Traditional Grip Technique Explained!

In this technique lesson, I break down traditional grip in-depth and give you some variations and exercises to help develop more control and precision.
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[@abbdrums]

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[@joshpuranen4695]

Hey Austin, did you march at some point or had a drum Corps instructor? I always thought you had pretty drumline esque hands. I marched dci, wgi, and college and I have noticed kit players without the drumline background play with more thumb twitch and arm and not as much wrist turn.

[@abbdrums]

I never did actually! However, when I was at M.I, Rob Carson taught a class that was essentially hardcore marching snare technique and I got pretty obsessed with it then. I spent A LOT of time practicing material for that class and that whipped my hands into shape pretty quick haha.

[@headblower9784]

It was amaaaaaziiiiiing. Thank you!

[@steveromley6982]

I started playing again after 35 years. Match grip just felt too strange. I’ll be able to play traditional again when I’m 70! Something to live for. Thanks. Oh yea, fantastic explanation.

[@andrewklie8061]

Me too!!

[@brucedelaplain7138]

Agreed! Match grip is just weird. Of course, I wouldn't think so if I'd learned it that way. Best thing I saw on TV back then was Joe Morello with Dave Brubeck. Awesome!

[@balenokuski3466]

Here same Iam 60 and I think everything start again over.

[@therobloxspectrum6666]

@@balenokuski3466 unless your marching, it is proven match grip has far more benefits than traditional

[@thiccbasketcase7375]

hell yeah

[@johndeangelo4465]

Best instruction on traditional grip I've ever see.

[@cicero73100]

the second best instruction, the first is Dave weckl

[@Big_C_4205]

Also best instruction I’ve ever see.

[@robertstrobel7237]

Yes.

[@Stephen0988]

I want to say, Thank You. I am 73, suffered a severe head injury in 2016. I was a Guitarist but I have only recently started thinking about playing again, I have purchased a Practice pad and I have started learning the drums, mainly for my health, my left arm is weak as a result of the injury but I am determined to play both the drums and the guitar again. It has taken some time to be well enough to even contemplate this, they told me I would not be able to walk or talk again, I am doing both and driving my car again, so learning the drums is now my new goal. I have found your lessons an inspiration I started yesterday, so thanks again.

[@abbdrums]

That’s great to hear :) Glad you enjoy the videos

[@Huldah314]

Stephen, I found your comment very inspirational! I am 70, recently retired, and hoping to learn drumming … starting with a cajon. 🎉

[@artpereira]

Best quote I heard at a workshop I attended (can't remember who, think it was Gavin Harrison), also paraphrasing: "Traditional grip is really great for showing people that you know what you are doing"

[@danielreily2701]

Another great quote that is worth repeating, " traditional grip is not a natural grip, you have to earn it ,but once you do it will be such a great weapon " .Maybe I just made it up ! I play trad. grip wrong way around ie. my right hand is holding the stick in that method, I keep trying to change but it's hard but I know it is a better grip particularly for ghost notes. Use both grips according to the music.

[@chinautapropertyforsaleorr4018]

Just started practicing after 40 year lay off due to car crash always played match but now definitely going to master traditional thanks for the training love it

[@patrickmoroney9754]

@@danielreily2701 sounds like Rob Brown I think

[@stevenglasl1443]

I’ve only been playing 1.5 years on a practice pad kit. It’s coming along, but I want to get traditional grip down bad. I keep practicing but it’s 50/50 for me. I always go back to traditional. I’m down with your “you earned it” comment 😭 one of these days

[@rilesf4067]

@@danielreily2701 i love using "reverse" traditional but my teacher hates it

[@keg8129]

I played quads in highschool and never learned traditional. After two years of not drumming, I got really into The late and great Peart before he passed. That documentary about him relearning the drums in a circular manner with Freddy gruber was really inspiring. I’ve been playing left hand traditional for the last two months and FINALLY I feel natural. I can’t wait to try these moeller taps and the 4 point control concept. Tapping the sticks with the fingers top down looks so gangster

[@BrockSavage79]

Another beautifully shot, edited and delivered Austin-style video. This is drumming education at its best! Great job man!

[@abbdrums]

Thanks Jack!

[@SpotOnArm]

Ditto!

[@kevinmorrison1553]

The snare is adjusted differently to accommodate the steeper angle, fine, but what about the HH? That is adjusted for the right hand grip and way out of adjustment to play it with your left. And now space needs to be provided for your left hand to the left of the rack Tom. It seems so impractical behind a kit. And, yes, I’m aware there are famous people that play this way. Imho, go traditional grip only if you desire to play/walk parades.

[@MB-ql7rd]

I've been doing Revolutionary War reenactments for decades and began looking for a way to stay involved but no longer carrying a firelock in the smoke and fire battlefield experience. I love traditional music so drumming is my choice--starting out as a duty drummer relaying commands and will learn tunes as time goes on. I'm teaching myself (along with research into 18th-century drumming) and your video is a tremendous help--particularly the exercises. Thanks.

[@verawright2157]

How wonderful to see a drummer who can hold his sticks correctly . I learned this way about 70 years ago. Then no one would hold their sticks traditionally. It was a sign of weakness to do that. Now female drummer , aged 82. Excellent video.

[@harrygardiner9001]

There's no 'correct' way to hold your sticks

[@american_warrior724]

Vera - ur 82 yrs old and female drummer???!!! :0 Wow

[@american_warrior724]

I knew a Vera who was Senoir class woman and she operated a big front loader type thing , and she would load dump trucks with dirt from her property.. U cant possibly be the same Vera, right??? St.Louis metro area?

[@chickenbeforeegg]

I've been wanting to properly learn traditional grip for a while now, just to be able to switch between, and this is extremely helpful dude!

[@NZMateus]

I loved your explanation - simple, efficient and straightforward. I've been playing exclusively with traditional grip for about two years, but it's always good to watch new and different explanations, and especially - a functional one! congratulations.

[@Coastfog]

Preach! I always go back to the most basic stuff from time to time. Sometimes you just find that little nugget of understanding that escaped you before, even if you're already beyond the beginner stage. I reckon this concept applies to virtually everything in life - always make sure your foundation is as wide and reliable as possible. From there, sky's the limit.

[@b.p.879]

I'm 44, been playing match grip since age 7, and this is exactly what I was looking for to learn the basics. Great video!

[@MrAlainpoudrier]

Austin..... you did it again! Well presented and explained. I have been playing for about 50 years and I use traditional, matched and French grip. It all depends on the style of music you are playing as far as I am concerned. I love the control and softness that you get with traditional and the power you get with a matched grip. Like you said so well, whatever works for you and the music you are interpreting.

[@Shigatoxic]

Your videos are some of the best drum instruction on YT. You are a natural teacher. Articulate, intelligent delivery of super useful information!

[@marvinpues]

I've just begun my trad grip journey a few weeks ago watching and working through Igoe's Great Hands currently. I like what all you put up here. Your two key pieces of advice from this for me 1.) go all in and do it full time 2.) it's gonna take some serious time to master. Thanks for the video.

[@Ranger1216]

This video is so comprehensive and so well demonstrated!

[@Lydirius]

I've been playing for over 40 years. This is an excellent explanation for beginners. Great job.

[@RazKlartt2512]

0:48 that was clean

[@RazKlartt2512]

@Minecraft Platinum Fireworks bruh

[@rondeangelis7384]

Beautiful demonstration Austin. Notibly, just how to setup the snare which gets overlooked. The main point i got from it was performing a rim shot, you don't have to drop your shoulder, which i never realized if you just raise the snare. Plus, the open and closed hand position strokes. All your videos really come to life. You da man Austin as always. Anyone need advice on recording, checkout Austin's vids on that topic also !!

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Excellent demonstration of how to play traditional grip Austin. You’ve done a great job of breaking the technique down and showing how to improve on this. Very well done!

[@johnnyofast5924]

Watched your lesson last night. I've been playing for about 50 years on and off due to circumstances beyond my control. Have always played traditional grip but never really had much speed built up. Simply by tilting the snare like you said made an instant and noticeable difference. Amazing how something so simple could be over looked all these years. Great lesson, thanks!

[@Thedrummersalmanac]

Great traditional analysis, Austin. Very nicely explained and executed. Great work!

[@vincentbuonora8477]

...Excellent demonstration of the various positions of traditional grip. Lesson for all! Thanks!

[@thatonebrokenpixel4889]

This video changed my view on traditional grip a lot. I never really saw the benefits to it before, but I do now

[@mhp2766]

Thanks Austin, the 5 to 10 years learning curve is a spot on way to set expectations right.

[@Coastfog]

That is some clean technique! Just perfectly clear and intentional notes, sounds *so* pretty. I'm too busy working on other stuff right now, but when I tackle traditional grip eventually, this is the video I'll return to. ✌️

[@jdallassword]

This was well explained and well demonstrated. Nicely done!

[@robertchapman7181]

Awesome lesson. I’ve been toying with learning traditional, as I’ve begun playing to jazzy/funky drumless tracks, which I’ve found to be way more satisfying than copying someone else’s playing. Subscribed, and will be binging on your vids.

[@StockDoc2k]

Totally agree! I love to throw a little drumless Funk into every session. The freedom from rigid structure carries over for when I play the rock/metal songs. I instinctively find myself hitting extra an extra splash, random Ride Bell hit or Ghost notes that get sprinkled onto the otherwise driving engine feel of metal and the hard 4 time of rock.

[@rorykoenen5027]

Very clear and didactic explanation with great examples how the traditional grip can improve technique. The best video around. Thanks!

[@John-rw2zf]

Great lesson on traditional grip. I started out using this method on a marching snare with a single shoulder strap and no leg brace in the 60's. The snare just hung down on your left side. The traditional grip was the only way to play the marching snare with a set up like that. When you graduate to a set of drums I think the matched grip is more advantageous if you want more control and more speed. It always amazes me to see the finger control that great drummers are able to achieve using both styles. I really liked the four step practice exercise for the left hand. Thank you very much for this excellent lesson.

[@judyburmeister4145]

Thanks for showing us this traditional hold of the sticks!

[@thibodaux3424]

Great video and instruction. The two camera angles really help understand the positions as well. Thank you!

[@samcohen1185]

Hey Austin. Great video, very insightful and helpful! I’ve been playing traditional grip I guess “full-time” for about 2 years now and all the tips mentioned in your vid are just bang on! Also when you brought up the two types of grip, that being “opened” and “closed” grips I also thought of Vinnie and the Virgil. Keep up the good work man!

[@yougotgroove]

Lookin good Austin! I was 27 years old when I seriously added this grip... Vinnie, Tony, Steve Gadd, ..... Then 10 years later I'm watching and listening to Bill Stewart..... I then learned it doesn't matter which grip, If you have the desire to put in the work good things will happen Austin's putting in the work!

[@mccabemelton5135]

I’m a 14 year old drummer, been playing for 2 years, this is the best traditional grip tutorial out there 😄

[@acrabwithahat4303]

Cool I'm 13 and I've been playing for about 4 years and I've just started playing for my church

[@acrabwithahat4303]

@Javier Cruz well I appreciate you not coming at me because I'm a Christian, what genre do you like to play?

[@acrabwithahat4303]

@Javier Cruz jazz is honestly my favorite genre, but I haven't really gotten into rock. Obviously there isnt a wide variety of rock songs played in church 😂

[@ploiarxoc9008]

I am a 14 yo drummer too I ve been playing for 6 years it is truly a nice video

[@ploiarxoc9008]

@Javier Cruz when you start playing the drums with passion means that you play the drums so good !!!When you have the skills inside you then that makes you want to play more !And if you play more then you get better !It would be a pleasure if you sent me on my Instagram : billycrush_official to have a debate because it is great to talk with others about these things !!!

[@shoppingamericanarecording5808]

You are very kind to put this great info online. Many thanks. Brilliant.

[@dermur68]

There are some absolutely woeful YT teachers out there. They *might* know what they're talking about but they're useless at explaining it in a way that I understand. Your teachings are clearly well thought out, well articulated and I'm happy to have discovered your channel! Thanks.

[@Summervibes12-t5z]

Best traditional grip video on KZbin. Thanks Austin, great vid as always.

[@reichsbahnfan6346]

Awesome! The Moeller- technique played in traditional grip is very, very elegant! I'll try to learn it, although I played the matched grip for many years. Looks very fine!

[@StockDoc2k]

Cool, calm, full explanation of techs. Teaching is in your blood, man. Good Stuff!

[@MrOngor]

This is hands down the best instructional video I have ever seen. 100% Perfect

[@elguaripolo686]

The quality of this video is unbelivable. Thanks!

[@mikelocke3258]

Many, many thanks. A big eureka moment for me from your video. I played trad grip in my youth for a number of years and now getting back to drumming just for fun, 50 years later Ha! ha! ( that's not a miss print...) Bought a electronic set recently and now really enjoying myself. Never knew about the finger techniques and am slowly coming to grips with this. I was trying to do everything from just the fingers but your demo of combining the moeller technique really was a 'shot in the arm" for me , excuse the pun. Sooo much more natural for me to involve the arm and wrist. I just wish that videos and talented teachers like you, willing to share their expertise, had been available in "my day". To-days drummers are so lucky. Excellent quality of videos, in production, content and your natural teaching skills. Again, many thanks.

[@kufufisher9744]

Thank you for being a patient instructor!!!

[@suprchompas]

Thanks man, I always wanted to get into traditional grip and this helps a lot. keep up the awesome content!

[@king-manu2758]

I was struggling getting a powerful stroke and instead I was getting like a buzz stroke every time I wanted to hit hard. But watching this video you mentioned the elbow thing and karate chop and that seemed to do the trick. Thanks a lot man you're awesome

[@thejawshop-AdventureRecording]

Great video. I was matched for ever, then I took my drums to a cabin for two weeks and came back traditional. I can't go back, as i feel my brain has developed creatively around the traditional now. It is just another mindset.

[@glennracoma7481]

Best tutes on traditional grip techniques in my estimate. Thanks!

[@banez]

Great video and explanation! This is exactly what i needed with all this extra free time!

[@marcoaguillon4926]

I love traditional grip. This video is just great. Thank you!

[@ravilow-beer525]

A great lesson. Thank you very much.

[@jgdevoe]

Superb! I’m a lefty and have an injured right thumb causing stick control . Have been wanting to try traditional and this video was perfect.

[@BrianH020]

Great job as always, Austin. You are so right, to really master traditional, you must commit 100% full time. I go between the two, and there are some things I can do better traditional than matched, but I would in no way classify myself as having mastered it. If I may be so bold, the only thing I would add is how your individual physicality may influence whether or not you are an open or closed traditional player. For me, the shape of my right hand (lefty here) definitely dictates that I be more of an open player, rather than closed. I just cannot, no matter how hard I try, make it 'work' in a closed type fashion. Also, I thought for sure you would say Steve Smith is the prototypical 'closed' player, I believe that's what I see. As loose of a grip as he employs, it almost looks as if he's closing his entire hand on the stick sometimes. lol. Finally, you, no pun intended, nailed it by describing the stick resting just behind the nail on the ring finger. For years I thought it was strange for me to do that, until I saw evidence of others doing so. So thank you for pointing that out, in case there are others out there who wonder if they are doing it as well. Again great work, looking forward to the next!

[@lawrietelford7986]

Excellent explanation. All your presentations are of a very high level - I haven't seen any better.

[@frankfrankenstein5933]

Of all the drum lessons I have seen on KZbin, yours is the best, period! New subscriber! 👍

[@DrUmSensitive]

Thank you, thank you, thaaaaank youuuuu!!!!! I was dreaming of a video like this one for 30 years!

[@CMcMahonDrums]

Thanks for such a detailed and well-produced video! Learning traditional grip is my resolution for 2024. I incorporated it, sort of, into my right hand when I had an injury a few years ago but haven't been able to get it going with the left. I'm eager for that to change!

[@dsdm407]

Best video on KZbin about traditional grip. Big thanks to you!

[@mattryan6886]

This is fantastic traditional grip lesson. I will definitely be recommending in future.

[@unclestevie9841]

Thanks Austin for another fantastic video, great insight there... that practice pad looks very nice I will look into one of those, really nice exercises to practice and you are right you have to put the work in. How about a quick video on your effortless transition from matched to traditional??👍🏻

[@ibig9361]

That was amazing . I subscribed based on this alone . I appreciate your relaxed and concise while thorough teaching style.

[@jaypeters9762]

Many thanks Austin.. just what i was looking for, All the best Jay

[@danielgross535]

Another great video, man! Thanks for the work you do. Drummers of the world unite!

[@VinceCho]

4 point control practice is very helpful. Thanks for your detailed explanation.

[@KinoHaitsma]

The best instruction video on traditional grip on KZbin, period.

[@houdinididiit]

Great videos as always here on this channel. As for traditional grip, I think it’s worth mentioning that there are only four muscles involved in the left hand when playing like this. Therefore, it is much more difficult to develop as opposed to matched which uses over 20 something muscles. Even a guy like Max Roach switched to matched grip as he got older to make it easier to play. Thankfully, his playing didn’t really change too much. Just something to think about.

[@davidmirza1366]

thank you so much for this lesson, Austin

[@masterofnaan]

Fantastic lesson. I’ve seen this guy on KZbin a few times and this is the video that made me subscribe

[@ryanl3260]

This was extremely helpful. Thank you

[@mzambo666]

Was I in need of this. Thank you so much

[@squint753]

just what i was looking for. Bravo, thank you Austin.

[@user-rb7gb5id4l]

Thank you for the very detail teaching.

[@drumdiscussion7776]

Thank You-Very good explanation ! This really explains a lot for everyone !

[@jonashoffmann3730]

Very useful and fun set of excercises! I'm making this part of my daily routine. I like that you didn't go super fast with the tempos (there's only a handful of excersises I couldn't play up to speed yet.)

[@Glinggl72Freestyle]

Perfectly explained and shown. Thank you very much.

[@jello-tarzan]

Good job! The best tut I found on the subject. Thanks!

[@U2WB]

Excellent video. I really enjoy your well-conceived and intelligent lessons.

[@davidwalton2553]

Great video! Thanks Austin.

[@ringmasterblaze]

Thanks for this. I was getting frustrated because I couldn't do the open traditional grip, but the closed grip feels great.

[@EnricoMickMorena]

Wonderful tutorial Austin...great work.

[@JoeValenti1968]

Just wonderful. Finally I’ve got the point. THANK YOU

[@AlexSlavenDrums]

i love that little flick between matched and traditional at 0:47 , very nice

[@snehasischatterjee5027]

Thank you sir for this video. This is so much help full to learn traditional grip playing. Thanks once again.

[@martinbonderer2227]

Thank you very much for this post, your explanations and help! I'm not a drummer, music is very close to my heart, therefore, the drums too and that's how I came across your channel. Ps. Steve Gadd... for me, one of the greatest - certainly the greatest - that I was able to experience live❤️

[@EverythingsConnected.]

I've been researching KZbin videos for a drummer friend of mine trying to find something helpful that addresses muscle fatigue and after watching this video it dawned on me that alternating between different grips might help with this. Am I on the right path with that line of thought? Any additional insight you could add would be most appreciated. Excellent teaching skills!

[@GSA_Drums]

Thanks Austin.. Exactly what I wanted from someone with awesome trad. Technique 👍🏻👌🏻

[@skittlepuff]

I was doing “closed grip” this whole time and I saw all these videos saying that you do traditional grip “open grip” and now I’m realizing that the way I do it is normal too!!! What a relief because I just could not get used to the open grip and kept changing back to closes naturally while I play

[@wildbushcraft]

Wow thank you for this Ive just started playing drums a few months ago using the match grip but i wanted to start trying out the trad grip and from ive been watching the oldies like Joe Morello, Buddy Rich on youtude noticed that their snare was at an angle so I changed mine to match but wasnt aware of the height and how it make a big difference.. until now.. Dude thank you!!

[@yohenson]

amazing dude. finally someone who explains it well!. i was BIG struggler on double strokes trad!

[@lrdrums98]

I picked up traditional from marching snare line in high school and have used it ever since. I actually dont subscribe to the drastically different snare drum positioning - I keep it about the same height and angle I'd play for matched. Keeping the traditional hand lower and more flat allows the stick to strike the head at a very similar angle to matched while still keeping the different wrist motion.

[@williamkleitsch1153]

Very nice Austin. Your presentations are always excellent. I believe with proper supervision one can develop a traditional grip in 2 years practicing 2 hours a day on rudiments. As for technique I would say it’s not what you are comfortable with but what sound you want to create. Thanks

[@lance4613]

Excellent presentation again Austin. Thanks, Lance. UK.

[@lenwalker7393]

This is a great explanation and demonstration. Thanks.

[@Bryman1970]

Great instructive video. I've always wanted to learn traditional grip.

[@ronaldpapa8182]

Great video Austin!!!

[@ditythehandgunner896]

Thank you Suhu.. it's very simple, nice, and adoptable learning ..

[@patallison8137]

Currently the music teacher in a school in Mongolia. Thought I would get better at the drums during lockdown/no school. Great video. Really helped. Thanks dude.

[@Shevock]

Great instructional video. I learned match grip but I have a studio and sometimes have a high schooler who needs to do trad for marching band.

[@Mike1960s-teenager]

An excellent tutorial - the best I have seen - great guy!

[@vincentsantarelli6915]

great job.lots of info..thanks very much