When I moved
out to California I was pretty much a self taught drummer. I
had studied a little in South Florida, with Harold Harms and
Steve Bagby, and also in Philadephia, Pennsylvania, with Armand
Santarelli. These studies prepared me, a bit, for what I found
in Los Angeles, which was many drummers with great feel and
very good technique.
I was here
for about two years when I met my first teacher, Mr. Richard
Wilson. Richard teachers snare drum technique. Now, this
was an experience! I had been playing, by that time, for about
10 years as a professional. Richard asked me to play some rudiments
and after I played he informed me, very respectfully, that I
need to learn how to hold the drum sticks. That about floored
me. I knew how to hold the sticks and I told Richard
this. Well, he informed me that if I didn't want to study with
him, that was fine. He had others waiting for my spot. I decided,
after he told me who was waiting, to stay and study with
him. I remained with Richard for a little over two years.
The technique
I learned with Richard is basic, natural, and fundamental. We
used this technique to study all the rudiments, to pursue a
reading regimen that was top notch, and to be able to recognize
and perform certain pieces in the orchestral repertoire.
I left Richard
after many exciting, invigorating, and challenging lessons,
wanting to pursue a course of drum set study.
After one
year, I inquired of Mr. Murray Spivack, Richard Wilson's
teacher, if he had any space available for me. Actually, one
had to be recommended to study with each of these teachers.
I was fortunate to have two friends recommend me to study with
Murray. My first lesson with Murray was an eye opener!! He asked
me to play some for him, which I did. Then he told me I needed
to learn how to hold the drum sticks!! Help !! Not again!
Well, I
decided to not question this man. He had been teaching for so
many years, and had so many wonderful drummers as students,
that I just said "OK". Thus began a two year relationship.
The grip,
as I said, is basic and natural. It relies on the fulcrum,
"the point or points over which a lever [the stick] changes
direction". Also, most important, is that there are certain
pressures applied to the stick, in order to "hold"
it. These pressures remain constant during the stroke motion
of the stick. There is no squeezing and releasing of the stick.
The fulcrum is in the "bottom" of the first
knuckle
of the middle finger.
There
are there basic strokes: The Wrist Turn, The Rebound, The
Accent Stroke. With these three strokes one can play all the
rudiments extremely smooth, relaxed, and efficient, using the
least amount of energy to accomplish your goals.
When I was
practicing this technique an average of 4 hours a day, every
day, I used mirrors in various locations. Often the mirror
would be in front of me so I could see the angles of the sticks
and the position when the sticks were at rest ("one inch
above the pad, and parallel to the floor of the stroke").
I would also place mirrors under me and to each side, so I could
watch the underneath of my hands, to make sure the grip was
intact through the motions of the stroke and that I wasn't squeezing
or releasing unecessarily.
I am posting
three pictures here. (I use matched grip and teach this grip
exclusively. The reason: I didn't learn "traditional"
grip.)
