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Author Topic: technique - stick slipping?  (Read 554 times)
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DrumerFromSysinoid
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« on: October 07, 2003, 02:13 AM »

i find that my stick often starts to slip when i do big hits unless i tighten up my grip and start using my other fingers, i'm wondering if anyone knows any tricks for keeping the stick in your hands without having to use all your fingers?

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felix
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« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2003, 05:17 AM »

I have pretty good luck with not dropping sticks, which is surprising to me.

I just try to keep my hands and sticks clean (free from usually oil)  I have oily skin.  We have had debates about this but if I can keep my hands dry- well I do alot better.  I don't have to hold onto the sticks so tight.  But some guys hate dry hands and their sticks go flying, so they blame it on dry hands.

I keep a clean towell around for the gigs and I remind myself to check my hands when I'm playing.  There are fulcrum exercises that you may practice also.  I used to do a bunch of these, I don't know if it helped or not, but my teacher at the time said it would.

Basically you put the stick between your thumb and first or second joint fulcrum (I play somewhere between them usually) and let your other 3 fingers stick out (which is a BAD HABIT and should only be done when doing fulcrum exercises)

Now, here is the easy part- bang out some eighth notes and keep your fingers out of the way.  You can get fancy with it and set up a click and go thru some subdivisions if you want but just relax your arm and let your fulcrum, thumb and forefinger do all the work.

It looks dumb as heck but it helps.  You want to use your fingers as much as you can the rest of the time.  Smiley
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felix
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« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2003, 05:19 AM »

oh yeah, and when you do these, keep your palms DOWN and the tops of your hands UP... work the stick from your wrists and relax!!!!
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DrumerFromSysinoid
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« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2003, 05:36 AM »

ahh i cant hold my sticks palms down, my muscles are a bit buggered that way lol
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Jon E
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« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2003, 06:23 AM »

Sometimes you SHOULD be using all your fingers.

Sometimes you'll NEED to grip you sticks more tightly.

Sometimes you HAVE to squeeze a bit.

ONE grip (and if you're not using all your fingers I don't know what grip you're using!) does not necessarily fit all styles, strokes, volumes, instruments, sticks, etc.
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jokerjkny
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« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2003, 01:28 PM »

you could always try a Trueline stick.  has a little nub near your gripping area to help you stay relaxed, yet not let that little bugger free.
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Redcamaro
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« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2003, 04:58 PM »

Now here an interesting thing....I've played guitar for 25 yrs and have developed a killer grip in my left hand.  This is, of course, from playing bar chords all the time.  I used to do a trick with people who thought they had a real firm handshake.....I can just crush people's left hand with mine.

Anyways.....I absolutely never drop my left hand stick....never, never, never.  Actually, I have developed a small callus at the first joint of my index finger on my left hand....from over gripping.

Moral of the story is that strength of the hand is the main issue when it comes to dropping sticks.  Work on some squeezing exercises, ie: tennis ball or one of those exercise spring thingies (technical term).  This is the absolute best thing you can do to stop dropping sticks.
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Floyd42
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« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2003, 01:46 AM »

(...)
Moral of the story is that strength of the hand is the main issue when it comes to dropping sticks. (...)

I'm with you Redcamaro. I've been playing tennis since I am 2 years old... So I develop a gripping strenght with my right hand. Unfortunatly, my left hand is not as strong as the right one...
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TP
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« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2003, 03:18 PM »

I've noticed that the angle at which you strike the drum has an effect on stick slippage.  It seems the sharper the angle of the stick to the head at impact, the more it wants to slip out of the fulcrum.  Try to flatten the angle, without hitting rimshots, of course!
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random
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« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2003, 03:44 PM »

i never had too much problem, of ocurse i'd been doing various styles of fencing and other sword styles.  when i play i use most of my fingers most of the time.  just practice.
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Bart Elliott
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« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2003, 04:22 PM »

Aside from having a firm but relaxed grip, I use a drumstick wax to help keep the stick from slipping.

You can read my review of it here:

http://www.drummercafe.com/reviews/h3drumscience.php

It works whether my skin is dry or moist.
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