How to Play an American Drum Grip with Rods

These steps explain how to use the American drum grip on rods.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Pair of rods
• Drum

1. Rod sticks Find a good balance point with your fingertips on the rods just as you would with a regular pair of solid wood sticks. With an American grip, you use an overhand grip on both sticks as opposed to the traditional marching band grip where the sticks are held with one overhand and one underhand grip.
2. Let the rods dangle at the balance point, with the butt of the rods resting up against the palm of your hands. Most of the control is obtained by using your forefinger and thumb. Let the rods move freely.
3. Stroke the drum head with the same intensity as you would using a regular pair of solid wood sticks. Because the rods are a bundle of small dowels tied together, they produce sound at a lower volume but with the same force you would normally use.
4. Get the smaller gigs. With rods, you can play small rooms with your band and not drive the audience out the door with ear-splitting volume! Keyboardists and guitarists have the luxury of turning down their amps. Now the drummer can keep the volume down without sacrificing style of play. Go hard on the drums but easy on the ear!

Tips & Warnings

• Try out several different sizes to get the one that feels best to you.
• Don't change your style of play.