What is the purpose of holding the left and right stick differently?

Posted - 12/10/2009 :  00:55:55    

You can achieve different tones by different hand postures.

Posted - 12/10/2009 :  05:57:17  

Blame it on the old way of holding a snare drum. You had a single strap and the drum was supported on one leg. It leaned. Therefore, to play it, you had to hold the left hand different. When drums became supported on nicer holder and was parallel, matched grip was all you needed. A lot of drummers learn both traditional and matched. Nothing wrong with either. But, to do a one-handed long roll, the traditional grip on the left hand is optimal.

Posted - 12/10/2009 :  06:49:02  

I use the traditional grip because that is the way I was taught. I also slant my snare drum away from me, towards the right. (teachings from school band)
So, the traditional grip gives me more control. But, I see great drummers using a matched grip using parallel and slanted back snare drums. I think it is whatever you are most comfortable with.

Posted - 12/10/2009 :  13:11:45    

The prefered snare drum angle is an interesting discussion in its own. First, I play matched grip most all of the time. From time to time on lighter songs I'll switch to traditional. I actually set my snare drum tilted back and to the left side just slightly. With the technique that I have developed I feel that I have the most control with it leaning to the left for doing rim shots. You can call it a flaw in my technique, but it works great for me.