I don't know if ScoJo will like this, but he gave this to me...

2007 Blue Devils





“SNARE DRUM TECHNIQUE”






OVERALL:


All details about the grip and strokes are to be taken with the thought in mind that everybody has slightly different hand sizes, shapes and musculature. This text is simply an attempt to unify the look of the performer, and general approach to creating sound on the drum. There is a vast amount of information about our craft that simply cannot, and will not, be written because the nature of drumming is not one derived from text. Learning the details and minutia of what will be expected of you, as a Blue Devil Snare Drummer, will be grounded in your experiences with the staff and your ability to respond to that experience.





GRIP:

Right Hand:

The snare stick is held comfortably between the thumb and first finger forming a “T”, better known as the fulcrum. The stick follows the natural inside crease of the hand and the remaining fingers are wrapped comfortably around the stick. There should be no gaps between the fingers, all fingers should touch each other and all fingers should touch the stick.
The stick should be approximately 2” above the rim, pointing down slightly with the bead of the stick _” above the playing surface and being just to the right of the center of the head. When in playing position, the crease of the thumb and first finger should be at a 40 degree angle in relationship to the playing surface. This should create a very slight angle so that the hand is not completely flat. The arm should hang naturally down the side of your body. The shoulder needs to be low and relaxed at all times.





Left Hand: Traditional

The thumb naturally crosses the last joint on the index finger forming a “t”. Thumb and first finger always maintains contact. The middle finger is slightly bent and shaped similarly to the first finger. The third finger mirrors the middle finger and the stick rests on the cuticle of the fingernail. The pinky supports the third finger and all fingers are shaped like the letter “C”.
The stick should be approximately 2” above the rim, pointing down slightly with the bead of the stick _” above the playing surface and being just to the left of the center of the head. When in playing position, the hand should be at such an angle that the third finger and pinky finger are pointing at your face. This should create an angle so that the thumb nail is angled slightly out. The arm should hang naturally down the side of your body. The shoulder needs to be low and relaxed at all times.


The grip should look symmetrical. Both sticks forming a “V” shape that is slightly pointing down.

STROKES
The basic strokes are referred to in a variety of ways. Rebound, Piston, Legato, Wrist, Full, Downstroke, Upostroke, etc… We will use language that is deemed appropriate for the needs of the music, and conveying the objective of our message efficiently to our students. In general, all strokes are initiated from the wrist. In some small way you will always be using a combination of muscles in the wrist, arm, and fingers, but for the sake of definition we will talk about these groups independently as well as together in our camps and throughout the summer. What is essential to know is that we will define the amount of wrist, finger and arm to be used, as determined by the needs of the music. The needs of the music are usually satisfied by including considerations for height (volume), tempo (meter or feel) and density of notes (rhythms). All of these variables require that muscle groups are trained in a way that is consistent and relative to the needs of the music. We will create a process that will train you in these areas. This will be the focus of our technique program.

Hope this helps,
-MadCoSnareLine <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

ya... we used to have a very small line... there was one snare player my eighth grade year and he was a senior... and i was the best in my grade so i was it...

i use a tighter grip with my left hand.. i got it from a drummer back when i was in seventh grade. at first it was uncomfortable. now it feels natural.

that scott johnson explination up there^^ is pretty much the best description i've read/seen on the forum...most people tend to get sloppy with the bottom 2 fingers and obviously the middle finger but who's perfect anyways

i was recently taught that one of the aspects to the cadets grip was to tuck in the pinkie and pull it all the way back....is this right?

This is a sweet explanation.

I was originally taught matched grip, and am trying to refine my traditional technique. This is one of the better written explanations I have seen. Thanks!

Also, I haven't been able to locate any pics of a 'top-down' view of both sticks against the drumhead when using traditional grip. I'm curious as to the 'V' that is created with the sticks. From the player's perspective, is the 'V' supposed to fan out with the opening symmetrical to the torso, or does the 'V' tend to fan out slightly left? (I hope this makes sense!)

Any tips on taking the ring and pinky off the stick for faster singles and what not? Whenever I try it it feels unnatural and I can't seem to keep the stick from dropping out of control.

There needs to be enough momentum that the stick maintains the same position in your hand despite the loss of support. It's like riding a bike. If you go too slow or stop, you can't stay upright on both wheels. Put some velocity and force behind your stroke and your fingers will do it almost naturally.

It is almost completely necessary to take the pinky and ring finger off in order to successfully play at fast tempos with any rudiment. You have to realize that in order to have control while removing the two fingers requires the same movement you would make when performing diddles at slow tempos: the same movement of the wrist and forearm. Pracitce standard roll, or standard triplet roll at 120 then increase tempo gradually. You will find out you must take your pinky and ring finger off to play succesffully. The idea is to use the same arm movements for when you get faster as you had when you were slower, but of course lower stick heights perhaps.