Right hand crapping out on hi-hat

[misterzero]

Hey guys, any advice for maintaining speed and endurance with my hi-hat? I have been playing for 30 years now, and still, I have a hard time going real fast with my right hand on the hi-hat for long times. I think maybe my hands get real dry and the sticks become slippery. A dry type of slippery- hoepfully I am describing that right. Like walking on a smoothly sanded deck in your socks. Try it, it's like an ice rink, real slippery. This makes me have to grab the stick REAL tightly. Maybe that drains energy(?).

While I'm on this topis, what do you use, if anything, for extra grip on your sticks?

thanks

[Michael Render]

Gripping tightly is going to mess you up in so many ways. Develop a loose finger grip and if you need more traction, use grip tape.

[misterzero]

thanks, michael. I will get some of that.

[Soundofmind]

Also, consider using a light weight, fatter stick. I think maple is a good choice. Many people find a larger diameter easier to grasp. It can also provide more control.

The grip-tape idea will work. Doesn't zildjian sell a stick that has been essentially "tool dipped"? It's purple, right? Anyway, that's another option.

[drum4Him]

This worked for me, but technique is very hard to explain vs. showing.

I had the same problem and I had to play at tempos sometimes of 150 or 16o with eigth notes on the HH. As pointed out already, a looser grip and some stick grip will help.

The difference for me came when I change my grip from over hand to something more similar to a French timpani grip, where the stick is being held mostly with thumbs up, knukles pointed outward to the side. The stick is supported and pivots between the thumb and index finger. You hand will have and up and down rocking motion that needs to be stable and consistant. On the down beat the stick is brought down and hits the HH, as it is rebounding at its peak you hand comes up, making the stick come down on the HH for the up beat.

This takes a bit of time to develop even timing, and feels and sounds weak at first.

d4H

[John.b]

The difference for me came when I change my grip from over hand to something more similar to a French timpani grip, where the stick is being held mostly with thumbs up, knukles pointed outward to the side. The stick is supported and pivots between the thumb and index finger. You hand will have and up and down rocking motion that needs to be stable and consistant. On the down beat the stick is brought down and hits the HH, as it is rebounding at its peak you hand comes up, making the stick come down on the HH for the up beat.

This takes a bit of time to develop even timing, and feels and sounds weak at first.

d4H

Is'nt this the same principle for the single handed roll ?

[MisterMR]

Hi MisterZero...

I think what you're experiencing can be resolved by developing what I call, your 'grip technique'.

You're almost certainly gripping the stick too tightly... rightly for fear of losing grip of it during playing. But as you've already discovered, this will not only cause fatigue to set in very quickly, but you will also restrict your hand movement and you will not be able to maintain time or consistancy. Good grip technique will help you in all these areas.

One simple way to develop your grip technique is to try and maintain a gap between the length of your thumb and the length of your index finger while using a drum stick. It's a little difficult to describe, but if you hold your drumstick normally, but relatively loosely, to begin with (I'm assuming the stick crossing the first joint of your index finger with your thumb holding it there)... and then really tighten your grip on the stick... just observe what your thumb and index finger are doing and the reduction of the gap between them that I mentioned earlier. There should always be a gap. I always visually check this gap while I play and adjust my grip accordingly. It's also important to try to achieve a total relaxed state on the drums as this is essential to maximising the speed and length of time that you can maintain it.

With regards to your hands...
In most cases, your hands should naturally produce enough moisture to act as a gripping agent, as that moisture will sink into the open pores of wooden drumsticks, providing mechanical grip. If you have naturally dry hands, use a light hand moisturising cream (as you may already do). And be aware that if you wash your hands before playing, they will be at their dryest so grip will be at it's lowest.

There are some stick manufacturers that make sticks with a grip surface/finish or don't laquer them to assist in the moisture/grip relationship. Some players use grip tape or drummer's gloves. I would always recommend exploring these options if it helps, but don't use them as an alternative to ultimately developing your grip technique.

I hope this helps!

[misterzero]

Great stuff, MisterMR,thank you. I actually bought some Pro-Mark grip tape last week and it seemed to do the trick so far. Also, the guy at the drum store recommended Rison Bags. I gues those are used by bowlers? I didnt try that yet, but the tape helped.

I will look at my grip and see if I can tell if there is a gap or not. I never even thought about that.

Thanks again.