How to Hold Drum Sticks: Traditional and Matched Grips

Drummers use two primary drum grips, the traditional grip, and the matched grip. There are three variants of the matched grip—the American grip, the German grip, and the French grip. Each type of grip suits a different style of music.

The matched grip takes its name from the fact that both hands hold the drumsticks in the same way. This grip style works best when you hold each stick close to its midpoint, which allows the stick to bounce off the drum head or cymbal. Most of today's drummers use a matched grip; it may be the primary technique you learn at your very first drum lesson. There are three variations on the matched grip: French, German, and American.

The distinguishing characteristic of the German grip is the power it produces. Classic rock and classical music often benefit from the German grip, but it lacks the nimbleness needed for jazz drumming, funk rock, or speed metal. To hold drumsticks with a German matched grip, follow the following steps:

1. 1. Hold your hand out with your palm facing down.
2. 2. Curl in your index finger, and place the drumstick between that finger and your thumb.
3. 3. Move the stick in your grip until you find the balance point. Your thumb and forefinger should serve as a fulcrum, with the stick balanced between.
4. 4. Curl your other fingers over the stick, and let your middle finger give most of the support.
5. 5. Keep your palms parallel to the drumhead. Angle your elbows outward, and lead with your wrists.

The French grip is somewhat looser than the American grip and significantly looser than the German grip, and it requires immense finger control and strength. It provides less power than the American or German grips, but it is the nimblest of all the matched grips, making it a popular pick for jazz and funk. To hold drumsticks with a French matched grip, follow the following steps:

1. 1. Hold your hand out with your palm facing down.
2. 2. Curl in your index finger, and place the drumstick between that finger and your thumb.
3. 3. Move the stick in your grip until you find your balance point. Your thumb and forefinger should serve as a fulcrum, with the stick balanced between.
4. 4. Curl your other fingers under the stick, but keep your grip loose enough that your fingers can almost "snap" toward your palm when you're playing.
5. 5. Turn your hands so that your palms are facing each other.
6. 6. Tuck your elbows toward your body. This naturally follows from turning your palms inward.
7. 7. Lead your drum beats with your fingers, as opposed to your wrist.

The American grip is the halfway point between the German and French grips, allowing for relative ease and moderate power. To hold drumsticks with an American matched grip, follow the following steps:

1. 1. Hold your hand out with your palm facing down.
2. 2. Curl in your index finger, and place the drumstick between that finger and your thumb.
3. 3. Move the stick in your grip until you find the balance point. Your thumb and forefinger should serve as a fulcrum, with the stick balanced between. A balanced stick is important for getting each beat to bounce off the drum head or cymbal, enabling you to perform drum rudiments that require double strokes.
4. 4. Curl your middle finger, ring finger, and pinky under the drumstick to help your index finger grip it.
5. 5. Keep your palm tilted at about a 45-degree angle, and use your wrist to propel your drum beats.

The traditional grip comes from military bands. Military marching band drummers typically wear their snare drum on the side of their body, and accordingly refer to the drum as a "side drum." The traditional grip—with the left-hand drumstick gripped between the thumb and index finger—developed to make playing the side drum easier, but it also works on a traditional drum kit.

To hold drumsticks with the traditional grip, follow the following steps:

1. 1. Hold your left hand in front of you as though you were reaching out for a left-handed handshake.
2. 2. Place the drumstick in the webbing of your hand between your thumb and index finger.
3. 3. Reach over the stick with your thumb, resting it on the first joint of your index finger.
4. 4. Hold the stick this way and let your left forearm rotate when playing as if you were turning a doorknob. This type of grip hinges on strong left hand finger control and finesse. You effectively guide your left stick with your fingertip, and you use your pinky to steady the stick from below.
5. 5. Hold your right hand stick the same way you would in an American matched grip. This effectively gives you an underhand grip in your left hand (which regularly strikes the snare drum) and an overhand grip in your right hand (which regularly keeps time on the hi hat and the ride cymbal).

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