Fugget'about The Fingers!! - Your Best Way To Strong, Fast Singles! 🔥 (Quick Tip)

[@robm3311]

Thanks man! I'm in my 40s and my drumming has improved more in the past couple years since finding your channel than it has in the past 15. Greatly appreciated!

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

That’s cool, man. Glad this stuff is helping you out

[@sydhamelin1265]

Rob, you're leading my life. Also in my 40s and this channel has really pulled my drumming away from sounding wishy washy, and this guy has 100% of my trust.

[@whiskeyrock73]

Whenever I have a drum related question I always, always, always go straight to Rob Brown videos. Straight up

[@trackqueenstudios]

You've been my youtube-teacher for the past 8 months! I've recieved a lot of comments about my tight pocket within the last few weeks. Also your tuning videos helped me make my drums sound nice! THANK YOU :)

[@Lanark-iy4mt]

Always feel with this guy that he totally gets the struggles of the medium skill drummer. Thanks man. Drum on. 👊💥

[@techtactics788]

Spot on! Medium skill defines me 😢

[@poetdrummer]

Thanks, Rob. That's a really important lesson-wrist development is definitely where you get the power and solidity. It also allows for a more secure grip, meaning fewer dropped sticks. When I was studying with Richard Wilson he made me practice everything with a few different grips, including one with fingers closed firmly around the sticks, thus forcing the wrists to do all the work. (With matched grip you keep the butt of the stick tucked into the palm(s); with traditional you keep the fingers curled around the stick so you're forced to make the stroke solely from rotation of the cradle.) It took me ages to develop and incorporate, but made a huge difference in power, dynamics and overall control. It also makes a big difference in tone-singles from the wrist are typically more solid sounding, like nails being pounded, whereas finger-only singles sound more light and fluttery, like hummingbird wings. Tony Williams told me once that, "it all comes from the wrists." And of course just watch Buddy or Vinnie.

[@dominikn19]

"Tony Williams told me once" MAAAAAAAAAAN...

[@poetdrummer]

@@dominikn19 Ha, ha-sounds like somebody's jealous! But no biggie, really. I did get to see Tony play several times, which was always a blessing...and of course, a lesson. But I never got a chance to meet him, at least not in person. We talked on the phone once, though. Believe it or not, Tony was advertising in the newspaper, looking for drum students (this was in the SF Bay Area, 1993 or 94'). I called in hopes of studying with him-one of my drum heroes-and we ended up talking for a half hour or so, which was cool ...and pretty funny, too. But in the end Tony turned me down as a student because I didn't play traditional grip. (I was an adamant matched-grip-only player at the time. But a couple of years ago I got inspired by several youtube vids and ended up deciding that I was gonna learn traditional grip too....and man, am I loving it! Sure wish we'd had youtube when I was coming up-for sure I would have learned trad grip long ago!)

[@dominikn19]

@@poetdrummer Wow, thank you for telling this great story! And yes, I am definitely jealous, haha. I wish I could have at least told him how much I love his music and that I am thankful for it. I am also thinking about learning traditional grip right now. What is your experience? What are the difficulties of learning it and what are the benifits of actually being able to play it?

[@poetdrummer]

@@dominikn19 Dominik, it's best to learn every technique you can; the more techniques you master, the more likely it is you'll be able to play whatever the music, or your imagination, calls for. I avoided trad grip for two reasons-no one to teach it to me, and fact that I was born with a rare condition (called arthrogryposes) which limits extension and rotation of my joints, tendons, etc. So trad grip, for me, is especially hard, as I cannot turn my palms upward without having to tuck my elbows into my stomach area. But over the years I've worked with several brilliant musicians who were also handicapped (including a pianist born with no fingers), and I've learned that limitations are mostly in the mind. So one day a couple of years ago, after surveying every vid I could find on the subject, I just decided I was going to learn trad grip-no excuses! And I've been practicing it daily every since, and loving it. As for benefits, each technique you learn has them. Not long ago while recording some blues shuffle tracks for a client I did a little test: I recorded the same song twice, once using matched grip, and then again with trad. Though I couldn't get around the kit much with the trad grip, and my chops sucked, it was a real revelation when I listened back-because the trad-grip shuffle just FELT better, or "swung" better. The songwriter and producer agreed, and they ended up using those tracks-despite fact that it didn't have any cool licks or impressive rolls; the groove was just better (a real eye-opener for me). In short, some things work better with one technique, others work better with another. So the more techniques you master, the better prepared you are for whatever musical situation arises. Oh, and another great thing about trad grip-it's traditional, so by developing it you enter into a long tradition full of great players, which really helps with one's understanding of history and possibilities on the kit.

[@dominikn19]

@@poetdrummer Wow, this is incredible! Thank you so much for the detailed description of your experience, it helps a lot! Also huge respect to you and your will power for achieving all of that with a handicap! Chapeau and have a wonderful day! Thank you!

[@donnwood2403]

I'm Donn Wood from Texas. Been watching and learning about 6 months or so ago when I bought a Gretsch kit. I started in percussion back in junior high and learned basic fundamentals. You know how life is. I've found that my main setback is my left. I am seeing a lot of progress. So thank you brother.

[@cyradragons]

Another brilliant tip! I’m 56 and just started a year ago. Your vids are incredibly valuable to me.

[@millsinfotech1]

Thanks Rob, the fingers I've never been comfortable with. Working on the wrist speed gives way better power.

[@Wassileios]

Rob you are THE teacher man! I was desperate beacause I use my wrists and I hear all the time about push pull technique and stuff and now I have again a new goal to achieve! Twist those wrists! Thanks a lot and greetings from Greece!

[@bubinga_basher]

Man, you're such a great example of where hard work, talent, and a knack for communicating your ideas can get ya. It's the very few guy's that have really helped me keep going. Thanks!

[@debralynnpaxton5238]

Excellent as always, Rob ! Thank you :D

[@gowensbach2998]

Its only fair I support you, as you are supporting me! Love your lessons, your delivery, your altruistic dedication.

[@seancostello8558]

Thanks Rob! your channel has been a huge help for me! This vid is especially relevant to what I've been spending the bulk of my practice time on. It also re-enforces my mindset, which is wrists over fingers (still working on fingers plenty, but chasing control, not speed). Playing from the wrists just seems much more musical to me.

[@christiancanalita6487]

LOVE your point about going around the drums with power using your wrists. Thank you Rob!

[@lorenpaulger3807]

Best teacher I’ve ever seen. To the point. Easy laidback lesson with positive results. Music Teacher has never inspired me like this before. I love you, Thank you so much. I’m getting one of those hoodies! LRLLRLRR🤘🏽

[@mrmisfit635]

Rob, your playing and style are right up there with the greats...I'm sure even they would take a thing or two from you 👍🏽

[@ericharding92]

Beautiful! Always informative.

[@andybrown78]

I really enjoy your stuff! This will help a lot with my fills in gigs! I also revert back to your 20 min doubles workout before gigs. This has really been so useful for warmup!

[@kentmoore8105]

Love. Your. Channel.

[@devinw9088]

I dig this. I've found that I can do pretty fast stuff with that finger style but it just feels more solid and easy to move around the kit and such using more wrists and letting the fingers just do that extra 20% or so,. And you're right, the more you practice the faster that "fast twitch" develops in the wrist muscles, making it extremely fast. You can watch guys like Chris Daddy Dave play mostly wrists at CRAZY fast speeds. Like, you wouldn't ever need anything faster than that.

[@HideCamaro]

Rob congratulations from the bottom of my heart, your videos help me physical and mentaly. YOU are amazing. Hugs from Uruguay

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Wows! Shout out to Uruguay, man 🇺🇾 Greets from Canada 🇨🇦 🤝

[@davidroberts9230]

I'm with Rob M. I'm in my 40s and discovered your site earlier this year and it's taught me tons. I've no idea how I would have progressed were it not for online lessons. Thanks, keep the beat. DJSR, London.

[@brookehornback1896]

Not to far from the Canadian border just got back to the KY from visiting my nephew at Macalester College in Saint Paul Minnesota.Visited Paisley Park.This is good to know much better at using my wrist.Much appreciated.✌

[@alangoodwin148]

Excellent advice and tuition! I'm fascinated - Al from England, UK

[@CharlesTPrimm]

Another great instructional vid, Rob, Thank you so much! Appreciate you.

[@rolandtd2048]

It's always been a challenge heeding the advice of so many instructors saying to use the fingers more than the wrists.... And my wrists always wanna get in on the action.... I think I'm gonna start letting them.... always good pragmatic advice from Mr. Brown...

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

I got hooked into the fancy fiddly widdly fingers thing for a long time, too. Then Thomas Lang came along.

[@drumsdwaud]

Thanks Rob from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺 Just love your teaching 👍🏼

[@u1es]

Thanks for your vids, my guy! I made significant progress the last three days with your exercises. Shout out from Uganda !

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

Thanks Rob,another great one !

[@TheSGBrown]

Your videos are ALWAYS helpful, imo. 67 year old drummer with tendonitis (trigger finger) and your advice about power from wrist AND fingers makes drum concepts ADAPTABLE to all players even with disabilities or impediments. Thanks, 'grey beard'! /grins

[@eddieg1153]

Always fun to watch man.

[@itinensanzen]

i love this channel so much, i would love to see more videos with matched grip exercises, its so difficult to me to do the traditional grip.... please post videos of your power groove band, please

[@donalddailey1995]

Since I am very new to drumming , Like 3 Months, I appreciate the advice. I am working on my single stroke rolls. I will try this. Oh and as a wise man once said " First you get the power, then you get the speed, then you get the women!" Or something like that. Peace yall.

[@shawnsheers8532]

awesome and informative as always Rob.....and i purchased a hoodie :)

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Hey thanks a bunch, man 👊🏽🙂

[@jeffgannon5608]

Thanks much Rob. Great insight.

[@dwaynewladyka577]

This was a very informative and helpful lesson. Cheers, Rob! ✌️

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Thanks man 🤓

[@timsears951]

what is so funny about this is I naturally gravitated to using my wrist ..not much of my fingers but wrist only ..the fingers to me is more like a guide of some sort ...great vid ...Im sure this will be a revelation for many drummers

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Hope so, man 🙂

[@joshpatterson4411]

Cool ideas. Still use your tuning tips too

[@m.a.6478]

Hey Rob, very cool explanation! This is exactly the technique we use in Switzerland on the rope tension marching drums (which are played in trad grip)! This technique doesn't only get you power, but also a lot of control when playing flams, rolls and singles with accents and over a wide dynamic range.

[@jeffreypage9496]

Love your videos !!

[@nickrossi9587]

Rob, I agree wholeheartedly. Working up speed using the wrists will get you a firmer grip on the sticks. With that comes a greater range of power and control at your disposal. Buddy Rich commented once on the Morello and Moeller finger control techniques. He said: "I don't use any of that S__t. With me it's all wrists"...lol.

[@butchcassidy3373]

Thanks man. Great lesson and as drummer returning after a long hiatus you're a wealth of information.

[@biss2112]

I just dig your lessons. My wife is gonna kill me with all the merch I've got from you!! Keep the vids coming!

[@bobweber4140]

Thankyou rob allways great info you da man

[@anthonyhansen4383]

So helpful Doctor Brown ! ✊🏼

[@Ranger1216]

Absolutely! You need more power to get a groove goin’ on the high hats and arpeggios around the toms. Excellent thanks

[@mcbroseph69]

I spent all last night doing fingers and French grip training because I was always Germanic/matched grip. I'm just doing so because I have an issue keeping all of my fingers on the stick. I'm going to continue my fingers training, I feel in my journey it's the one thing I completely neglected and I could use the stability in just having my ring/pinky muscles more involved. I appreciate the videos you do! I got some great power in my single strokes with my normal grip, and this serves as a good hint not to get sucked down a rabbit hole when I got stuff to record coming up!

[@markstansbury191]

Aw yeah I dig it brother! Keep it up man

[@AerialProdigy]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@johnrobinson8323]

Always workin on my hands Beatdown! 🥁❤

[@Incountry]

There’s so many Pro-players (famous) that show you how they play so you can play like them, but then there’s Mr Brown, another Pro-Player but teaches you techniques on how to play to improve on speed, efficiency, application and better that’ll automatically make you a very good player… I like this guy… Mr Brown

[@Rockin_Ross]

I did your “Year of the Hands” and it was a game changer for my playing. I couldn’t thank you enough. But I’ll try as I’m now the proud owner of 3 of your great merch items!😉

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

THREE?! Nice 🙂 Thanks for supporting, man 👊🏽

[@CharleswoodSpudzyofficial]

I recently started using my wrist for singles from the drums lesson with Thomas lang

[@RoddyMusic444]

Great Vids !

[@gfunkkowboy]

Well done Rob B

[@pamelatrowbridge3607]

Great job 👏

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Thanks Pam! 👊🏽🙂

[@dvision23]

That was a great lesson.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Thanks man. Glad it helped 🤘🏽🙂

[@peterevans366]

Thanks Rob and so very much appreciated you is the teacher.❤️ I really wanted to improve my power as I just joined a band where they require speed and power ....Will give this some serious time...Tony Williams used pretty much expressed the same idea of which he was a master of hand to wrist development, his comping and power was to me mesmerising,you put it in total perspective for me in a clear and concise way...Work those hands👍

[@floydsmithjr7999]

Thanks to you Ive curbed my obsession with trying to play faster than I can. Now Im more focused on precision. Muscle memory is where its at. Put in the time and reps, speed will take care of itself.

[@m.lieber3967]

I always wondered how I should get around the kit using fingers, always felt weak and wonky. For fast single stroke rolls around the kit I automatically used my wrists and thought that was kind of bad technique (fingers are so much faster). Thanks for clearing that up.

[@JT-hw6mq]

Just found your channel. So happy I did. Cant wait to try some of your exercises. Going to get my 8 yr old to try drums as well. What is the metronome app you use on the ipad? Thanks

[@tatoisgold]

Speed from the wrist remind me of Thomas Lang tecnique!

[@kiddster2112]

I read a Thomas Lang interview where he says he doesn't let a stick or pedal "bounce", preferring to explicitly propel every note to gain more control. That would be wrist, right?

[@tatoisgold]

@@kiddster2112 maybe, but His foot tecnique Is insane jajaja! He Is in the room with nechta because of His foot tecnique

[@katskillz]

I think this dovetails with the so called Tony WIlliams grip. By contrast he called the rebound-based approach (using index/thumb as fulcrum and back fingers helping the rebounds along) "willy nilly" because the results can vary based on speed, surface, etc. The "Tony" grip (don't know what else to call it though he didn't invent it) emphasizes control over each stroke so the intention and outcome are going to be more equivalent. So more control with less physical shortcuts = more power + speed + consistency.

[@thinkpad20]

Thanks for the great video Rob! I wonder if you have any videos specifically addressing rebound issues with traditional grip. I find that when I put my index finger over the top of the stick it’s always interfering with the bounce of the stick. Sounds choked, feels uncomfortable in the hand, and I have to work a lot harder. If I’m using thumb-only I get all the rebound I want, it feels light as a feather, but at the cost of some control. Any tips you have for making the trad grip work with index-finger-over would be amazingly helpful.

[@W33N1S]

Hey Rob what model of Promark drumsticks are you using nowadays?

[@greandre68]

What sticks are you using? Great tips, do you have 4x tees or sweatshirt?

[@haimshachar8664]

Hi great lesion!!! is this an apple metronome you are using?

[@mysteryblackstudio6185]

Big Rob

[@hubhamers2523]

Hey Rob. I have a question ? What metronome is that besides you ? Thanks for all good advice.

[@NoelMay]

I've noticed you hold the L stick way back when you play traditional grip, some other players as well, I was taught to use the fulcrum more, which does feel more natural for me. I also tend to concentrate on the rebound more than what I'm doing with my hands, just a mental thing ...

[@JMontague990]

Rob for practice are you a 5A or 5B type of guy??

[@vinifernandes8]

What program does he use for this visual metronome?

[@StoyanStoyanov88]

I play most with the wrist,fingers have no power.Nice video explanation ✌️

[@krashboomboing]

How does this work with matched grip, exactly?

[@xXTheNerdHerdXx]

just mirror his right

[@krashboomboing]

@@xXTheNerdHerdXx I'd wait for his answer, mate

[@t3hgir]

@@krashboomboing 3:08 did you even watch the video?

[@paulhennessy5282]

Hey sweet video can anyone give me some tips on I can play at a certain speed but I just can’t play it for as long as the song I’m tryna learn is their excercises for that or is it just more months of practice till it’s easy

[@jumpropestairs6129]

When you hear a song can you detect match or type of hold

[@1138pratt]

As usual, this was *RIGHT LEFT RIGHT RIGHT* on time.

[@borndrumming1972]

Quick gear question...what kind of practice pad set up are you using in these vids?

[@borndrumming1972]

Specifically this video...lol

[@borndrumming1972]

Ahhh..nevermind. I see you left it in the info area. I will use the link and grab one.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

@@borndrumming1972 Yea, this red one was a limited run. But the original is the exact same thing

[@jdidrums4142]

Hey Rob, love your videos. Quick question what metronome app are you using on your ipad?

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Thanks. It’s called ‘Click’ in the App Store

[@shayanspd]

Hello broo from Iran......

[@44liisa44]

Hi Rob! Won't you end up injuring your wrist doing this over time? Like carpel tunnel? That's the only thing I am worried about. Straining something. Thank you

[@terrancethomas-noaaaffilia3310]

Hey Rob do you have your own signature sticks ?

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Not yet. One day, perhaps 🙏🏽

[@cplee9]

Did your wrist hurt when you started?

[@Tdrums8]

I have a Question about gripping your sticks .I have been getting Blisters lately ..Do you hold your sticks really loose ? Ty Excellent vids

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

About as loose as I can hold them without them falling outta my hands, yea

[@Tdrums8]

@@RobBeatdownBrown Ok Ty for the reply ill try it

[@edwardknox9269]

What is that beat at the beginning?

[@blado3442]

Hey Rob I have a left hand and a right foot. Any advise for me as far as setting my kit? I have been switching on and off between setting the entire kit left and also setting it right and playing open hand. When I sit on a left hand kit, it's very easy for me to play since I naturally lead with my left hand; The only problem is that my left foot is very weak and I'm having hard time developing it. I'm originally a bass player but I am starting to like to play the drums more as a second instrument.

[@JMontague990]

Do you still use the Onyx heads??

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Not since the UV1 and UV2 came out. They’re all I use now.

[@erawagaming712]

💯💯💯👍🏿

[@ambroulard]

Donati has always said if you want to be really strong around the kit, (as he certainly is) you have to develop the shit out of the wrists--. If you’re a more laid back player playing laid back music,, you might not even need to bother…..

[@FLAMANGO12123]

I've been working for a while on my wrists but unfortunately it's taking forever to get better, must be my age I think, I'm 50 now , but they not flexible enough 😭😭😭

[@blueberrypie2722]

I'm sorry but what's the takeaway again? I watched the whole video few times and still didn't know what to do. So you just practice rotating your wrist while watching TV? What about matched grip players? You tap on your knee?

[@drums5785]

The point he is making is yes, finger technique is fast but it is not the be all and end all, as it can be weak in terms of volume. He is saying you can get a good strong single stroke roll with wrist strokes alone, hope that makes sense

[@Sami-Gantz]

Train grip in the gym, it really helps.

[@michaelwas8549]

I just think using fingers in traditional is just to unnatural. Just me though.