaha

[@bambubi1]

Once I started playing a drum set I stopped playing Trad grip. I read an article but I think it was Terry Bozzio interview and he talked about trying to play the tom-toms that were on his left that he couldn't actually hit playing traditional grip. Matched grip opens up the drum set if you have a lot of drums.

[@Draenix572]

>Bashes drummers who like matched grip because "durr they just like to play fast and loud" >Does the exact same with traditional grip immediately after okay Buddy

[@anthonylangston23]

Lmao buddy

[@andrewr4792]

No other drummer in the history of music can play like him, and it’s not even close.

[@BulletproofFaces]

And hits quite a few unintentional rim shots during that cacophany. 🙄

[@8man943]

@@andrewr4792 sorry dude but guys like tony williams, vinnie colaiuta, marco minneman could easily beat this guys ass.

[@BigWill2k]

i may get flamed for this because he plays brilliant big band music but to me every buddy rich solo sounds the same

[@garylagstrom3864]

GOD BROKE THE MOLD WHEN HE MADE BUDDY: THE HAND SPEED AROUND THE DRUMKIT IS SECOND TO NONE!!! RIP BUDDY ❤

[@David-ei5lq]

I think Neal Peart destroyed Buddy’s argument as he tried both grips. Also I think that the grip with which you started and how your kit is setup has something to do with it as well.

[@KevinLee-ri9ko]

No, he really didn't. You see Buddy was my Uncle... So I do have a unique view to this one. As a kid I would watch Buddy play at home for between 3 - 7 hours straight every time I visited. He shared some of his immense insight on the subject with me. He was incredible. Later in life I became a Stagehand in Las Vegas. I worked with the hottest acts in the industry... Including Rush. Neil had a VERY LARGE drum kit, practically a drum for every tone. Neil couldn't come close to what Buddy did on a small Swinger land kit. And this is what they never understood about Buddy, he PURPOSELY worked a small kit and relied on hitting the drum in a particular spot to produce the desired tone. Less real estate means faster speed, and a traditional grip allows a faster trip around the kit.

[@David-ei5lq]

@@KevinLee-ri9ko Thnks for your reply. I agree that nobody could work a small kit like Buddy. That is about the only size that would fit in a small jazz club. IMHO, in the end, it all comes down to opinion and we all have them.

[@papisnaz9055]

@@KevinLee-ri9ko I would disagree. If you watch The tribute concert that Neil did, "Burning for Buddy", you'd see that Neil was just as talented on a small kit than he was on a big one. Neil worked with a big kit because he had a love for sound and (with the toms in particular) didn't want to be limited by the pitch of just 2-3 toms. If you look at the kit that Neil used in Fly By Night, he had a much smaller kit than his infamous Time Machine. I think what David was more pointing to was that match grip isn't inherently "wrong", it's just what you're playing. Look how far Buddy's snare is in this clip. It almost requires a traditional grip. If you watch "Cotton Tail" from "Burning For Buddy", you can see that rolls are just as doable in both grips. In either case, Buddy was extremely talented and the best at what he did, but immensely stuck in his ways.

[@davincimotorworksinc6710]

@@papisnaz9055 Don’t forget Krupa who was an even more creative drummer then Buddy.

[@KevinLee-ri9ko]

@@davincimotorworksinc6710 Yes, while a definite rival of Buddy's, and while they had a mutual dislike of each other ,Gene was indeed one that Buddy respected.

[@stevieross1402]

The only correct grip is the one you feel most comfortable using......imho.

[@harveykeitel3066]

Wiser InTime gotta be a jerk to get tha chicks

[@jonatha_nbarron]

Stevie Ross the only correct answer.

[@nicodrumsheaven]

totalmente !!!!

[@RedVynil]

True, it's just that it's hard to reach around the drums with cross.

[@jameshersheysr7194]

I agree with you on that issue,whatever way you feel most comfortable with.

[@njbebop]

My personal percussion teacher, Tony DeNicola, played with the Harry James Orchestra for 20 years (he was in a Jerry Lewis movie with the band LoL). He was close friends with Buddy, and he never pulled me away from matched grip. Hell, he's the one who introduced me to the reason for conventional grip and the snare hanging from the side. Just play how you're comfortable. If you get the sound you need, that's all that matters.

[@joesantamaria5874]

John Hurley Tony was my teacher, too. Great guy. I studied with him at Trenton State for months before I saw him in the gig. For weeks after, I was afraid to play in front of him. Scary dude.

[@user-py5eo6fj5f]

*rim slip* "Ahhhh shit" - literally just highlights how unbelievably clean every single other hit is after this point

[@blkrbbt]

Even his "Ah,shit!" Was on beat

[@hilarious5804]

Ha!

[@jamieseiple]

I met Buddy in Minneapolis at a concert and was a devoted fan. He was the greatest...however, he was WRONG on the matched grip vs. the traditional grip. The traditional grip developed from marching with a drum and tipping the snare so it wouldn't bang against your leg and forced you to hold the left hand through the fingers to hit the drum easier. A matched grip can get around the left or right side faster and easier than an un-natural traditional grip. Buddy simply played that way all his life and could have done it just as well or better if he started with matched.

[@ExileNJ]

+jamieseiple You're absolutely right.

[@sallyyendlenson909]

I agree with you jamieseiple. When I started watching this video, although Buddy Rich is my drum god, I disagree with his assertion that all you can do is, essentially 32nd note rolls around the drums, with matched grip

[@sallyyendlenson909]

I don't see why you can't play with the same dynamics and expression with match grip, that he does with traditional grip

[@sallyyendlenson909]

Matched grip dynamics and expression just requires fine finger control, just like traditional grip does

[@kickthebabylmo]

+jamieseiple Even though how good he was, and even I think trad grip has it's uses, his statements here are just bs. Apart from his incredible skills he was known for his huge ego and being a dick.

[@digitaldeathsquid3448]

The irony about that statement, as myself and my drum teacher were discussing, is that actually playing traditional grip initially limits what you can do, as opposed to match grip. I suspect Buddy just had his snare drum too close for a match grip roll to work effectively. However, Buddy was growing up in a world where the drumkit was being invented, and loads of people went from drumline to drumkit, hence why practically everyone up until the British Invasion used traditional grip

[@robertoricci3393]

+x1StapleGun Traditional grip isn't even for drummers, as you know it is used in marching bands. Matched grip is more versatile, even percussionists prefer it to the traditional one, and more natural, just give a pair of sticks to a little kid.

[@digitaldeathsquid3448]

Roberto Ricci yeah. However, I don't know why, but using traditional grip better suits using brushes and/or playing Motown

[@donw9858]

Traditional grip suits certain styles. I've heard jazz played with matched and there's something about it, the snare dynamics aren't right. A good drummer personally would learn to use both because they can both be damn useful at points

[@digitaldeathsquid3448]

Don Williamson Yeah, that works. And like I said, I play traditional when playing motown

[@fuzzylogiceire]

+Roberto Ricci It's good for jazz in that the angle in traditional grip, you can have the tip very close to the surface of the snare. It makes it good for those light dynamics on the snare in jazz. You can learn to do this with matched grip but its probably naturally easier to be able to get those dynamics with traditional grip.

[@jaym4697]

1:20 shows the human side of Rich where his anger allows him to correct errors and push for greater precision in movements

[@markzak756]

Incredible talent. Masterful knowledge.

[@CipherSerpico]

He bashed kids for not having “creativity”, and said the same thing about other genres of music, yet his entire set consisted of jazz standards and covers.

[@TronciM]

I don't really understand why people cream themselves over buddy rich. He just did fast rolls.

[@MegaChorro123]

Chris Serpicø I agree

[@waterfordrs22]

If I find myself craving a drum solo, I might click one of his on KZbin, maybe. The title of this video caught me. There are far more musical and interesting jazz drummers out there. What was Rich’s legacy in terms of landmark recordings? He loved to rag on counter music in its day as being for simpletons, but he was pretty meat & potatoes as a drummer. He was more of a performer than a man who participated in ensembles. He fit well in Carson as an entertainer.

[@GeotuneOfficial]

@@TronciM Mostly it just stems from him being the pioneer or godfather of jazz drumming as it is today. There defiantly is and was many much better drummers but he kinda originated a lot of techniques and inspired many

[@el34glo59]

He wss an asshole. Sure he wss the best. Hands down. But he was stuck in a narrow minded my way or the highway warp.

[@hussendeniro796]

Buddy rich : *talks about creativity* Also Buddy rich: *literally plays the exact fills and notes in each and every solo he does*

[@ashmonkey2572]

i haven't seen and heard much of buddy rich, but so far i totally agree. i'm not impressed with his playing at all.

[@tObito687]

@@ashmonkey2572 listen to Tony Williams, i'd say he's better than buddy and only didn't get as big because of his skin color

[@Meme-zc4cw]

He is obviously a technical master but I prefer a solo by Krupa or Morello. More musical and more pleasing to the ear.

[@chatscindy6602]

Most drummers only have a handful of licks ( Gadd probably has even fewer ; just wait to hear that ba, do, boom lick and you won't have to wait very long) but they just apply them in a few different ways.

[@ashmonkey2572]

@@tObito687 i think that's a fair statement.

[@michaelvaladez6570]

A excellent drummer in his own right! May he RIP.One drummet that he favored was Carl Palmer, it was said he had seen them live on more than one occasion.Carl Palmer comes from the same school as Buddy Rich. Having seen 4 times and seeing Carl's drum solo i can understand why Buddy Rich liked ELP.I never groe tired listening to a live drum solo because you see that persons wisdom, experience and personality come out.I never walked out on a drum solo.I was always fascinated by that persons take..ideas and energy.These days you would be hard pressed to find.this in todays concerts.

[@peternyc]

For about 3 seconds at 1:15, he does what was a signature sound of Narada Michael Walden's during his time with the Mahavishnu Orchestra. It's ferocious.

[@huss03]

That bit where he says "but you can't do the same thing up here on the snare drum" is the ultimate no-explanation explanation 0:16

[@ZanderPingu]

''Not quite my tempo.'' (Buddy Rich leaps out the screen and punches me in the face)

[@paulanthonymorrisjr]

Alexander Brown were you rushing or were you dragging?

[@rudrochowdhury814]

Alexander Brown super

[@humppytheclown7075]

1 2 3 Slap 4: Was I rushing or dragging

[@pauly260]

Don’t ever tell him “good job”. He’ll decapitate you with a cymbal.

[@80sruler]

Alexander Brown haha

[@apologist3574]

When I began drum lesson at age 14 (1967) I argued with my teacher that matched grip felt more natural than traditional grip, but he insisted that I will play with traditional grip. He had great "chops" and it was amazing watching him play on a practice pad. He also had me learn on a pad for 1 year before going to the drums. I am so glad today that he did this because I can now play both matched grip or traditional grip, but I find traditional grip so much better as I was trained to play all kinds of music and especially loved playing with jazz musicians.

[@korbynwalshdrums8766]

I absolutely just love when he turns to the camera and yells, "Shit!"

[@josueavila5625]

Woah! He's like the Buddy Rich of drumming...

[@landonpeckham7752]

Woah...

[@VincentDeBellis224]

Every single video I've watched of Buddy Rich is nothing but a video of him showing off his speed. Not once have a felt the urge to tap my foot or felt a groove. Play a fuckin' beat once in a while.

[@cooperwoodhead273]

Was literally thinking the exact same thing, good to see people are with me on this haha

[@EyMeng]

he does. all the time. just not when he solos.

[@makeshiftmusic]

You must not watch/listen to much Buddy Rich in that case. There are times you wouldn't even be able to tell that he's the drummer on a track because he doesn't take big solos or crazy fills. Perfect example is when he plays brushes on "Ballade" with Bird and Hawkins. Perhaps his most popular videos are of his solos, but you need to actually do your research my dude! Listen to groovin' hard, where we doesn't take a solo, but still completes his masterpiece with a driving groove and tasteful fills.

[@gerthenriksen8818]

Jack Merrill: Totally agree! I doubt many of the folks here making comments are drummers themselves.

[@douglasknoll3500]

Vincent maybe if you watched, listened while NOT being Sodomized you could find a rhythm

[@morganneher8643]

It’s the power behind each one of those strokes that’s something else 😮

[@diangara3298]

That kit sounds amazing!!!

[@vernongriffin4832]

And this was Buddy in his older years. .His left hand snare is unmatched.

[@MrMattias1991]

I see what you did there ^^^

[@Knight192]

Buddy thinks he's un-matched but he should get a grip

[@aristotle5698]

Knight192 there is one better than buddy rich, NEIL PEART

[@itamar901]

@@aristotle5698 nope. A great drummer but not even close to buddy's level

[@marshallposey2063]

Carter Morris neil’s playing has no soul..... boring

[@davedavey5]

Neil Peart 😂😂😂😂

[@peaniewilpnips1629]

Carter Morris you should ask Neil about that one

[@fosterjackiefoster3259]

Wow ! I have loved the drums since 5th grade.

[@davidwak680]

This is interesting to me because I recently switched to Trad grip ( have osteoarthritis in my left shoulder and it actually hurts to play matched now). I find I lost some of my old tricks making the change, fast around the tom fills are harder for me now. That being said I learned how to approach the drums differently, my fills are more snare centered now and I use a 4 piece kit because I find I don't need a bunch of toms to express myself. I also learned more about brush work and I'm convinced Trad Grip is the way to go for that. You can gat more nuanced motions going on the snare with Trad and brushes.

[@stevefox5430]

He says "you can't really do anything" - what he means is "I can't really do anything"

[@douglasknoll3500]

Steve Fox BUT the drummers you wold hold up as great probably do not could not come close to the late great Buddy Rich talent AND Buddy could have taught himself a lot quicker to do what those you admire do than the other way around, trust those words I keyed in

[@Drizzt_Do_Entreri]

@@douglasknoll3500 you're just a Buddy maxi

[@ApartmentKing66]

@@Drizzt_Do_Entreri whatever that is

[@Drizzt_Do_Entreri]

@@ApartmentKing66 You don't know what a maxi is and you have Investor in your name LOL

[@napestar]

crazy how a drummer this good thinks that any grip could limit creativity.

[@hazardeur]

might be a good drummer but at the end of the day, it's still just a drummer

[@badeugenecops4741]

Creativity is differnt than ability.

[@jonrixbus]

@@hazardeur Ouch

[@ratatat9790]

@@hazardeur and wtf are you?....just

[@hazardeur]

@@ratatat9790 i'm just a drummer too

[@Slickdick99]

I've seen him play entire solos using matched grip

[@2strokeroll]

This is of the most wholesome of content.

[@drewjohnson7602]

i believe he couldnt use match because his snare position.

[@kelloxstehtimwald3968]

yes, it's a bit funny, He tells, Matched Grip is'nt pretty Good for playing the snare Drum, but all the people using it have anothee snare Drum Position.

[@DallasCowboyDuo]

no shit, he's a jazz drummer, his style requires you to do more rim shots (rim and skin at same time) and if you put it into modern position then it's harder to do having to drop your shoulders more which slows your rhythm.. most modern drummers dont incorporate the rim shot consistently like he does so thats why he has his drum positioned that way.. so if you wanna be able to do ALL styles not just one style then his drum is in the correct position, since its not used as much anymore is why everyone is used to seeing it positioned front down.. same reason drum lines have it angled flat or front up to make the rim shot easier and traditional grip. It was the style of the time.. so dont judge, appreciate what he did for his time and understand to him and so many before him, this was the correct way, just because they worry about drum rolls on the toms more these days, dont hate on the OG! Neither is wrong now a days, but for the drummer who wants to be good at every level and style, it IS the correct style! Not putting anything against people like neil peart, they just cant be compared, totally different styles!!

[@jangtheconqueror]

He actually did use matched occasionally but I think he was infinitely more comfortable playing traditional, having used it since he was 3 as Traps the Drum Wonder.

[@williamweir1547]

To those that say its hard to play matched grip with the way Buddy has his snare positioned if you think about it his right hand is holding the stick as you would with matched.Also to those that say traditional grip is superior wouldn't you hold both sticks the same (i.e. As Buddy holds his left hand stick)... Just curious

[@linksauce_1]

william weir I know what you mean. if the snare is tilted away from me, traditional makes sense, otherwise my left hand would hit the rim constantly. I think if you're a right handed drummer, the right hand (dominant hand) will adapt to any angle regardless of what the other hand is doing (same if you're a left handed drummer). Playing the right hand upturned like the left, it would make it very impractical to play the cymbals. I think traditional grip reflects the hands' purpose in a jazz setting: the dominant hand is the primary action (cymbal player, time keeper) and is held in a French grip to accommodate the widest amount of surfaces (for soloing or complicated fills). The weak hand is upturned for easier dragging across the toms and snare, and for easier ghost notes. But that might just be me rambling...

[@RichardFilmoure]

I don't doubt Buddy's skill but based on his "explanation" I can't help but think he would've been an awful teacher. I honestly think that this was a different time and everyone used traditional because everyone who played snare drum was traditional, although both styles have their advantages, and in the end it's all about the comfort of the player. Buddy loved traditional and hated matched, but when he explains it he sounds like a conceited ass. And while grip is important it shouldn't affect creativity, unless it's uncomfortable and fucks you up

[@batman32451]

He likely would've been a bad teacher because he never received formal music education. Even after he became well known he flat out refused to do it because he thought it would ruin his artistic style....so I guess buddy rich kind of earned his being an ass rights lol

[@RichardFilmoure]

Johnny TheMUSICmaN Jesus, sorry. I said nothing about jazz by the way I just don't think he really gave any explanation for why he likes traditional, the one you gave isn't that great either by the way please break it down for me oh, wise master of the drum set. You should write a book I'll totally buy it :3

[@batman32451]

RichardFilmoure fun fact, buddy actually made a video (which is still on KZbin) explaining why he does prefer traditional to match grip. In short it comes down to his ability to move around the set

[@RichardFilmoure]

batman32451 can't find it...link please and thank you?

[@batman32451]

RichardFilmoure Buddy Rich on why he doesn't use match grip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGG5ZXSnqJd3apo

[@henrrycapiro2045]

Remember kids Buddy Rich always says the right things because I watched a lot Of his solos and I learn a lot of stuff from him and now I play traditional grip very good

[@QUANTUMMUSIC101]

Traditional grip is alive and very well - thank you for checking in my Friend! ❤️🌞🥁 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmOQqaJmns-Vi80

[@henrrycapiro2045]

@@QUANTUMMUSIC101 ofc man

[@-ne0348]

He’s so quick that he makes the snare sound like a machine gun

[@BigBillLucas]

I love the shear aggression and power in this solo, it screams of i'm the best even if there was a tiny miss hit. It also proves that you don't need a huge kit or to throw your arms around like a baboon to drum up a storm. Back in the day he knew he was the greatest and time and again he would stamp his masterful authority all over the drum kit . To this day his presence can be felt and drummers world wide still honer him as the ultimate drummer that will never be equaled

[@mereubu]

well that would be the "matched grip" way, obvsly.

[@jbone8315]

BigBill Lucas hell yea

[@No1WillMakeItOutAlive]

or he's just a dick

[@flacidhouse350]

It's mostly other musicians that still think he's some great drummer. Drummers have moved on. He isn't creative, and not being able to play a big kit well isn't a strength. This is a video where he is trying to show how he is better than everyone else and he still makes a big mistake he can't hide.

[@billybradham3534]

john bonham & ian paice played small kits with bug drums like their idol buddy rich. also ric lee of ten years after(listen to "hobbit" from TYA live). buddy was & will always be the yardstick of drumming!

[@knuckledragger549]

Q: do you know what a metronome is? wait for response. A : A little short guy from the big city. Hope you enjoyed my joke. God bless Y'all.

[@lukasrodriguez5864]

I don't get it n.n

[@knuckledragger549]

lukas rodriguez Good evening, a true metronome is a time keeping device. a little short guy from the big city. is a play on the word. God bless.

[@bonhzeppelin9882]

A City Gnome!

[@knuckledragger549]

Bohnzeppelin glad you enjoyed My joke, please pass it on God bless Y'all.

[@lukasrodriguez5864]

***** hahaha LoL! xD Thanks!

[@hoozerob]

With all the arguments on this video about traditional and match grip styles, we still see and hear, that some of the best drummers seem to use traditional grip. So it's perhaps, that drummers used to be a whole lot better, regardless of the grip, or there is something to the matched grip. I use both, depending on how I have my kit set up. For a standard jazz setup like the traditional jazz and big band players, I use the traditional grip. Mainly for the rim shots, more control and articulation for that style. I'll mostly use the traditional grip for the large setup. It's better for reaching and certain even/mirroring crossovers and the like techniques. Also, with a matched grip, one can hit cymbals as strongly and evenly with the left hand as with the right hand then. That is important in most forms of rock, progressive rock, and extended rock solos. Only if you have a strong enough left hand, you could do that. During the first part of my life, I took a dozen lessons in the 3rd grade, which didn't amount to much and stopped going. The guy taught me the traditional grip. Even at that age, I already started having an attitude about authority figures. So, by defiance, I started teaching myself and with matched grip. When I got to be around 20 years old, I saw Louie Bellson and Buddy Rich doing performances on TV. Something clicked and changed me. I wanted to learn, "the right way" (as it were), of playing and holding the sticks. I went back to the drawing board and started trying to play with a traditional grip from that point on. Since then, I've mostly used traditional grip. But as I said, for a large kit, like with all my drums, cymbals, timbales, timbalitos, mini tams, roto toms, cow bells, blocks, gongs, Factory Metal percussion and more around the whole kit, it's much easier and practical to use a matched grip for it all. anyhoose. Another reason why I wanted to re-learn the traditional grip, is because upon maturing in my life, I wanted to show respect for the great drummers of the past and for doing it the old school way. Just like, it seems more respectful, to learn the proper way to play a piano. There is a right way.

[@QUANTUMMUSIC101]

And here is the right way Sir! Traditional grip is alive and very well - thank you for checking in my Friend! ❤️🌞🥁 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmOQqaJmns-Vi80

[@MrJpm1989]

Way ahead of his time . There was a reason why he was the best of that time and its because I feel that he didn't conform to what others thought was the norm. Mr Rich earned his respect.

[@mancuniancandidatem]

Also, he literally did his childhood growing up and drum practice on stage in front of people as a kid. He was a child vaudeville star of his day. He had supreme confidence as a performer due to this. I dont think there will ever be a situation where somebody will get to grow up in those circumstances again.

[@RafikMankariosDrumStudio]

Traditionnally, the "traditional" grip was a way to play the snare drum WHILE MARCHING (since it was tilted). The drum set, as we know it today, doesn't require to play traditionnal since thrre is NO need for the tilt on the snare drum. I play both traditionnal and matched grip, but find matched to be more natural physically than traditionnal. Buddy Rich, although I love him dearly, was just having a bad day in this video!🤣🤣🤣

[@sbaxter4207]

He means he can get around the kit better in ways match grip cannot so well.

[@sbaxter4207]

@NPC 1984 With traditional you hold from under the stick so it makes certain things easier to do. He can play both match and traditional.

[@sbaxter4207]

@NPC 1984 "it makes certain things easier, and certain things harder as well. Exactly the same with matched grip" You got it, well done!

[@kat-oh3hx]

@@sbaxter4207 lmao i cant believe you came back a month later to add on. cheers mate

[@chefbanjo8139]

Thoughts going into this video: "I usually use traditional grip, but I never thought much as to why. Maybe this video will be beneficial to my progress as a drummer." Thoughts after this video: "Ok, boomer."

[@timprescott4634]

Uh...

[@Polarcupcheck]

Buddy Rich is not a baby boomer. If anything, his kids were baby boomers.

[@StamfordBridge]

So you started out curious, and you ended up a moronic barker of trendy cliches? Bit sad.

[@chefbanjo8139]

@@StamfordBridge So you started and ended with dragging someone you don't even know over a comment that's clearly a joke to defend one of the most pompous douchebags in the history of jazz? Bit sad.

[@greatbyrondo]

@@chefbanjo8139......Buddy Rich wasn't a Boomer.....he was a Banger......

[@mikejoseph3880]

Buddy was/is phenomenal. Unequaled in big band drumming... Louis Bellson nipping at his heels.. Both do things i will probably never do . Wish Buddy opened his mind to what other styles require. I would love to hear Buddy's interpretation of La Villa Strangiato or even Stairway to Heaven.

[@MrGregFrancis]

His drums sounded incredible

[@danielelford6767]

His playing was ahead of its time, and probably remains so, but his attitude was very much of its time, and that of a snob to boot. I'd never abide him as someone to play with, but I admire him as a player.

[@bombadgeneral5138]

well said.

[@1959mstone]

Good answer. Dennis Stone drumming to Christiane by Rick Braun

[@dalesdrumchannelzero1802]

Learn both grips.They each have something to offer that the other one doesn't.

[@keithmoriyama5421]

I grew up using traditional grip because everyone did. Switched to match grip-- so much better. BTW the reason why traditional grip became standard was long before there were drum kits, drums were an instrument of war and 'drummers' wore their drums on a slant to their side.

[@hubbsllc]

I started trad, switched to matched. Around 2000 I lowered my hi-hat and started learning how to ride with the left hand so I didn't have to play with my arms crossed. Picked trad back up when I renewed my interest in playing swing because it just feels like the right way to play in that style. I did not, however, pick up a reverse trad so I could ride on the left; I kept it matched. The hardest thing was to get a good swing ride going in the left hand. What I wound up doing for practice was to put swing tunes on the headphones and sit there riding with *both* hands...the right hand actually taught the left; it made a difference in even just a few minutes.

[@jan_the_man]

I think we can all agree it is a thing of personal preference

[@RustyDodd]

thank you Dale! somebody with some sense and knowledge. they both have their applications!

[@chevaliermichel2219]

wow ho thanks a lot. I was looking for the name of this documentary series since a long time (especially for sequence then ... the requirement of this seres is reduced :) )

[@paulg444]

This guy seems to have some talent !

[@BBT609]

AAAAAAH....SHHHIT!! lol.😂

[@ycly]

he even swears in time

[@noampitlik2332]

I think he hit the rim.

[@Jetty-xd9yc]

I laughed so hard I farted!

[@rikunevalainen8154]

wrong grip !

[@lostdumpling862]

If traditional grip is so good then when did he mess up and say “shit”

[@davidbonar5190]

it's the traditional thing to say :D

[@eladreltuc]

to his credit he said shit in time with the beat.

[@Donnilein]

He messed up with his right Hand.. With which He is using half Match grip ;-)

[@maakeklein4073]

I thought that was part of his solo.

[@bobjohnstone4270]

and did he rip himself a new one after the gig like he would have done to anyone else in his band? ;)

[@hilarious5804]

I LOVE this video.

[@garylagstrom3864]

The Apprentice takes the easy and makes it look difficult while the Master takes the impossible and makes it look easy! Neil Peart regarding Buddy Rich RIP BUDDY AND PROFESSOR!

[@yourdailydoseofnegativity189]

"You can't play properly with match grip... see?" *intentionally plays terribly because he knows it is quite possible to play with match grip*

[@douglasknoll3500]

Sam that is true BUT you know for the MST part that trad cradle martial arts grip is more difficult to learn AND has benefits including once one becomes comfortable wth it in execution you can always or almost so mix in much easier matched grip

[@brauliosalcedo5418]

Reminds me of my old drum teacher. He showed me that you cannot have good volume control with heel up by literally slamming the beater into the bass drum as hard as he could 🤣

[@douglasknoll3500]

That's what your boyfriend said too, about your slammed bass drum...!

[@baratbball]

It's soo funny! "You can't...*clangs around the drum kit*...play anything"

[@Solarexistence]

While I dont agree with him completely, I think learning traditional grip have its advantages too. Ive started playing traditional grip recently and it has improved my stick control and independence a lot. Learn as much techniques as possible, It opens up more possibilities to your playing

[@malapertfourohfour2112]

Sure can be hard to find a good take in the comments sometimes 👍🏿

[@MasQueVencedorEnCristo]

I only come to watch this video when I remember he misses that splash 😁✊🏽 1:22

[@matthewmeehan-lam8986]

The only reason I don't agree with him is because I dismiss anyone who says any way to play drums is strait up "wrong" Ahah but also the way his kit is set up. I started as a trad player first when I was a kid then switched to match grip. It makes so little difference that I'll be half way through a song sometimes and realise I've switched grips 😂

[@drummerundercover6299]

Oh how i love Buddy rich❤

[@neiltoatasi6892]

What a legend buddy rich

[@SXI96]

ironic how Buddy played almost an entire solo with match grip in the 60's, you can watch it on youtube, i wonder why he changed his opinion

[@bendawn-cross5622]

Generally he did that when he was playing mostly on the toms. Makes sense, since traditional grip was designed to capitalize on the rebound from the snare, which you don't get so much on the toms.

[@albertopatino1823]

+Ben Dawn-Cross Actually homie it was carried over from marching snare. When snare drummers had to wear their snares on a diagonal strap it had a natural tilt so they had to invent the traditional grip to accommodate I. :)

[@bendawn-cross5622]

+Alberto Patino Yeah, I know that, but one reason that some find it hard to use against a kit is because it works best against surfaces with a higher rebound capacity, such as a snare. Guys in Buddy's day usually had all of their drums, including their toms, tuned pretty high, so it wasn't an issue, but these days toms are gnerally tuned lower, so the rebound isn't quite as potent.

[@jstarret]

Buddy is blowing smoke. He doesn't actually say anything here, just shows off.

[@douglasknoll3500]

You mean your comment.....?

[@jonrixbus]

The greatest advantage of trad grip is that it looks really cool

[@misterfunnybones]

Trad grip comes from marching. Virgil Donati uses trad grip & can play with a wide variety of dynamics, plus some crazy mind-boggling independent limb grooves combining left foot, left hand patterns over right foot, right hand patterns that are very difficult to play when combined. Simon Phillips plays matched grip &, in addition to some over the top roundhouse rolls, plays some very technical patterns with great dynamics & ambidextrous technique.

[@Edelweiss1102]

Oh the irony in this video. He makes fun of drummers who use matched grip, implies that all they do is snare roles and going around the toms and brags about how it is the extend of their creativity, and then he goes on playing pretty much the same solo he has done for decades, containing mostly snare roles and fast tom passages. Funnily enough, he often used matched grip himself when it suited him, especially on tom passages. There are entire solos where he mostly plays matched grip. So yeah, how about starting with yourself, buddy (Pun intended) ? Now don't get me wrong, Buddy Rich to this day is one of the greatest drummes who ever walked on earth, his speed and technique was incredible and unmatched. What he played on 3 a piece kit is better than what many modern metal drumers with double base and over the top kits can do. He was an absolute master in what he did. But he is an absolute arse beyond that. Sadly, he let his ego get the better of him over time, thinking he is the best and his way of playing is the only right one which kinda limited his drumming. As great as he was in what he did, he failed to realize that drumming isn't just about speed, complexity and showing off. He was like a machine with incredible skills, but to me, he sometimes laked a bit of a soul, the fealing for the music and the groove and so on. He could have been even better if he was a bit more open minded.

[@Earthdogbonzo3]

Edelweiss Buddy had limited musical sense and abilities. Up close and personal it was easy to get scorched by his ferocity. However listening deeper revealed a shallowness.

[@Edelweiss1102]

Earthdogbonzo3 My thoughs exactely.

[@jeff-9608]

Earthdogbonzo3 Very well said.

[@ally11488]

Edelweiss - People who criticise legends are right up there with pastors who start their sermons with..."I think what God meant to say...."

[@Edelweiss1102]

So its better to just take everything as it is or even worship it? Sorry, I'm not that kind of guy. Buddy is/was one of the best drummes who ever lived if not the best and isnpired generations of drummers, no doubt about that. And he stayed true to himself and his character during his career and didn't fake something, I give him that. Doesn't change the fact he was an arse, legend or not.

[@EuriLochus]

Pretentious as fuck. But one damn good drummer.

[@georgechristiansen6785]

EuriLochus He's not pretentious at all. He's confident in abilities he actually possesses. Pretentious: attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.

[@alen7480]

EuriLochus I think you meant arrogant as fuck, which he was, and a damn good drummer too.

[@mikeshoe74]

Alen Combs I'd be arrogant too. I'm arrogant already and I'm not even good at anything.

[@alen7480]

mike shoe Haha, so well put. I will say this, you are good at having both moxy and style. ;)

[@trashbox7911]

George Christiansen By your own provided definition of pretentious you confirmed he is EXACTLY that, even though you state the opposite. He is expressing greater importance/talent of using traditional grip over match grip as a drummer, when the fact is EVERYTHING he does here, and ever did, can be done equally as skilled using match grip. It's a matter of preference, not a matter of one is better than the other. Both grip styles can be equally as good by drummers with the proper skill levels. SO yes, he is pretentious. Not to say he isn't a drumming idol and damn good, and I get where he's coming from given the times and match being a newer thing and not the norm for the old-schoolers, but he is most definitely pretentious.

[@dancalabrese3523]

I've seen videos of Buddy using matched grip. One that comes to mind was from the 1940's.

[@JbayOplentay]

“Traditionally” sticks were held matched. Going back to the time of native drumming, they didn’t hold the sticks in different positions. It was when drums were worn over the shoulder with a strap while going to war that the left hand grip was changed to be able to articulate the snare since it was at an angle. “Traditional” grip is matched grip, not marching. There’s nothing “traditional” about holding one stick in an awkward position. If you put a child in front of a drum (which is on a stand) and he or she has never watched someone else play drums, they will “NATURALLY” pick up the sticks in a matched position. Buddy was a great drummer, but that doesn’t mean he knew everything about drumming. His assertions here display a sense of pseudo-intellectualism. Just shows how ideas get perpetuated because people make false idols out of people like this.

[@douglasknoll3500]

J Bay you posted some basic useful info for those not in the know, you also made some reasonable points of sorts, but you also concluded using logic assumption w/that which you condemn the late great truly masters master, Buddy Rich, that he did not know everything AND neither do you, BUT He was a master jazz drummer. Also like many in this entire subject matter AND consequential posts few if any acknowledge that traditional 1hand, trad left-hand martial cradled grip IS MUCH MORE Difficult to learn let alone master to pros level lest the levels of difficulty the great Buddy Rich attained as just a child let alone his life's journey prigressions , trad-grip has the ability to allow truly unique now dated AND dying techniques styles most esp on hi-hats feathering & top to bottom playing showpiece tactical methods, obviously both grips have advantages disadvantages, but Buddy Rich left a legend of great drumming, drum music & music.

[@lukaspatten4985]

@@douglasknoll3500 I think his main point was that the whole video sounded like: “ traditional is good and match is bad because I’m buddy rich and I say so.” He wasn’t ever doubting his ability on the instrument. Buddy rich is also not that much of a virtuoso and there were many drummers of his time that were better than him. He was also known to be an a-hole sometimes. Buddy is indeed a legend on the drums, but he is often played up to be this absolute god which isn’t entirely true.

[@Mattythebassman]

I think you hit the nail on the head here, nobody's denying he was brilliant and one of the all time greatest. But that also doesn't mean he was infallible and everything he had to say on the matter of drumming was objectively correct. Most brilliant technical drummers these days use matched and can do the exact same things as demonstrated here.

[@grammarpolice7339]

ok so what i got from this is that traditional isn’t traditional because match was used first. but i disagree. match is original but traditional is really called that because the only reason it’s still around is tradition.

[@sionlewis827]

I use both grips and both work fine. Depends what you're playing as well in my opinion

[@misfit2022]

Sean Lewis I agree but I can not get the power I need for punk or metal with traditional grip. Definitely more for jazz and progressive rock.

[@MrDeevo]

At the time he made these comments most matched grips drummers couldn't do what he did. They've since caught up just fine

[@cs292]

Couldnt you just position your snare little bit away from you.

[@flacidhouse350]

DCM Bonham played match grip and he could do anything rich could do better.

[@GrittyTones]

Buddy Rich is basically like my music teacher my music teacher believes that the only way to play bass is by using your fingers and basically treat us pick players as if we're breaking a sin

[@zanstaszek9]

Enjoy ur finger's joints problem in future.

[@SneakySeriyuu]

Nothing wrong with a pick, it gives a different tone and more potential speed. Many bassists are against it because they are traditionalists, no other reason.

[@clayman4497]

different tone is right but that speed argument is just wrong, if anything, playing with fingers has more potential speed than playing with a pick.

[@richsackett3423]

That kind of absolutist bullshit gives all music instructors a bad name. "finger's joints problem"? No such thing. Oh, the wacky stuff you read on the internet. I think the most impressive pick player I've ever heard is Roger Waters.

[@SkateSka]

Rules in music are for boring people. Sure, understand them, but break them whenever you like otherwise nothing new is gonna happen.

[@webstercat]

When Famous drummers are mentioned for the last 60 years Buddy will always be recognized first.

[@iammechner]

Don’t give a shit which is “better” but Trad grip looks way cooler

[@cm9241]

weird since looking cool is like the absolute least important part of music

[@shalevtsadok2757]

@@cm9241 Yeah? Is that so? So why am I practicing stick tricks 8 hours a day and then my mom tells me how better I have gotten? ha? why?

[@douglasknoll3500]

CM you have a point of interest to some point to point out, however impressive presentation along w/complete command or what appears to be so of ones musical interest insrtument hopefully of choice, can be awe inspiringly appreciable let alone, yet combined w/ being capable of bringing us mere mortals closer to the true Supreme Being of perfection AND Creation

[@marshaltito7369]

@@shalevtsadok2757 Your comment is the definition of unironically ironic and I relate.

[@christiansmyth1466]

THIS LOL. I started playing drums in college in the early 90's. I chose traditional grip 100% because of Alex Van Halen in the video to "Finish What Ya Started". It looked SO FUCKING COOL.

[@ekap9440]

Buddy Rich is a great drummer however he is one of the most egotisitcal and narrsasistic people I ever heard speak. So many drummers have proven him wrong.

[@user-id2dx4qd6j]

E Kap can you give me some examples of some drummers? not countering you, just wanting to know.

[@dominicvance3667]

​@@user-id2dx4qd6j ari hoenig, brian blade, billy cobham, jojo mayer, etc.

[@jaylenwalker5445]

WillBurhans Eric Moore, Max Roach

[@RB-tx4mn]

@@user-id2dx4qd6j Lars Ulrich.

[@mikolajwe]

@@RB-tx4mn Hold up right there

[@doumbec]

I've learn both grips, but the reason anybody plays that way is because it was necessary to do so in military snare drumming which came long before the drum kit and it was perceived as the only Technic at the time and carried over into drum kit playing

[@randydogs61]

I for one am not a drummer, so I look at this as simply, Holy crap this guy is good. I read up a bit on him , sure he had a ego and was a bit of a pain in the backside but you never know what is going on in someone's life. The guy could play the drums like a beast and still slow it down, he came from a time when it wasn't what it is today. He as is anyone today entitled to his opinion even when he has passed on ...

[@douglasknoll3500]

Mini bike good points AND BUDDY was a quick study learn AND had more style flair AND grace than the best of best today, plus the quality of equipment just in the last 10yrs is outrageously advanced AND helps the drummers sound AND skills AND amplification also helps in sound quality etc

[@jonwomack1682]

Exactly.. everyone is entitled to their opinions. You don't have to play his way 🤣

[@M4RCM0NT31R0]

I started playing traditional grip because of Buddy Rich and Stewart Copeland

[@luke228899]

Buddy would be suprised as hell if he would see what Chris Coleman does with matched grip today...

[@combatwombatt]

Coleman is a wonderful drummer. to be honest Buddy sounds like an ignorant "the only type of drumming is jazz drumming" type of guy.

[@NothingHereButMe]

I wonder how he'd react seeing Gavin Harrison or Matt Garstka. Probably call it "technical wankery"

[@SuperLucasRay]

Haha Garstka is a beast

[@NothingHereButMe]

He'd see Bozzio and be like "too many toms"

[@art5]

add Dennis Chambers, Chris Coleman, Eric Moore, Benny Greb, Thomas Lang to that list...plus a few hundreds other monster drummers who play matched grip.

[@duder8562]

Buddy Rich was an asshole but he wasn't a racist

[@varyingdegrees1130]

dont forget about orbin, rudinger, etc. the ambidexterity would probably piss him off lmao

[@spinynorman887]

Buddy Rich: "You can't get around the kit or do anything playing matched grip" ... Neil Peart: "Hold my beer"

[@AtmasOne]

i have no idea how good anything is, i only know that buddy rich is what i'm looking up to when i want to listen to a good drum solo. but in this particular video something else blew me away: the superb capture of the audio itself. this sounds so intense. the bass feels like bass, the rest is so dynamic on top of it. why is almost everything else not recorded like this. this just feels superior audio-wise. is it because of the compressor they used back then? they used one, whatever technique it was. you can hear it when buddy immediately starts talking after a demonstration in the beginning in the video. his voice is very low for a split second... or is that just a compressor on voice only.... i might be wrong nonetheless. but the drum audio is addicting.

[@Eccentricjuices]

The monster himself. Legends will never die.

[@Jedizen07]

Buddy Rich: “ Match grip doesn’t really work. “ Keith Moon: “ Hold my beers . . . And charge them to Neil Sadaka! “

[@cleorivas6098]

David McCain 🤣

[@jimfritz9503]

May 1969 Chicago . I saw the Buddy Rich Orchestra open for THE WHO (1 st Tommy tour) . I was 25 feet away from 2 of my favorite players. And I still have a pair of Keith s sticks from that show !

[@cleorivas6098]

Jim Fritz , would you say they were opposites OR similar in their attack & style?

[@jimfritz9503]

@@cleorivas6098 Style , no. Attack , yes. Keith and Buddy respected each other. Both put the drums up front,in your face. Not just in the rhythm section but as lead players. I saw the Who 12 times with Keith. I saw Buddy once. Everyone has their faves but these 2 brought that " dangerous magic" to the gig. Take Care

[@quardlepleen]

Come on... I love Moon, but he isn't even in the same solar system as Buddy.

[@fredericstevens086]

I use matched grip as I was never in a marching band (though I wish I'd had the opportunity) but I have to recognised that one of the greatest rock drummers of all time, Carl Palmer uses traditional grip.

[@gordoeinstein]

I switch back and forth... There are benefits to both.

[@davidreidy5750]

I mix both grip methods up and that works,something I learned in the front of the marching band back in the day