Traditional Grip

by ThatDrummerKid on Mon, 02/16/2009 - 18:04

Traditional grip (also known as Orthodox grip) is a technique used to hold drum sticks while playing percussion instruments. Unlike matched grip, each hand holds the stick differently. Commonly, the right hand uses an overhand grip and the left hand uses an underhand grip. Traditional grip is almost exclusively used to play the snare drum, especially the marching snare drum, and often the drum kit.

This grip is called traditional because it descends from the
past when the snare drum was carried over the right shoulder on a
sling. Since the drum is tilted, using an overhand grip on the high
(left) side of the drum forces the elbow in a very awkward position. In
this case, an underhand grip is much more comfortable. Even when the
drum is on a stand, many drummers will tilt their drum when using
traditional grip, although tilting is not required. Many drummers use
traditional grip on drums that are perfectly horizontal, especially in marching percussion.

The overhand grip most commonly used is the American grip.
With the underhand grip, there are several different techniques
employed which involve slight variations in finger positioning and
usage. Common with all techniques is the usage of the wrist in rotating
(a motion like turning a door knob) as the fundamental motion of the
stick. Once the stick has started moving, more involved techniques
require the exclusive use of the thumb for bouncing the stick when
playing really fast. The stick then rests in the space between the
thumb and index finger, and the two fingers close around the stick with
the thumb atop the index at the first knuckle. The middle finger then
rests slightly on top side of the stick (typically the side fingertip
is the only contact made). The stick then rests on the cuticle of the
ring finger with the little finger supporting the ring finger from
below.

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