Buddy Rich was undeniably a phenomenon-an unparalleled genius behind the drums. Traditional grip, while an art form in its own right, has a rather unconventional origin. It was developed out of necessity during the era of military drumming, when drummers would march with their snares slung to the side at an angle. This made it physically difficult to strike the drum properly with both hands using a matched grip, so the traditional grip emerged as a solution. One hand needed to approach the drum from below, and traditional grip allowed that awkward angle to be compensated for. However, in today’s modern playing, where snares are positioned flat and ergonomically, traditional grip serves more as a stylistic choice than a practical one. Its use can often feel forced, as the grip is fundamentally designed for a context that no longer exists. In a way, holding sticks in this manner isn’t natural-it’s a historical relic, adapted to circumstances that are largely irrelevant in contemporary music. Consider this: if you were to place two drumsticks on the floor in front of a toddler, and they picked them up to bang on something, would they naturally hold the sticks in a traditional grip? Likely not. They would intuitively grab them with both hands in a matched grip, the way humans instinctively handle objects meant to strike. This basic instinct shows how matched grip aligns more closely with natural movement and motor patterns, while traditional grip is an adaptation that made sense for a very specific, antiquated, purpose. Rich’s critique of matched grip as stifling creativity immediately loses validity when you consider that creativity is born in the mind, not the hands. Imagine if we moved his two floor toms to his left side-would his right hand, still in a matched grip, suddenly lose its creative potential? Of course not. His views on this are rooted more in tradition than in any objective measure of practicality or creative limitation. That being said, traditional grip is still a beautiful and demanding art form. To those who have mastered it, I offer my highest respect-it requires skill, precision, and dedication, and it looks stunning in action. But, as with many traditions, two truths can coexist: while traditional grip is an impressive feat, it is also, by modern standards, impractical and inefficient in most contemporary drumming contexts.
I play(ed) both but being primarily a rock drummer it was much easier to use matched when playing a full volume loud rimshot on the backbeat with the left hand.
I believe if you're playing rock music use matchstick even blues I prefer a matchstick myself I can switch to traditional so I guess I like it both ways but I prefer matchstick because you can hit the snare harder I guess it all just depends on what you're used to I've been playing drums since I was around 12 always use matchstick. Whatever you're most comfortable with even though I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone by using traditional grips sometimes. I prefer the Stewart Copeland traditional grip between the middle finger and the pointy finger hold it like a pencil well like you're writing with one. It's just easier for me to use the Mueller technique using match grip my life of German Tiffany method but I switch between those two.
The thing was that Buddy could make a 4-piece set sound better than most drummers could make a 14-piece set sound but more to the point, I can play with both grips, but I always prefer to play with traditional grip because it feels a lot more natural whereas match grip seems more laboring and awkward by comparison. Only people who can play both ways would really understand that.
One grip is not "better" than another. I can't play traditional grip at all and it has not hindered my ability whatsoever on the drums. When a jazz snob thinks that trad. grip is required for jazz, I just say two words: Bill Stewart.
I still don’t understand why traditional grip would be required for Jazz if a well-versed match gripped player knows how to hit the same exact notes using lighter touch and proper dynamics/accuracy.
There is no denying that BR was great. But what made him great? Simple rudiments and sticking patterns played REAL FAST. I mean, really really fast. His style of music was big band....I hate to say it but Buddy had no pocket. He couldn't go more than 2 measures without doing a roll And as far as rock music goes, that's an entirely different genre. We're not lazy or uneducated, it's what we like to play. Buddy had such an attitude towards other drummers because BR thought he was the GOAT. Maybe he was, but only in his genre. There, I said what most people are thinking.
He has a very good point but I don't think that grip will work for different types of music .You cant play Slipknot music with that Grip if that's your thing ..For his music im sure its fine but in 2024 with music changing That grip wont cut it Stay well
I switch between.... I'am glad I can do both 😊
Buddy Rich was undeniably a phenomenon-an unparalleled genius behind the drums. Traditional grip, while an art form in its own right, has a rather unconventional origin. It was developed out of necessity during the era of military drumming, when drummers would march with their snares slung to the side at an angle. This made it physically difficult to strike the drum properly with both hands using a matched grip, so the traditional grip emerged as a solution. One hand needed to approach the drum from below, and traditional grip allowed that awkward angle to be compensated for.
However, in today’s modern playing, where snares are positioned flat and ergonomically, traditional grip serves more as a stylistic choice than a practical one. Its use can often feel forced, as the grip is fundamentally designed for a context that no longer exists. In a way, holding sticks in this manner isn’t natural-it’s a historical relic, adapted to circumstances that are largely irrelevant in contemporary music.
Consider this: if you were to place two drumsticks on the floor in front of a toddler, and they picked them up to bang on something, would they naturally hold the sticks in a traditional grip? Likely not. They would intuitively grab them with both hands in a matched grip, the way humans instinctively handle objects meant to strike. This basic instinct shows how matched grip aligns more closely with natural movement and motor patterns, while traditional grip is an adaptation that made sense for a very specific, antiquated, purpose.
Rich’s critique of matched grip as stifling creativity immediately loses validity when you consider that creativity is born in the mind, not the hands. Imagine if we moved his two floor toms to his left side-would his right hand, still in a matched grip, suddenly lose its creative potential? Of course not. His views on this are rooted more in tradition than in any objective measure of practicality or creative limitation.
That being said, traditional grip is still a beautiful and demanding art form. To those who have mastered it, I offer my highest respect-it requires skill, precision, and dedication, and it looks stunning in action. But, as with many traditions, two truths can coexist: while traditional grip is an impressive feat, it is also, by modern standards, impractical and inefficient in most contemporary drumming contexts.
I play(ed) both but being primarily a rock drummer it was much easier to use matched when playing a full volume loud rimshot on the backbeat with the left hand.
I think what ever works for the player and type of music they play is the grip to be used .
german grip is my personal preference, I dont think there is anything wrong
I believe if you're playing rock music use matchstick even blues I prefer a matchstick myself I can switch to traditional so I guess I like it both ways but I prefer matchstick because you can hit the snare harder I guess it all just depends on what you're used to I've been playing drums since I was around 12 always use matchstick. Whatever you're most comfortable with even though I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone by using traditional grips sometimes. I prefer the Stewart Copeland traditional grip between the middle finger and the pointy finger hold it like a pencil well like you're writing with one. It's just easier for me to use the Mueller technique using match grip my life of German Tiffany method but I switch between those two.
The thing was that Buddy could make a 4-piece set sound better than most drummers could make a 14-piece set sound but more to the point, I can play with both grips, but I always prefer to play with traditional grip because it feels a lot more natural whereas match grip seems more laboring and awkward by comparison. Only people who can play both ways would really understand that.
In Buddy Rich's book "Snare drum rudiments" it's advised to first learn traditional ,than matched.
No grip is wrong; I learnt traditional but switched to match and now play both so both grips are equally good
Is he talking about Billy Cobham?
He totally wanted to do it.
One grip is not "better" than another. I can't play traditional grip at all and it has not hindered my ability whatsoever on the drums. When a jazz snob thinks that trad. grip is required for jazz, I just say two words: Bill Stewart.
I still don’t understand why traditional grip would be required for Jazz if a well-versed match gripped player knows how to hit the same exact notes using lighter touch and proper dynamics/accuracy.
There is no denying that BR was great.
But what made him great?
Simple rudiments and sticking patterns played REAL FAST.
I mean, really really fast.
His style of music was big band....I hate to say it but Buddy had no pocket.
He couldn't go more than 2 measures without doing a roll
And as far as rock music goes, that's an entirely different genre.
We're not lazy or uneducated, it's what we like to play.
Buddy had such an attitude towards other drummers because BR thought he was the GOAT.
Maybe he was, but only in his genre.
There, I said what most people are thinking.
He has a very good point but I don't think that grip will work for different types of music .You cant play Slipknot music with that Grip if that's your thing ..For his music im sure its fine but in 2024 with music changing That grip wont cut it Stay well
well said!
@@phjohnso TY
I like the comments on BR. Thx
Thanks so much
stick grip is irrelevant... it's what comes out of the instrument that counts