Simon Balle Music : Drums: The Basics

Welcome to the Drums and Percussion Blog

This is where you'll find all of the information that you'll need to help you with your Drum and Percussion studies.

All of the exercises and notations here should open up in full screen - perfect for your iphone, ipad, or laptop. Feel free to save the exercises to your computer or print them out.

On the right hand side you'll see links to exercises for the basics of drum technique, Rudiments and some essential grooves. There also separate sections for Mr Forryan's students and Mr Stevenson's students.

Monday 24 August 2009

The Basics - Matched Grip

Matched Grip

Remember - Thumb on top, Fingers underneath!

As you can see from the photo, the 'butt' of the stick should be in-line

with the bottom of your hand with none or very little of the stick protruding.

Your thumb should be on top of the stick, with your index finger directly under your thumb - this is called your fulcrum and this will give you control of the stick as your strike the drums. Remember that your thumb and index finger are the only fingers holding the stick, the other three fingers are there to guide the stick.

Your right hand should be a mirror image of your left hand, again with your thumb on top, fingers underneath.

You should be making a straight line from the tip of the stick to the tip of your elbow. The sticks should now be forming a 40' angle on the drum head.