How to Hold a Drumstick Traditional

Co-authored by Bart Robley

Last Updated: October 11, 2023

Most people hold drumsticks match grip, but playing a marching snare drum is better done holding traditional since the snare drum is tilted.

Steps

Download Article

Hold a drumstick in your right hand like you would match grip. Your thumb on the left side and your other fingers wrapped around the stick.
Put the back end of the stick between your middle and ring fingers.

Advertisement
Put your middle finger about 1/3 of the way down the stick, and your pointer about a centimeter and a half behind it. Your ring and pinky fingers should be underneath the stick, with your pinky under your ring finger.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Are there other types of drumstick grips?

Bart Robley
Drummer, Drum Teacher, and Author
Bart Robley is a Drummer, Drum Teacher, and Author based in Ontario, California. Bart has been sharing his expertise in drumming knowledge through teaching for over 30 years. He makes his teachings globally accessible by offering lessons in an online format. Bart has authored three instructional books and created three instructional DVDs. He received a Bronze Telly Award in 2009 for his DVD "School Of Hard Rocks. Additionally, Bart has been the drummer for the Sam Morrison Band for over 25 years.

Bart Robley

Drummer, Drum Teacher, and Author

Expert Answer

Aside from the traditional and match grips, there are also the French, American, and Germanic grips. The French grip is when you hold your hands in front of you, palms facing each other, and the fulcrum, or point where you hold the sticks, is between your thumb and the first knuckle of your index finger. You hold a pivot point a third of the way up the stick, like on a seesaw or a pendulum on a grandfather's clock. The Germanic and American grips are both palm-down, with the sticks held at a 45-degree angle, but your palms would be facing down.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

Is it still traditional if I flip it?

Community Answer

The traditional hold was often used in war by drummer boys. They would keep it uniform by using a normal matched grip on the right side and traditional on the left. However, it is still traditional if you switch it so that it fits your dominant hand.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 27 Helpful 23

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Don't hold the sticks too tightly.

Thanks
Helpful 32 Not Helpful 13
The left hand should be more of a "twisting" motion. Before you hit, you should be able to see your palm and after you shouldn't. This is a common problem for beginners.

Thanks
Helpful 35 Not Helpful 16
Use your index finger to *throw down* the stick, and your middle finger to *bring up* the stick. While this should not be applied literally, thinking of the movement of the left hand like this really helps.

Thanks
Helpful 35 Not Helpful 23