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Building Monster Chops

Part Two

In the first part I revealed the secret to building monster chops: The Gladstone technique. We also discussed some of the basic underlying principles needed to understand the system. This week, we'll apply those principles as we learn to play drums using the incredible Gladstone technique. The technique used by the world's fastest drummers.

Six Basic Principles
There are six basic principles that make up the Gladstone System. They are:

  1. Find the optimum balance point of your drumsticks.
  2. Grip your drumsticks only tight enough to prevent them from flying out of your hands.
  3. Use only down strokes, never an up-down stroke. The natural rebound force from the stick itself is enough to pull your hand back up to the starting position. The trick (and the most difficult part of the technique to learn) is to teach your hand to be loose enough to allow the stick to pull it back up.
  4. Dynamics are controlled in two ways: Levels and speed. There are 3 basic playing levels in the Gladstone system. For example, if you want to play louder, increase the distance between the stick and the drum's surface. To control volume using speed, apply the principle that says "every action has an equal and opposite reaction." In other words, the faster you throw the stick down on your down stroke, the louder it will strike and the faster it will rebound. Never squeeze the stick tighter in an effort to play louder. This will only increase muscle tension and slow you down.
  5. For optimum performance, you must develop maximum flexibility in your fingers, hands, wrists, and arms, along with lightening quick racehorse-type muscles.
  6. The faster you play, the more relaxed you should become. When using the Gladstone technique properly, you'll NEVER feel any tension in your fingers, hands, wrists, or arms. This is the main principle behind the tremendous speed and endurance afforded by the Gladstone technique.

To review these principles in greater detail, see Building Monster Chops: Part 1 (in the sidebar). The remainder of this article shows you how to apply these principles to your actual playing.

Three Ways to Play
There are three basic techniques used for drumming:

  1. Arms: Sacrifices extreme speed for power and maximum volume.
  2. Wrists: Sacrifices maximum volume for speed.
  3. Fingers: Sacrifices volume for maximum speed.

Although we will be specifically discussing wrists and fingers, what you learn can be applied to arm technique as well.

Full Stroke
The Full Stroke not only makes an excellent warm-up, it's also a great exercise to develop your playing muscles. Use Full Strokes whenever you need volume and power, but not maximum speed. Here's how to use them:

Photo 1 - Right Hand Full Stroke
Photo #1

Photo 2 - Left Hand Full Stroke
Photo #2

How To Practice the Full Stroke
Make slow, deliberate taps with the right stick only. To make sure you are playing the Full Stroke correctly, say "down" as you play each stroke. The stick should return before you have the chance to say "up." If you find that you can say "down" and "up" as you play your Full Stroke, you are not doing it right.

Review this article from the top and try again. Once you can play the right hand Full Stroke correctly, try the left hand Full Stroke. Here are some things to watch out for:

Once you perfect the Full Stroke, start working on the Half and Low Stroke techniques that follow.

Half Stroke
This is played in exactly the same way as the Full Stroke except that your starting position is five inches from the drum (see photo 3 for right stick and photo 4 for the left stick using the traditional grip). You throw the stick down from the five-inch level, and you stop your wrist as the stick returns to the five-inch level.

Photo 3 - Right Hand Half Stroke
Photo #3

Photo 4 - Left Hand Half Stroke
Photo #4

Low Stroke
This uses the same technique as the Half and Full Strokes, the difference is that the Low Stroke starts and ends two inches above the drum (see photos 5 and 6). Note: Whether you're playing low, half, or full strokes, if you're playing properly, the stick should never come to a sudden stop. If your stick is stopping dead, you're probably squeezing it. The idea is to stop your wrist at the proper level and let the natural momentum of the stick continue up and then settle back down to rest where you stopped your wrist.

Photo 5 - Right Hand Low Stroke
Photo #5

Photo 6 - Left Hand Low Stroke
Photo #6

All it Takes is Proper Practice
Practice your Full Strokes very slowly, first with the right hand and then with the left. Then play alternate single strokes. Next, play double strokes and paradiddles. Remember, the main purpose of the Full Stroke is to increase your wrist strength and flexibility and it makes a great warm up exercise to prepare you to play full speed without injuring your muscles. After you have warmed up using the Full Stroke, repeat the same exercises for speed using the Half Stroke level. Finally, increase the tempo again and practice playing Low Strokes.

If you are new to drumming, the Gladstone technique will be easy for you to learn. If you're an experienced player who has learned the "up-down" method, it will take you a bit longer to break your old habits. But I strongly suggest that you give the Gladstone system a try. Once you learn it, I doubt if you'll ever want to go back to any other.

What you've just learned is known as Free Strokes. Check out my third and final article on the Gladstone technique (see the link below), where you'll learn how to use Controlled Strokes.

Until next time: Stay loose.

Tiger Bill Meligari

Click the following link for Building Monster Chops: Part 3!

 

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