also, Virgil Donati (who is the one modern drummer that plays traditional that comes to mind) said, that if he would start learning drums all over, he would play matched.
Virgil never says that , he said that people try to discourage him at playing traditionnal when he was younger , but he perfect his technique and now he shut up all of you
I learned match grip in the sixties. Now, at 74, I am very serious about learning traditional grip. Practice an hour or two daily and have seen good progress over the last four months. I am pretty sure I will use both styles with traditional being my preferred. I think I like the subtle nuances I achieve with traditional, especially when playing jazz. At my age, I enjoy my drumming immensely.
I whole heartedly agree with this man, traditional is definitely fun for jazz and is something I still try occasionally but the reality is that trad grip isn't ideal in almost all musical settings. Matched grip allows for much more mobility on the kit like you mentioned. Definitely make more vids like this my guy!
Definitely handy in certain specific situations. I pretty much only use it for brushes (the left hand swish just doesn't feel right to me otherwise) and for playing a concert bass drum with two mallets (usually arranged in a position tailor-made for traditional grip). It still has irreplaceable visual applications, but my playing's usually for ears first.
@@joshbuddha6112 Virgil is a bit like Holdsworth on guitar. In a league of his own when it comes to vocabulary/technique. Lang uses mainly matched nowadays too.
This is funny when related to what todd suchermam plays in traditional grip. That guy plays a whole lot of rock and roll / funk / fusion and different other drum solos through traditional grip ! Yes I agree that traditional grip is initially meant for jazz music and it's outputs and background is mostly related with jazz but you can always play it various musical configurations!
i can't even figure out how to properly strike a drum with left hand traditional lmao, feels like i'm trying to use chopsticks for the first time, every time.
learn blast beats, specifically inverted traditional (RL hand unison on downbeats, kick on upbeats, Blake Richardson does this a lot) & hammer/bomb blasts (RL unison with 16th or 32nd kicks). you can develop your left hand to feel like it's the leading hand. Also worth switching between R and L hand on the snare while you play different cymbal accents (think Alex Rudinger)... Then open handed playing can follow more naturally. At least that's my idea lol.
Open handed in the practice room it's great for building ambidextrosity, performance is fine if you're a lefty and as long as you can deliver the results on stage
i originally played it that way - then some1 came along and told me 2 stop.. i did but after 3 years i picked it up again and soon returned - it was awkward but i was happy anyways lol
I started playing traditional when I was 9 years old after watching Stewart Copeland back in 1980... I used it as my standard playing style until I was in my 40s then tried match grip. It took a while to get used to but now I can mix the two grips up when I play depending on how I feel. I like both grips , it just depends on what I'm playing to.
I got an answer, probably the best one yet.. Play however you're most comfortable with, then play more so whichever option you're the worst at.. I can play traditional and matched in every single situation, I just play however I feel so in the moment and so should you. Only rule I got is follow proper posture.
So that's just flat out wrong. The exact point of the video was to discuss why it, in fact, does matter. As long as you play a regular backbeat traditionally (literally everything whatever other than OG jazz comping), you're simply putting your hand/shoulder at a mechanical disadvantage and sacrifice posture. Has to do with the angle the drum demands, just like matt said. As soon as you need to "adapt" settings and stuff to your traditional grip, it only shows that the grip has severe disadvantages. There is no single situation where matched requires anything like that, or has any "downsides" for that matter. The fact that a kid would pick up sticks matches also proves that's the natural logical way to go. So as objectively speaking as we can here, it's really not about what you feel comfortable with. This has nothing do with experience, musical prowess whatsoever, just a plain and simple anatomical mishap. It is a technique that evokes a certain sound, nothing more or less, and should be used as such.
@@arminheydari425 So you're telling me it's flat out wrong that I can play both styles in proper position and that a musician should play the way they want as long as they follow proper posture so they don't gain health risks? Yeah, don't tell me what I can and cannot play and how I can play it when you have never seen my drumming. Also, don't tell people how to play drums or any instrument if that's your attitude in music. There is nothing wrong with traditional or matched, hell.. even French or American style. As long as posture is correct than everything's fine.. I legit play all four styles very comfortably in any genre and I'm sure other drummers can comfortably as well. Technique is the only thing that invokes a certain sound? You're not a musician plain and simple and have never heard of multiple types of snares, multiple type of drums, sticks, etc etc... You don't play music no less listen to it.. Again, musicians should be as comfortable as possible when playing, and posture and technique should be proper. In fact, I see nothing objectively wrong with what I said haha, I actually encouraged you learn all techniques, play more which one you're worse at, then play which one you're more comfortable with.
Started out with traditional, only started working on matched about 4 years ago. I definitely play different things with traditional, but it's probably caused by the fact that I spent so many years using it that the muscle memory is just different. Matched is fresh to me, so I get fresher ideas. So, for a drummer who has already spent a lot of years using only one style, I think that learning the other style will definitely be beneficial and help you get back that extremely inspired "I'm a newbie and I need to practice a lot" feeling.
Everything Matt say's makes total sense. I recently started learning traditional just to challenge myself and because I had alot of free time during the covid summer, matched probably makes most sense at the end of the day, but there are anomalies in the matrix, Vinnie, Weckl, Todd... but they are far and few between.
Even though I agree with this, something that’s overlooked - I do think that traditional has a very creative function. It’s certainly worth having it in the arsenal. I will play traditional grip on recordings with certain artists or bands that require a more sloppy/creative style and sound. It completely changes the choices I make, the fills I play and the sound is sometimes preferred by people for some tracks. Matched is king but trad still has purpose. Taking that consistent rim shot away can really help a drum sound if you’re going through some nice vintage gear!
I met Bob Gullotti a few years back in France. I told him you were one of my favorite drummers and he responded that you were his student, I couldn't believe it! he was a great person, may he rest in peace.
Couldn’t agree more, more of a preference thing. You can master each through years of practice both have pros and cons but totally agree with this video.
@@stephanmarcouxdrums4877 the whole point of Matt’s video is that matched grip is superior to traditional. Traditional is a bad grip and it needs to die. The pros who use it are exception to the rule. It’s not practical for the average player. It’s literally just a hipster style thing at this point.
Even with jazz, I’d still say matched grip. A lot of drummers have done pretty well playing jazz with matched. Learn independence, and you’ll get great stick control with either hand. In my opinion, learning traditional these days is just for looks. As a self taught guy, the best technique is the one that makes the intended sound without hurting yourself
My drum mentor for 10+ years before his passing was a big jazz player. He played with Dizzy Gillespie for many years. He would always try and deter me from using traditional even though that is how he played his whole life.
Buddy Rich actually talked me out of it. I watched an interview with him where he said “you really can’t move around the kit with matched grip” or something like that and then proceeded to do a drum solo that I was able to do (much slower, but that’s just because he’s Buddy Rich) with matched grip. There may be some ergonomic sense in learning traditional grip, but it’s like learning how to drive stick, you’ll never really need it.
@@WilmersondaSilva yeah totally. Don’t forget Eric Harland. I went to music school with many matched grip jazz guys. Let’s perhaps forgive Matt for generalising 😛
There's the next video idea, playing sax solos on the drums 🙏 I'm not too musically sound (ba-dum tss!) but it'd be cool to see how you play it with the sax tab up on the screen
I love punk and metal and grindcore music at heart. I took a music class in middle school and it was fife and drum. So this is how I started to learn playing traditional. 20years later and I Cannot play other grips as well surprisingly but have been able to play grind and blast beast w traditional. A UA-cam video out there has taught me the technique. This same technique can be used for rim shot. It’s about being versatile. Just like skateboarding, you can learn goofy or regular. It is almost like starting all over again when doing so
First - Matt is a ludicrously great drummer! And he’s got a valid point, in most scenarios a matched grip is the way to go. But there’s one scenario where I find traditional to have an advantage. It’s in small combo scenarios where I need to get LH comping patterns to be quick / quiet. It just feels a fit easier to drop the stick and pick it up, using the thumb as the lever to get rebound. You can really get fast, consistent, quiet notes with little effort when you dial that in. Moving the thumb is a small motion, and that smaller motion can be an advantage. But is it a huge advantage? No, but it has a few merits. I met Bill Stewart once and asked him if there’s any reason I should keep playing trad grip, and he said the only thing it’s got is a certain low volume advantage and it looks cool, haha. He said if he had Morello’s hands, he’d play trad, but anyone else should play matched.
Greetings Matt from SSI...... I had my wife watch this with me and she said, "'That's Matthew, he looks like his Dad!" We are glad to see that you're taking care of yourself and I can see that you've been hitting the gym! For me and my old body, traditional works best probably 90% of the time, but it's good to have many tools in the tool box! Take care Matt!
Even though I am an advocate of matched grip, one positive remark about traditional grip is, that it actually helped with my weak left hand stability. I incorporated some light rudiment workout, switching randomly between singles, doubles and paradiddles at around a 100 bpm into my daily warmup routine, playing both hands in traditional grip for about 2-3 minutes no pause. It actually helped with some imbalance in my left hand, and a slight lack of control stemming from that, as my left hand always made a odd twist-motion outwards, like turning a key in the doorlock. My theory is, that the rotary motion of the traditional grip aided in getting this motion under control. After that little workout session though, I do all other excercises in matched american grip, cause that still is the proper grip and the way to go.
Nice job. I was a drum corps snare drummer for many years, developed way better chops with Traditional Grip. Now in my mid-40's, I'm pretty sure I'll be playing matched for the 2nd half of my life :) Just as you said, the proof that matched makes way more sense lies in the fact that nobody plays "double traditional" aside from using it as an exercise for symmetry / showing off, etc. (nothing wrong with that). To keep my hands as healthy and as long-lasting as possible, it's going to be matched from here on out, I believe...
This is much different from that Buddy Rich video where he basically says "Use traditional grip, any other way to play is wrong!" I suppose he was a jazz player though, and a damn fine one at that (understatement). Nice video!
Well reasoned Matt. I generally agree with you on every point. I usually will play trad for fun when playing swing and rock and roll grooves - but more so in a way that it feels ‘genre appropriate’ - not because it is ‘better’ It’s still an arrow to have in your quiver. But in all fairness it’s like vinyl - there are purists who just love it because of of the history and tradition - not because it is a superior way to listen to music... Thomas Lang has said he can play just as powerfully in Trad grip. And Todd Suchermann has made comments about setting up your gear so that you can play trad and still hit rim shots
Several good points. For straight ahead jazz that’s not super loud, there’s just something about traditional that’s hard to translate into matched without a concerted effort. Bill Stewart is one who very successfully plays straight ahead with matched (French?) grip. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to get a consistent controlled rimshot though with traditional grip.
Match grip is the way to go, even for jazz. Look at Bill Stewart. It can be done by twisting your wrist outwards which changes the angle the tip of the stick makes contact with the head.
The best reasoning for trad that I’ve heard is that it emphasizes the idea of having two separate hands. More of a mental thing. Besides that and looking cool there are no other reasons.
I tried going to matched grip after many years of traditional grip and to be honest, I just couldn't get it to feel right so I am sticking with traditional. If you are starting from scratch, then yeah, go matched. I would go matched but it's been so long that I've been doing traditional that my hands are just used to it
Many drummers have switched over from trad to matched simply because of the improved ergonomics. What Matt Gartska says here is all true, unless of course you have learned that way, play more comfortably and have better control - such as Virgil.
I played traditional for a few years and just getting back into it.. overall it takes way more work to maintain is my opinion. I like it cuz it's unique and not it seperates you from most other drummers
Wonder what buddy rich would think of this video. Who hasn’t seen that video tho? Mind u I think Matt’s right: more mobility and freedom on the kit and plus blast beats 😂🤘
Played traditional for jazz but also marching snare in drum corps. So much so that I’m much better and more comfortable playing traditional on anything with a lot of double stroke rolls. I’ll switch back and forth during songs.
I showed up at a music jam, and out of 6 drummers, I was the only trad. Player. Also, the best player there. All eyes were on me, when it was my turn. Bahm!
Also in traditional grip you never have carpal tunnel syndrome because you don’t use wrist at all you play from rotation or moeller or straight forearm throw as Joe morello said
Not even all jazzers play trad these days - some of the too NYC guys play matched: bill Stewart, Ari hoenig, Colin stranaham, sometimes jochen rueckert trad being necessary for jazz is a myth
I snapped my wrist playing Australian rules football 20 years ago. Changing to traditional allowed me to continue drumming as the movement from matched makes my wrist hurt until this day. I like traditional grip, it looks cool but all my students learn matched. Easier power, easier to take around the kit, superior grip.
Been playing 14 years, always thought traditional grip made ZERO sense due to what he said. We don't march on battle fields like that anymore with our snare at the ground... I tried it and literally hated it, SO glad there are fantastic drummers like him out there calling it out for what it is, an obsolete technique in this day and age. Thanks Matt, it takes balls to state that. Really well put and thought out. Also pointing out Buddy Rich was a cocky asshole who thought he knew everything. Had the nerve to even claim traditional was superior over matched grip haha. And people who used matched were simple minded. What a guy...
Dude buddy was playing big band and mostly jazz and Mat just said traditional does sound and feel better if you play jazz only ... Pay attention lol.... Buddy never said - "traditional grip is the best for heavy metal and rock"
Agreed. I think it's a lot of fun to use for jazz, funk and some lighter styles but it can a bit limited in terms of the setup styles (though some do make it work in multiple setups). I prefer to play matched for rock and harder styles because of rim shots and stuff, and it's useful in classical styles as well. No need to learn it if you don't want to, I personally use matched grip in jazz sometimes because it's easier to switch to leading with my left hand when I use multiple rides, one of which is on the left. However I will say this- I don't like using a stick thicker than a 5A in traditional grip because it can feel a bit weird, but Matt's signature stick which is similar to a 55A feels AMAZING to use in any style of music using either matched or traditional grip because of the balance.
You can argue that having both hands equal (matched grip) is better because it’s more easily consistent but you can easily argue that having one of each (traditional grip) is better because it gives you “two different paintbrushes” to work with instead of “two of the same paintbrushes”. Hope that makes sense.
The most important reason for playing trad grip is the angle of the snare drum. If you play your snare flat, traditional is uncomfortable and if you play it angled then, matched is uncomfortable. like Matt, I began when I was 13 and learned traditional. But that was in 1952, in the US, and no one played matched. Most of my life I played Jazz and in 1975 I began playing more blues and r & b. and out of habit overplayed. To break that habit, I began playing matched grip and found that I had more power and didn't, due to lack of technique, overplay. When I was in my late 30's I began studying with Richard Wilson and told him I wanted to learn matched grip and I worked on that for 2 yrs. After that I could play both grips. I still play traditional for Jazz because it feels more natural and matched for solos (it's easier to move around the kit) & everything else. I have my snare at a slight angle and can play either grip comfortably. As many others have said, do what feels natural for you. If I were beginning today, I would learn matched.
I think it's definitely a useful tool to have available, but it's just that and should be used as such. Guys like Kenny Grohowski are able to fluidly switch between grips to suit the purpose of the music
Good point about rimshots, I could even bring up Steward Copeland as counter argument, but man his left hand was a mess during the police tours, now he even uses gloves!
Benefits of traditional: - It can make you look like a better drummer than you actually are. - Jazz players will respect you for using it. Basically nothing else.
Peter Erskine mentioned in an interview that the instrument and it's vocabulary was created around traditional grip. It works and your posture is much more relaxed and natural 🤗 of course, the movement is more difficult to learn but it's asymmetrical division can be helpful to execute strokes much cleaner and smoother. And if you actually love drumming, i think it's not a bad idea to make you familiar with all it's perspectives 🤗
Carl Palmer, a traditional grip player, said that it was inferior to match grip, but for a very few motions. He said that he stuck with it because it was how he learned.
I think so. I like to play around with it depending on the music. There is a different feel. For playing more sensitive snare based back beats and softer music it does make a difference. When I play louder fusion and jazz standard is fine. But for softer playing traditional feels so much better, and you dont over play the rim shots like everyone does now. It is more comfortable for faster soft playing because you can reach the floor tom with minimal effort and less impact when rolling around the kit. Under hand playing is a different approach. Also, ask Todd Sucherman or Peart. Who relearned their own technique with traditional. And Todd is a powerhouse drummer and does not play soft lol Todd might be worth interviewing on this. He has his snare flat like a table and when he rim shots its so relaxed his fingers basically dont hold the stick. Its just the cradle between your thumb and index. Hes still playing almost 20 years later no injuries. I think millennials just have a hard time with the old or anything traditional. Especially new age elitists who are way too obsessed with technique. And I say that as a millennial.
The only reason I’ll ever momentarily switch to trad grip is because it makes me feel differently in my approach. It separates the right and left emotional sides of your body more than matched and can open you up to different musical ideas that you wouldn’t necessarily think of playing matched all the time. Also due to its technical inferiority to matched it can make you play more conservatively which can be useful in some settings. So for me it’s not something to completely disregard as “wrong” but as a different tool to use at certain times when you might need more creativity than technical excellence.
also, Virgil Donati (who is the one modern drummer that plays traditional that comes to mind) said, that if he would start learning drums all over, he would play matched.
Virgil said that or Jojo Mayer? I heard it from Jojo...
Virgil never says that , he said that people try to discourage him at playing traditionnal when he was younger , but he perfect his technique and now he shut up all of you
Thomas lang stop using it
Virgil indeed said this, recently. If I recall correctly, he said it during an interview with Dom Farmularo.
@@AlexiefDelbes Virgil actually DID in fact say he would start over matched. It was said in the Mike Dolbert "On The Road Featurette".
Bro I’d pay top dollar if Matt started a podcast to talk drums.
I learned match grip in the sixties. Now, at 74, I am very serious about learning traditional grip. Practice an hour or two daily and have seen good progress over the last four months. I am pretty sure I will use both styles with traditional being my preferred. I think I like the subtle nuances I achieve with traditional, especially when playing jazz. At my age, I enjoy my drumming immensely.
I whole heartedly agree with this man, traditional is definitely fun for jazz and is something I still try occasionally but the reality is that trad grip isn't ideal in almost all musical settings. Matched grip allows for much more mobility on the kit like you mentioned. Definitely make more vids like this my guy!
Definitely handy in certain specific situations. I pretty much only use it for brushes (the left hand swish just doesn't feel right to me otherwise) and for playing a concert bass drum with two mallets (usually arranged in a position tailor-made for traditional grip). It still has irreplaceable visual applications, but my playing's usually for ears first.
@@ItsMrBozToYou yup I 100% agree I think about it the same way as you do!
I highly recomd you watch Virgil Virgil donati or thomas lang. Those guys play traditional and metal and are absolutley beasts
@@joshbuddha6112 Virgil is a bit like Holdsworth on guitar. In a league of his own when it comes to vocabulary/technique. Lang uses mainly matched nowadays too.
This is funny when related to what todd suchermam plays in traditional grip. That guy plays a whole lot of rock and roll / funk / fusion and different other drum solos through traditional grip ! Yes I agree that traditional grip is initially meant for jazz music and it's outputs and background is mostly related with jazz but you can always play it various musical configurations!
i can't even figure out how to properly strike a drum with left hand traditional lmao, feels like i'm trying to use chopsticks for the first time, every time.
Through Matt's sharing we can all experience Berklee or what he has learned from BC. Thanks for sharing! Love from the Philippines!
Literally a perfect explanation
If I was starting over, I would learn open handed
Honestly
Never too late
learn blast beats, specifically inverted traditional (RL hand unison on downbeats, kick on upbeats, Blake Richardson does this a lot) & hammer/bomb blasts (RL unison with 16th or 32nd kicks). you can develop your left hand to feel like it's the leading hand. Also worth switching between R and L hand on the snare while you play different cymbal accents (think Alex Rudinger)... Then open handed playing can follow more naturally. At least that's my idea lol.
Open handed in the practice room it's great for building ambidextrosity, performance is fine if you're a lefty and as long as you can deliver the results on stage
i originally played it that way - then some1 came along and told me 2 stop.. i did but after 3 years i picked it up again and soon returned - it was awkward but i was happy anyways lol
Totally agree Matt.
Todd Sucherman is a great example of someone who uses both grips equally well. For myself, I've always played matched grip.
I started playing traditional when I was 9 years old after watching Stewart Copeland back in 1980... I used it as my standard playing style until I was in my 40s then tried match grip. It took a while to get used to but now I can mix the two grips up when I play depending on how I feel. I like both grips , it just depends on what I'm playing to.
I got an answer, probably the best one yet..
Play however you're most comfortable with, then play more so whichever option you're the worst at..
I can play traditional and matched in every single situation, I just play however I feel so in the moment and so should you. Only rule I got is follow proper posture.
So that's just flat out wrong. The exact point of the video was to discuss why it, in fact, does matter. As long as you play a regular backbeat traditionally (literally everything whatever other than OG jazz comping), you're simply putting your hand/shoulder at a mechanical disadvantage and sacrifice posture. Has to do with the angle the drum demands, just like matt said. As soon as you need to "adapt" settings and stuff to your traditional grip, it only shows that the grip has severe disadvantages. There is no single situation where matched requires anything like that, or has any "downsides" for that matter. The fact that a kid would pick up sticks matches also proves that's the natural logical way to go.
So as objectively speaking as we can here, it's really not about what you feel comfortable with. This has nothing do with experience, musical prowess whatsoever, just a plain and simple anatomical mishap.
It is a technique that evokes a certain sound, nothing more or less, and should be used as such.
@@arminheydari425
So you're telling me it's flat out wrong that I can play both styles in proper position and that a musician should play the way they want as long as they follow proper posture so they don't gain health risks? Yeah, don't tell me what I can and cannot play and how I can play it when you have never seen my drumming. Also, don't tell people how to play drums or any instrument if that's your attitude in music. There is nothing wrong with traditional or matched, hell.. even French or American style. As long as posture is correct than everything's fine.. I legit play all four styles very comfortably in any genre and I'm sure other drummers can comfortably as well. Technique is the only thing that invokes a certain sound? You're not a musician plain and simple and have never heard of multiple types of snares, multiple type of drums, sticks, etc etc... You don't play music no less listen to it..
Again, musicians should be as comfortable as possible when playing, and posture and technique should be proper. In fact, I see nothing objectively wrong with what I said haha, I actually encouraged you learn all techniques, play more which one you're worse at, then play which one you're more comfortable with.
Started out with traditional, only started working on matched about 4 years ago. I definitely play different things with traditional, but it's probably caused by the fact that I spent so many years using it that the muscle memory is just different. Matched is fresh to me, so I get fresher ideas. So, for a drummer who has already spent a lot of years using only one style, I think that learning the other style will definitely be beneficial and help you get back that extremely inspired "I'm a newbie and I need to practice a lot" feeling.
Watching a Matt’s educational video without seeing him playing al least once is a sin. Agree with you my man🤘🏼
Everything Matt say's makes total sense. I recently started learning traditional just to challenge myself and because I had alot of free time during the covid summer, matched probably makes most sense at the end of the day, but there are anomalies in the matrix, Vinnie, Weckl, Todd... but they are far and few between.
I can't wait for the new animals as leaders 😍 album
Matt’s hot takes! I dig it, keep ‘em coming!
Even though I agree with this, something that’s overlooked - I do think that traditional has a very creative function. It’s certainly worth having it in the arsenal. I will play traditional grip on recordings with certain artists or bands that require a more sloppy/creative style and sound. It completely changes the choices I make, the fills I play and the sound is sometimes preferred by people for some tracks. Matched is king but trad still has purpose. Taking that consistent rim shot away can really help a drum sound if you’re going through some nice vintage gear!
I get that… it’s a different feel
kinda like pick vs pure fingerstyle on guitar yeah?
On my heartbeat, me and Matt Bover were talking about this minutes before u dropped this.
Matt Bovers sick. He need's to post more vids.
@@ND-iz6dd he's a shy man
What I have been trying to put into words for so long. Thanks for this knowledge, Matt!
Straight up truth right here man! Well articulated points!!! Glad to hear from you like this!
3.02- 3.08 It explained so much to me about you
1:07 that stack sounds beautiful even when he doesn’t mean to play it
You should make a Q&A series at some point, a lot of people would love to hear your perspective on drumming and music.
I recall my teacher growing up who was a jazz guy playing between tradition grip with one and both hands
I like this new style of videos. Keep it up.
I met Bob Gullotti a few years back in France. I told him you were one of my favorite drummers and he responded that you were his student, I couldn't believe it! he was a great person, may he rest in peace.
Couldn’t agree more, more of a preference thing. You can master each through years of practice both have pros and cons but totally agree with this video.
Not to mention gravitationally speaking and less wear and tear on your wrist and fingers with push and pull technique.
I fucking love this dude.
100% agree. Why do people insist technique is subjective? Isn't technique the one thing that isn't?
@@stephanmarcouxdrums4877 the whole point of Matt’s video is that matched grip is superior to traditional.
Traditional is a bad grip and it needs to die. The pros who use it are exception to the rule. It’s not practical for the average player. It’s literally just a hipster style thing at this point.
Even with jazz, I’d still say matched grip. A lot of drummers have done pretty well playing jazz with matched. Learn independence, and you’ll get great stick control with either hand. In my opinion, learning traditional these days is just for looks.
As a self taught guy, the best technique is the one that makes the intended sound without hurting yourself
My drum mentor for 10+ years before his passing was a big jazz player. He played with Dizzy Gillespie for many years. He would always try and deter me from using traditional even though that is how he played his whole life.
thanks for sharing, for me you can't play open handed and play trad grip at the same time... so open handed for me :)
i had to learn traditional in highschool for drumline. 10 years later and i haven't used it since.
Buddy Rich actually talked me out of it. I watched an interview with him where he said “you really can’t move around the kit with matched grip” or something like that and then proceeded to do a drum solo that I was able to do (much slower, but that’s just because he’s Buddy Rich) with matched grip. There may be some ergonomic sense in learning traditional grip, but it’s like learning how to drive stick, you’ll never really need it.
“Every jazz guy will tell you”
Ari Hoenig: Am I a joke to you?
Bill Stewart also uses matched grip
@@WilmersondaSilva yeah totally. Don’t forget Eric Harland. I went to music school with many matched grip jazz guys. Let’s perhaps forgive Matt for generalising 😛
Gary Novak as well.
@@MyRsHaCKSdUNWORK yeah but to be fair Novak’s more a fusion guy than a jazz guy
Dave King, Brian Blade, Mark Guiliana, Richard Spaven etc etc
Good one Matt.
Agreed.
Also causes rotatorcuff strain.
There's the next video idea, playing sax solos on the drums 🙏 I'm not too musically sound (ba-dum tss!) but it'd be cool to see how you play it with the sax tab up on the screen
I love punk and metal and grindcore music at heart. I took a music class in middle school and it was fife and drum. So this is how I started to learn playing traditional. 20years later and I Cannot play other grips as well surprisingly but have been able to play grind and blast beast w traditional. A UA-cam video out there has taught me the technique. This same technique can be used for rim shot.
It’s about being versatile. Just like skateboarding, you can learn goofy or regular. It is almost like starting all over again when doing so
First - Matt is a ludicrously great drummer! And he’s got a valid point, in most scenarios a matched grip is the way to go.
But there’s one scenario where I find traditional to have an advantage. It’s in small combo scenarios where I need to get LH comping patterns to be quick / quiet. It just feels a fit easier to drop the stick and pick it up, using the thumb as the lever to get rebound. You can really get fast, consistent, quiet notes with little effort when you dial that in. Moving the thumb is a small motion, and that smaller motion can be an advantage.
But is it a huge advantage? No, but it has a few merits. I met Bill Stewart once and asked him if there’s any reason I should keep playing trad grip, and he said the only thing it’s got is a certain low volume advantage and it looks cool, haha. He said if he had Morello’s hands, he’d play trad, but anyone else should play matched.
You should use whatever grip works best for you. That's just my humble opinion. 👍 🥁 😎
This is the correct answer here
@@AlexiefDelbes I played matched grip since I started playing drums 🥁 as a teenager and I feel comfortable with it.
Greetings Matt from SSI...... I had my wife watch this with me and she said, "'That's Matthew, he looks like his Dad!" We are glad to see that you're taking care of yourself and I can see that you've been hitting the gym! For me and my old body, traditional works best probably 90% of the time, but it's good to have many tools in the tool box! Take care Matt!
Even though I am an advocate of matched grip, one positive remark about traditional grip is, that it actually helped with my weak left hand stability. I incorporated some light rudiment workout, switching randomly between singles, doubles and paradiddles at around a 100 bpm into my daily warmup routine, playing both hands in traditional grip for about 2-3 minutes no pause.
It actually helped with some imbalance in my left hand, and a slight lack of control stemming from that, as my left hand always made a odd twist-motion outwards, like turning a key in the doorlock.
My theory is, that the rotary motion of the traditional grip aided in getting this motion under control. After that little workout session though, I do all other excercises in matched american grip, cause that still is the proper grip and the way to go.
Great video, totally agree. Cheers 🍻🥁☝
The actual answer: It doesn't matter.
thank you!
Thanks Matt, makes perfect sens! Great video!
Nice job. I was a drum corps snare drummer for many years, developed way better chops with Traditional Grip. Now in my mid-40's, I'm pretty sure I'll be playing matched for the 2nd half of my life :)
Just as you said, the proof that matched makes way more sense lies in the fact that nobody plays "double traditional" aside from using it as an exercise for symmetry / showing off, etc. (nothing wrong with that). To keep my hands as healthy and as long-lasting as possible, it's going to be matched from here on out, I believe...
It is beneficial, depends on when you start in my opinion. I learned traditional in concert band and 5 years of marching.
Perfect, thanks Matt!
This is much different from that Buddy Rich video where he basically says "Use traditional grip, any other way to play is wrong!" I suppose he was a jazz player though, and a damn fine one at that (understatement). Nice video!
Good point.
Love this style of video! Hope you keep it up.
I've seen someone use double traditional grip. It's cool to look at
Well reasoned Matt. I generally agree with you on every point. I usually will play trad for fun when playing swing and rock and roll grooves - but more so in a way that it feels ‘genre appropriate’ - not because it is ‘better’
It’s still an arrow to have in your quiver. But in all fairness it’s like vinyl - there are purists who just love it because of of the history and tradition - not because it is a superior way to listen to music...
Thomas Lang has said he can play just as powerfully in Trad grip. And Todd Suchermann has made comments about setting up your gear so that you can play trad and still hit rim shots
Buddy Rich, Stewart Copeland and Cozy Powell had great rimshots with traditional grip
Exceptions my friend, not the rule. Rim shots with trad is an uphill battle
yeah, and buddy had awful back issues
Matthew Garstka? From Animals as Leaders?
Several good points. For straight ahead jazz that’s not super loud, there’s just something about traditional that’s hard to translate into matched without a concerted effort. Bill Stewart is one who very successfully plays straight ahead with matched (French?) grip. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to get a consistent controlled rimshot though with traditional grip.
Match grip is the way to go, even for jazz. Look at Bill Stewart. It can be done by twisting your wrist outwards which changes the angle the tip of the stick makes contact with the head.
The best reasoning for trad that I’ve heard is that it emphasizes the idea of having two separate hands. More of a mental thing.
Besides that and looking cool there are no other reasons.
Matt is super impressive and it's amazing how matured his drumming is at such a young age.
have you seen his old Two-Man Trio videos with Jo Sallins?
@@t3hgir I have not but I will check it out thank you.
I tried going to matched grip after many years of traditional grip and to be honest, I just couldn't get it to feel right so I am sticking with traditional. If you are starting from scratch, then yeah, go matched. I would go matched but it's been so long that I've been doing traditional that my hands are just used to it
It's a matter of preference.
I really appreciate this video!
Thank you for the wisdom, brotha🙏🏻interesting hearing about working out of the omnibook adapted for drumset
It’s fun on the pad and has advantages with very specific movements, but around the kit its uncomfortable for me
Yeah agreed, working on fills/tom movement needs a little more planning with trad.
Many drummers have switched over from trad to matched simply because of the improved ergonomics. What Matt Gartska says here is all true, unless of course you have learned that way, play more comfortably and have better control - such as Virgil.
Imma learn it anyways cause it looks cool
open handed with crazy ambidextrous blast beats and 32nd double kicks look cooler IMO
Valid asf
I played traditional for a few years and just getting back into it.. overall it takes way more work to maintain is my opinion. I like it cuz it's unique and not it seperates you from most other drummers
Wonder what buddy rich would think of this video. Who hasn’t seen that video tho? Mind u I think Matt’s right: more mobility and freedom on the kit and plus blast beats 😂🤘
Buddy was an asshole that played ONE genre.
Buddy had snare drum angled in way that of course match grip wouldn't work.
And anyway he was just being an old crank.
@@Andrew-wb2zq oh 100% agree with u, I definitely don’t think Buddy would be pleased with this video, but nonetheless, I think Matt’s right
@@tonyjackson4099 also very true, as well as the asshole part, amazing Jazz drummer, but definitely not a drummers drummer such as Matt
@@alexanderlicalzi9447 Uh..Buddy Rich not a Drummers Drummer? Weckl..Vinnie...Steve Smith and a thousand others disagree.
It makes so much sense thanks for the history lesson! 😃
More videos like this, please!!
Played traditional for jazz but also marching snare in drum corps. So much so that I’m much better and more comfortable playing traditional on anything with a lot of double stroke rolls. I’ll switch back and forth during songs.
Bill Stewart… that’s all I need to say! Steve Smith said it’s worn out some cartilage from over use. Vinnie is now playing more matched… interesting
6:32 wow this is exactly why I wanna learn trad lol (but also I genuinely love jazz)
I had to learn traditional after having my thumb almost severed, it saves me from having to stop due to cramps💯💓💓💓
I never really thought about it from a set point of view, as a marching percussionist I've never really thought about the ergonomics of it.
I showed up at a music jam, and out of 6 drummers, I was the only trad. Player. Also, the best player there. All eyes were on me, when it was my turn. Bahm!
Jason Costa (Diecast) and Nick Pierce (Unearth) are absolute beasts at traditional grip metal drumming
Also in traditional grip you never have carpal tunnel syndrome because you don’t use wrist at all you play from rotation or moeller or straight forearm throw as Joe morello said
Not even all jazzers play trad these days - some of the too NYC guys play matched: bill Stewart, Ari hoenig, Colin stranaham, sometimes jochen rueckert trad being necessary for jazz is a myth
I snapped my wrist playing Australian rules football 20 years ago. Changing to traditional allowed me to continue drumming as the movement from matched makes my wrist hurt until this day. I like traditional grip, it looks cool but all my students learn matched. Easier power, easier to take around the kit, superior grip.
Been playing 14 years, always thought traditional grip made ZERO sense due to what he said. We don't march on battle fields like that anymore with our snare at the ground... I tried it and literally hated it, SO glad there are fantastic drummers like him out there calling it out for what it is, an obsolete technique in this day and age. Thanks Matt, it takes balls to state that. Really well put and thought out. Also pointing out Buddy Rich was a cocky asshole who thought he knew everything. Had the nerve to even claim traditional was superior over matched grip haha. And people who used matched were simple minded. What a guy...
Dude buddy was playing big band and mostly jazz and Mat just said traditional does sound and feel better if you play jazz only ... Pay attention lol.... Buddy never said - "traditional grip is the best for heavy metal and rock"
Agreed. I think it's a lot of fun to use for jazz, funk and some lighter styles but it can a bit limited in terms of the setup styles (though some do make it work in multiple setups). I prefer to play matched for rock and harder styles because of rim shots and stuff, and it's useful in classical styles as well. No need to learn it if you don't want to, I personally use matched grip in jazz sometimes because it's easier to switch to leading with my left hand when I use multiple rides, one of which is on the left.
However I will say this- I don't like using a stick thicker than a 5A in traditional grip because it can feel a bit weird, but Matt's signature stick which is similar to a 55A feels AMAZING to use in any style of music using either matched or traditional grip because of the balance.
You can argue that having both hands equal (matched grip) is better because it’s more easily consistent but you can easily argue that having one of each (traditional grip) is better because it gives you “two different paintbrushes” to work with instead of “two of the same paintbrushes”. Hope that makes sense.
Even Thomas Lang doesn't play trad grip anymore (and has said he will never use it again), for similar reasons as Matt stated here
The most important reason for playing trad grip is the angle of the snare drum. If you play your snare flat, traditional is uncomfortable and if you play it angled then, matched is uncomfortable. like Matt, I began when I was 13 and learned traditional. But that was in 1952, in the US, and no one played matched. Most of my life I played Jazz and in 1975 I began playing more blues and r & b. and out of habit overplayed. To break that habit, I began playing matched grip and found that I had more power and didn't, due to lack of technique, overplay. When I was in my late 30's I began studying with Richard Wilson and told him I wanted to learn matched grip and I worked on that for 2 yrs. After that I could play both grips. I still play traditional for Jazz because it feels more natural and matched for solos (it's easier to move around the kit) & everything else. I have my snare at a slight angle and can play either grip comfortably. As many others have said, do what feels natural for you. If I were beginning today, I would learn matched.
I think it's definitely a useful tool to have available, but it's just that and should be used as such. Guys like Kenny Grohowski are able to fluidly switch between grips to suit the purpose of the music
well this just saved me a few hours a day 😂 thanks matt 👍🏻
Good point about rimshots, I could even bring up Steward Copeland as counter argument, but man his left hand was a mess during the police tours, now he even uses gloves!
Benefits of traditional:
- It can make you look like a better drummer than you actually are.
- Jazz players will respect you for using it.
Basically nothing else.
Crying here
@@de-ja-vu *Hands you a handkerchief in matched grip* 💜
@@DavidMcmenemy Dude. I almost broke my fingers with this damn grip ... in general all grips do not really matter if there is no rebound
@@DavidMcmenemy 🍺this one's for you
Peter Erskine mentioned in an interview that the instrument and it's vocabulary was created around traditional grip. It works and your posture is much more relaxed and natural 🤗 of course, the movement is more difficult to learn but it's asymmetrical division can be helpful to execute strokes much cleaner and smoother. And if you actually love drumming, i think it's not a bad idea to make you familiar with all it's perspectives 🤗
I love drummers who have the courage to tell it like it is. Even more respect to you for this!
Carl Palmer, a traditional grip player, said that it was inferior to match grip, but for a very few motions. He said that he stuck with it because it was how he learned.
The logic doesn’t lie
I think so. I like to play around with it depending on the music. There is a different feel. For playing more sensitive snare based back beats and softer music it does make a difference. When I play louder fusion and jazz standard is fine. But for softer playing traditional feels so much better, and you dont over play the rim shots like everyone does now. It is more comfortable for faster soft playing because you can reach the floor tom with minimal effort and less impact when rolling around the kit. Under hand playing is a different approach.
Also, ask Todd Sucherman or Peart. Who relearned their own technique with traditional. And Todd is a powerhouse drummer and does not play soft lol Todd might be worth interviewing on this. He has his snare flat like a table and when he rim shots its so relaxed his fingers basically dont hold the stick. Its just the cradle between your thumb and index. Hes still playing almost 20 years later no injuries. I think millennials just have a hard time with the old or anything traditional. Especially new age elitists who are way too obsessed with technique. And I say that as a millennial.
The only reason I’ll ever momentarily switch to trad grip is because it makes me feel differently in my approach. It separates the right and left emotional sides of your body more than matched and can open you up to different musical ideas that you wouldn’t necessarily think of playing matched all the time. Also due to its technical inferiority to matched it can make you play more conservatively which can be useful in some settings. So for me it’s not something to completely disregard as “wrong” but as a different tool to use at certain times when you might need more creativity than technical excellence.
Thomas Lang used to play traditional but said he had a bunch of problems with different parts of his body, especially his wrists so he switched.
Go check Bruno Valverde playing traditional, metal drummer, hard hitter!
Please please keep these up
Perfect 👏👏
I use both grips. It depends what I’m playing.
Completely agree man. I've been guilt tripped so many times by teachers and peers, but I just don't care anymore lol.