How To Hold Drumsticks

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In this quick video, you’ll learn how to hold your drumsticks using matched grip.
Why hold drumsticks properly?
It’s important to hold your sticks in a way that feels natural. If you grip too tightly or force your hands into an odd position, you might cause an injury, or develop bad habits that can lead to injury. Good stick grip will give you more freedom and fluidity around the drum set - and will help your drumming sound even better.
Is there a right or wrong way to hold drumsticks?
Every drummer has their own technique that works best for them. Every drummer on Drumeo uses their own grip, and will teach you how to hold drumsticks in slightly different ways. In this video, you’ll learn how Jared Falk does it.
Find your natural hand position
Drop your hands down by your side. Let them completely relax. Then bring up your hands in front of you so they dangle (like a T-Rex). Now put a drumstick in your hand.
Find the fulcrum of the drumstick
The fulcrum will be the point at which the stick will receive the most natural rebound. While holding it, let the end drop down onto the snare drum. Count how many bounces you get. To find the fulcrum, you want to find the spot on the stick where you’ll get the most bounces.
If you hold it further forward or backward, you’ll get fewer bounces. Use rebound to your advantage - it’ll make playing drums much easier.
Position your fingers around the fulcrum
You can adjust your grip slightly based on how much power or control you want to get. You can have a middle finger fulcrum and use your index finger as a guide, have both the middle and index finger (for a little less finesse) distributing the pressure equally, or use the first joint of your index finger and thumb at the fulcrum, wrapping your the other fingers gently around the stick. Make sure your hand and fingers are still relaxed when you hold it.
The end of the stick should line up with the soft, fleshy part of your palm.
Now, repeat all of this with your other hand. ‘Match’ it, so to speak. You’re now ready to play with matched grip!
Try moving around the kit now. It’s okay if there’s a bit of a gap at the top of your hand (between your thumb and index finger), and it might open or close depending on what you’re trying to accomplish. The main thing to note is avoid the ‘death grip’ where your stick is unable to move in your hand while you’re holding it.
The three positions of matched grip
You should be aware of your body’s position. As you move around the kit, you might naturally turn your hand(s) a bit. Make adjustments if you need to.
German grip: Palms down, useful when you want a lot of power in each hit.
American grip: Hands turned up slightly, a good ‘base’ position for most styles of playing.
French grip: Thumbs up, good for intricate, controlled playing, or a softer stroke.
Playing drums means a lot of repetition. The sooner you can develop good technique, the lower your risk of injury. Holding drumsticks is easier than it looks, and it’s different for each drummer, so give this a try and see what’s most comfortable for you.
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#drumeo #howtoholdrumsticks #drumsticks

[@leecook6101]

I've not really had any lessons I'm 95% self taught so nobody told me that. Very helpful. I'll be trying it later 😁

[@aidan8728]

Same lol

[@filipb.1010]

Me too man!

[@ArcticW0lv3s]

I am about 75% self taught 😂

[@ArcticW0lv3s]

@Azalia S I play trumpet 🎺 but want to play drums🥁

[@The3337hunter]

Haha I’m the same!

[@GarrySK8s]

YES.. Bought the drum kit yesterday. Today I'm here. This was my very first drum lesson, so thanks a lot. I'll be 'stick'ing' around this channel for sure!

[@artboy990]

‘stick’ ing around lolz! Love the puns

[@ellie27144]

SAME!!!

[@tristanhoneyford]

Good One ☺️ "Sticking" Around, thrammatrollox!

[@davidbillyard6629]

This is the most important drum lesson.

[@alexthelion335]

Which drum set did you buy?

[@scottishross91]

My name is Ross and this freaked me out briefly.

[@alecboi777]

federman

[@october1820]

​@@alecboi777 *buddy holly lick*

[@fincajabali6049]

I am 51...just got my first Drum set after starting with my Mom's kitchen pans aged 3! Loving your educational videos..thank you for taking the time and effort to share!😁

[@0616jacob]

Hey I'm slightly older than you and have always wanted to play the drums. Which drum set did you buy? Let's face it, I'll never be a pro and don't need to spend a zillion $$ on a set.

[@rogersegginger170]

I have never

[@tomerbaz6954]

@@0616jacob I am 52 and started drumming on and off probably 6 years ago. I got the Alesis DM6 electronic kit which was around $400 back then. Like you, I am not planning on a professional career as a drummer and for my modest needs it is quite sufficient. I would go with maybe a more modern electronic set for the same price range.

[@oliivagroft5975]

Wow!

[@Thisisaweirdthing2makeusdo]

@@0616jacobroland zdk - 07

[@yakfishutah8132]

Turned 48 last month and decided I want to learn drums, and so I bought a practice pad and I searched out a video like this to make sure I'm getting a good start. This was exactly what I was looking for...now on to more basics. Thanks!

[@arianarivadeneira]

A drummer friend taught me first how to hold the sticks properly, that happened 18 years ago; then I continued improving my guitar skills, no drums. Now that I own a drum kit, I was able to identify with Drumeo that I was holding them correctly; so it was (and is) a highly valuable lesson that lasted in my muscle memory to this day :)

[@gabrielgafui6451]

I really need this, never been taught how to hold the drum sticks before.

[@DavidOakesMusic]

I've been shoving them up my nose

[@crashsmash1461]

@@DavidOakesMusic 🤔.

[@rhondablake]

I've seen a few short videos about how to hold them, but you are the only one who really took time to explain and demonstrate the different basic ways. You didn't rush through and I appreciate that!

[@AidanMmusic96]

Beautiful, I'm just thinking about starting teaching and this has lessened a lot of nerves! I wasn't properly taught how to hold sticks until I started orchestral percussion lessons 5 years after I started drum kit!

[@bjornage82]

im in this exact process, im waiting for my first drumset, and im watching this video as i am waiting, to prepare myself for whats coming. love your videos btw, find them easy to follow, easy instructions for people like me, who has no clue yet! keep it up! Love from norway!

[@johnmercurio340]

No matter how long we've been playing I truly believe there is always room for improvement and that's why I think these types of videos are very helpful .Take what works for you and if it does not feel natural then simply don't do it. I do suggest take a good look at all of it. Thanks guys!!

[@philop7108]

Been playing for five years and never had a lesson. No one ever mentioned there was a proper way to hold the drum sticks. Found this channel here recently and will be going back to square 1 to help build a better foundation. Appreciate what all of you guys do!

[@Ripperx121]

Yes! You taught me how to hold my drum sticks. Thank you... I am in my 50's and no pains or problems with this advice from Drumeo. I actually have watched this a few times to stay on track. Sometimes I feel like I am wrong.

[@louisphilippe2011]

When i started to play,i really learned everything by myself. No internet back then unfortunatly and no money! Quite a few years after, got some private lessons. And now still getting lessons and using all the tools available on internet . Drumeo is absolutely great.

[@prathambijalwan2340]

Thank you so much... this is my very first online drum lesson. I had been taught the American grip two years ago... but due the coronavirus issue, I had completely forgotten how to play. Thanks again, I'll stick with the channel for further practice.

[@shirleyrebecca723]

Hey! Drumeo I'm Benny, growing up as a kid no one never ever taught me how to hold sticks or the positions, but fast-forward NOW this a revelation for me, and not to injure myself. Thanks! Jared for really giving the drummer's community the SOLID Foundation needed.👍

[@rupashiborakakati2517]

I have learned to play drums by watching you. Thanks for making me get started.

[@arthurschwieger82]

When I started percussion, we were taught traditional grip. Our band director had been the drum major at the University of Tennessee and our study book was Haskell Harr's Drum Method. It wasn't until Jr. High that I learned matched grip. It was for tympani and mallet instruments. For kit I switched between traditional and matched depending on the type of drumming. Jazz and big band stuff tended to be traditional and rock was matched.

[@yesitasnow]

I'm a bassist and love the drums, I'm learning little by little because I don't have a drum set. I follow this awesome channel to learn and improve when I have the opportunity to practice. Thanks!

[@sallyhubert9027]

Yes , my teacher taught me the matched grip. , but the French grip feels best. Great instruction thank you

[@Crazy_killer-qm8ju]

French is the weakest as in German is really strong hard to drop sticks you have much more control

[@totallyfrozen]

French grip and matched grip are not mutually exclusive. You can hold a matched French grip.

[@Namnamak]

Just started my first lesson last night at Boston Drum studios in Alston. That was the first thing David taught me and that is why I am watching it. Best practice ❤

[@robertryder1097]

REALLY HELPFUL to understand there’s flexibility and variation in how to hold the sticks based on individual anatomy and the various sound you’re playing. Thanks!

[@onehotpepper]

Teaching myself for the past 2 years. Used some Drumeo starter videos and ebook, among teaching materials from other sources, and play along with songs to figure things out on my own. It's been fun and I learned a lot, but I got so involved and impatient that I really didn't care for looking at details like how to hold drumsticks. Heh, glad I took some time out to view this short video. Thanks for posting all of these.

[@josiek5989]

Nobody talked about grip when I first started playing! Developed wrist pain/tendonitis, stopped playing for a while - when I came back to it youtube had been born, and it helped a lot. When the grip is right - playing becomes a joy. Love the beard.

[@tinaesparza-lavin6676]

I watched one video on how to hold drum sticks but thought that only one video was enough. I like how you said I need to find my own and I did not learn about the rebound or volcrum AT ALL!! Makes so much more sense now!! Roughly 3 months playing, newbie

[@panthergirl1256]

I just got my first drumsticks and practice pad yesterday, and this video was a really helpful starting point. Thanks for the great video!

[@SKDrumming]

When I started drumming back on 80's in my area ewre no private teachers to show me proper technique ... started from the ground 3-4 times as I got in a point where I was not able to level up my chops ... so this is a great great help to all newcomers to the drumming world that will help people learn faster ...

[@parislife82]

Very helpful.Im just a beginner and my electric drum set just arrived today.Hope I can learn more to your channel.Thank you Sir! :)

[@MM-vu3ps]

How is it going with the drums?

[@chrismacolley]

I have never had a lesson but bought a practice pad on Amazon and got it last week along with the book stick control for snare drummers and needed to find how to hold the sticks , so much appreciated for seeing how to hold them. Going to practice on the pad till I can actually buy the kit, but thought it would be a good idea to practice awhile before I bought the drums. Great videos

[@johnz4412]

Took lessons for years from my teen years, and was instructed in traditional grip. Works well for jazz, especially brushes. With that said, I think matched grip is the best way to go today.

[@andrewbertok5703]

My first set of drumsticks ever just showed today.. mid 30s just learning to play the drums!!! and you're the first person to show me how to hold sticks!!! haha

[@pdxgrl1]

Yes, I just got my kit. This is the first video I watched. Thanks!

[@Tired_drummer]

This videos really helped me I used to death grip the sticks so now I know thanks a lot but i never knew you had a certain way of holding sticks learn something new every day

[@ZeEduardo95]

I'm self-taught so I grabbed as it felt comfortable for me. When I film myself playing I think it does not look that good, so this video has helped at being more confident about my technique.

[@mehransabeti5802]

You taught me how to hold a stick in the beginning of my playing... and I will always cherish it.

[@dalechimenti8601]

I have been concerned all these years that my grip has given rise to bad habits that have inhibited my ability to improve. This video was very clear on how to hold drum sticks. Excellent presentation.

[@robinsartoretti7343]

I was never taught how to hold my sticks so it's french on the right and american on the left... Might have to fi that at some point but it's been 10 years and it works great!

[@jf-yi8wg]

Robin Sartoretti if it works for you keep it like this man, I personally like to play French timpani grip on the ride cymbal and floor Tom even if I play American grip most of the time. There’s no really right or wrong, but it’s good to learn all of them !

[@DavidOakesMusic]

@@jf-yi8wg I switch depending on the feel i want. Sometimes I go french on the cymbals.

[@FreedomPrivilege]

Best explanation on YT yet. Very thorough. Thanks man!

[@Robynartist]

I just got my very first electroniic drum kit today. This video was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much!

[@danyrowesalazar901]

Thank's drumeo for all your lessons, in my case nobody thought how to hold my drumsticks or the differents positions that exist

[@sergiotiburcio1354]

Thank you for creating your channel. Your videos are helpful and inspiring.

[@rhythmkeeper]

Yes. I first learned traditional grip but use both matched and traditional depending on the setting. Over 40 years later I continue to learn about grip and the related techniques.

[@hegemon3]

Yes, my first drum lesson was about drumsticks and snare only. I really helps to start properly!

[@koertjanlisaschonewille4338]

Our 4 year old toddler received a kid’s drum kit today. I have never played before either. Your clip has been an excellent introduction. We’d better get the basics right from the beginning, hey? Thanks for your upbeat enthusiasm and introducing the family to a whole new world!

[@makayla1374]

I’ve been watching a good drummer on KZbin for like a year now. Got inspired by him and decided to buy a drum kit!! :)) I can’t wait to learn 😁

[@r0m0x]

I also bought the kit yesterday and Today I am here! Thank you:)

[@KowalMTB]

I was unlucky and nobody (even 1 of my 4 drum teachers) didn't pay atention for my technique and how I hold drumsticks. After 8 yrs of playing I reach THE WALL in my technical skills. I was 25-26. I felt something is really wrong with my grip but I couldn't found anybody to help me with that. This short material on drumeo tells me more than enybody earlier. After 13 years break from drums I decided go back and now I focus on background hand technique to play again on the drums (and with more fun and loose!). Thanks DRUMEO for helpful materials like this.

[@cooper638]

never had a lesson sooooooo helpful

[@robertkaminowitz7968]

I remember getting my first drum pad and my first lesson was all about exactly what you talked about. Problem was I was 5 and didn’t understand. Thank you now that I am 52 and getting back into drumming now it makes a lot of sense hearing it again. Thank you!.

[@jossheaton6148]

I've always struggled with my left-hand grip in particular. This video has been really helpful - thanks!

[@chadyoung6224]

I purchased a drumming book from a music store that showed the palms down German grip as proper... of course that made it harder to play with speed and knew nothing about finger control at that time... Thank you Jared !!

[@joueurs4065]

Awesome video! It's absolutely important to know how to hold your own sticks because I didn't use to hold them in the right way and sometimes after I finished playing my thumb was in pain a bit. I really liked the video and I had no idea that they are different positions to hold the sticks. Now I know:) Thank you Drumeo! To be honest this is my first lesson in what way I can hold my sticks.My teacher had told me to just hold it in a some way once and that just it! But when my thumb started hurting I thought that I must do something for that and here I am!

[@TheJoGeLu]

I got a lesson, from y'all. I forget the dudes name, but I watched a video on him having a realization about paradiddles too. Then from there I've been experimenting with grips to find out what's best for me. Once I find a limiting factor I change the "base grip" again, and go from there. Learning how to hold sticks has honestly been the single greatest thing ever. When I first started playing I made sure to start from the ground up. Holding sticks, practicing singles and doubles while doing right foot on 1,3 and left foot on 2,4 for the first... 4 months, along with only the basic rock groove (Adding a double kick here and there) was such a strong foundation to start from. I've been having a blast learning the drums, it's one of the best things I've done in my life I feel. It filled a void I didn't even know was there, haha.

[@Aryan-ii6nn]

I really needed this, thank you sooo much!

[@feather9677]

Wait... but I'm Aryan

[@adagamer8817]

Me two my hands are so mest up

[@fathead1616]

My awesome teacher Jack Gilfoy taught me right away how to hold the sticks. I'm so thankful for it! I pass it on to all my students now, and it's the very first thing I teach.

[@richardtallenallen6083]

Yes this is my first lesson in drum stick passions very good thank you.

[@MosesStaly]

This is my first lesson .Thank you so much.

[@donstevenson2170]

I'm a keyboard player who wants to learn to play drums late in life. When taking classical piano as a child, I was taught proper posture at the keyboard and how to relax to play difficult faster passages. I purposely sought out your video on how to hold sticks and how to place a drum kit. I know those two concepts are very important in maximizing technique and minimizing injury. Thanks for the tips...

[@qwertyuiop46853]

Great, detailed, concise lesson! Looking forward to becoming a competent drummer.

[@kaneparks2721]

Since I got stuck with the Trompboner, in 6th grade I wanted to try drums, im 40 I bought sticks on Amazon then a cheap roll up drum noise thing..a few days ago...all I've thought about is how to hold them. Thankful for KZbin and especially to you. I was kinda holding them correct but I like the middle finger hold. Plus finding fulcrum was key hurts hand muscle lol I work construction so not sure how ill hold up. My hands always hurt but need to grow the muscle apparently. Thank you. I like to learn from a wide range of things and stuff.

[@frankcarona1903]

yes waiting for delivery today of my drum set,and yes you showed me,Thank You

[@chrisvanvoorst2125]

I am WEEK TWO of my drumming and I found the video very good!

[@lindasmith3978]

Jared, you are my first virtual drum instructor. Thank you!

[@colomboy86]

I had a wonderful teacher and if I recall correctly, what you just covered in this video was the first thing he and I went over.

[@Itsme42_Official]

Actually, had a drum this Christmas, and i looked at one of your other vid before that. I had some trouble, glad i found this video to set up myself more confortably🤘

[@G4GuitarAshfield]

Nice. Very helpful to know the different positions

[@JeepFTW33]

I was taught how to hold my sticks but was first taught in traditional grip! Love the video!

[@markanderson6690]

Thanks for the VALUABLE lesson!!!

[@maya25891]

My drum teacher only showed me the German position.. I've been struggling with doing a roll using my fingers but i realize now that I should try it with the French position. Thank you for this video

[@Muzzie0323]

Thank you so much for this video. I am a new drummer, and this video really helped me out a ton.

[@w.taylor4949]

Was just gifted an e-kit for my 73rd birthday. Banged on a few kits in my youth. Still got the passion but would like to start learning some technique. Thanks for the lesson.

[@thedancingpostman]

This video has taught me, thank you.

[@feinchan]

I'm getting my first electric drum set this week and I'm getting ready for it!

[@XxDanielaxX]

I started the first time for the course of like 6 months at 14y and yes, my teacher back then taught me. 😊 Later, another teacher taught me again and then teachers at the vocational music school I attended taught me again. And meanwhile I have taught some friends who got interested in playing the drums. 😊 Anyway, I love the bouncing test. That way to figure out was new to me. 😃🎉👍🏻 Thanks a lot!

[@devincheca9605]

I was so lucky to have this dude at Sam Ash explain this to me when I started. My first drum lesson came when I got my first drum pad and sticks.

[@ThFatty]

Excellent video. You just taught me and I cannot thank you enough!

[@stuartpullar9138]

This was my first lesson. Thank you.

[@loztasio8632]

None of my teachers told us how to hold my drumsticks, not even my older teachers!! Thank you so much!! This helped me a lot!

[@penelopepadmore3248]

Just picked up kit and sticks today, this was very helpful

[@scleto1]

Yes, I got this lesson....and actually was told that as a begginer I should stick to the german grip! Great video!

[@carlospdiaz]

This was fantastic thank you, very entertaining as well.

[@djsarumawashi]

GREAT!!! Thank for sharing. Greetings from Cabo Verde Islands. Cheers

[@pouriyapoursoltani5163]

Thanks alot for saving so many bandages and times.

[@Snarethedrummer]

Fun editing, appreciated the bounce counter, rex, and stick rocket. I'd been taught that you use different grips for different situations, but predominantly taught German for snare work (I usually grip with my index and sometimes middle), and you can relax that a bit for drum set (aka American, which for me features a bit more grabass/butt for set work... fitting). I was also taught that French can lead to more injury/strain from RSI and possibly tendonitis if you're trying to achieve power using wrists in that grip (depending on your body), even to the effect that one should only really play tympani or light cymbals with that technique. I understand with French you employ your fingers way more than your wrist, but I'm curious to know other teacher and pro perceptions (and teachings) on this. Ultimately my higher brain function tells me some French is ok sometimes, but that could just be my Canadian speaking ;P Also, Jacques Delécluse may have some opinions on this.

[@lenyazdi]

Learned so much!!!! Thank you!!!!!😊😊😊😊

[@butterflylady8875]

Yes, most definitely on my very first lesson… He taught me all the different styles

[@user-wf5uf4xe3l]

Such a great teacher !thanks so much.

[@debleetwo]

Hey thanks! Great tutorial!

[@user-ct9ki2ox9w]

Thanks man. that was so cool

[@tito_nb]

I used to have a really bad death grip until about 3 months Into playing drums. I saw one of drumeo's previous videos about holding drumsticks :) I still do it from time to time and i catch myself and fix it lol 🥁

[@brendanpierce6019]

I was taught by my instructor using traditional grip. Am looking to learn matched grip so this basic introduction is useful

[@vegasheat71]

I never thought of it, and than I was like there has to be a better way and your video popped up on my search and bam instant improvement. Thanks soooo much, and easy to execute lesson.

[@JesusIsTheIAm]

I only bought the sticks, and for now am only concentrating on the grip. Thanks for the help!

[@guillermogamboa1480]

Yeah, I am just starting out. This is one of the first drumming videos I have seen. Great mini lesson; thank you.

[@GarrySK8s]

Cool! Same here! Enjoy the beating.... let's roll.... :D

[@cynthiabehr1870]

I've only had one lesson and, no he didn't teach me how to hold the sticks but it was a fun session, and i learned names of things& how to beat to Billy Jean. I'm practicing and it was a great session!!!

[@plakette26]

Love it. Yep in the First lesson I was exactly told how to hold the sticks

[@gsschneck]

You just taught us how to hold them! Thanks!

[@christyjewkes8326]

That was incredible

[@lenscott6380]

No teacher I have ever had went through this subject. Thnx, gr8

[@gazicj]

super super helpful-ty