Hand Technique For Smooth, Fast Hi-Hat Playing

Well, how I do it anyway! This is the hand position/technique I've settled on over the years and default to most often when playing grooves hi-hat (or ride cymbal).
I'm definitely NOT saying this is the only way to do it, and of course my approach would vary depending on the musical situation, room I was playing in and the drum kit/hi-hat I was playing on.
Thanks for watching.
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[@MikeBarnesDrums]

...well, how I do it anyway! This is the hand position/technique I've settled on over the years and default to most often when playing grooves hi-hat (or ride cymbal). I'm definitely NOT saying this is the only way to do it, and of course my approach would vary depending on the musical situation, room I was playing in and the drum kit/hi-hat I was playing on. Thanks for watching. Support this channel: Buy a coffee/become a channel member: www.buymeacoffee.com/mikebarnesdrums

[@Vakullya]

u are my favourite drummer

[@bennymalone]

Love it Mike, I always feel a new enthusiasm for drums and drumming watching your videos

[@jakesavage1680]

Mike that playing and sound have a very distinct '60s vibe, very cool!!! Cheers mate!!

[@krombopoulosmichael]

What an incredibly helpful video., Mike. I play open handed (I'm right handed but it just feels more comfortable this way), and I am always confused about how technique can work for me. I find myself smashing the hihat more often than not but as I become a better drummer I am becoming self conscious about this. Your video clarified a lot of nagging questions I've had. Great work!

[@vistasgaming7681]

This channel is so underrated 😔Mike always brings quality content❤

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Thanks! V much appreciated. I must say I always find these "underrated" comments confusing - This channel has had well over 13 million views at time of writing, has regular attention and interaction with the drumming community, and provides me with a solid full-time income. I'd say it's appropriately rated and I'm very happy with how it performs. Thanks for your kind words and so glad you dig.

[@andyingham7144]

Thanks Mike. I need to up my hi-hat game and this will be really useful.

[@jchope777]

Mike, I needed this! I totally messed up at a jam session last night. My brain was ready, but my hands weren't 🤣 I've gotta work more on my technique.

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Build your skills! Thanks for watching.

[@martinmeadows9458]

Thank you, that's so clear and helpful. What about the left hand (for rh drummers) for double handed hi-hat grooves? I find my left hand mechanics aren't as 'natural' or smooth as my right hand. My double strokes on the hi-hat tend to lose note value. It feels like something to do with arm positioning and grip for the left hand? Do you have any advice, please?

[@elikebudi]

I can do my 16th note hi-hats with push pull but I think I need to get used to other methods for different musical styles :) Not there yet! 😀 I can’t get fast with other methods and my shoulder hurts… Cool video as always!

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Thanks for watching!

[@Unfunny_Username_389]

mint

[@andrew007s]

How do you play that roll so smoothly?

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Thanks! Always gonna be the same answer - practice. And very much still a work in progress as always. Cheers!

[@gfuterfas]

Oooo... 5 minutes of playing like this is cramping the side of my thumb. I've been a thumb-on-the-side of the stick player, but moving it to the top isn't comfortable. Are you locking your thumb joint back or keeping it loose? Like when I play guitar (it's my left hand and not my right), I lock my thumb joint straight against the back of the neck, especially to play barre chords. I can try to keep messing with this but it hurts!

[@chrisgoodchild2204]

I had the same problem. There shouldn’t be any downward pressure from your thumb or overly pinching the stick. Keep your thumb and first finger loose enough to let the stick move/bounce, then assist using your back fingers. You want the stick to be able to move freely. There’s a tendency to clamp down when you’re doing the accent stroke - took me ages to stop doing that, but even when you’re in that French position you still need to let the stick bounce/move freely. Don’t force the stick down. Bruce Becker has some great videos on French grip that explain this really well, too.

[@gfuterfas]

@@chrisgoodchild2204 thanks! I'll look for those videos. I suppose I could give it more than a few minutes practice and see if it improves.

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

@@gfuterfas Nice and loose! Just enough grip pressure at the fulcrum to keep hold of it, otherwise as loose as poss. Yes agree the Bruce Becker vids are great.

[@davegill7614]

Yea i struggle with any song over 130bpm mike...cant go and faster

[@MikeBarnesDrums]

Keep working! Stay loose, regular practice following a plan - drum rudiments, stick control and speed builders. Be consistent and make use of slow-fast-slow: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJmWgpqQrdyGjZo&pp=ygUibWlrZSBiYXJuZXMgZHJ1bXMgaG93IHRvIHBsYXkgZmFzdA%3D%3D