How to Hold the Drum Stick in the Left Hand

Playing the drums requires a good hold on your drumsticks that allows you the freedom of movement to create a variety of sounds, as well as the ability to drum for long periods of time without tiring. Learn how to hold the drumstick in your left hand.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Make an "l" out of your left hand by holding your fingers together and extending your thumb.
2. Rest the stick in the junction of the "L" that's formed by your fingers and out-stretched thumb. About four inches of the drumstick's end will extend beyond your thumb and fingers.
3. Clamp down on the drumstick with the thumb of your left hand. You do not need to do this tightly, but enough so that the drumstick won't slip out of your left hand while you're playing the drums. When you hold the drumstick in your left hand in this manner, you're creating a back fulcrum for the drumstick.
4. Curl the pinkie of your left hand underneath the left ring finger, and allow the drumstick to rest upon it. You will find that the drumstick will rest between the second and third knuckles of the ring finger.
5. Allow the middle finger of your left hand to rest upon the drumstick. John Antonelli describes this as a "graceful" move, in that you will not be putting real pressure on the drumstick with your middle finger, more just making a graceful shape with your left hand as you hold the drumstick in your left hand.
6. Bend the pointer finger of your left hand so that the drumstick rests in between the tip and first knuckle. Your thumb will naturally connect with the first knuckle of your left pointer finger. In this manner, you've learned the proper and traditional way to hold the drumstick in your left hand.