Translating the Traditional Grip (part two)

Welcome back!  In part one of this series I introduced the concept of Translation between the hands and the four tasks each hand needs to master.  Now I will discuss how the four tasks relate to Stroke Types, and the standard exercises “8-on-a-hand” and “Tap-Accent”.

Stroke Types: Same for both hands

Full stroke = Begin high, end high.  This is a same-height stroke.  The Driver supplies the power, the Fulcrum allows the stick to pivot, the Down force is in an open, relaxed position, and the Up force is disconnected, not touching the stick.  The “Up” of this stroke comes from the rebound of the playing surface.

Tap stroke = Begin low, end low.  This is a same-height stroke.  The Driver supplies the power, the Fulcrum is mostly not used, the Down force is activated in a closed position, and the Up force is connected to the stick, supporting it between each note.

Down stroke = Begin high, end low.  This is a transition stroke.  The Driver supplies the power, the Fulcrum is mostly not used, the Down force absorbs rebound after the stroke in a closed position, and the Up force is connected to the stick, lifting before each note.  Down strokes are the same relative volume as Full strokes.

Up stroke = Begin low, end high.  This is a transition stroke.  The Driver supplies the power, the Fulcrum is mostly not used, the Down force is activated in a closed position, and the Up force is connected to the stick, lifting after the stroke.  Up strokes are the same relative volume as Tap strokes.

8-on-a-hand:

This is standard exercise composed mostly of repeated Full strokes. A Down stroke brings the playing hand back to rest just above the head when it finishes a set of Full strokes.

Right hand:  Full wrist motion, relaxed fulcrum, open back fingers, stick off the back of the hand.  For the last note close the fingers and absorb the rebound, connect with the back of the hand.

Left hand: Full arm rotation, relaxed base of thumb, relaxed thumb/first finger connection, ring/pinky fingers tucked back off the stick.  For the last note activate the thumb/first finger connection and absorb the rebound, connect with ring/pinky fingers.

Tap-Accent:

This is a standard exercise which starts with repeated Tap strokes and adds an Up/Down motion to create accents.

Right hand:  Small wrist motion like knocking on a door, relax fulcrum, activate back fingers to maximize volume at low height, connect with the back of the hand.  For the Up stroke pop wrist up quickly after low note, back fingers remain in closed position, connect with the back of the hand.  For the Down stroke back fingers absorb rebound in closed position, connect with the back of the hand.

Left Hand:  Small arm rotation, relax base of thumb, activate thumb/first finger connection to maximize volume at low height, connect with the ring/pinky.  For the Up stroke pop palm up quickly after low note, thumb/first finger connection remains in closed position, connect with the ring/pinky.  For the Down stroke thumb/first finger connection absorbs rebound in closed position, connect with the ring/pinky.

Part three will continue with multiple bounce application, completing the foundational technical material for rudimental snare drumming.

Thanks for reading!  Stay tuned!