The Finer Things: Advanced Hand Techniques
At a certain point, you’ll need to graduate beyond the realm of basic grip and motion. In order to access more advanced drumming vocabulary and concepts, you’ll have to develop a higher level of control through learning different techniques. Utilizing different techniques will allow you to expand your dynamic range, build endurance, play faster, and help you sound more confident. Not every scenario calls for every technique, but understanding more nuanced mechanics can aid in you gaining your freedom on the drums.
Stroke Types
Before getting into the more nuanced mechanics, let’s start by reviewing the 4 main stroke types: full strokes, down strokes, tap strokes, and upstrokes. Each of these stroke types correspond to specific movements of the stick, which result in either louder or softer strokes, and prepare the stick for whatever may follow.
Full strokes: The stick begins and ends in a high position. They produce a loud sound, and prepare the hand to play another loud stroke since the stick ends up in a high position.
Down strokes: The stick begins high, but ends in a low position. They produce a loud sound, and prepare the hand to play a quieter stroke after since the stick ends in a low position.
Tap strokes: The stick begins and ends in a low position. They produce a quiet sound, and prepare the hand to play another quiet stroke since the stick ends in a low position.
Up strokes: The stick begins in a low position, but ends in a high position. They produce a quiet sound, and prepare the hand to play a louder stroke after since the stick ends in a high position. Of all the stroke types, drummers typically struggle the most with up strokes.
These stroke types allow for a very wide range of dynamics and articulations when used together. The mechanics involved with moving your hands and sticks as described above are a prerequisite for any of the more advanced techniques covered below.
Moeller
Moeller technique, named after rudimental drummer Sanford Moeller, involves cyclical wrist motions that allow the stick to strike the drum as the wrist lifts in preparation for the next cycle of motions. This technique allows drummers to play at very high speeds and with a considerable amount of power. The motions are often grouped into 2, 3, or 4 strokes, with 3 being the “standard.” The technique combines a down stroke, tap stroke, and up stroke all into one movement from the arm. The arm should behave like a whip, with the motion originating from the shoulder. With this technique, the first stroke is typically louder than the second and third strokes. 2-stroke Moeller only uses down strokes and up strokes, whereas 4-stroke Moeller contains two tap strokes before the up stroke.
3-Stroke Snap
An extension of the Moeller technique is a little something I refer to as the 3-stroke snap. This mechanic utilizes the whipping wrist movements of Moeller, allowing for 3 strokes from a single motion where the final stroke is accented. In essence, it reorders the standard Moeller movement so it begins with a tap stroke, followed by an up stroke, and concluding with a down stroke, but it’s all done in one movement. This technique is especially useful for playing galloping rhythms on the hihats or ride cymbal.
The Importance of Fingers
While the wrist obviously plays a crucial role in drumming, learning to utilize your fingers in conjunction with your wrist opens up an entirely new realm of speed and control.
If you pinch the stick between your thumb and index finger and rotate your hand so your thumb is on top of the stick (instead of on the side), you’ll find that you can push the butt end of the stick with your middle, ring, and pinky fingers. Your thumb and index finger create a solid pivot point. Controlling the sticks using only your fingers is known as French grip, as opposed to German and American grips, which are much more wrist-driven. While French grip is great for playing fast single strokes, it doesn’t generate as much power as strokes that use the wrist. The real trick is using some wrist and some fingers to achieve a high level of speed while still retaining power and clarity.
3-Stroke Throw
A cousin of the 3-stroke snap mentioned above, the 3-stroke throw aims to create three strokes from one motion that are even in volume.
The first stroke originates from the wrist, but the fingers should open as the stick strikes, allowing the stick to bounce back up without having to lift it. Make sure the stick doesn’t bounce out from between your thumb and index finger. If done properly, the stick should end in more of an “up” position with the back fingers extended, almost like you’re going in for a handshake.
The second stroke is more of a tap stroke, which is created by flicking the stick using the back fingers (middle, ring, and pinky). Again, the stick should end in somewhat of an “up” position, preparing it for the final stroke of the mechanic.
The last stroke comes from closing the fingers back around the stick while lifting the wrist, which should get your hand to return to the original position you started from. Ultimately, these three strokes should be executed in one fluid movement, but it’s a good idea to isolate each stroke within the mechanic, which can be quite tricky at first! With practice, you’ll be able to better articulate the third stroke to get it to more evenly match the volume of the first stroke.
Push-Pull
The most nuanced technique of the bunch, push-pull essentially takes the mechanics of 2-stroke Moeller and compresses them to only the wrist and fingers (as opposed to using your entire arm). Also known as open-close, this technique takes years to master and utilize, but can help you achieve astronomical speed with very little physical effort.
As the name suggests, there are two main movements to this technique: push the stick with your wrist, pull it back in with your fingers. Similar to the 3-stroke throw, your fingers should open with the first stroke, allowing the stick to bounce back a little bit. Then, simply close your back fingers around the stick again, which forces it down for a second stroke. Seems easy enough, right?
The real challenge is getting each of these tiny movements to happen cyclically in conjunction with one another. This technique capitalizes on very small muscle groups in your hand, which are capable of moving much faster than the larger muscle groups found throughout your arm and shoulder.
Ultimately, playing with various techniques allows access to a much wider range of dynamics and articulations. Learning to utilize your back fingers and the small muscle groups within your hands will help you play faster while expending less energy. It’s all about working smarter, not harder. But work hard at working smart!