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Traditional versus Match Grip "This page presents the facts as well as some advice and a few opinions on
grip. The
opinions on this page are my own, and are just opinions based on
playing, teaching, and studying drums since 1978. Although I use both traditional
and match grip in my own
playing, I strongly recommend match grip to my
students. I use traditional grip with snare drumming and Jazz drum set playing,
and match grip for everything else." -Mike
Prestwood Just starting out?
If you haven't adopted either match or traditional grip yet, don't waste your time with traditional grip, learn and stick with match
grip. Match grip is more natural and you'll have an easier time building great chops. Traditional grip was invented for a marching snare drummer to compensate for the extreme angle
of the snare drum when carrying it with a strap. Match and Traditional Grips
Although much has been written about match versus traditional grip and a debate continues, it's really a simple issue. There is NO debate as to which is stronger and has more
endurance. Although you can build up your traditional grip speed, strength, and endurance, match grip is ALWAYS easier learn. Match Grip
With match grip, you hold both sticks the same.
- Focal point is either the pointing finger (orchestral grip) or middle finger (marching grip).
- Flat wrist.
- Tilt your wrist down a bit (pinky lower than thumb).
Traditional Grip (left hand)
With a traditional grip, your right hand is the same as explained above but the left hand uses a different grip to easily increase the stick angle.
- Focal point is between thumb and pointing finger.
- Stick rests on tip of ring finger (center of first digit).
The Left Hand: 
The Right Hand: 
Traditional Grip Demo
Marching Style
Tighter style used for strength. |
Orchestral Style
Looser more musical style. |
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Advice
Tips and Suggestions
- If you already know traditional grip, it's perfectly okay to use your traditional grip however you feel.
What do I do?
- Building Chops - Do most exercises using both traditional and match grips and frequently lead with your left stick.
- Playing Rock - I strictly use match grip. My idle Neil Peart has switched to traditional grip which really surprises me. I think match grip is much better suited to
the style of music he plays.
- Playing Jazz - I strictly use traditional grip. I do this because traditional grip feels more "jazzy" to me and it's the grip I used when I first started playing
jazz.
- Percussion instruments - When playing misc. percussion instruments with drum sticks, I almost always use match grip.
HH Demo
Playing two handed hi-hat beats with a traditional grip is slightly more comfortable than with a match grip. This is because of the angle of the hi-hat and your position on the
drum stool. This is a minor consideration but if you know both traditional and match grip, consider using traditional grip when playing hi-hat grooves. Movies
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