Oh sorry, I meant towards your nail.

Haha, its ok. i figure that if im getting schooled, i might as well do it right. Thanks for all your help!

Hey, I'm sure this has been asked before but I can't find it, for me, I can't seem to drum traditional very well unless the drum is very, very close to me. I seem to have problems, even at normal carrier distance. Maybe I am holding the sticks wrong, or does anyone else have this problem, I'll post pictures soon.

It may be you're using incorrect technique. When you use traditional grip you're "turning a door knob".

What I find to help me is to hold a tennis ball or a ball of some sort like that and then try to keep that form and just slip the stick in. It also works out as a great wrist workout!

Practice on your pad on a stand, standing up, to however far away your drum is on a carrier every single time. Make sure EVERY single stroke is done at the correct 90 degree angle that your sticks should make. Also try to have your strokes relaxed and legato. You may find that all you need to do is push your elbows out a little more, or possibly the carrier your playing on is not set to a comfortable position for you.

after reading this thread, it sounds like im holding my left hand wrong when using the traditional grip. If i put my stick the most comfortable way possible, then i have my index and middle fingers curled around the stick (to an extent) at the top knuckle. My thumb usually rests on the space between my index's top 2 knuckle. The stick rests upon the little area between the top 2 knuckles of my ring finger and my little finger is almost vertically underneath that finger. This, for me, is the easiest way to play with that grip, but id like to get some feedback from you guys. thanks

Wow! This thread has been a great help to developing my left hand. My favorite way to make it stronger is to take many different exercises and play them simultaneously pushing myself to go faster and faster without losing my form.

I know it sucks to do and is really unhealthy...but I just play a double stroke roll all the way through one of my favorite songs or something...it burns, but your veins will poke out and your chops will increase most def...

also...the ladies love throbbing arm veins

ps. playing on a pillow is the key to a mean set of chops

Thats unhealthy?