how to hold drumsticks

Hey there, young drummers!

Holding your drumsticks the right way is the first big step to sounding awesome!

How to hold drumsticks — the matched grip for beginners

1.  Make a “gun” shape with your right hand — point your index finger straight out.

2.  Lay the stick across your hand so it rests between your thumb and the first knuckle of your index finger.

3.  Wrap your fingers gently around the stick but keep the pressure light.

4. Personal choice, but I tend to have my thumb relaxed at around 45 degrees to the level of the stick.

5.  Do exactly the same with your left hand.

Adeyemi Emmanuel Abebayo

Keep your hands relaxed, like you’re holding a pencil. Practice tapping on your lap or a pillow — if your wrists feel comfy and you’re making a clear sound, you’re doing it right! Wrist flexibility and the feeling of the sticks being an extension of your hands is hugely important.

Want more easy tips? Grab my Beginner Drum Book here! What’s the next thing you want to learn — keeping a steady beat or reading your first drum notes? Drop a comment below!