Do you play Matched Grip or the "wrong" way?

[Stevo42w]

I dont think many people promote the traditional grip any more..... Its more of a technique taught instead of a method to use..... I Guess

[bluesbat]

Matched grip for me, except for swing, or on the rare occasion I use brushes (sadly not very often thesedays)......What do they say "Nostalgia is a thing of the past" ?

Did the traditional grip originally evolve from military drumming ??

[keysanddrums]

Well, it did get my attention. I mostly do matched grip, but if I'm playing some jazz tune or something with an old school feel (Lee Dorsey or something like that) I switch to traditional. I started matched, and stay mostly matched. I taught myself both grips, so chances are I don't play the "correct" traditional grip.

[wolvie56]

Matched, it just feels more comfortable to me. If I practiced more with traditional it would come more natural I'm sure, but it seems to me that I can't hit with the same power as matched.

[Northern Redneck]

Matched grip for me, except for swing, or on the rare occasion I use brushes (sadly not very often thesedays)......What do they say "Nostalgia is a thing of the past" ?

Did the traditional grip originally evolve from military drumming ??

It was developed because of the way snares hung on your hip.

[bluesbat]

That is just so logical!

[Quadcam79]

matched, never tried traditional and really I think the only reason for traditional was due to the way the snare hung from the marching drummers left side, it would have made matched grip impossible. So I really dont see any big advantage for using traditional but to each their own

[Gretschhead]

I find I have much more control using traditional, and left hand power is never a problem. I marched snare in highschool and haven't looked back since. Its been so ingrained in my muscles that I just can't feel natural with a matched grip anymore.

[Ethel_The_Frog]

matched, never tried traditional and really I think the only reason for traditional was due to the way the snare hung from the marching drummers left side, it would have made matched grip impossible. So I really dont see any big advantage for using traditional but to each their own

Yeah, that's right, that's why it was invented. It feels very snug, traditional grip, a lot more snug than matched.

I prefer traditional grip when I'm doing fast drum and bass stuff between hi hat and snare, but I'm much faster with matched. It just doesn't feel as natural when I do rudiments with matched though. With traditional, it all comes from the wrist and gives me sooooo much control; but with matched, I'm-a-blazing! Plus, me being about 5'4 or something tiny like that, I can't actually... erm ... reach my toms with traditional grip


If I could, trad grip. But based on what I can, matched.

[tomgrosset]

Ha, I knew that would get your attention!
Seriously, who plays matched and who plays traditional?

(lol!)

I play matched grip. I spend so much time trying different techniques with matched grip that I don't have time to practice with traditional. It would be too time consuming. I remember Benny Greb saying that he thinks drummers should stick to one grip and practice the crap out of it. I think he's right in that respect.

Tom

[Quadcam79]

(lol!)

I play matched grip. I spend so much time trying different techniques with matched grip that I don't have time to practice with traditional. It would be too time consuming. I remember Benny Greb saying that he thinks drummers should stick to one grip and practice the crap out of it. I think he's right in that respect.

Tom

now if you just wouldn't play soooooo slow LOL

[Tazmania]

I use matched but sometimes I use the traditional grip. I am left handed and right legged so my kit is set up for right handers, heck I must be messed up. I fire a psitol left handed but I am right eyed, making me cross eye dominant but I fire along gun right handed. Make it Stop!

[concrete Building]

I think traditional should be promoted. It's a grip that makes your left hand stronger.

I use matched on set or tenors and traditional on snare. Don't ask me. It's just more comfortable.

[MartyM]

I have always used a matched grip when really rock'in...and a traditional when playing light or detailed druming like jazz or blues...

[kay-gee]

both

all the best...

[crazymanwithaplunger]

i dunno though - I mean I get why traditional was developed, but why is it still used if there is no beenfit to it? modern marching drummers tend to have their drums flat, so matched wouldn't be a problem. But they're still taught trad, so there should be a reason?

[Reindeer]

I play matched, never really tried playing traditional, but I do this funny self-taught semi traditional thing when I play brushes. I love matched playing and I'm sticking with it (no pun intended).

~Cheers

[PHROGGE]

It Never Hurts To Learn Both,,,,,
I Dont Use Trad Grip Much Anymore
Unless Really Light Jazz Stuff Or Some Brushwork
Just Like Northren Redneck Said
(and My Wrists And Forearms Show It....)
I Am Much Weaker Wif Trad Grip Cos It Doesnt Get Used As Much

It Takes Less Muscles In Yer Arms And Wrists To Play Matched Grip.
Its Easier To "Move Around Da Kit"
And I Think Da "Moeller Method Is Easier Wif Matched Grip...

[Andreeew]

Baw, you've got the most posts so far. I think you'll be the first to reach 100, and/or that next level (whatever it is). I'm thinking "Senior Member" perhaps? I guess we'll find out.

Thanks for all your involvement. It really helps us get this new forum going. Things are lookin' up!

Now we're talking in the 1000s posts count

[xweasel]

I play matched, because I can use my fingers more and I have more power and control with matched.

Although for some reason I'm better at flams using trad grip... all the other rudiments I practise I'm better with matched.

[kona]

I play matched and traditional equally as bad
If I want more power with single stroke rolls I use matched. I use traditional for lots of doubles, triples and light buzz roll stuff on the snare. I like switching back and forth - though I'll probably never be expert on either or both - but I have fun trying

Cheers,

[Gretschhead]

i dunno though - I mean I get why traditional was developed, but why is it still used if there is no beenfit to it? modern marching drummers tend to have their drums flat, so matched wouldn't be a problem. But they're still taught trad, so there should be a reason?

What are the benefits of matched? Just because you find matched easier doesn't mean everyone does. I can obtain just as much speed, power, and control playing trad than someone can playing matched. I would even go as far as to challenge anyone here to a paradiddle race, me on trad and them on matched. To some people traditional is just more comfortable, isn't comfort a benefit? It's called traditional for a reason, keep the history and culture of our artform alive!

[kona]

It's called traditional for a reason, keep the history and culture of our artform alive!

I use both.

Didn't "traditional" grip come about because when marching with the drum at your side and tilted it was the only way you could hit the drum comfortably with your left (right if your left handed I guess)?
The basic drum kit of today has evolved the way it has partially because of this "traditional" grip.

I agree - it has lots of "history" and "culture" attached to it and it is definately an "artform."