Traditional Grip Thumb Control 2.0

I figured I would do a reboot of one my first videos I ever did which happens to be the most popular as well. Enjoy!!!

[@kevinlawlor5779]

Thanks Chuck, you're welcome. Keep em coming, I love them and I gather so do lots of others. I'll check out the sticks, they look great as I have smooth skin and need a little grip and sticks that are articulate. Cool

[@Ben9096]

Hey Chuck! It's Ben your student from ages ago. Just wanted to get in contact with you and say I miss you man. Your teaching, patience, wisdom and chillness has stuck with me my whole life. My parents got divorced which resulted in me not being able to go to progressive anymore and I hate how I never got to say goodbye, give you a hug and say my thanks. I'm playing drums still and jamming with people all the time out here in LA, which has led to some awesome experiences and bonding with some great people. Thats all because of you!! (U2 reference) Still stuck holding the sticks really tightly from trying to always play super powerfully like Jon Bonham from when I was a kid haha. Anyway, would love to stay in contact and catch up!! Appreciate you man!

[@loucontino4804]

I generally play the thumb with the index slightly on top and the middle finger guiding while closing the pinky into the palm and the ring finger under the stick. I many times use the ring finger to push a bit on the stick back up. The lesson here is something I've never used. I don't ever play with all those fingers outside of the stick. So now I am working on leaving the fingers outside like in the video to see if I can gain the control in a single stroke roll to achieve dynamics of soft to loud and back. This is a huge challenge for me. I'm not there yet.

[@RobFerrellDrumStudio]

Best trad grip vids out there! Super comprehensive!

[@ChuckBarchuk]

Thanks Rob, I really appreciate that.

[@budokaiboy]

I completely agree.Thank you so much for putting these up!!!

[@danielperezalbert7876]

NIce lesson. Many thanks, Chuck.

[@vincentbuonora8477]

Just watching the strokes teaches so much. Great video. Thanks

[@ChuckBarchuk]

Your welcome Vincent.

[@lydia7023]

Please continue to make new videos! I just discovered your channel and it's truly helping me! Thank you!!!

[@normansateriale9497]

Great picture of the hand with this technique. Could you pass along a practice excersise perhaps what you where taught with the drum corps ?

[@brettstepto6113]

Great job mate. Great angle to see what’s happening there 🤘

[@ChuckBarchuk]

Thank you!

[@ambroulard]

Hey,, there’s another guy who teaches finger control- in his vid he uses 1/2 the thumb energy as your system here- one note is produced as a slight wrist turn the next with the thumb- this sounds like more work but is actually less as the wrist turn note the thumb completely relaxes, ( gets a rest). It’s essentially a push pull kind of approach as opposed to this which is all push.

[@charliecharlie1846]

thanks a lot. felt improvement right away

[@vincentbuonora8477]

Your 2 videos on thumb control are a classic and must be past on. Students note that soreness in the Fulcrum occurs but give it a rest... then go back...you will develop firmness there...thanks Chuck

[@ChuckBarchuk]

That's right. It's like working out. There will be some soreness and fatigue as you develop the muscles.

[@jemmace2586]

Brilliant Chuck! Thank you!! A great shot of all things detailed perfectly. I'm Still using the Scottish style snare drummer you alluded to in the video. I do find it the only way for me, I just can't get my fingers to articulate the way you and others can and do. I'll keep trying though!

[@ChuckBarchuk]

The scottish style works just as well. Watch those guys; they're finger control is amazing. The style itself is based around finger control to begin with so maybe they're on to something. ;)

[@felixfelix7447]

Many thanks Chuck. Here goes... 😎

[@ffupelffuh5230]

I appreciate this a lot, thanks

[@arthpatel3563]

Great respect for you. Your lessons are very easy to understand and follow for beginners. I would suggest you to post regularly and probably start posting beginner lessons again with better camera and course structure, you can take a cue from other KZbinrs. I really want this channel to succeed. Probably you can also create a simple website to get traction. Thanks you and all the best.

[@thomasmontgomery1093]

Good job buddy, better than the preview video 😜

[@ChuckBarchuk]

Thanks man. :)

[@cresk]

Hey Chuck. First up I gotta say your vids are really helpful. The most detailed vids on traditional grip I’ve seen. And I probably seen them all here on YT. I will go through all of your other vids once I get this traditional grip technique down. I probably watched all your old vids on traditional grip at least 10 times over the last couple of months. Keep the index finger in sync seems to be the biggest deal for me. I’m totally cool with the grip itself and it feels pretty natural to me know. Heck it even feels odd to turn back into matched grip. But I’m probably still doing something wrong. Here’s why: I watched some Scottish Pipe drummers the other day and indeed noticed that they mainly use the whole thumb and to control the rebound. Once I tried that myself it seems to be really working for me. There’s a tremendous power to use the thumb that way. However, I’d still like to learn and still practice the control with the index finger like you demonstrate so well. I can do this with my strong (right) hand any way I want though. But again, I seem to have trouble syncing up my index finger with the left hand. So I’m wondering if I missed some minor but most important aspect or maybe it just takes at least a year to get some decent results?

[@ChuckBarchuk]

Hey man! Thanks for the comment and I'm glad my videos have helped you. Traditional grip is really a tough thing to nail down as far as specifics go simply because there are so many variations to the grip. The primary reason for this is because the grip is comprised of simply holding the stick with the thumb. That is, in essence, the grip. The fingers themselves are where all the variations come from. As I'm sure you know from all the videos you've watch there are so many subtle nuances to utilizing to this style of playing. And amazingly enough most of them aren't wrong. So I encourage you play what feels natural. If you're producing the feel, control, speed, and power that you need then bravo to you. Stick with it. Those Scottish pipe band drummers are phenomenal players. I utilized this thumb approach a lot myself on the drum set. The primary purpose of the index finger is to push the stick down and give you more control. In my opinion it does give me more control when I need it. But this is how I was taught from a young age along with my drum corps/marching band background. So all I can say is to keep at it. It does take time to build the muscle memory where something feels comfortable. But using the index isn't necessary at the end of the day if you find it to be more of a hindrance. Be blessed!

[@cresk]

Chuck Barchuk thanks Chuck. Yeah you’re probably right that it just takes more time then I thought. Specially because I can do the thumb-only control in shake-hand position whole day long at around 80bpm 16th notes for a long time. But as soon as I try to control the rebound with the index finger the thumb motion seems to be gone. There are times I can hold on the index finger motion for maybe a bar or two, but only at a faster tempo like 110pbm 16th notes. It feels almost impossible to control it at a lower speeds. Ironically though my hands and fingers seem to be about approximately the same size as yours.

[@jvoss19801980]

Great video, it’s very visually informative. I have heard that thumb use can be problematic though and can lead to hand pain. But I am new to traditional- is there a wrong time to use thumb, or is the pain thing accurate? I understand wrist is primary, wrist+close for doubles, and as you suggest, thumb for these fast singles. Just looking for further elaboration. Thanks again for good visuals in this video.

[@kevinlawlor5779]

Hey Chuck, just watching V.2.0, it's awesome. I say this because most instructional clips re: traditional grip are great however, they lack one crucial element, the slow, close up & explanatory content that you present. I started off at the age of 11, I am now 65, in a Scottish side drum class. The teacher did not explain the processes and break them down as you do my friend, that's why I'm giving you a HUUUUGGGGGGEE THUMBS UP. I have subscribed and I seriously hope you continue on this style of journey. It's concise, it's caring, it's informative and has seen great results in my playing style and understanding of this grip, more that any other on the web, great work. May I ask also, you seem to have a "grip coating" on your Vic Firths, is this from V.F. or did you put it on there yourself. Look forward to hearing back, regards Kev in Australia

[@ChuckBarchuk]

Kevin, I really appreciate the comment bud. I'm glad the videos have helped you. To answer your question I'm using the Keith Carlock signature series stick. They have a lacquer finish which makes the stick much easier to grip. One of my favorite sticks to use especially with traditional grip.

[@lorisf3882]

Great thanks Chuck - excellent camera angle , just need to practice,practice,practice..... Cheers mate 👍😎

[@ChuckBarchuk]

Me too Loris, me too. :)

[@sunjosh2386]

Try alternating between thumb and middle finger, another one hand roll

[@julianbernas6538]

Just curious as to what rudiments you apply this technique to.

[@ChuckBarchuk]

Well almost all I would think especially at faster tempos. Most of the time you're going to be using all three gears in tandem with each other: arms, wrists, and fingers.

[@timothyk6489]

Do you have a video on how to start traditional grip?

[@ChuckBarchuk]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnvYapifd92tqZY

[@timothyk6489]

@@ChuckBarchuk thank you

[@ChuckBarchuk]

@@timothyk6489 Absolutely bud. I hope it helps. Cheers.

[@jazzdrum77]

You are a very good teacher, but I don't understand anything! I've looked at all your videos, but just from the finger, I'm surprised how you can play at that angle and I can't find the reason! I know how well-intentioned you are. it may be my problem or my patience 🙂👍

[@ChuckBarchuk]

Hi ilker! What are you not understanding exactly? Traditional Grip itself? Hopefully I can shed some light or at the very least I'll try my best. Look forward to hearing from you. :)

[@jazzdrum77]

@@ChuckBarchuk hello chuck! my problem is where do i get rebound when using middle finger? how do you make traditional grip with your finger without using any wrist? I use match grip in normal time but I do my exercises with traditional. I love the sound of the return of traditional grip. I always want to use traditional grip but I can't trust myself. also thank you very much for your return soon.

[@ChuckBarchuk]

@@jazzdrum77 Okay let me give it my best shot here...First, the middle finger is not used for the most part. When not using the wrist, it's your thumb that bounces the stick. Remember whether using your arm, wrist, or fingers the goal is to use rebound just like bouncing a ball. You have to get use to moving your thumb in sync with the bounce of the stick just like dribbling a ball. It takes time and patience. If you find your patience wearing thin then take the sticks and broke them over your leg while shouting as many profanities as humanly possible...lol. Just kidding. :) But you mentioned that you've already watched all of my videos and none of them have helped. That's a bummer. The next step might be to seek a teacher. I could possibly do an online lesson with you at some point if that would help you. Something to consider. Either way don't give up!

[@stefanojazz1]

not clear