Tradional grip

     LEFT HAND
      Their are two ways to hold the sticks traditional grip and matched grip Matched grip is usually used during concert band but is equally as important. For traditional grip extend your left arm, with your plam facing down and fingers together. Place the stick in between the SOCKET between the THUMB and FIRST FINGER, with one third of the stick above the hand and 2/3 below facing the ground. The grip should be just tight enough to cause a light drag if you try to pull the stick from the hand.

     Close the third and fourth fingers and TURN THE ARM TO THE LEFT. The stick will then fall into position across the third finger. Draw your arm towards your body, allow the first and second fingers to CURL TOWARDS THE STICK to act as a guide for the stick. Your hand should now be in the following position: Stick BETWEEN thumb and first finger, FIRST TWO FINGERS lightly against the stick, THIRD FINGER CLOSED and acting as a support for the stick, FOURTH FINGER resting against the third. THUMB is always above the stick.

   RIGHT HAND
     Place the stick DIAGONALLY Across the PALM of the hand. Grip between the first finger and the THUMB one third of the distance from the butt end of the stick. Close the fingers LOOSELY around the stick. The SECOND FINGER will be used to help control the stick. TURN HE HAND OVER, so that the BACK of the hand will be up when playing. The stick will be approximately in a straight line with the wrist and arm.