How To Hold Drum Sticks

Learning how to hold drum sticks is an important step to developing a proper drumming style. You can hold your drum sticks in several ways. The important thing to to find a way that makes it comfortable for you to play. While the way you hold your drum sticks is often a matter of personal preference, there are a couple of grip styles that have proven to be effective over time. Many drummers use one or more of these grip styles, depending upon the playing situation. Some drummers use a combination of grip styles.

1. Pick up your drum sticks and hold them straight in front of you. Form a gun shape with your hands on the sticks, extending your thumb fully along the inside of each drum stick. Extend your index fingers over the top of each stick and rest the tip of each against the outside of the stick. Curl your middle, ring and pinky fingers under each stick. This is one of the most common ways to hold your drum sticks. It's called a matched grip
2. Hold on hand in front of you with your hand turned so your palm faces inward. Fold your pinky and ring fingers so they rest against the fleshy part of your palm. Extend your index and ring fingers fully, resting together. Extend your thumb back from these two finger so it stands straight up. Cradle your drum stick with your thumb and allow the other end to rest on top of your folded ring and pinky fingers. This is a traditional grip, used often in marching band.
3. Use either of these methods or a combination, depending upon your playing style. If you play rock music, you'll find the first grip is suitable for moving around a full drum set, where the second grip is well suited to playing on a single drum. The best way to determine which style works for you is to try them both.