1st Open/Close (push/pull) Single Stroke Roll Video © 2002

[@dlparis]

You, Sir are a Godsend!! I'm a 48 y/o drummer that has been forced to "power down" my style of drumming (due to a lower back and shoulder injury). After watching in amazement you play with Steve Miller on Austin City Limits, I turned to my wife and said, "Look at him! He's Nailing every beat Perfectly and not even breaking a sweat!...I need to BE Gordy!!!" lol You're playing Take The Money and Run, for example, with one hand while adjusting your mixer without effort. So Awesome. I thought I had my drumming heroes/mentors pretty well prioritized until I started studying you and your technique. After watching your (Drum Technique Fundamental) videos, you have most definitely climbed to the Top of a very vast array of my mentors. I'm referring to true musicians, not members of the 300 bpm club. I can't thank you enough, sir. You very well may have literally saved my musical future.

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad you found this useful. Also check out my "Drum Technique Fundamentals" and "Morphing Doubles" video series at my website: GK-Music.com for even more helpful drum technique info. This video is just the tip of the iceberg!

[@dlparis]

You're so very welcome, and I meant every word with every ounce of sincerity and appreciation. Gk-music.com/ is actually an icon on my desktop. I'm concentrating on one video at a time before my practice session at home. Your relaxation method is my meditation before touching a stick 6 days per week. I realize it will take some time to study and practice all of your videos, but I'm now committed to your techniques. Neil Peart once stated he was a continual student of percussion and Buddy Rich. I, personally will forever be a continual student of percussion and Professor Gordy Knudtson.

[@theriphraff]

Yea. What Derek Burleson said!!

[@sega.milkis]

Derek Burleson just don't say that "members of the 300 bpm club" are not "true musicians". Just don't. It's strictly your personal opinion

[@siim605]

Members of the 300bpm club are also musicians. Don't be an ass.

[@WarlordMSM]

I found this gem in 2024! unmatched teaching skills

[@JCarlosOrtiz1]

You rule Gordy- I consider myself fairly critical and must say your instruction is top shelf.

[@aldoalvarez8106]

Your hand on the ride, 👌 perfect flow !

[@przemysawklaczak65]

The best drum lesson I've ever watched.

[@mastermetalshredder]

I'm excited I found this video, thank you for posting!!

[@ruby_gleyzes]

Absolutely great.

[@julierubin9711]

Ive been trying this for days! I just cant get it! Its such a great tutorial but i just can't

[@guiller_keuken2880]

Q bueno, muchas gracias, lo trabajaré. ;)

[@drummerboysmith968]

Wow. I don't know whether to practice or just quit.

[@lagartobarbero]

Estupendo

[@hidayat619]

Aman ingin tq see

[@julierubin9711]

I have a love/hate relationship with you and i dont even know you

[@tremebondo1]

I think Gordy is the most relaxed drummer on this planet, simply amazing

[@stanburdick9708]

AGREED and have never seen anyone explain things in detail like this, also shows you don't need a jillion drums to sound good

[@theriphraff]

He is. Yoni Madar is good also but in his vidz he only speaks hebrew. and I do not. Very good technique guy also. Yoni and Gordy are the 2 most relaxed and efficient players I have ever seen.

[@willhanley4954]

I can’t tell you how much I enjoy watching this video. Absolutely most impressive and (at least apparently) flawless. My sincerest congratulations and appreciation.

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks Will!

[@caferrara]

How is this even humanly possible?

[@marceibel1131]

He is like a Zen Master of Hand Technique😊 Brilliant and inspiring

[@djstickxb2615]

This is the best video I've found showing and explaining this..thanks👍 new drummer # 2019

[@JB-pg6ju]

Dude hell far... Wat am i watchin...i just found u on KZbin a week ago and im just amazed at your techniques.. Dang gummit bro ur a drumming freak of nature.. This is the most explicit detailed explanation of technique ive ever seen. Holy sheet man im hooked

[@jedi_417]

This is freaking blowing my mind right now. Stumbled upon this video while searching for Freddie Gruber’s approach. This is definitely different from from Gruber and way different than Moeller.

[@balajibal1]

Thanks a ton for this one. Have watched over 30 videos on finger technique past 2 weeks and must say this is the most systematic and clear instruction I have seen up to now.

[@brockula1372]

How many metalheads here tryin to up their blast beat game

[@deppurple700]

At first i was going to tell you how great and precise a drummer you are but youve definetly heard it all before so hopefully what im about to say you havnt heard yet here goes I think Mr Rich could have learned a thing or two from watching your videos. Hows that for a complament ?!!?

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks!

[@stanburdick9708]

Mr derek if you think 48 is bad try 67 and not having played for 30 yrs! now that really stinks!!! but I got a cheap trap set and am trying one more time

[@wide-awake]

his dynamics in that intro section are so on point. i kneel.

[@ioriocaballero]

lovely snare....what a sound!, thanks master...thIs is "the technique for my favourite way of grab" - pd: he look like the hidden brother of robert fripp attitude....

[@mikeotten6797]

I've been working on this for *months* with almost nothing to show for it at all. Speed-wise my open/close single stroke rolls are still about 75% of my regular single stroke rolls. The only tiny difference might be: my regular SSRs, at 75% speed, get erratic after a few minutes whereas the open/close SSR's stay perfect and easy for around 5-8 hours. Hey, wait a minute!! OK, I got to stick with these things! :) Thank you Gordy! Impeccable!

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks Mike! While the single stroke stuff is cool, for me the real payoff with this is the rudimental stuff. Check out the "Morphing Doubles" video series Its 1-10 at my website GK-Music.com, or my KZbin channel. It makes all the PAS rudimental stuff very easy to understand and play. It removes the mystery in a way nothing else has done before it. I gotta tell ya, when I first started reading your message I was a bit concerned. In this "literal" venue, it took me a second to digest your facetiousness. I enjoyed it, thank you!

[@mikeotten6797]

Thanks a ton Gordy! Will check out Morphing Doubles this afternoon. Glad you enjoyed my silliness, and yes, I was a nuisance in grade school. ;) For real though, feels like I could play with your technique for hours on end with absolutely no fatigue whatsoever. Amazing!

[@davealaya]

I am a huge fan of "Continuous Mode"

[@joekugelblitz4144]

Every so called "youtube star" should watch this over and over again... great educational value and fantastic musical drumming. thank you for sharing! cheers from germany :o))

[@GKMusic54]

Thank you Joe! I appreciate it!

[@FilthyXylophone]

Mandatory viewing for any kit drummer, if for nothing else at least consideration of the technique. For me personally, this has been incredibly impactful technique, more so than Moeller, but I realize different techniques work better for different drummers as we are all different individuals. However, I highly recommend giving it a watch to at least consider the technique and adding it to your technique toolkit. Man, I really wish KZbin had been around when I was a young drummer starting out in the 90s!

[@ronaldknoebel3247]

Love this video. Big change in my style like starting over. The effort to slow down and change provided mind bending opportunities

[@markhealy5786]

Thank you Gordy, this system looks awesome. Your handspeed is phenomenal. I'm going to practice this for sure.

[@jimmyvillaflor5222]

I’d be curious about your foot technique as well! Sounds rippin from this video

[@MrLioncash]

The thing I love about this the most, is you realise how much effort you were putting in before applying the technique... the last week or so for me has been wonderful in experiencing my left hand in relaxed motion :D Thank you!

[@ronaldknoebel3247]

This guy is right at home with a 4 piece.

[@FernandoRivabem]

I'm a huge fan of your lessons. I bought your first book and I'm struggling with the bounce on 3 and 4 note stroke. The back of my hand moves when I close my fingers. Do you have any tip for that? Thank you

[@GKMusic54]

Thank you Fernando! I really need to see what you are doing in order to help you. We should do a lesson sometime. Contact me at GK-Music.com.

[@Telepuzique]

probably the best technique explanation I've ever seen. thank you, mr. Knudtson. you are an amazing teacher. now to the practicing...

[@gottahavepops]

I can't tell what grip he is using. is it French? or German? or like a hybrid? haha

[@AQganon]

I'm switching my current technique to this. I play Death Metal and this seems miles easier than using the straight up moeller or finger technique. It's a perfect mix of both.

[@etilcareh]

Gordy, your work is absolutely fabulous ; my English is not very good (i'm french) but i have to say yours explanations are very clear and the video speak for yourself. Infinitely thank you and bravo for your exceptionnal work !!!

[@GKMusic54]

Thank you. I'm glad you find them helpful!

[@GKMusic54]

gene5594 It can be done. I can't do it, I'm a matched grip player because of a LH wrist injury many years ago. On my KZbin channel check out Raul Valdes Pt. 2. Half way thru he demos trad grip. Also check out (on KZbin) "Buddy Rich LH the Truth", a very good example. There are others too. It's the same concept - two or three notes played during one movement cycle.

[@joshuabpolys]

Great lesson! Thx! Has anyone ever told you that you sound like Christian Slater?

[@Henry-ru9dr]

As a drummer with 40 years drumming experience, I can tell this skill is amazing !

[@OFLHLGZ28]

Great lesson! Thank you for showing us. I hope I can make it work

[@pumpalBo]

Thank you SO MUCH for these lessons sir - you made me a so much better drummer - you literally opened new horizons in my playing. Continuing to watch and practice but after only a few months that I am working on these techniques, the results are already apparent. Thank you again!

[@schwarg]

That singled 8 roll getting up to speed sounded like a propeller plane readying for take off lol

[@ricku6255]

Gordy you have a gift, not only can you play like a machine but you can convey the material in a manner that us newbies can grasp. My wife is a University professor and she too is calm much like you. Keep the wheel of learning turning our friend!

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks Rick!

[@j.p.lindsay6768]

Does anybody know what brand that extra-thick practice pad is and where to get one? Thanks! :)

[@semianon3438]

Hi Gordy. Just wondering if you could explain the sticking for a paradiddle using open/close technique. Thanks.

[@GKMusic54]

+semi anon Sure, check out Morphing Doubles Part 7. It will show you one solution and explain how it can morph into a flam accent and a single drag tap.

[@mellindrums]

The perfect technique for blast beats 🔥

[@CiroVGM]

One of the other things that i love in this video is your drumkit sound, just freaking amazing, thanks and hugs from Argentina. This video helps me a lot. I'm recently diving on the open/close technique.

[@GKMusic54]

Thank you Ciro! Drums were in a large, live, concrete warehouse, captured with a Sennheiser shotgun mike.

[@CiroVGM]

@@GKMusic54 thank you very much for share this data too. 🙂🥁🔥

[@darbuka1]

man are you a Robot? Alien? Man you are the Machiavelli of teaching!!!!! Never seen such a perfect presentation of a lesson...I am going to go for your technique man....Thanks a Million and best greetings from Turkey!

[@horaciogianello5282]

¡MORE OR LESS, THIS IS LIKE KARATE & KUNG FU MOTION COMPARISON, THE SECOND ONE, IS BY FAR, NATURAL, FLUID & ERGONOMIC. MISTER KNUDTSON PAY ATTENTION TO THE PHYSICS LAWS WITH AN EVOLUTIONARY INSIGHT. NOTEWORTHY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

[@millie179]

Sure Video, thanks.curious to know what your lovely looking snare drum is???

[@GKMusic54]

Paiste

[@RatraceDave]

thank you so much ive found a direction to follow.

[@thomasstroh3857]

AMAZING!! I love the video, I love playing the drums, but the stick won't bounce for me. :-( I'm frustrated, but I will keep trying. Perhaps using a pad or tightening the head even more would work. Thank you so much for sharing what you know.

[@netobatera2010]

Grato por nós ajudar. Excelente aula. Parabéns.

[@bacobill]

Ha there it is! Due to damage to my left hand it is essential that I put my thumb almost on top of the stick.. Your right hand looks exactly like my grip with the thumb on the side of the stick.. I pray that all this practicing on my pad and pillows will bring my hand back to normal but even 80% would be acceptable.. Thank you again Gordy.. I come back to this video about once a month as a check-point in my progress.. peace :)

[@highvibee]

Funny, I changed from Vic’s Jojo Mayer stick to per of Vic American Classic 5B just before I found your videos on the pull push technique. I now practice 20 min morning and evening in 5 min segments, five min on each hand, then 5 min double and last five halftime faster. Your thatching have deepened my playing and the first one to helped me implement pull push to the kit. (Not only one hand, like the Brazilian dudes) Many thanks Gordy.

[@amd5471]

My brain turned to custard from 21:59 onwards 😂 Unadulterated genius. I don't know how this video has only been watched 168,708 times.

[@tootallforbaseball]

When you do continuous 16ths on the hi-hat, do you only use your wrists and fingers, vs. using your arm combined with open/close? I notice on this when you played the 2 note continuous on the ride cymbal, you didn't really involve your arm. I have seen a lot of set players play these 16th ride patterns on the hi hat using lots of arm motion.

[@markshina3511]

Where do I procure the metal drumsticks?

[@Paulswindellsdrummer]

Hi Gordy, currently learning your technique! Im trying my best not to rush ahead and take my time learning the BIG V and LIL V movements, it's slowly feeling more natural! Thank you for the help

[@lvvry1855]

Excellent job, Gordy. You are a great teacher.

[@tootallforbaseball]

Gordy, I notice that your thumbs are straight and not curved. Is that on purpose? Is that for drop/catch or push/pull speed? I have always played with a curved thumb, but find that push/pull is difficult with a curved thumb when you want to use only the fingers and no wrist or arm support. Thanks.

[@GKMusic54]

Hi John, I prefer "Open/Close" because it describes the objective observable hand motions best. Push/Pull and Drop/Catch both are subjective observations. An observer can not "feel" those pushing and pulling forces of the performer, but they CAN actually see the opening and closing of the hand. Regarding the question about the thumb, both work, but there are many more variables involved to answer your question about YOUR thumb. This is a complex, interrelated, mechanical system - fingers, hand, wrist, arm etc. I would need to see exactly how you are trying to do it and use it in order to give you a decent answer.

[@tootallforbaseball]

@@GKMusic54 Gordy--thanks for your reply! Now I have to get back to your Drum Technique - Fundamentals Parts 1-3 video... I'm a big fan of yours. I used to play in the Marines and was a former band director many years ago.

[@bigcoffinhunter5500]

There's a huge difference between showing someone how to do something and explaining how to do something. Excellent tutorial dude. Also doubles as the best ergonomic keyboard ad lol

[@yimnerr]

Is this the guy that the movie whiplash was made about? This guy seems like he can murder me. But daaaamn I love the way you teach drums. Very helpful

[@magn8195]

Is this Buddy Rich's secret technique ?

[@theriphraff]

When will Vic Firth make you your own stick, Gordy? its time. Hefty, 17", Maple maybe? Metal?

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks, but I already have a custom stick I really like from Innovative Percussion. Check this company out they make great stuff!

[@theriphraff]

Gordy Knudtson Wow. totally wasn't expecting a response. I will check those out. while I have you though. You're videos have become my standard now. I'm trying to master the open/close. thanks for such in-depth teaching.

[@jdg1032]

THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!!! This is extremely helpful with learning this technique that ive been trying to figure out for ever. You broke it down so well Thank you

[@slowfaller]

This video did inspire me to practice so well done!

[@hidayat619]

Thank. Bos.. Amazing tecnick

[@WalterdaLima]

hello Gordy, you will probably remember an Italian boy whom you gave your precious books a few years ago. unfortunately immediately after studying them I had to stop pratic for work and coming out of a difficult economic condition. those days are gone and for a month I started to study seriously about your books. the results are amazing after just a month and one hour a day with constancy and concentration. it's like starting to reset everything that has always been my ability to maneuver the sticks. I do not understand why young people have not noticed. Your videos should have millions of views. you are too pioneering to understand it all! I greet you sincerely, I would have liked to be able to study with you personally.

[@GKMusic54]

Hi Walter! I do remember you. I'm glad to hear my stuff is helping! FYI - I can now do internet lessons with Skype. Let me know if you'd like to do one. I'd love to see how your hands are progressing! Gordy

[@WhoWouldHaveKnown1]

Wow! I've been playing drums for several years and never knew about this technique. Excellent job explaining the technique and showing how to apply it on the set!

[@winston6368]

Gordy, thank you. This is excellent insight. I have been practicing this for sometime but at a higher starting point. I see now making the starting point lower was amazing, benifiting greater rebound.....Thank you for sharing this.

[@R_Ultraloud]

Wow, 2002. Thanks for the lesson Mr. Knudtson.

[@GKMusic54]

You are welcome!

[@jimsmallwood1445]

What snare are you playing in this one. BTW I love your videos

[@GKMusic54]

Thanks, it's a Paiste/Ocheltree snare.

[@coryrace2017]

Open/close and the push/pull are the exact same thing right?

[@GKMusic54]

yes

[@r3dux]

Being humble exists.

[@mrAbinashrai]

i was really struggling to do fast single stroke!! but this video lesson thought me to do.. thank you sir for this informative lesson

[@aindparse]

Thank you for this amazing lesson. I've always played intuitively this way, but with little real understanding of what my hands, fingers and sticks were really doing. To watch you play and explain the mechanics is an absolute revelation, and it provides a logical way to practice and develop the technique. Thank you once again.

[@SlaysTheDay]

Do you have a tutorial on throne height? This does great from the snare up, I know it sounds dumb but it feels like my legs are in the way when i practice the Open stroke.

[@YunchuanZHAO]

I like the way you're starting with the basic mechanics of the sticks, very revealing and helps to keep focus on the most important things to practice. I'm a beginner and I feel I've learned a lot from your videos. Thank you so much!

[@tjeffhill349]

I play traditional grip. Trying to apply this. Will it work?

[@GKMusic54]

Yes. Check out this @ about 1:00 in "Back Beat Applications" kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3jEmXialN-UnJo

[@MyVideoJournal]

In love with 8th notes again! Love the groove in the beginning, you are a beast on the drums!!🙌

[@julierubin9711]

Whyyyy? Can't? I? Do? This???!!!

[@maxschlagzeuger7609]

sure wish more bassists, keyboardists and guitarists took their musicianship as seriously as drummers. nice work, GK

[@carlosbartnickitort6557]

Great class. I begun to study push and pull techique in the last few weeks and this class is perfect.

[@ricochetts]

I'am speachless, you made me a real drummer. Your videos are pricelss.

[@TaipeiDawg]

Love the metal sticks - sounds like a jackhammer!

[@jonathanwesterfield72]

thanks, ive been wanting to get lessons for a while but im doing what i can on my own until then. your video lesson with the singled 4, has been a huge help my mind wasn't open to moving in that way before. im glad that you choose to share all these pearls of wisdom

[@HarryJoiner]

absolutely first rate lesson. thanks! btw, you disagree with jojo mayer about the optimal height of the stick during the stroke. jojo says higher, "from the 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock position as if you had a globe in your lap." you advocate a lower starting position for the stroke. thoughts?

[@GKMusic54]

Harry Joiner(Also, if you like those, check out my Morphing Doubles stuff, start with parts 1 and 4.) Harry Joiner

[@GKMusic54]

Harry Joiner Thank you. This was the first video I did over 13 yeas ago. Check out my Fundamentals of Technique videos Pts. 1-3 for a clearer picture. (FYI There will be more installments of the fundamentals series coming in the future, it's not finished yet. )

[@rubenlealzotano161]

wauw....what a lesson.........Thank you

[@zenarobinson3851]

thanks! (i'll get my fire extinguisher ready!!) :-D

[@luscocul]

simply amazing this is the best and clear drum lesson I've watched

[@drumur]

This is exactly what I do. Excellent video and lesson. Awesome playing too.

[@michaelmorgan6576]

A very well explained practice. You prove that teaching is an art itself. Thank you.

[@fisicoamador1383]

Muito bom!! Very good!! Obrigado pela aula !!!! Tanks 👍👍

[@justinshannon9076]

Truly amazing technique and truly amazing graciousness for sharing this with us! Thank you!

[@hectorfabiogt29]

hola excelente video podrias poner subtitulos en español en todos los videos de tu canal me gusta mucho tus videos esque no domino el ingles

[@luisleduck3940]

Who gave this guy a thumbs down.....let me atem let me atem...practice time!

[@sejoyabraham2828]

Thank you so much sir ❤️