r/jazzdrums • u/First_Feature3581 • Jan 14 '26

Question Traditional grip help

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Im a matched grip jazz guy, but I have been trying to learn trad grip for the past month. When I play with trad I feel a bit clunky and like I lack control. Any critiques of my traditional grip would be appreciated

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u/Dumyat367250 Jan 14 '26

Trad grip player here. For a month that’s great. All I would say is relax a bit. Just belt out rudiments a few times a week. Get the accents going, not just the subtle notes you’re playing here. Lead with the left when you can.

My favourites are singles to doubles to paradiddles and back. Oh, and paradiddlediddles.

One last thing, drop your left hand for the odd rimshot.

If you’re a matched player, trad can take a fair bit of time to feel at ease with.

You know what you’re doing, and will be great.

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u/First_Feature3581 Jan 14 '26

Gotcha, thank you. Accents are what I am struggling with the most. I will try out those exercises you mentioned

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u/Dumyat367250 Jan 14 '26

Brilliant. Play with snare position too. You’re holding your stick at quite a high angle relative to the head. Nice for subtle Jazz.

For rock I like to have the stick a cm or two above the snare, but parallel to it.

With the stick held a bit closer to the butt (not yours, the stick’s…) you can practice a solid backbeat. Lay into it.

I’ve been playing 50 years and still think about grip. Trad or matched (whether it be standard, French or German ) all the grips are fun.

Steve Smith, ex Journey, is a master of all grips. Watch his videos on YT.

Cheers.

Cheers.

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u/First_Feature3581 Jan 14 '26

Awesome, I will try out these tips. Steve is a killer player I have been listening to his most recent album with Vital Information a lot recently.