How to Play With the Traditional Snare Grip

The traditional snare grip is a classic way to hold drumsticks. Drummers like Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich used the grip to build their reputations as some of the greatest drummers of the twentieth century. Although most contemporary percussionists used the matched grip, you can still find drummers pounding away with the traditional grip in drum corps, marching bands and jazz ensembles. Read on to learn this tried-and-true drumming technique.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Relax your left hand and let it dangle by your side. Pay attention to the natural bend in your fingers and the straightness of your thumb.
2. Nestle one of your drumsticks into the "V" formed between the thumb and index finger of your left hand.
3. Move your thumb up so it crosses over the stick and presses lightly into your index finger. This contact creates the pressure you'll need to control the stick while you play.
4. Make sure the center of the drumstick is resting between the ends of your middle and ring fingers.
5. Bend your elbow at about a 90-degree angle and rest the stick on the snare drum. This is the fundamental position of drumming with the traditional grip.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice rudiments and pieces slowly at first to improve your stick control using the traditional grip.
• Remember to always practice with a metronome when learning the grip. Your left hand will tend to stray from the beat, so maintain a steady beat to keep it in check.