How to Twirl a Drum Stick
Drummers never seem to get the attention they deserve. In most bands they are often in the shadow of the guitarist, lead singer, even the bassist, none of whom are hidden behind a set. However, there are little ways in which a drummer can get some of the crowd's eyes back on him. Of course expert playing is the best way, but there are also little flourishes that get an audiences attention. One of the oldest and most popular of these is the drumstick twirl. It isn't too difficult to learn, and, when done correctly, can make your playing more fun to watch.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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The Easy Twirl
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1
Grasp the drumstick between your forefinger and your middle finger on your dominant hand.
-
2
Twirl your forefinger and middle finger a bit to get the drumstick moving. Your fingers should be moving in a motion whereby your fingers will look like the legs of a person pedaling a bicycle.
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3
Twirl faster as your stick begins to move. The stick will be pivoting between your fingers in a spinning motion.
The Hard Twirl
-
1
Grasp the drumstick between your forefinger and your middle finger on your dominant hand.
-
2
Swing the drumstick over top of your middle finger. As you do this, place the tip of your ring finger on the stick.
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3
Allow the tip of your forefinger to release from the stick, allowing it to be held between your middle finger and your ring finger.
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4
Swing the drumstick over top of your ring finger. As you do this, place the tip of your pinkie on the stick.
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5
Allow the tip of your middle finger to release from the stick, allowing it to be held between your ring finger and your pinkie.
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6
Swing the drumstick underneath your middle and ring fingers. As you do this bend your forefinger down and allow the stick to come over top of it.
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7
Allow your pinkie to release from the stick, so that it is back to being held between your forefinger and your middle finger.
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8
Repeat steps 1-7 in order to get the stick facing the right way again. This is especially important if you are performing this twirl in the middle of playing.
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1
Tips & Warnings
The drumstick twirl can be performed while in the middle of playing, or before or after a song.
