I guess I’ll go ahead and put in my two cents about velocity. I agree with you, snarepaint and cuban, that a stroke with velocity is indeed going to produce more volume than a stroke without velocity. However, velocity should not be the determinate of volume, and I’ll explain why:

I think of velocity as a “sound quality enhancer” because it increases not just the volume, but the actual quality of the sound and the stroke. Think of a regular 8 on a hand exercise- first played without velocity, then played with velocity. The first thing most people will notice is the increase in volume. However, there is more going on here than just a louder sound being produced. Using velocity, (or a downward pushing force, in this case) will cause the head to resonate longer resulting in a “fuller” and longer-lasting note. Also, because of the extra force applied to the stroke, you will receive a better rebound from the head.

So, if velocity improves volume, head response, and rebound, it should not be limited to the “louder” strokes. Instead, it should be implemented at all heights- from 3 to 15 (or whatever your scale is). So, if velocity is used at all heights, than in reality it does not determine volume.

Consider any crescendo/decrescendo exercise:

If velocity determined volume, than all of the notes could be played at a single height and still have a crescendo/decrescendo effect. In the words of the Myth Busters, it is probable, but not practical. Determining how much velocity to use, and determining when to use it is too much to think about. It would probably lead to nasty things like timing problems.

Now, consider using velocity at all of the different heights, 3 thru 15. Each stroke, including the ones at 3, would produce a better sounding note (not just volume wise, but quality wise).

Think about a high resolution photograph for a second. A photograph with a high resolution is going to look much better than a photograph with a low resolution. Why? Because the quality of the picture is much better. Resolution, ceteris paribus (other factors held constant) determines the quality of the picture.

Now turn back to velocity. A stroke with velocity is going to produce a better sound than a stroke without velocity. Why? Because the quality of the sound is much better. Velocity, ceteris paribus, determines the quality of the note.

So, I guess what I am trying to conclude here is- Velocity determines sound quality, not volume alone.

First, it is impossible to play without velocity. That's called not moving the stick. I'm assuming what you mean by "without velocity" you mean "slower".

Anyway, Adam, understand that if you played all notes at the same height and tryed to increase the velocity of the sticks, the result would be more frequent notes that are louder. The reason we bring our sticks higher for accents is because we want to achieve a constant frequency of strokes. The height of the stick gives the stick more room to move at the higher velocity, hence, frequent notes and a louder volume.

Once your stroke can be perfectly executed, the quality of your notes can't improve. It isn't that hard. Quality is determined by what point you stop accelerating the stick towards the head, and whether or not you are playing "through the head" by not stopping the stick when it hits the head to pull it back up.

My conclusion: technique determines quality, while velocity determines frequency and volume.

These are things most people include in their drumming without thinking about, but it's good to know.

P.S. No hard feelings intended man

I belive we are having some confusion of terms. Velocity in a Physics sense is the rate at which the stick is moving, and Technique is the sum of many variables. While in a truly technical sense, the velocity of the stick is the speed it achieves when you play, but what Adam and many other drummers refer to as velocity is actually part of the technique of playing through the head.

So, neither of you are wrong if you look at it with a less technical view. The velocity Adam is speaking of is the technique of playing with a firm, meaty grip that gives a high quality sound and added volume at all levels of playing. It's just easier for most people to refer to this as velocity rather than explain it fully.
Therefore: Technique determines the quality, volume, and frequency of playing. Velocity is the rate at which an object moves.

-Donavon

Guys - This thread is about left hand technique, not a discussion on velocity. Please return to the subject.

I have never disagreed more.

About technique, for instance. A person could have awesome left and right hand technique: fingers on the stick, relaxed, thumb and pointer finger in contact. However, if someone goes to play with this technique but does not play with velocity (and by velocity here, Adam was talking about playing INTO the head...not just moving the stick and letting the head rebound it. Full wrist turns.), the sound quality will suffer immensely.

And as for velocity being used for volume and "frequent notes"..."velocity" should be utilized and played with from 100 bpm quarter notes to 200 bpm 32nd notes.

The volume will come from heights, the quality will come from velocity.

This is why the left (and right) techniques are so important, because without them you cannot get the best quality out of the drum. That's why this topic was started.

The last few posts have a lot of us talking in cricles. What it comes down to is that increasing the velocity without changing the height will improve the sound quality, which will also increase the volume.

Let me restate - This thread is about left hand technique, not a discussion on velocity. Please return to the subject now.

A query:

Do you(personally) form your left hand into a 90 degree angle with the right hand, or do you make the angle slightly obtuse my pushing your left hand a little further out? I've been taught both ways, and was just curious as to what all of you thought.

I have noticed that my left hand does this naturally. Espically when your on a tilted snare, the left hand sort of, goes to the left a bit...Although, right now I am trying to teach myself to play with more of a V shape \/

I suppose neither way is "correct". Like alot of things I guess it comes down to personal preference(your instructor is a person).