How to Play with Relaxed Hand Technique in a High Definition format

[@luiszuluaga6575]

I loved watching the motion of the sticks moving through the air.

[@DaGretschguy]

I can’t like this (and every one of Rick’s) videos enough! Beautiful technique, effortless motion, and a great natural teaching delivery with wonderful explanations! No B.S. and no filler! 🙌

[@rickdior]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@krzysztoff386]

Thanks Rick. One of the best hand technique I have ever seen on YT + simple explanation.

[@jimbarcelona1078]

Rick been playing on and off since 1966 but after retiring from my hospital job in Resp.Therapy for 46 yrs I stopped in 2019 and now devote my entire time , well 4 to 5 hours a day, Im a traditional player and dont like to use match grip. Using the moeller technque has improved my speed, I thought my age was making me lose my grip your instruction has made me much better avoiding that creeping up the stick .Thank you .Saw Joe Morello and he actually showed me a few things in 1968. Love my Jazz.

[@lukebs1212]

extreme technical profficiency on display here. excellent philosophy and great, engaging teaching. bravo

[@oreoandoz7723]

Fantastic video!! I'm a beginner drummer but your video popped up on my feed and totally blew me away. I want to learn to do this SO MUCH! This is my aspirational goal :D This is what I'm going to work towards.

[@ebin5265]

Thank you so very much for that very helpful video. Special thanks to the finger technique explanation. And that double stroke roll... It's just amazing.

[@oak9428]

thanks for the advice

[@IanQuinn-hy5ls]

Friendly professor, good videos.

[@carstenvogel2103]

Dude, you’re a boss!

[@Agenda-zt6dj]

Thanks so much Rick for sharing your knowledge of drums & percussion with us online!! Many drum/percussion related videos are filled with miss information, half truths, dysfunctional techniques, and just plain nonsense. So glad a real professional like you can set the record strait on this topic & many others as well. I really love how you did a blackout background for your videos, as it really helps focus our attention by eliminating all distractions. Also I love the practice pad you're using. Could you please tell me who makes your pad? Thanks again, John

[@rickdior]

Hi John Thanks you for your kind words. The pad is an old Quiet Tone Practice Pad. These are now made by Sabian.

[@Agenda-zt6dj]

@@rickdior Thanks Rick!!

[@graememcdonald1547]

As we would say in Australia...."Bloody excellent". :-)

[@kevinsimmons7630]

Thank you

[@williamkleitsch1153]

That was one beautiful roll.

[@rickdior]

Thanks William

[@willhanley4954]

Incredible; very impressive (including humility... :)

[@rickdior]

Thanks Will I really appreciate that Rick

[@pierorivera7162]

Thanks Rick for this great explanation! Could you please tell us more about the right-hand fulcrum? Is it built between the thumb and the tip of the index finger, or between the thumb and the first joint of the index finger? Thanks!

[@rickdior]

Thumb and between the first and second joint of the first finger. When you look down at your hand you should see a space between your thumb and first finger... If you don't you are holding the stick too far in on your first finger.

[@billbolen77]

Super video! Thanks.

[@bobmcentyre3607]

Awesome thanks 🙏

[@ReffyRef]

Do you "depend" on the bounce of the drum/cymbal when you drop the stick for that first note of a double, or do you do a wrist stroke upwards on that first note in order to create throw on the stick? I.e. is it possible to play doubles on a pillow at 120bpm using this technique? This is a constant struggle for me, as I tend to play very softly and it's harder to control stick bounce at low dynamics, so sometimes I use "all wrist" when I really play down low dynamics-wise. What a great video Rick, thanks for sharing.

[@rickdior]

Hi Matthew There is no rebound on a pillow so this type of rebound technique will not work on a pillow. My technique is based on rebound and bouncing the stick while using almost no arm. I use lots of fingers and some wrist. I do not practice on a pillow and I do not recommend my students do it either as it results in stiffness of the wrists. I like to play legato strokes most of the time and you can't do that on a surface that has no rebound. Thanks Rick

[@ReffyRef]

@@rickdior Thanks for your reply Rick, this settles it for me! One quick follow up: do you adjust your technique at all at low volumes? Do you just use less wrist or?

[@rickdior]

When I have to play very soft I use more wrists for single strokes. It is more secure.

[@ReffyRef]

@@rickdior Thanks so much Rick, your videos have helped my playing so much. All the best to you.

[@yoni2406]

6:32 Hi Rick, I am trying to practice that but i find myself struggling with my palm to keep it straight. especially my index finger curves. Is there something I am doing wrong?

[@rickdior]

I would have to see what you are doing. You might want to take an online lesson. I'm at [e-mail]

[@rondeangelis7384]

Excellent topic rick. Especially traditional grip which I’m learning myself but not confident enough to use over matched. Luv the finger control and how you demonstrated technique and grip. Which copperman sticks are you using?

[@rickdior]

Hi Ron Those are sticks made by the late William Reamer.

[@Javi7Tron]

Joe Morello students are the best !

[@siggeandersson1551]

On speed: have you seen the german drummer Christian Lillinger play? How do you reckon he gets his speed?

[@rickdior]

Wheaties. Lots of drummers can play really fast. But can they play fast at soft dynamic levels? Not always. For that you need to control the bounce with fingers.

[@JC-iy6su]

Traditional grip doubles have been bugging me for a while. Recently I've made some progress and right now I do this Moeller like motion where i drop the stick on the downstroke and squeeze a little to pop it back up. Is this what you are doing or are you relying more on your thumb? You mention your top two fingers are creating a barrier but I assume there is more to it than that. Are you using a lot of that finger control you demonstrated by bouncing the stick palm down? I had a look through your channel but couldn't find a video on the topic. This video is great and confirms I'm doing at the very least a few things correctly, but unfortunately the camera angle makes it difficult to grasp what the top two fingers are doing. A few hints would be amazing.

[@rickdior]

Hi JC The motion for doubles with the traditional grip is as follows: 1. Let the stick bounce 2. Stop the bounce with your thumb and first 2 fingers 3. The bottom 2 fingers control the distance the stick bounces 4. The thumb and first 2 fingers control the speed the stick bounces 5. To get more even doubles use your thumb and first 2 fingers to reinforce the bounce (this is kind of like a fast gripping motion...but relaxed) 6. All of these motions should take place in a relaxed motion, let the stick bounce as much as possible and do the work for you 7. Make sure you are holding the stick at the correct balance point so as to get the maximum bounce if you just drop it. I am available for skype lessons if you still need help at [e-mail]