How to Play a French Drum Grip with Rods

The French Grip is a form of the matched grip, whereby both hands hold the drumsticks in a matched, overhand manner. When playing with the French Grip, the fingers are primarily responsible for moving the stick. This allows for finesse playing. Rods are the perfect playing instrument for times when sticks would be too loud and brushes would be too quiet. Sometimes called hot rods, they are great for the French Grip as well, because the French Grip tends to bring sound out of the drum more smoothly with rods than with sticks or brushes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Rods
• Drum

How to Play a French Drum Grip with Rods

1. Hold the rods in a matched grip style. You should be holding the rods overhand, with the thumb over top the stick and the forefinger and middle finger wrapped around underneath.
2. Practice manipulating the sticks with your fingertips, keeping your wrist relatively still.
3. Strike the drum head with the rods, using your fingers to bring the stick down.
4. Move the stick back upward from the drum using your fingers as well. This is especially important in the French Grip, as the idea is to draw the sound out of the drum, as opposed to striking it out.
5. Continue practicing the French Grip with rods until you are completely comfortable maneuvering hot rods in this style.

Tips & Warnings

• For louder strokes you may use your wrist, rotating it much in the same way you would when using a hammer.