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How To Hold Drumsticks

Drumeo | September 1, 2025



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In this quick video, you’ll learn how to hold your drumsticks using matched grip.

Why hold drumsticks properly?
It’s important to hold your sticks in a way that feels natural. If you grip too tightly or force your hands into an odd position, you might cause an injury, or develop bad habits that can lead to injury. Good stick grip will give you more freedom and fluidity around the drum set – and will help your drumming sound even better.

Is there a right or wrong way to hold drumsticks?
Every drummer has their own technique that works best for them. Every drummer on Drumeo uses their own grip, and will teach you how to hold drumsticks in slightly different ways. In this video, you’ll learn how Jared Falk does it.

Find your natural hand position
Drop your hands down by your side. Let them completely relax. Then bring up your hands in front of you so they dangle (like a T-Rex). Now put a drumstick in your hand.

Find the fulcrum of the drumstick
The fulcrum will be the point at which the stick will receive the most natural rebound. While holding it, let the end drop down onto the snare drum. Count how many bounces you get. To find the fulcrum, you want to find the spot on the stick where you’ll get the most bounces.

If you hold it further forward or backward, you’ll get fewer bounces. Use rebound to your advantage – it’ll make playing drums much easier.

Position your fingers around the fulcrum
You can adjust your grip slightly based on how much power or control you want to get. You can have a middle finger fulcrum and use your index finger as a guide, have both the middle and index finger (for a little less finesse) distributing the pressure equally, or use the first joint of your index finger and thumb at the fulcrum, wrapping your the other fingers gently around the stick. Make sure your hand and fingers are still relaxed when you hold it.

The end of the stick should line up with the soft, fleshy part of your palm.

Now, repeat all of this with your other hand. ‘Match’ it, so to speak. You’re now ready to play with matched grip!

Try moving around the kit now. It’s okay if there’s a bit of a gap at the top of your hand (between your thumb and index finger), and it might open or close depending on what you’re trying to accomplish. The main thing to note is avoid the ‘death grip’ where your stick is unable to move in your hand while you’re holding it.

The three positions of matched grip
You should be aware of your body’s position. As you move around the kit, you might naturally turn your hand(s) a bit. Make adjustments if you need to.

German grip: Palms down, useful when you want a lot of power in each hit.

American grip: Hands turned up slightly, a good ‘base’ position for most styles of playing.

French grip: Thumbs up, good for intricate, controlled playing, or a softer stroke.

Playing drums means a lot of repetition. The sooner you can develop good technique, the lower your risk of injury. Holding drumsticks is easier than it looks, and it’s different for each drummer, so give this a try and see what’s most comfortable for you.

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Comments

This post currently has 43 comments.

  10. @glamgal7106

    September 1, 2025 at 9:57 am

    When I took a percussion class before the turn of the century, the professor taught us tradional grip which I think was used in jazz and military bands. I think he said that this type of grip wasn't particularly popular. He tried to teach us how to play the drum kit but unless you had a one at home or had previous experience, it was difficult to apply what he taught, especially in one semester. I had previous training in the piano, viola, and guitar, yet I couldn't apply the needed ambexterity. I think I only got a B in the class which s***ed, but it was what it was. 😥Thanks for this video.

  11. @PeterthePiper777

    September 1, 2025 at 9:57 am

    I was never taught how to hold my drumsticks I had to pretend I ate dinner and snuck up to my room and let me tell you chicken does not work well on a set of drums but luckily I found a paid of chopsticks and learn to play a really good egg roll

  14. @matingalls

    September 1, 2025 at 9:57 am

    Just picked up a Roland SPD-SX Pro. I wasn't sure if I was gripping my sticks correctly. I was kinda in the ballpark, but found myself occasionally with the death grip when I wanted more power. I found my fulcrum, and I like the last one with the French style. I watched your Lesson 1 video and am using both videos for daily practice. So your 5 year old videos are still helping folks.

  17. @thegibbos9732

    September 1, 2025 at 9:57 am

    I was at my third drum lesson and my teacher pointed out my grip. (I naturally find French grip to be easier), he did say play how I was but there may be some limitations down the line. I didn't really understand what he meant. But after watching this I have learnt that each grip has its uses! So I'm gunna learn all 3 based on their uses for now. Good luck in your journey folk, and thanks drumeo for the killer content!

  25. @nikkanaumihau

    September 1, 2025 at 9:57 am

    No stupid questions, right

    I've come back here just after your Drumeo Steward Copeland's video and what hit me is his right hand grip (don't mind the tradional left at the moment)

    Why is he holding so close to the rear tip of the stick? Actually, I see it quite often recently when I pay attention to how people are holding their gear, but lets make Mr. Copeland the example

  27. @volantiad

    September 1, 2025 at 9:57 am

    I've now had 4 lessons in a small group with an instructor and this is my first lesson in holding drum sticks 😊. So, like for reference, we were first introduced to the concept of paradiddles yesterday. Glad I'm getting in on the ground floor with technique!

  29. @richardtaylor7093

    September 1, 2025 at 9:57 am

    I learned from playing rock band, starting off on easy and progressively getting harder. Never had any formal drum training let alone stick training. My right hand (right handed) movement and speed came naturally, but I have trouble with my left hand matching that fluidity. Any tips on how to bring my left hand up to speed?

  34. @racegts

    September 1, 2025 at 9:57 am

    No! I got no training on how to properly hold the sticks. Just held them as they fell into my hand naturally. Which right now I guess is more of a American/ French grip with thumb and forefinger at the fulcrum point and now I’ve got my buddy telling me I need to grip it with all four fingers which does not feel natural to me.

  36. @lisasimpson007

    September 1, 2025 at 9:57 am

    This was really helpful. I'm 57 and having been playing for 1 week! The first thing I had looked for was how to hold the sticks, and started with one method….then was told something different in a different video…then was told something different in another video. It kind of halted my progress because it became a confused mess. This video provides a great explanation of variations of grip as well as different styles. What had become really muddled due to many differing opinions on what is best, is now more clear. Thanks!

  38. @geocam007

    September 1, 2025 at 9:57 am

    My practice pad just arrived, unboxed and assembled. I play the guitar with zero drumming skills. I was watching another video before this, The Secret to Faster Hands by another drummer, but I think I should start and master this one. Thanks for this video!

  40. @bdbuds1

    September 1, 2025 at 9:57 am

    I’m 50. I’ve been playing the drums on and off since I was 13. This is my first lesson on how to hold my drumsticks properly 🤣
    When I first started and until now, I just played without thinking about how I was holding my sticks. And by just watching this video and using the fulcrum technique, I already feel a difference

  42. @aggresivepassivist

    September 1, 2025 at 9:57 am

    Do not death grip!

    As a guitarist that plays a lot of metal, that is key. Music can sound tense, but your muscles shouldn't be.

    Bought myself a practice pad for fun, aka still undecided set or not. Enjoyed him pointing out nothing is set in stone, except no death grip.

    I hold my picks differently than "traditional." Find what feels right for your style, may take a bit, but grip is very important.

Comments are closed.

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