The debate has raged on with divides wider than congress. Traditional grip in one corner and matched grip in the other. What is best for you? That depends...Let's back up for a second before we answer the all-important question.
Traditional grip was invented out of necessity. The snare drummers of the marching bands had to figure out how to play with the snare at a steep angle. The solution was to hold the stick almost chop stick style to match the angle of the drum. This lead to the traditional grip. When early jazz came around and the trap set took shape the snare drum was placed at a similar angle because all the drummers where still using traditional grip...it was the only grip they knew at the time....mainly.
Since those early days, rock and roll meant the drummers needed to play the snare a little harder and louder. By moving to matched grip, it made it easier to play with more volume.
And now, with rock and jazz running neck and neck there are drummers of both styles using either grip. Some swear by traditional grip, others feel that they can play anything they want with matched grip. There are great jazz drummers playing matched grip, and there are great rock drummers using traditional grip. And vice versa.
I have played both grips and my opinion is that it's six of one, half dozen of the other. It is true that you play a little differently with each grip, and you can phrase things a little differently with each grip. But overall, there is no difference in the speed or control that can be obtained with either grip.
My recommendation is to spend some time developing both grips and then see which works best for you. But don't feel like you're missing out by only playing with one grip instead of the other.
This is a general abridged statement about the two grips. As I said, the debate rages on and you will hear vehement arguments for one grip over the other. You need to figure out the best grip for you and then move on to more important things to worry about in life!!
Traditional grip was invented out of necessity. The snare drummers of the marching bands had to figure out how to play with the snare at a steep angle. The solution was to hold the stick almost chop stick style to match the angle of the drum. This lead to the traditional grip. When early jazz came around and the trap set took shape the snare drum was placed at a similar angle because all the drummers where still using traditional grip...it was the only grip they knew at the time....mainly.
Since those early days, rock and roll meant the drummers needed to play the snare a little harder and louder. By moving to matched grip, it made it easier to play with more volume.
And now, with rock and jazz running neck and neck there are drummers of both styles using either grip. Some swear by traditional grip, others feel that they can play anything they want with matched grip. There are great jazz drummers playing matched grip, and there are great rock drummers using traditional grip. And vice versa.
I have played both grips and my opinion is that it's six of one, half dozen of the other. It is true that you play a little differently with each grip, and you can phrase things a little differently with each grip. But overall, there is no difference in the speed or control that can be obtained with either grip.
My recommendation is to spend some time developing both grips and then see which works best for you. But don't feel like you're missing out by only playing with one grip instead of the other.
This is a general abridged statement about the two grips. As I said, the debate rages on and you will hear vehement arguments for one grip over the other. You need to figure out the best grip for you and then move on to more important things to worry about in life!!