OK, since I've seen a lot of people ask about 3-way backsticking in multiple threads, I decided to make a guide to it. I searched, and didn't find anything, so here we go.

The Basics:
If you don't know what a 3-way backstick is, go to Vicfirth.com and go to Jeff Queen in Artist features. He has a great basic video. I find it too hard to explain the steps in words.

Practicing the basics
After you watch the video, just kead repeating the steps at the same speed Jeff Queen is doing it until it feels natural, and in control.

Applying the basics (1)
Now, start playing 8th notes in a RLRL pattern, over and over again, and when you're ready, add in the steps with a left hand internote. You should be doing 3 way backsticking at a Quarter-note speed. As with all practice, keep doing it until it feels natural and in control. With 8th notes, this shouldn't take long. :P


Applying the basics (2)
Now, it's time for a harder pattern You need somewhat strong hands for this one, but don't let it scare you;it is easier than it sounds. Simply play this 16th note pattern over and over again : R L L R L L R L L R L L, and when you feel ready, replace some of those right handed strokes with 3-way backsticking steps. You are now playing the steps at a dotted-eight note rate. Don't worry about that, though. Just worry about getting the steps controlled. As always, practice until this feels under control, and natural. If your hands aren't strong enough to do this pattern, just skip this part and practice the previous step harder, and at faster tempos.

3-way backticking normally
Now, it's time to play straight sixteenth notes with 3 way backsticking. Just play a RLRL pattern over and over, and add in the steps whenever ready. You're 3 way backsticking at an 8th note pace, which is the normal pace that 3-way backsticking is performed at. This is a little more challenging, so if you're flinging your sticks, or missing some beats, go repeat some of the previous excersises. You'll get it in time.

Notes of practice
Sometimes, you may go to bed having mastered 3-way backsticking, and wake up the next morning, not knowing what to do, and missing every beat imaginable. This, to me, is normal. But, keep practicing. Soon, maybe, you'll be 3-way backsticking like Jeff Queen.(or not. )

Extra Practice
Whenever you master playing 16th note 3-way backsticking, try sixtuplets, or even 32nd notes for you Jeff Queen wannabes. And, above all,keep practicing!


I hope this helps. Of course, with my luck the search didn't find a topic identical to this one, and Middle-aged-man will come along and delete it in 5 minutes.

Nice Post! That is really a good start, the Jeff Queen feature is nice, but is not very specific, this should help a lot of people out. Thank You.

Derek

You are my hero... I can finally do it thanks to your guide!!! Yay!!!!

All this seems to do is re-itterate the "walk before you run" idea.
Bringing it back to the basics of the task at hand and slowing it down. I took a closer look at the Queen video, and the main step people don't understand is the middle stroke.

I attached a file which should help clear up a few things.

I really suggest taking the approach Queen shows in the video by bring the hands up after each step. It kind of exaggerates the motions and helps to understand them better. Once it clicks, you should easily be able to keep the hand a little more still.

I suppose, I guess I didn't get much out of your explanation because I already figured it out, so I showed my own method.

to answer your question: Yes.



Now, can anybody give me a few pointers on how to do this with the left hand (from traditional). I really can't figure it out.

yeah with trad grip the left hand jsut starts a step ahead of the right hand.

Or you could use a "4-way" kind of deal: regular backstick from traditional so that you are now in matched and then follow through with the 3-way steps. Seems like it would work quite well.