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Gospel Instruments => Gospel Drummers => Topic started by: The Dude on October 18, 2010, 10:48:25 PM

Title: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 18, 2010, 10:48:25 PM
I play with my left hand palm facing down on the snare and my right hand on the high hat with my thumb up, is this proper hand technique? And is that the way I will get the most out of? And also, what keeps y'all motivated to play? What keeps you coming back to practice everyday? I have problems with that because I just feel like I'm not getting anywhere. Any help is much appreciated.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: HEART-BEAT on October 19, 2010, 09:47:37 AM

What's up man...

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable in technique will chime in and help you in that area. I can say that I find it more effective to have the right palm faced down because it allows more wrist movement. I am unable to get a good wrist stroke with my thumb perpendicular to the floor. It feels like my forearm would be over-worked. Now with my palm faced down I'm more able to use my wrist in conjunction with my forearm and arm.

As far as practicing goes,

I do it because drums is my number one hobby. That's what motivates me. Plain and simple. I just do it for the love. All the other reasons are cool, like wanting to get better and and blah but they don't stick as much as just playing because I find it fun to do.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 19, 2010, 10:15:40 AM
Hey man, thanks for the response. I want to make sure I'm getting all the speed I can. And I love the drums also but I have a full-time job and go to school full-time so it's tough to find time to practice like I should.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: JFunky on October 19, 2010, 01:00:41 PM
Hey man, thanks for the response. I want to make sure I'm getting all the speed I can. And I love the drums also but I have a full-time job and go to school full-time so it's tough to find time to practice like I should.

...yeah, you want to make sure you get all of the "control" you can and not "speed."  Speed is a byproduct of "control."


I play with my left hand palm facing down on the snare and my right hand on the high hat with my thumb up, is this proper hand technique? And is that the way I will get the most out of? And also, what keeps y'all motivated to play? What keeps you coming back to practice everyday? I have problems with that because I just feel like I'm not getting anywhere. Any help is much appreciated.

...playing with your thumb up is a possibility but not really natural if you're moving your wrist as well.  You're going to have to purchase JoJo Mayer's "Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer" 2 disc dvd.  That's a must own for every drummer. 


...what keeps "me" motivated to play is music and knowing that its part of my ministry and who I am.  The thing that keeps me in the practice room is knowing that I need to get better to play whatever music I'm playing authentically and also knowing that God wants me to play skillfully unto Him so I need to practice.  If you have problems with feeling like you're not getting anywhere in the practice room, go ahead and pick up Chris Coleman's dvd.  He has a pretty cool practice method that is effective if you stick to it. 

...hope that helps and welcome.   :)
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 19, 2010, 01:28:42 PM
OK, thanks. So your saying play with my thumbs to the side at all times?
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 19, 2010, 01:36:51 PM
And I'm actually Pentecostal so I don't have tv or DVD so I need a good suggestion for a book that has a cd or something
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: allaround on October 19, 2010, 03:13:54 PM
I got this yall lol. The first thing any drummer should know is how to your sticks. Now there are many CORRECT ways to hold your sticks. a couple are: French grip, matched grip, and traditional grip. French grip and matched grip are basically the same, the only difference is the direction the thumbs are facing.

French grip: both thumbs face up towards the sky, timpani players and other orchestral instrumenst use this technique

matched grip: thumbs face at an angle like this.. "/ \" this is what gosepel drummers use.

Traditional grip: this is what you see a lot of snare drummers use where the right hand stays the same but the left hand has the stick between the thumb and index finger nd sits in front of the knuckle of the ring finger

All three grips require something important.........wrists and FINGERS. Alot of folks who dont go to school almost never gets it right.
Now what you need is a metronome, a pad, and some pratice sticks. The goal im trying to get to you is that try to get the correct grip right on one surface so that later when your sitting down the set nd your moving around the drum, you can see some consistency in your hands. Its ok if you loose form in the grip while trying to get to a certain drum, this when the pratice comes in to play. After a while your muscles will remember how to hold the sticks, so when your moving around the drum and come back to the hi hat and snare, your hands will have that matched grip form.

My motivation? lol. My motivation is spreading the knowledge. Watching Chris Coleman videos keeps me coming back.

Any other Questions hit me up on my email..........srecar6@aol.com
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 19, 2010, 04:12:12 PM
Yeah it's hard to find cats that want to spread their wealth of knowledge. and I've never been so naive to think that their is an easy way to play great or a shortcut. I know you guys have worked for what you got.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: HEART-BEAT on October 19, 2010, 04:25:38 PM
And I'm actually Pentecostal so I don't have tv or DVD so I need a good suggestion for a book that has a cd or something

could you explain a little more on this? It seems as though you're implying that pentecostal's don't watch television. Am I correct?
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: fretai03 on October 19, 2010, 04:36:40 PM
Yes... That's exactly what he's implying.  :-X
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 19, 2010, 04:43:42 PM
Be glad to, my church is pentacostal, or apostolic, either or, but my pastor does preach against televesion. The Pentacostals have branched of from the traditionals and their is now churches that don't preach against televesion.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 19, 2010, 04:47:02 PM
Actually, I was implying that our brand of pentacostal dosnt watch TV.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 19, 2010, 05:12:24 PM
Maybe I should have said my pastor/dad has a conviction about watching tv and he's not open for debate about it.lol
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: JFunky on October 20, 2010, 08:00:15 AM
...yet you guys have INTERNET?!  and a PC?!  This is the reason why people don't experience a "true" relationship with Christ.  That really upsets me man!  >:(
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: Jedi3 on October 20, 2010, 09:10:01 AM
You don't really use wrist strokes when playing French grip or "thumbs up".  This grip mainly incorporates use of the fingers to control the stick.  Palms down is the German grip style...this one allows for more control from the wrists because there is a more natural movement from the muscles on a vertical plane.  Between the two is what some refer to as the American grip...basically a hybrid of the two where the hands are about 45 degrees up from perpendicular.  This style allows for more power (coming from the wrist strokes) and more finesse (coming from finger strokes).  Ultimately though, play the way that is most comfortable for you.  And like Funkmaster J said, "speed is a byproduct of control."  Doesn't matter which grip you use if you have no control over it.  I'll leave the TV thing to someone else.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: HEART-BEAT on October 20, 2010, 09:15:15 AM

I'm sorry if you've misunderstood but I was not trying to start a debate at all. I was just curious. I don't like labels and denominations but I am what you would call Apostolic. (Meaning I adhere to the apostolic doctrine)

But anyways, God Bless, man. Everything we do or sacrifice for Jesus is honorable in His sight. We don't have to get all deep into this conversation 'cause folks would start flauntin their faith which is not cool.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 20, 2010, 10:37:56 AM
Your wrong JFunky, I have a phone that has 3G, but if it makes you mad that someone sacrifices something for God than you need to check yourself. And I'm definantly not flaunting my religion, i was just explaining that I needed a book and/or cd instead of DVD.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: JFunky on October 20, 2010, 11:39:59 AM
Your wrong JFunky, I have a phone that has 3G, but if it makes you mad that someone sacrifices something for God than you need to check yourself. And I'm definantly not flaunting my religion, i was just explaining that I needed a book and/or cd instead of DVD.

...I check myself everyday doc'.  Hope you find what you're looking for.  Be blessed...   :)
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: HEART-BEAT on October 20, 2010, 04:11:55 PM
Your wrong JFunky, I have a phone that has 3G, but if it makes you mad that someone sacrifices something for God than you need to check yourself. And I'm definantly not flaunting my religion, i was just explaining that I needed a book and/or cd instead of DVD.

I hope you don't think I was trying to imply that you were. I think your conviction is great. I was trying to end the topic on behalf of others possibly doing so.

God Bless!
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 20, 2010, 04:58:29 PM
I didn't think that, I don't feel like anyone was doing that, I'll just stick to drum topics from now on,lol. I appreciate you guys time and help! I got alot of work to do.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 20, 2010, 10:27:36 PM
Can anyone suggest a book and/or cd that could help me with stick control?Lol
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: JFunky on October 21, 2010, 08:44:31 AM
Can anyone suggest a book and/or cd that could help me with stick control?Lol


http://www.amazon.com/Stick-Control-George-Lawrence-Stone/dp/1892764040/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287668543&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Stick-Control-George-Lawrence-Stone/dp/1892764040/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287668543&sr=8-1)

http://www.amazon.com/Alfreds-Drum-Method-Book-1/dp/0739027204/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287668605&sr=1-2 (http://www.amazon.com/Alfreds-Drum-Method-Book-1/dp/0739027204/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287668605&sr=1-2)
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 21, 2010, 12:09:21 PM
Thank you
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: robin of drummin on October 26, 2010, 09:26:44 PM
hey dude here is a tip don't try to rush it learn at your own pace your not running a race it takes developed time to master the skills at drumming we are not like other musicians.  The drums are more complicated so it takes a little more time to develop your own personality around the drums I am 33 will be 34 years of age on Nov 4 of this year.  I've playing since I was five years of age but didn't sound like a pro until 10 years ago.  My style of playing is unique because it how I play more comfortable.  Although I admire some the big names in the business of drumming but I am not trying sound like them because i am not like them I am me so work on trying to be you but don't put aside what you can obtain from them.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 27, 2010, 12:36:06 AM
That's good stuff man, I appreciate it. I'm 20 and I've been feeling like I should be better than I am at this point. But that's something I've never thought about.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: robin of drummin on October 27, 2010, 10:51:21 PM
your most welcome, stay around the rooms learn and listen alot of these guys are real pro's so they know their way around the rims take heed to what they have to say.
Title: Re: Hand technique questions and more...
Post by: The Dude on October 27, 2010, 11:32:42 PM
Trust me man, I've been on here alot. I'm a sponge.