Common Bad Habits when using the Matched and Traditional Grips

In Part 2 of my Basic Hand Technique Revisited Series we take a look at some common bad habits that can occur with both the Traditional and the Matched Grips. These bad habits can not only stifle your progress, but they can also lead to injury.
Here are the Time Stamps
0:00 Introduction
0:48 Matched Grip Bad Habits
7:12 Traditional Grip Bad Habits
For more hand technique videos please see this playlist
• Rick Dior's Hand Techn...
The equipment I am using is
An original Quiet Tone Drum Pad from the 1980's
My own Custom Sticks:
Leopardwood 74 grams
Cocobolo 85 grams
My Vic Firth Signature Stick in Hickory 63 grams
These sticks are all available from me at [e-mail]
You can find out more about them at www.rickdior.com/sticks

[@simeonjohnson6541]

This changed my whole drumming abilities. I owe you big time.

[@adammtroutman]

This video is not what you want to hear, but need to hear. The ultimate “eat your vegetables”. I have some work to do. Thank you!

[@thyself8004]

Rick, As a beginner drummer, I feel so blessed to have found your channel this early in my journey. There are a few good teachers on KZbin, but none of them have the decades of experience that you have, nor have they studied under bona fide masters of the craft. You are in the direct historical lineage of the art of percussion, and it is rare for someone of your caliber to provide all these videos for free. Your instructions are making me a better drummer by the day, and I can’t thank you enough for all these videos you put out. I can be confident I am playing properly when I follow your instructions, giving me a peace of mind that is hard to find when there is so much information on the internet.

[@larrytemple86]

HE HAS TAKEN ME BACK TO WHAT I MISSED OUT ON DRUMMING EDUCATION 50 YEARS AGO AND I LIKE YOU AM BLESSED TO BE IN THIS TIME MACHINE I ALSO BELIEVE STEVE SMITH IS AMONGST THE TRUE TEACHERS OF THE DRUM INSTRUMENT ❓️👍👀

[@mannys1930]

Excellent video. I'd like to say something about the traditional grip issues, which is that when guys try to play backbeats traditional all hell breaks loose.:-) I think it's fairly easy to get guys to comp and play jazz and swing with traditional grip. But that backbeat rimshot issue is a tough one. Ferrone and Vinnie have it together, But not too many others

[@danielhughes5250]

Thank you. Just what I was looking for. Have a good day.

[@b.p.879]

I'm a strictly match-grip drummer, going on 35 years, and I recently started learning Traditional thanks to your video!

[@tmaddrummer]

I've noticed that Steve Gadd has his pinky's extended, but he seems to play with a light touch full of groove and finesse. Oh how I wish I could have just met Joe, let alone take lessons with him, as he will always be one of the Greatest we've ever had. Thanks and Blessings Rick, I appreciate your talents and your kindness for sharing them!

[@simeonjohnson6541]

Developing my fluidity between each grip, opened my eyes to triplets and beyond

[@kaiowens1616]

I’ve gotten to study traditional grip with Tim Adams at UGA and it has been invaluable! He totally fixed all of my tension and positioning issues. Definitely a very complex grip and a lot of famous drummers have some of these bad habits so I’m thankful that you’re teaching lines up with my professor

[@TIMG128]

Great advice. When I was very young and just starting out my teacher had a pair of very heavy metal drumsticks. (I don't mean the genre of heavy metal! I mean they were made of a heavy metal.) I wasn't allowed to use them as he said my wrists etc need to develop first. He only used them sparingly himself but I always thought what a great idea they were. Have never seen anything like them since.

[@josephgiarraffa6379]

I remember when u first learned traditional I was told to keep the thumb back Myself through the years adjusted that thumb position as I’m playing There’s readily no strict position I find but keeping it in the ballpark position is a must It’s hard to explain it without showing it

[@pietrofontana6669]

This is by far one of the best drum channel out there. Rick is so precise and passionate. PS.: a video on Joe Morello and maybe some anecdotes would be great! Ty for all the work!

[@rickdior]

Hi Pietro That would be a long video, but I do speak about him here and there in several videos on this channel. Maybe I will do that someday. Thanks Rick

[@DaGretschguy]

I would love a video about Joe as well!!

[@samcolletto2593]

Love all this Rick!!

[@olivermaas1]

Thank you so much !!

[@metrodrumstv]

Great video Rick! Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience.

[@haydenfloro5561]

Thanks Rick for all of this incredible information! I hope to meet you one day!

[@OFLHLGZ28]

Great video. Thank you for your insight.

[@mfratino1567]

It’s kind of like golf! Learn the correct way first, and everything else is much easier! Thank you for the great lesson!

[@brent3760]

You are a wealth of quality knowledge and drumming Rick!! Appreciate what you do! I cant wait to get my shipment of the custom sticks I ordered!

[@dogmart]

Awesome lesson!

[@rondeangelis7384]

Rick you just nail these vids. 👌

[@TheQuestion31]

Thank you, Rick. Your comment about having a space in the right hand has done wonders for my playing, particularly with one handed sixteenths and uptempo jazz patterns. So much more relaxed, and allows you to focus on other stuff!

[@claudiafantaguzzi1545]

Grazie Rick!!!

[@samlagreca9283]

Excellent 👍

[@chrisgoodchild2204]

These technique videos are so useful to me. I used to play drums but never learned proper technique and would routinely get cramps, wrist and arm pain, and especially thumb pain. I decided recently to start with the basics because I love the drums and this is exactly the kind of advice I've needed. Many thanks!

[@tomtomboy6471]

Rick Dior the rhythm guru. Rick..I bet the farm there is a thing or two or few you could show to the always amazing BUDDY RICH! I also bet the farm there isn't anything you don't know or couldn't play....you belong on "Rhythm Jeopardy"...DAMN YOU'RE GOOD! Take care Rick and family, thanks for the knowledge and inspiration. I MUST GO PRACTICE! PEACE !

[@wuffb]

So Helpful!! I do a LOT of vocals while I play and found that I get protective of my left hand using a hammer grip there . . . insecurity of dropping a stick while trying to sing parts or lead. Paying attention to relaxing that is very helpful! GREAT VIDEO!!!

[@drummermomcjs]

Great video Rick. I also do my warm-ups and various exercises with heavier sticks because I find that once I have nailed it slower, with the heavier sticks, when I play with my normal sticks it feels almost effortless. I have used this practice to improve my doubles, triples, single strokes, and various rudiments and exercises and have found it effective. It was nice to hear that someone else does this as well. :-) I only recently discovered your channel but I find your content to be exceptional and easy to follow. Your teaching style works well with how I learn and I always find a nugget to apply to my drumming. Thank you for your videos.

[@DaGretschguy]

Great topic, great content and fabulous clear, teaching Rick!

[@rickdior]

Thank you, cool coffee mug!

[@allanloayza2056]

Hello master Rick Dior. I'm Allan, excellent exercises, they have been very helpful. Greetings from Lima -Peru. Thank you

[@boomerguy9935]

As usual, another fantastic video showing efficient and common sense moves. The only problems is that being human, we forget how to keep it simple. We tend to overthink things which leads us to believe that we are smarter than we are. My instructor from the 1960's showed me many wonderful tips which are similar to what you are teaching. He reminded me of Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid, teaching, "waxy on, waxy off". Thank you!

[@gw8278]

Corkscrewing. That's me!! Thx much Rick!

[@CarlWalkerDrums]

You know you've watched a lot of Rick's videos when you can tell the weight of the sticks he's picking up. 😀

[@nospoon17]

Hello Rick , thank you so much for sharing your drumming wisdom. I also just have to say that after listening and watching so many great drummers play Over the years you are one of my favorite drummers I’ve heard so far. There is just something about your playing , Besides being technically fantastic,that I love. It’s so inspiring to watch and learn from you. Thanks again

[@rickdior]

Thanks for that James, I really appreciate your kind words Rick

[@larrbrown7277]

Man did I luck out my teacher taught me everything you said and this was in the mid 50’s

[@penny.santiago]

I played for years without taking a lesson and this led me to develop a terribile grip besides not going anywhere. This in part was also due to poor posture, and the curious thing is that when I started taking lessons, I realized that was only on my right hand, while the left was fine (I'm right handed anyway). I recognized the corkscrewing problem as my own, and It's not solved yet after 3 years of constant practice, but fortunately, almost. So to avoid any tentation of unconsciuous speed, since the left hand was already a million times better at a certain point I took the opportunity to learn traditional grip. I agree it's very difficult but also so satisfying. I had the problem of the arm jammed against the side but the syncopation book (and later accents and rebounds) has been a close friend to fix the motion.

[@Lovelystevie]

Yup I allways tell my students to hold the sticks like a hammer except loose enough to let the stick rebound, and usually they suddenly understand. Tell them to lightely hold the stick between the major finger and the thumb so it makes a pendulem between the two back fingers and the index. I also usually show a video of Dennis Chambers and that helps also as he holds the sticks so lightly... The finger coming out thing is terrible, somthing I don't understand either, we're not drinking a cup of tea with the royal heiness lol ! Appreciate your videos by the way...

[@AlCampopiano]

I love the vids on traditional grip. Rick, I've often thought that the traditional grip has additional challenges when moving around the drums (different angles, slack surfaces, etc). Love to hear your thoughts on this.

[@rickdior]

One look at Buddy Rich, Joe Morello, Philly Joe Jones, Stewart Copeland, Steve Gadd, etc. should answer that question.

[@AlCampopiano]

@@rickdior They all play beautifully! I was meaning that perhpas you could share your experiences with the following: How to think about traditional grip when (1) playing different parts of the kit and (2) what to consider with respect to toms angle, hi-hat stand height, cymbal angles, rebound angles, etc. A personal example: when I first started with the grip, I kept hitting the underside of my hihat with the butt end of my left stick when moving to the rack tom. So I made adjustments and it happens less now. It was a sort of tradeoff I had to make. Some folks, like Steve Ferrone, have the hi-hat very high (presumably to allow for more power with the grip when crossing hands). Charlie Watts just omits an 8th note 🙂. Weckl and Carlock tilt their toms to accommodate rebound angle (I suspect). But it's rare to hear clear instructions or commentary on the grip beyond snare technique (which I also love!). Perhpas there is a conversation worth having about the full kit apllication that would be helpful to others. Thank you so for your incredible lessons!

[@pebbogruen3528]

Fantastic video Rick, as always! I’d be happy if in one of your future videos could elaborate a bit more on the tennis elbow phenomenon. Impersonally know a lot of drummers that suffer from that, especially when using a lot of do her technique…. Thank you and keep on doing those great lessons!!

[@rickdior]

Hi Pebbo I have a health and wellness playlist which you may want to check out. I am not sure what more there is to say other than to show you as I have in the video what causes it. Do you have a specific question? Thanks Rick

[@pebbogruen3528]

Thank you Rick! I didn’t know you had that topic covered already! Great advice there!!

[@Craigo-xg5mc]

I love the “what not to do” videos. So helpful! Thank you. I see some pro or advanced players using a middle finger fulcrum. Most often it’s the “matched hand” of their traditional grip. I’ve done it on occasion myself and find that it reminds me to relax my grip, especially when I catch myself tensing up during a performance. Do you ever recommend using a middle finger fulcrum, even on occasion?

[@rickdior]

I do not recommend that because it separates the back three fingers that are imperative for proper finger technique. You do not need to do that to relax the hand or grip. You need to spend enough time on developing a two finger fulcrum so that the fingers can work together and the middle finger is an important part of this.

[@Craigo-xg5mc]

@@rickdior Thanks, Rick. Appreciate the reply.

[@janetremsing6988]

👍😂"Squirel-grip"!🤣

[@chappydrums]

Hi Rick. Thanks for the video. Do you recommend incorporating practicing the four basic strokes as part of the daily routine? If so, do you have any practical exercises for those? -Jaro

[@AaronRadfords]

Another problem I see with matched is the left hand becoming tighter to the body than the left when playing time. This is often to try and put more effort into the backbeat but it creates a non-matched technique.

[@josephbradetich1560]

I noticed the lighter the stick on traditional grip the harder it is to play

[@jasonlightfoot1526]

Hi Rick, do you have any videos clarifying the moeller technique for traditional grip? I've been a matched grip player for 35 years & have been intently studying traditional grip technique for the last 6 months. It's been challenging (& frustrating!) trying to learn a new technique but I'm slowly getting used to the motions. I've really struggled with thumb only technique, initially I found I could play a couple of bars at a slow tempo but gradually lost all power in my thumb. This was even more evident when introducing the right matched grip hand to play 1/16" notes. Now I can nearly play for 1 minute so my thumb is getting used to the motions. My struggle with the moeller technique involves the 3rd upstroke. I find i can't consistently play this tap in the same location on the drum as the the 2nd tap. This note seems to move around the drum head. It's very annoying. I've had to really slow the motions right down (down, tap, up tap) to get it sounding half decent. I'm stuck on a tempo tempo of 70bpm with my left hand & would obviously like to play this quicker & with more endurance. Thanks for your passion in teaching this amazing instrument.

[@ACLOCKWORKDRUMMER]

Love your playing..I studied with Henry Adler for years and I noticed the drum mute right away.My dad was joe venuto who passed in 2019. Thanks for all you do..Greg venuto....ps I do I purchase your sticks?

[@rickdior]

Hi Gred You can email me at [e-mail] for info on purchasing the sticks. Thanks

[@samsungtablet7953]

Thank you fo this useful video, your channel helps me a lot with my transition from rock to jazz drumming. I was wondering if all of this applies to your grip when playing the ride? Or does it change as compared to the snare? Some other youtube videos recommend placing the thumb on top for the ride... thanks and all best to you and all jazz drummers out there. Phil

[@rickdior]

If you watch my drum set videos you can see how my hand position changes. Most of the newer ones have a top view.

[@samsungtablet7953]

@@rickdior Much appreciated 😀 Indeed, as I see now, you explain this perfectly in your video "developing the jazz ride pattern" which has good top views of the hand movement (e.g.). I'll try your hand wrist turn technique to master the uptempo swing. Thanks again! Phil

[@ezit9366]

Hello Rick, thank you so much for the beautiful rich and compact lessons! Just a question, the snare drum must be kept so high? At the height of the navel (it seems to me) only during the study, and then be a little lowered when we are on the drum set, did I understand correctly?

[@rickdior]

Hi Ezio That depends on the grip you are using, your seat height and your body type. Everyone is different but the height you see in the video is the height I use when I play drum set.

[@roccosamuele9323]

Rick, I really appreciate this lesson. Thank you so much. Quick question: for trad grip, do you recommend a particular angle for the wrist? For example, in past videos I think you mentioned you tend to hold your wrist more counterclockwise as you’ve evolved as a drummer. I find my elbow feels a little stress with my wrist clocked too far counterclockwise (I think), so I tend to try to clock my wrist more clockwise such that my stick is at a steeper angle relative to the plane of the snare head. But honestly I’m not sure if that’s best. Would love your insight. Thanks again 🙏

[@rickdior]

Hi Rocco Alot of it depends on your body type, length of arms, seat height, etc. I like to keep my left hand rather flat, maybe more so than most folks but that is comfortable to me. I would tell you to play with the most comfortable angle for you. As long as there is no pain or endurance issues, and you are getting the sound you want than it should be OK. It's hard for me to diagnose it without seeing it. You can send me a video of you playing at rickdior@gmail .com and I will have a look. An unpublished KZbin link would work best for me. Thanks Rick

[@roccosamuele9323]

@@rickdior Thank you so much, Rick. Really appreciate it. I’ll send a video in the coming days :) 🙏

[@russkammerer4655]

Thanks Rick. I saw a clinic with Tony Williams, and he said he only uses his 4&5 fingers to hold the sticks. Thoughts?

[@rickdior]

If you watch him play that definitely is not the case. I saw him live and close up many times in NYC in the 80's and he used lots of back fingers to move the stick not grip it. He was probably describing the way he played singles which was with his back fingers and he had phenomenal finger technique.

[@thechinchillachannel8457]

Question ... when I played drums when I was younger, I was taught similar matched grip technique. I've always like Dave Weckl's drumming over the years and found his "evolution" over the years rather interesting in that he seemed to really move away from "holding the stick between thumb and fore-finger" to using the middle finger as the fulcrum. I doubt that he never uses thumb/fore-finger, but he definitely changed his grip and approach significantly in the late 90s and early 2000s onwards. What do you think of this?

[@rickdior]

I like his drumming as well. He plays very hard so maybe that helps him as he is getting older. Whatever works for you as long as it enables you to play what you want to play.

[@jaakkot9661]

How long does it take to be able to play trad grip comfortably on the kit? I've been messing with it for one and a half years and I'm fairly comfortable with it on the pad but actually playing songs on a kit feels really weird, especially hitting hard accents on the hihat and crash.

[@Suddenly175]

Hi Rick! I have a question, if you don’t mind. I agree with you about fulcrum grip done solely with index and thumb, freeing up the rest of the fingers. You mention you have noticed with some people that the stick isn’t stable enough on the fulcrum and therefore people find ways with their hands to compensate. In my case, I have it happening on my left hand, making my playing shaky/uncontrolled in various ways. I feel what I am lacking is strength on my fulcrum to Hold the stick in the right position in a relaxed manner. Do you have any tips on how to work on this? You mentioned in the video (can’t remember especially where) that improper technique in some cases comes from undeveloped/weak fulcrum… what do you do in those cases? How does one really work on strengthening and at the same time relaxing the fulcrum? Thanks as always!

[@rickdior]

Hi I would suggest working on repetitive type exercises like the ones in my Three Camps book that I have been posting recently. You need to build up strength in your fingers. I would also suggest studying with a good teacher if you are not already doing so. An experienced teacher can spot problems and show you how to correct them.

[@Suddenly175]

@@rickdior wise words, I’ll keep doing those two things then! Thanks for the reply and the learnings as always

[@mattheasboelter5217]

Is it worth learning traditional grip to be able to teach it? I never learned it, so I play all styles exclusively with matched. It generally seems good for me, I don't really have a desire to play with traditional grip. But I am wondering about if I got a student that learned traditional from another teacher. Is it worth learning it so I can help them? Or is it better to switch them over to matched where I know I'm comfortable and can give informed recommendations?

[@rickdior]

In my opinion, yes. You will have students wanting to learn the traditional grip because they have seen so many great players using it. It is also extremely useful for Jazz drumming as well as rudimental drumming. I use and teach both grips.

[@dennisstgermain442]

I bought one of those Quiet Tone practice pads. MUCH better than all the other ones I have tried. Two days of using your videos and my LEFT is WAY better already , and less painful too, Question.....sometimes my Left traditional grip will creep forward towards the tip OR even backwards towards the butt . Why ???

[@rickdior]

Hi Dennis The left-hand traditional grip can "corkscrew" just like the matched grip which I show in the video. Sometimes the traditional grip will slip without turning. Strength in your thumb and keeping the stick closer to the thumb in crevice between the thumb and the first finger will help avoid that.