Buddy Rich Left Hand Study Part Two 

I've recently started playing traditional grip (about a year ago) I've started using my thumb as the main fulcrum and found that my third finger does get in the way , I really am at a early stage of the grip and being comfortable with it I am taking all the correct pointers and seeing some really, really good analysis videos on the traditional grip, yours is right up there I've got to say, thank you for taking the time to video your experience and I think your technique is a very good example of how-to, I'll keep on keeping on, thanks again, from the UK, oh and subbed!! 🙏

Very helpful video. Presented in an easy to follow demonstration.

Years ago I was a hot drummer. No more, as I went back to the piano and now I've gotten old. But, I once had a great drum teacher who taught me a few finger and wrist exercises that helped me achieve a decent, never great, left-handed buzz roll. You are on your way, so let me share these two ideas that who knows, may help. First, the grip between thumb and first finger is important. I exercised bouncing the left stick on the pad without the use of fingers. This exercise insists that you snap the wrist at a right angle to the pad, a skill that you've discovered on your own. The proper angle of the downward stoke is a key to getting a consistent bounce. The movement of your thumb, from its base toward the first or forefinger is called adduction. The fat, fleshy area of the hand between the thumb and first finger is the location of the muscles that control adduction. You can feel this group of muscles contract if you hold this area of your left hand, with your right thumb and forefinger, an then open and close the left thumb like you're gripping a drumstick. The idea of the no-finger bounce is to strengthen these muscles. Use a heavy stick, like a 5b parade stick. Grip it tightly between thumb and forefinger, and snap the wrist downward at a right angle to the pad, relaxing the wrist a little to allow the stick bounce. Repeat. If you snap the wrist too hard, the stick will get away from you, so start slowly and without using too much wrist power at first. As your thumb adduction strength develops, you can use more force, but always keep the stick under control between thumb and forefinger. The exercise works the muscles involved in thumb adduction, and the wrist snap-twitch motion. Have you ever watched an Olympic sprinter practice starts. This develops what the sports medicine guys call the "fast twitch" reflex. Drummers with blazing speed and finely developed stick control also need to work their fast twitch reflexes. Ok, the next exercise is also a fundamental hand builder. This time you, you can use both hands in the standard grip, with all the fingers. Again, start slowly. The idea here is to do a slow alternating 8th note roll. One-and two-and, etc. Use a light downward stroke and snap the wrist upward, quickly but in a controlled manner. Don't let the stick bounce. Down, then snap up approximately 45° of stick movement. It is OK to grip the stick a little tighter at first, eventually you want to work on a relaxed manner of playing, developing only the upward wrist snap, and add speed slowly, but always under control. This exercise builds the upward wrist strength and twitch reflex. That's it. Try them for no more than ten minutes a day. These exercises build strength and control over time. You will not notice any great changes in your playing during the first few weeks. But give them a chance to work their magic over a year, and you'll notice many changes in stamina, control, and precision in your playing. Best wishes and thank you.

By the way, Freddie Grubber is an excellent teacher!! Glad to see you incorporate his ideas into your videos and drumming

Hi John - do you use this out/in technique for double strokes ? Cheers

I studied this left hand technique with FRED GRUBER for many years. He called it the “contrary motion” as the top two fingers move away from the grip. The bottom, two fingers move towards it and vice versa, but there is a secret that I’ve never hear people talk about and that’s the weight distribution of the stick.

Does the weight of stick could affect single-stroke one-handed roll? which stick do you recommend for jazz drumming, I need your opinion. Thanks

Very helpful!! I’m a match grip player, But trying to learn traditional with not much success . Are you in Miami? I noticed the UM logo. Do you teach? Thanks

Это сколько надо иметь свободного времени что бы этим заниматься . А работать кто будет . Дороги строит кто . Коров доит кто Дома возводит кто .???? Барабанщики 😂😂😂😂 Всем барабанщикам по лому и на рудники