Left Hand finger technique

[porterhouse]

Can anybody explain, in relative detail, how to use "just your fingers" in the left hand while using traditional grip. I'm trying to get my left hand singles quicker. Right now I'm still using a little wrist. I can't seem to grasp the concept of just using my fingers while using traditional. Can anybody help me out here?

[palmerlouie]

im developing that at the moment too. the best thing seems to be to get a practice pad and just turn your hand over so the fingers are over the stick and just go back to basics and practice slow singles with just the left hand and then between both hands (preferably to a metronome) until the control is there first.....then increase the speed.

[Steve Holmes]

Weckls "Back To Basics" explains the best I think. You should have that video anyways!

[Jeff Mal]

I just saw on the Art Verdi site www.artverdi.com that Art will be in the Pro Mark booth at NAMM showing his left hand technique that you see on his videos.

[beats]

I seriously see so many variations of this grip.I had always tried 2 practice using fingers with the palm down,but really its not a practical method for me,one too many movements.Then i finally saw a Vinnie,and his palm isnt so fully turned over,then theres Art Verdi that has a very unorthodox technique playing very fast singles with his fingers.I noticed too, that those guys were performing those finger techniques at various dynamic ranges.Vinnie uses slight finger control when playing softer fast figures.Verdi has incredible power.There are many finer variables to consider too:stick size,the "home position" of yer arms,snare angle,etc.....I would totally advise that u find a teacher who knows the technique(s) cold.And check out all the videoes u can, featuring drummers who use traditional,and really really check out what they do when using their fingers.Me personally,i use larger sticks(Zildian-Tony Williams,Vinny),so i can kind of "cheat" using the weight to my advantage when i execute a stroke with my left hand with fingers(more Vinnie/Jo JO Mayer style-less of a overturned hand),there is more stick to negotiate.I have long fingers,so that lends itself to using larger sticks.And really i poured over video,over and over,and over,and tried to get a visual cue 2 try and imitate what i saw.For awhile now ive been developing this part of my technique,but am finding that there is a combination of a VERY minute movement of the wrist,and movement of fingers that suits my technique just fine.And of course practice like a M.F. You will develop those fingers to work for you,its taken me a very long time to use finger control executed cleanly,really im still working my hand/fingers still to this day ever developing my control.Additionally ive goofed on using French grip(thumbs up) in my right hand and using those fingers,when im using my fingers in my left.It works for a range of dynamics and meters,and makes my execution of strokes with fingers alone more balanced and even.But hey what do i know?Do a little research/intense practicing,and experiment with your left hand positioning.cheers .........beats.....

[FuseU1]

I have the 1st 2 DW vids, & StvH is right - "BTBs" is a must have [anyth'g DW has to say on the subj of drum'g is gospel, IMHO/AFAIC]...

The "palm-down" method of practice [SimonP also spoke of this in his clinics back in the late '80's-early '90's - another guy to listen to]...

I find that practicing this method, & gradually turn'g your hand towards the upward position [in very slow increments during practice sessions over a period of time, OC] greatly helps your control...not 4get'g to let yourself get comfortable w/ the stick's NATURAL rebound, letting it do its thing [the ol' "relaxed-yet-firm-grip" thing your old 1st drum teacher used to talk about [img]wink.gif[/img] ] - control'g it, not trying to force it...
When I 1st started learn'g to play, it was w/ trad grip, but changed to matched shortly thereafter; I'm basically predominantly a MG player now...within the last 1/2-yr or so i've been practicing to get the old TG back & better than it ever was [just because i should/& "for sh**s-&-giggles"]...but when it comes to an actual gig, it's w/ MG [even if it's a jazz type of thing - i'll switch from TG initially to MG - looks a little funny, but what-the-heck, better control]...

Another cat i'd DEF listen to on the subj would be ART VERDI - that guy's left hand [TG] is INSANE.... [img]eek.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 11, 2003 02:34 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>