How to Play a High Hat with a Side French Grip

In the great drumstick debate, you've got two basic grip choices: French or German. Here, learn the basics of playing a hi-hat with the French grip, a great place to start your drumming career.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hi-hat cymbals
• Hi-hat stand
• Drumsticks

Drumming with a French Grip

1. 

   The French grip is a good grip for a beginning drummer. It's effective for quick, single strokes struck with light to medium force. To start the grip, sit down at your drum set and pick up your sticks as if you;re making two fists, with your knuckles facing down toward the floor.

2. 

   Make certain the drumstick heads are facing inward, with your hands positioned about 4" from the flatend.

3. 

   Turn your wrists so that the drumstick heads are facing away from your body, your knuckles are facing inward and your palmsare now facing upward.

4. 

   Point your thumbs up toward the drumstick heads and support them on the bottom withyour first two or three fingers (depending on what kind of music you play and what style you use.) Light, acoustic songs would require only two fingers, but harder-hitting rock songs would likely call for more.

5. 

   You are now ready to play. This is the grip you'll use for buzz rolls, asit puts more weight in the front and allows a lot of control through the thumbs and wrists. It's a great place to begin and an easy grip. However, it is not extremely versatile, and using this grip on more challenging songs during full-set play may actually lead to repetitive stress injuries. You'll want to change your power distribution away from the French grip for harder rock and roll songs with a variety of beats and rhythms.