Drum Tech. - Pt 5 - Open/Close (Push Pull) Tips

[@DaveFromVh1]

Those “V” tips were JUST the cue I needed for my left hand… a week later I’m hitting 200bpm with ease! I owe you some money for sure😂thank you!!

[@swangonzalez4797]

Been checking out all the vids on the open close/push pull technique and this one just nails it . Big V and little V. 4 inches off the pad. This is the best breakdown of this technique Ive come across. Been having problems until I saw this. I was doing the compressed version he demonstrated. It felt wrong, awkwardly stiff and slow. I haven't found anyone who explained this technique in such detail like Gordy. I think I have the basics of the movements down now. Thanks! Amazing teacher. Scary player.

[@pjcoop]

Best explanation I've seen of this. Very helpful. Thanks.

[@zebrunoeisenberg8465]

Man I can't thank you enough for your "small v big V" explanation!! I'm spending years trying to figure out a good upstroke that flows right with down stroke so I can do it with less glitch. Seems like I tried everything in the map and finally Big V is my up stroke divine answer (at least it feels like it for the current moment}. I owe you a Big One!!! All the Best to you and your family!

[@GKMusic54]

Thank you very much!

[@Flatnoy69]

You are the Mr. Rogers of drums. That is a major complement in my books. I really looked up to Rogers. Thanks for the great tips and making this technique understandable.

[@FoolTheViking]

I was gonna say the Bob Ross if drums! Same thing. Respect

[@horvathbence4582]

Amazing teacher, very informative and educative video.

[@AlexeyLebedev-v8h]

Wow... There a tonn vids about this technic, but ur explanation is just so easy to get and it's worked so well for me. Thanks a lot) especially for a wooden balls trick)) I'll try make same one by myself, looks easy)

[@rudy73000]

Such precision omg..

[@anthemgunaether2914]

Fantastic video !

[@ddarkodev2923]

Amazing 👏

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks

[@lek0ta]

Excellent lesson! well explained and easy to understand!

[@thebentleycobb.music2240]

Great, but what’s the height of your throne in relations ship to your pedals keeping heel up?

[@michaelmarotta5947]

Hi Gordy. I like your videos;your a great teacher. I have a question, do you have your own way of teaching traditional grip? Would love to have a lesson on that topic.

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks, Michael. I don't really teach traditional grip because I don't use it myself. I had a wrist injury many years ago which made me a matched grip player.

[@kamilaszozda9328]

Bartek

[@朱广伟]

草

[@mellindrums]

the big V *clap* the little V *clap* the big V *clap* the little V *clap* 😂

[@christianwagenseil9621]

you can turn that into a hip hop song

[@OrGeNBLaCK13]

😂😂😂😂

[@RobGaruccio]

Remember to use about 3" with two little balls

[@KIRI4DOTS]

kzbin.infoUgkxgAUngKJToHx6YhmoHYc0sn7M7Or494yi

[@greghanberry6985]

Lmao...I stopped at 3:46 to write this exact comment and yours was the first one I read. Great tutorial! The little vee...uh The big vee...yeah

[@EddyBombay]

4:34 this is exactly the mistake I've been making for two years and you're the only person I've seen point it out. This video has helped so much! Thank you.

[@darnell828]

I watched the video and missed this important detail. I saw your comment and went back and checked it. YES! Thank You.

[@edubatera72]

Me too...years ago...

[@scottvelardo700]

It’s not necessarily a mistake. It’s just quieter. It’s a good idea to be able to do it both ways. To develop volume, you do need the high rebound, as Mr Knudtson says, and his coordination of wrist and fingers with the stick’s own bounce is a perfect example. To play softly, the lower “drop/catch” is the same feel but low.

[@gravityblast3475]

Amazing attention to detail...I've never seen anyone break down mechanics this way.

[@webstercat]

Great teaching. Technique is essentially learning how to make your hands stick bouncing machines. When you get those machines working for you playing effortless.

[@jpboucharddrums]

This is exactly what I needed. You're a great teacher. Thank you so much!

[@8020drummer]

Want to come on my podcast? I’ve been hugely inspired by your teaching over the years.

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks! Sure, email me: [e-mail]

[@Carriesaglock]

I never understood the point of the push/pull technique. You can do singles just as fast with your fingers (flying fingers technique)

[@BoogieWoogieCat]

You're a great teacher. Thank you for making this video.

[@RythmOse]

Thanks a lot for those incredibles teaching videos. Understand the drums by a deep comprehension of our magnificent body machinery is the way i like :-)

[@Marshycrazyness686]

A true Master and Educator of his craft. Thank you Gordy

[@juice8769]

Amazing break down of the technique! Clear, concise, all the mechanics explained and demonstrated. Your channel is a goldmine. Chapeau!

[@dwayneaguiar1148]

Good Helpful video your never to good to learn more.🥁😎🥁

[@skywarrior3508]

The best Teacher.

[@andrewcutter1785]

Thank you so much for your great tuition! I’ve just cracked 60 and on my first basic drum kit, so any help is very much appreciated. Big V little V - love it. Legend.

[@GKMusic54]

Thank you Andrew!

[@muraskin]

Hello Gordy! Thank you very much for such useful and great video. I have been practizing a lot and now, with your precious advices I can play 16th notes easier and more relaxed. However there is still space for improvement. I'll keep learning from your tutorial videos. Greetings from Munich, Germany. Raul, 10 years old.

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks Raul, glad to be of help!

[@michaelgaines2069]

Man, Dr. G thank you for your expert well produced instructional videos. As a drummer I have performed with many top acts in the 70's. In 1969, I suffered a gun shot wound in my left forearm while serving in the Viet Nam conflict. All was ok until about 2000 when I started losing control of my stick in my left hand. Especially when using the conventional grip. Focusing only on match grip, after about seven years of very little control progress, I am experiencing greater control. I just found your videos about a week now. But man are they HELPFUL. The Relaxation, sliding the stick into that groove and placing the butt of the stick just above the hinge of the wrist are all Super Helpful. I was born to play drums so I have always had a solid Love and Appreciation for them and everyone who puts in the work of Allowing Themselves to Speak Through Their Musical Instruments. Thanks.

[@GKMusic54]

Thank you Michael, you are welcome! Hey, I checked your channel out and saw the Dyke & The Blazers playlist! In the late 70's I worked with Eric Gravatt (Weather Report, McCoy Tyner) in a rock band. He played congas, I played drums. (He's as good on congas as he is on the kit!) Every once in a while when we would talk, he would mention Dyke & the Blazers. It was impossible to find their records in Minneapolis back then. I am going to check out your playlist! Be glad to do a ZOOM with you sometime if you have any questions about anything. You can email me at [e-mail]. All the Best! .

[@andreasstochholm5688]

Wow 4:55 was exactly What i was looking for ... thank you

[@bacobill]

Me too.. so helpful thank you Gordy

[@rm2406]

This channel is pure gold

[@scottvelardo700]

The big Vee. (Tap) The little vee. (Tap) The big Vee. (Tap) The little Vee. (Tap) I could listen to him repeat that for hours. Excellent lesson. Being so clear with the height of the drum and the position of the forearms is SO important and so often not talked about! I’m constantly trying to get students to set up the drum higher because they are taught at school to put it lower, and they get used to the lazy position of lower hands. And then they wonder why they can’t play.

[@GKMusic54]

Thank you!

[@Kipp_it_100]

And subscribed! Excellent video. Never would of thought to physically isolate the wrist by placing the forearm on a surface. Just like preacher curls!

[@shemapicture2058]

This is awesome. The best teacher. Thanks

[@robryf9325]

I guess this would be another technique to add to your arsenal i.e. matched grip, traditional grip, etc. but it doesn’t work for me in my normal grip because I tend to hold the sticks toward the balance point this only works if you grip the sticks at the very end. Otherwise the back of stick hits the wrist, stopping the movement.

[@scpk2246]

Any video demonstrating how fast can you go with this technique? -also applying this on a kit

[@GKMusic54]

Yes, this playlist at my KZbin channel - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3jSgYiHebV_gdU

[@scpk2246]

@@GKMusic54 WOW! that's impressive! left and right combination is so hard to execute! kudos bro!

[@elehnez5732]

Best lesson since years. I found my second stroke not coming up just like you said. Therefore my wrist might feel a little stiff after a while. I guess it comes from playing in a loud hardrock band, while I always tryin to play into the drum and miss the upper motion from the wrist.

[@user-22-]

I just can’t do this. I don’t know why but I give up. Can bounce fine but not this motion at any sort of speed/rhythm. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ScottMartinD]

"Master Sticks" by Unigrip? Am I spelling that right? (maybe a used pair will come up on eBay)

[@LaurentOliveri]

incredibely usefull, thank you very very much.

[@MrLioncash]

Jojo Mayer talks about exactly this technique, being seated and snare drum position are just as important as good technique. The correct height saves you energy, time and pain.

[@DYNABIKE1]

You are such a Technical Professor for drumming - - It's THE BEST !!!!!! Thanks for all the Help.

[@Bill-vy3fx]

If you are reading this it means you aren't working on the BIG V or the little v.😁

[@Withcare111]

great technique.Is this over analysed though? Most drummers would NEVER use open close for singles.Its mostly used for one handed ride cymble pattern or a ghosted double?for singles most drummers would use finger control with some wrist.

[@Hedonite]

Youd be surprised its effectiveness in metal for singles

[@reezlaw]

This needs a remix The big vee The little vee The big vee The little vee The big vee The little vee The big vee The little vee

[@tootallforbaseball]

Really dumb question here, but why not just play a double stroke roll instead of using push/pull? I can play open/close with my right hand, but play traditional, so I really can't do it with my left.

[@GKMusic54]

The open/close single stroke roll isn't the only payoff from this. Watch the Morphing Doubles videos at my channel and you'll see it has other uses.

[@rmmccarthy1240]

Very nice wrist articulation. Thanks for a great lesson.

[@WEENIEHUTTBOSS]

ah so that v tip is what im missing. thank you

[@motivationnation6969]

Very thorough. Nice job. Giovanni, instructor Long Island Drum Center ( trained by Dom Famularo)

[@GKMusic54]

Thank you very much!

[@tendingtropic7778]

great video, even after al these years! question : what is the optimal angle in your elbow for this technique? 90 degrees? in other words, if i want to use the open/close technique for fast hihat rythms, how high should my hihat be

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks! 90 degrees, or slightly more, for playing on the drum is great, doesn't have to be on the hat. Riding on the top of the hat play with the tip is easier than trying to ride on the edge with the shoulder of stick. For me, the tip on top of hat is never seems to be loud enough. I use Moeller for fast 16ths on the edge of the hat. I do like using O/C on the ride cymbal. You have to experiment to see what works best for you and the musical situation.

[@Karch.Dah-Veed]

What's the best routine to train and develop the OC technique?

[@dancu9271]

A lot of thanks for making and sharing your video!!

[@Coastfog]

Always coming back for this. What a wonderful technique.

[@patbrady2095]

Fantastic tips .I would have 20 lessons with him .

[@ambroulard]

I see that this is useful when you want to play with one hand or the other at a smooth fast pace,, but do you actually use this for single stroke roll? and if you do use it for a fast single stroke what about when you want to then incorporate accents or throw in some doubles as in para diddleic actions,,I e mixed stickings,, ? I just doubt I can use this for anything other than the first 2 things I mentioned.-

[@GKMusic54]

The single stroke roll is the least important thing to gain from this. This about developing wrist and finger mechanics. Watch the Morphing Doubles series at my KZbin channel and see a bigger payoff for this technique. kzbin.info/aero/PLXgqiDB1SuuKy7nBWACG-JMt5szZ1EuF_

[@kongoff]

Excellent breakdown of key points of this technique. Thanks alot!

[@nelsonlourenco3781]

Finally, someone explains this how it should

[@Jesseondrumsmusic]

You my friend are an excellent teacher. "The big V" is what I was missing😂

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks, glad to be of help!

[@Heatherhigleydrums]

Are you squeezing your fingers at all when you create big v or are they just riding on the stick like with a bunch of rebounds?

[@GKMusic54]

Yes, a little bit of squeeze, enough to hold the big V position for as long as I want. And they do ride along, when moving out of the big V.

[@etilcareh]

Just perfect.

[@stephen285]

ok gordy i'll admit it - you have potential, steve miller band is tight but come on - it ain't like their josie and the pussycats - and thanks for your excellent wisdom :0)

[@MrOcevigo]

I love the tutorials. I’d give thousand likes, the only problem I have is when I am in the open position and i want to execute finger strokes before closing, I see that my thumb turns upwards aligning with the stick. Yours doesn’t move at all. I’ve been more than 10h trying to do it and my finger control sucks

[@pokerface1967]

thank you so much for your time this was great

[@JC-xx5dm]

Is the training device with the rubber straps and balls available anywhere to buy ?

[@GKMusic54]

Unfortunately no, they went out of business 20 years ago.

[@aidanschram9652]

I cant seem to get the upstroke or close part right. My stick always ends up flat and my wrist not bending up. Still cant comprehend how its possible to bend your wrist upwards while striking the drum

[@snamot]

When I do the "little v" I can't bend my wrist down very far without my pinky coming off the stick. I have small hands. Is it bad if that happens?

[@GKMusic54]

Yes that's OK. Just make sure the middle and ring fingers always remain in contact with the stick.

[@snamot]

@@GKMusic54 thanks! I tried putting my arm on a flat surface to engage my wrist and that helped a lot

[@scottporter4871]

Great video, very informative. I can't help but lift my hand above my wrist on both strokes 😐

[@WildSBlk]

Very useful... Thank you..

[@adnanrawashdeh3965]

Oneof the best tutorials ever

[@rickbourdier1408]

I regret that adequate words fail me. Pity I can't give you a million likes for how awesome and the great extent and detail you go to for anyone and no one in your videos. You are a great man! Many, many thanks!

[@danielgc881]

good Men !! bless you

[@edubatera72]

That’s how i do my doubles(papamama) 🙌🏻🙌🏻 learn that in the Army(snare drum corps) 👍🙏

[@TheBudgiedrummer]

It's clear how the technique would work with the right hand in a groove but do the left hand mechanics have to be modified if not mirroring the right as it does in rolls?

[@GKMusic54]

Depends on what you are playing - drum set or snare drum? Mirroring is great if just playing the snare drum, both hands serving the same function. If playing a loud arena drum set groove, different hands are doing different functions, so they probably will be a bit different. For more o/c snare drum apps check out my "Morphing Doubles" videos on this channel or at my website GK-Music.com.

[@TheBudgiedrummer]

I was thinking more for a drum set application. In a 4/4 groove the 8th notes on the hat work well with open close, as they are in quick succession, but there is a natural gap between beats 2 and 4 on the snare. Do you play those as more of a snap/catch, if you get my meaning?

[@GKMusic54]

TheBudgiedrummer No, I view the back beat as a single stroke, unless I'm playing a shuffle, shuffling with both hands.

[@TheBudgiedrummer]

Ok. Many thanks for taking the time to answer.

[@ricochetts]

If i became a good drummer this because of Mr. Knudtson. I have learnt the core of drumming by you. Thank you very very very much.

[@leandroeyou]

Perfect lesson. 🙏🫡

[@蘇柏叡-i7z]

my name is Super Ray form Tiawan

[@francisjames1377]

I am right handed but It seems harder to do this with my left hand. I can do it with my left hand when I am air drumming. It's really weird.

[@NeddyRich]

Gordy - excellent technique and training. This will help me learn this rather quickly.

[@webstercat]

Big V and little v ! Realizing these two positions may be a reason I've not mastered this technique. I think I was missing this! Thanks Much!

[@GKMusic54]

You are welcome!

[@chessic4]

My wrist gets very uncomfortable with this method. I’m not sure what else to try.

[@GKMusic54]

Then stop doing this now! Find a good teacher in your area and take some in-person lessons. They can help you sort out what's going on with your wrist.

[@chessic4]

Yeah, I think I will. I need to make sure my grip is correct before I spend much time with it. I'm just getting back into drumming after 33 years. Thanks for your reply!

[@ubirajarapinheiro8176]

sensacional!!!

[@WambBoon]

Phenonmental sir, that could not be explained any simpler. 🙏

[@PierPaoloG]

Thanks

[@alessiogennaro8153]

Gorgeous!!

[@planedefiler]

hard to get the big v stick height up at higher tempos!

[@GKMusic54]

Movements become smaller as speed increases.

[@freethinker7115]

Waoh great video !! Thank you just what I was looking for .. Best video so far

[@danielmadariagavaldes893]

I never thought that I was going to pass over finger technique , and when I saw push pull technique few years ago I couldn’t understand it and gave up thinking that would be impossible for me, then I found your fantastic videos and I was able to understand the mechanics , and after a month of practice I’ve been developing lot of control , speed and being able apply it in all kind of grooves , fills and rudiments. I’m truly grateful

[@GKMusic54]

You are welcome! Glad they were helpful! I also do lessons if needed. You can email me if interested - [e-mail]. Thanks

[@alexmusic1391]

Thank you ❤

[@bryansmith4856]

Very cool video, thank you sir.

[@GKMusic54]

You are very welcome

[@tyrantti]

Not quite my tempo.

[@coffeejolts]

Your explanation of freestroke mechanics is excellent. Thank you for posting this!

[@brockula1372]

Bruce Willis?

[@ernessst91]

Sir!!! Thank you!!!! 🤜🏾🤛🏾

[@fisicoamador1383]

Gordy is the best teacher every in KZbin!!!!

[@TeleologyMusic]

Thank you again for this superb instructional video. What is the reason behind the counter-movement of the wrist? (kzbin.info/www/bejne/foTGo3iojb9rbq8) It seems like this would make the movement less efficient (since it is involving the larger mass "lever" of the forearm) than the version with the wrist held steady. I can imagine at least two reasons why this extra sympathetic counter-movement of the wrist (and thus forearm) might be important: 1. helps to keep the stick at same level and angle in relation to the playing surface 2. allows more power to the second (pull/close) stroke, whether just to keep it even with the first (push/open) stroke, or even to accent it (as in a shuffle). Any thoughts on this appreciated.

[@GKMusic54]

I believe both your reasons for it moving are right. I would also add it's helps you make use of both sets of muscles in the forearm (above and below) as I showed in the original open /close video from 2002. As speed increases, movement decreases. At very fast tempos there is much less movement, but the wrist hinge is still moving up and down. In the middle of this video (Pt. 5), I show if you immobilize the wrist the hand has to move more to do the technique, so wrist movement actually helps reduce fulcrum travel distance a bit. I believe by practicing this technique very slow with big moments, making sure the fingers never leave the stick, you learn the mechanics and the feeling of the stick's inertia better. That relationship is the same at a fast tempo or a slow tempo. This wrist movement isn't confined to O/C, you can see it in many good drummers RH when riding the cymbal. It's that "snake like" oscillation of the wrist. Hope this helps.

[@pcmmarssa376]

Hi, Mr. Knudtson. First at all my congratulation for easy, clear instructions open /close Drum technique. i would like to know where can buy the little sticks that call MASTER STICKS? ???

[@GKMusic54]

Hi Paulo, Unfortunately I believe the company that makes them went out of business many years ago.

[@christophmeirich5928]

Thx so much!!! Very helpfull !! Greetings from germany Christoph!!!!👍👍👍👍👍

[@GKMusic54]

Thank you!

[@MrLevent79]

Gordy appreciate it if you respond. When you do the rimshot, do you use open/close techinuque in a way? I slowed down the video and it looks like after the initial stroke, you are pulling the stick with your fingers as if you are bringing the hand back into initial position. Or you are just slapping the string and your fingers are naturally closing. Hard to explain but it did look like open/close technique. Appreciate any input you can provide. I have trouble getting consistent rimshots. thx

[@GKMusic54]

Hi Led, Yes you can get rimshots on a close stroke, it's tricky but it can be done. We should a a Skype lesson, I can show this and several other approaches and rimshot exercises that are useful. Contact me at my website: GK-Music.com and we can set something up.