Stick Hold... PERCUSSION Stick Hold

In this post we will talk about your stick hold... the basic stick holds for all your basic percussion needs... basically...

DRUM STICK:

• Find the balance point of the stick.  
• A good marker on the Vick Firth SD1 Generals is the small American Flag. 
• Place your thumb on the Flag and wrap your index finger around the other side.  
• This will be your main fulcrum/grip on the stick.  
• Curl the rest of your fingers loosely around the edge of the stick.

BASS DRUM

• Just grab the thing near the end!

CYMBALS:

• DO NOT: Put your hands through the leather loops
• Tightly grab the leather handle between your thumb and index finger
• Grip the leather handles
• Some of the metal will be resting on your first two fingers

KEYBOARD MALLETS

• Use a traditional drum stick hold when holding one pair of mallets
• Four Mallets Grips:
• Stevens:
• Hold the inside mallets like normal drum sticks (at the fulcrum) then add the outside mallets, held between your middle and ring fingers (using the ring and pinky fingers to hold it).  The ends of the outside mallets should be securely pulled into the butt of your hand.  The inside sticks have more flexibility with this grip so the palms do not face the floor.
• Burton
• Hold the inside mallet with your thumb and index finger (like a normal drum stick) and the outside mallet between your index and middle fingers.  The sticks cross in your palm and the inside mallet is closest to the palm of your hand.  The strike will then be like a drum stick strike, palms down.  
• Traditional
• Hold the inside mallet with your thumb and index finger (like a normal drum stick) and the outside mallet between your index and middle fingers.  The sticks cross in your palm and the outside mallet is closest to the palm of your hand.  The strike will then be like a drum stick strike, palms down.