If you want to go deeper with this crazy grip, google "Carmine Appice grip"! Several folks have mentioned that this was the grip he actually used regularly. Nothing new under the sun! I think my finger bones would get pretty sore after a while, but if you can make this work as a primary grip... I guess I won't report you to the authorities. ;) Stay Non Glamorous, everyone! Thanks for watching.
Hi Stephen. I have been watching some of your videos. They are very good but I have difficulty with using the fingers and that I tend to use the movement of the whole hand to move the sticks which I know is the wrong way of doing it. I’ve been observing your handling of the sticks in this video which I have difficulty doing myself. I don’t know what it is I am doing wrong. I have been attending drum lessons for over a year now but my two fingers on the stick need working on for manoeuvring them. I have the right idea for loose American grip but just the fingers I’m having difficulty with
As a self taught drummer who has been playing off and on for over 3 decades I very much appreciate these “back to the basics” lessons you share, because these are the things I never learned and struggled with, thanks to you I can elevate my playing to another level where I was struggling before!! Keep them coming, and thank you!!
This is really interesting. Having started drumming at 47 I started at a time when the body can start to develop 'issues'. So due to having arthritis in my thumb, I naturally started to use this grip to give my thumb a break when it started hurting, (and is a quick transition whilst playing)! Glad to know that I'm not doing any damage, and I'm not odd for doing it. I'm not alone! If anyone has any suggestions regarding arthritis and drumming...would be appreciated
I use an essential oil blend that kills the pain and warms up my hands nicely. Here is the recipe: clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint in olive oil. About 1 part oil blend to 10-15 parts of olive oil. I get my oils through Mountain Rose Herbs. They sell a blend called Shield Blend that is close to my recipe. Be sure to dilute with olive oil.
This is how I found this video. I’m a guitar player as well and my left thumb has terrible arthritis. I’m in my late 40’s and it hurts to play drums and guitar. I’m looking for alternative grips. Crummy thumbs.
Steve, great video. You provide some terrific, pragmatic advice. As a Resurged , 69 yo, "drummer" after a 50 Year Hiatus, playing for Retirement enjoyment, the advice is a great help. None of this advice was relayed to me back in 1966 when I first took beginner lessons. What kind and type of Sticks do you prefer?
Hey Stephen, the Appice brothers (Carmine and Vinny) have been using that "whacky." grip for years. It came about when doing stick twirls while playing the backbeat. If you're holding the stick between the index and middle finger while twirling it, then it makes sense to leave it in that position when you strike the drum. Otherwise you have to somehow get the stick around your index finger to revert to a normal grip. I believe it was Carmine who first came up with the idea, but Vinny likes that grip so much he often uses it even when he isn't twirling his sticks. I think I'll it a try for finger technique training purposes. I had never thought of doing that. And who knows, maybe I'll practice my stick twirls.
this is fucking genius. I've been working on my hand technique for a while and I normally have to do a bit of a warm up to get to the feeling of full rebound. I tried this method and asked "does this grip give me better rebound than normal? Then something's got to change" and it worked so well holy shit great content my guy
I started using this grip in the mid 70’s when I was about 12 yrs old (self taught drummer just having fun with friends) I still use this grip today but only in my right hand to gain a faster ride sound (MBPM) “More Beats Per Minute” - LOL Just stumbled across it when I was experimenting (didn’t have RU-vid back in the day) my hands aren’t very fast so was a cheater code for me. Great videos by the way, I took your tips on getting a better snare sound and improved it 1000% … thanks
The drummer in one of my old bands played that way all the time with his left hand. We played grindcore which builds on blastbeats. He was insanely fast!
I have been playing on and off for over 40 yrs in all kinds of bands and know my limitations, this video just makes so much sense, keep my existing musicality, feel and knowledge but actually look into technique and building easily into faster flowing sticking. Old dogs and new tricks?, YES and rightly so with kind of instruction. Well done NGD,
Just make sure to note that using this grip, you shouldn't be squeezing the drumsticks hard in between the fingers - and same with rimshots. The shock and pressure going to the knuckles can be very damaging if done incorrectly
I started using this grip years ago as another option for gigs when my hands are a little "tired" or just slippery. It tends to "lock" the stick better without having to grip tighter sometimes. Has helped me through many gigs. I haven't used it for technique practice, but it definitely makes sense. Nice vid!
I've actually had my students come in playing with this grip off the bat, so I experimented around with it myself, so I could show them why it's improper and how matched/French grip allows for greater range of motion and stick control. lol! But, I also hold my sticks upside down and play them against my arms to exercise my fingers, so maybe I'm just as weird as that grip! Haha! 😉 Good video, bro! Happy drumming, everyone!
As an FYI ... Tommy Ardolino, longtime drummer for NRBQ [a monster of a drummer][ & sadly now passed away] would occasionally slide into this grip, during very fast passages. I had never seen anybody do it before and so it's quite interesting that you're addressing it.
Really good - trying this highlighted how much better my right hand is compared to my left, I could hammer out a rapid rhythm with my right then my left was extremely useless in comparison, even though they looked the same. Any advice for addressing this?
I've been using this for years to alleviate my carpal tunnel inflammation - whenever I play technique I play normal, but when I play hard I switch to this and my wrists are happy.
Hi Stephen, that grip I think was adopted by Carmine Appice, I have used that grip in my left hand for years now and I couldn't go back! One thing that stick aint gonna fly out of your hand but you will get a callous on your forefinger. Great vids mate
Thanks for your videos. I don't know if you have ever encountered this with a student: I can use your finger technique up to 170bmp singles controlled, then I have a "higher gear" which is a sort of "twitch" I can only do at 210bpm. I don't know how to control the twitch at lower or higher speeds, so it's sort of useless. I wish I could take advantage of it.
I love it when different sources that I respect overlap. El Estepario Siberiano can be seen using this same grip. He has insane speed. Check him out on RU-vid if you don't already know who he is.
Hello angry indian here for the first time and my god you said doubles..sheeeeeeiiiiiit I've been playing for twenty one years and not on idiot from the drumming community has told me shit about this type of development of finger control and can you play double putting the stick in between your fingers? This got me 🤔 thinking how this double stroke roll is achieved...I've been pounding on this way to long must have in my tool 🔥🤘🤘🤘 box peace Mr.b
Hahaha wolverine technique - Ive been using this on and off for years and everyone always got infuriated with me....I think it's my blatant level of not caring for traditional drum setup but who knows! Great to see other people use it too!
Thanks for the content. Sent you an email about my troubles buying Master The HH, due to it being on a different domain I'm guessing. Please help me be a master of the high hat! :D
Stephen, Wacky!!! No, that's the Carmine Appice grip......introduced by Appice in the late 60's......Even the late Joe Morelo was known to sometimes use the Carmine Appice grip!. Wacky!, its been used and known of for decades. Its a nice grip, you feel very centered while using it......but Wacky? Unfortunate choice of words.......Many examples of Appice using it......eg particularly with Vanila Fudge and Rod Stewart.