BPC Drummer's Forum - Birmingham Percussion Center

What's your preference?

Most old school drum set players use traditional grip because it's what they've been doing for forty years. I've seen some drummers play some pretty amazing licks with the left hand using traditional grip (Vinnie Colaiuta and JoJo Mayer come to mind) ..... but I can't help but wonder if they might have achieved the same level of precision using matched grip. It seems to me that matched grip lends itself well to the drum set from an ergonomic perspective. Traditional grip seems like it takes a lot of extra work, a lot of extra time; time that could be spent developing four way independence.

Your thoughts?

funkydrumz wrote:What's your preference?

Most old school drum set players use traditional grip because it's what they've been doing for forty years. I've seen some drummers play some pretty amazing licks with the left hand using traditional grip (Vinnie Colaiuta and JoJo Mayer come to mind) ..... but I can't help but wonder if they might have achieved the same level of precision using matched grip. It seems to me that matched grip lends itself well to the drum set from an ergonomic perspective. Traditional grip seems like it takes a lot of extra work, a lot of extra time; time that could be spent developing four way independence.

Your thoughts?

Yeah, traditional could take some time to develop...but if it's from the start, it's pretty much just the same as learning matched grip...in essence, you're just learning to write with your pencil.

I believe that whatever grip you happen to decide on could be totally context based. Take, for example, jazz drummers. Lots of jazz guys tend to use traditional a LOT, and I think it's because it tends to lend itself over well to the fact that it can allow a lot more subtle/lighter/touchier playing (due mostly in part to the angle the stick naturally sits at). Now look at heavy metal and rock drummers. Match grip works well with that for creating power behind the kit.

I prefer match either way.

LightningFeet92 wrote:Yeah, traditional could take some time to develop...but if it's from the start, it's pretty much just the same as learning matched grip...in essence, you're just learning to write with your pencil.

I believe that whatever grip you happen to decide on could be totally context based. Take, for example, jazz drummers. Lots of jazz guys tend to use traditional a LOT, and I think it's because it tends to lend itself over well to the fact that it can allow a lot more subtle/lighter/touchier playing (due mostly in part to the angle the stick naturally sits at). Now look at heavy metal and rock drummers. Match grip works well with that for creating power behind the kit.

I prefer match either way.

Meh...2 deep 4 me.

I lerned match and don't care 2 lern traditional.

Could not both be useful. I've noticed that I hold the stick very differently at different volume levels or depending on the type of sound I want from a cymbal or drum. Even through I've been taught matched grip I find my self playing with thumbs up or even a traditional grip at times. I believe anything we can do, including different grips, to add a different sound or feel could be useful. I've noticed many drummers that obviously are tricitional grip trained using matched grip at times.

I hate to use this line but "it's all good". When playing drum set there are several correct techniques to use. It all depends on what you're playin' and how you plan to approach playin' it.

The only argument I've ever had is in the marching band world. I see traditional grip being used on the marching snare, from DCI down to high school, and can't seem to figure out why. Every single other instrument in the entire percussion section uses matched grip. From marimba to timp. to marching bass drum to concert bass drum. Why take the time to over complicate high school drummers with a grip that has no advantage AT ALL in the concert or marching band?

The only advantage to traditional grip on the marching snare is that it looks cool. And for that you get no argument from me. But is that justification behind the extra work in comparison? Especially from high school kids who also have to learn all the other instrument that require their respective versions of matched grip. And I've never had anyone, including band directors, drum instructor, or DCI drummers who could explain why all that time is spent working on a grip that can only be used on one instrument that few drummers ever play after college. (woo, take a breath).
So if you can explain it, give it a shot.

I've always wanted to get that off my chest. Thanks for listening.

I believe that the original reason for the use of matched grip is that marching snare drums used to be worn on a sling and would hang at an angle on the drummers left side. Instead of using matched grip and having to hold the left hand and arm and an extreme and uncomfortable angle, someone developed "traditional" grip to solve this problem.

As for me personally, I use both grips depending on the particular playing situation. When I first started playing drums I used matched grip and I didn't learn traditional grip until I played the snare drum in high school marching band (although the snares we used were positioned flat directly in front of us on harnesses).

As for the drum set, I play matched grip most of the time. I usually play rock or rock-esue) music and I like mathced grip because of the power and fluidity I get around the set. I also feel more comfortable playing matched on a bigger set. I also play in a lot of musical theatre and cabaret productions, much of which is jazz or swing style music. I feel more comfortable using traditional grip in those situations because of the nuances I can get out of the snare drum. When playing this type of music I tend to play most of my fills on the snare for some reason. Also I find it easier to "stir" on the snare drum when using brushes with traditional grip.

The only time I use traditional in a rock setting is when one of my bands plays "Dead Flowers" by the Rolling Stones. I try to copy Charlie Watts' style by playing traditional and the way he plays time on the hi hat. When he hits the snare on 2 and 4 he doesn't hit the hi hat with his right hand on the same beat. Instead he closes the hi hat with his foot on 2 and 4 and plays 8th notes the rest of the time whit his hand. The only real reason I do this is just to entertain myself and to impress any Rolling Stones fanatics that might notice what I'm doing.

That was pretty long for a first post, but there you have it.

I have to say the I use both styles. I use them about 50/50. I like them both. Some songs I play Traditional, and others I will play matched. I started playing Traditional about four years ago. I always thought that Tradional Grip was a waste, but I started to practice with it and now I Love It. When I do my rudiments, that is all I use.