I am no where to being called a “drummer/musician.” I have been playing for years by ear, and every time I see videos like this I am so grateful that I switched to traditional grip. I still struggle, but my heart feels right.
I also felt many years ago although everyone seemed to be encouraging me to play matched I felt a better energy with traditional. I don't fully understand it, but a drumkit is not symmetrical and human bodies move in a circular motion so maybe that's it. I can play both now as both are useful but I still prefer traditional grip. YOU are doing the right thing!! Don't listen to the matched grip zombies!! follow your heart in the beginning and by the end you will be leading with it.
Many of the guys I grew up with used the Moeller and the push-pull methods. They were the guys with the monster hands. it takes a lot of discipline to learn these techniques, but well worth it. Great video, great teacher.
My teacher Henry Adler didn't teach moeller..but I have to say out of everybody out there your the only drummer that I feel makes sense teaching these techniques.And your right Henry treated me so well I must have been doing a lot that was natural to me.
Good job…. I teach music fundamentals to my students… 4-7 years olds o start with basic rudiments and then push the Moller. WONDERFUL EXPLANATION.. keep up the good work!
You are such a smooth, controlled player, and your technique, as well as your musical feeling, just oozes out of your pores, Rick! Thank you for sharing your skill, discipline, knowledge, and inspiration. I think that any player, regardless of their level, could pick up much to be inspired by from you. Hugs, handshakes, and high fives from a fellow wood slinger!
Such great instructions. You are a gentleman I’d love to be training with in person. At 61 I have groove and pocket most usually, but my sticking is not nearly so confidently expressed. Perhaps, in my head a bit too much. Thank you as always. Always trying to learn and practice. I needed this instruction decades ago, but never too old. Stay great teacher Rick. 👣🎵💚
Thank you so much for your willingness to share! I have been working on the push/pull technique since watching an earlier video that you uploaded. It takes lots of patience and practice but I am motivated by incremental improvement 🙏.
Hi Darnel Keep at it and you will get it. remember to bounce as much as possible and start slow and relax your wrist and arm. Try to enjoy the process of learning it. Nothing quite like mastering something you work on for a long time.
To be honest, I feel like I owe you money. Your content is very helpful to me as I try be a well rounded drummer. Also I love the authenticity and superb skill in your playing.
An idea for pull pull exercise I find helpful is to increase the number the rebounds on each stroke. Get two notes on the push, then two on the pull, then three then four. As always much respect for your knowledge & sharing.
Thank you so much, Rick! That’s the video I’ve been waiting for! I’m going watch it in a few minutes, but already gave it a thumbs up of course. Have a wonderful day!
Excellent Rick . Such high quality education . Thanks for taking the “ mystery “ out of theses skills . Of course your other posts explain both technique & vernacular so well . Btw I got the last Sabian PP in Australia 2 years ago . Thanks to you pointing them out . Best to you & my very grateful thanks . Beautiful playing on both pad & just awesome you playing . Btw That’s wasn’t one of your old Ks on the right . Wasn’t a K con or something?
When I first saw you play with Bill, I didn't know what push pull was. Bill called a latin tune, (probably One Note Samba lol) in which you proceeded to blow my mind. Totally changed how I approached charts that we were expected to burn. As I age, push pull is more or less a way to play with half the energy...lol
I'm curious why you put out such high quality material for free? I believe in the free sharing of knowledge but I also know folks have to make a living too.
First of all, I perform and teach for a living so I could see how someone might ask this question as well as maybe be a bit pissed off about this channel. I get that quite a bit and I ignore it. I am grateful every day that I have never had to have any other type of job other than doing what I do. I do this because I want to pass this knowledge along and some of the people who would benefit from it the most or can't pay for it. Unfortunate as it is, we now live in a society where anyone can put anything up on the internet and many people will take that as the truth. I want to reach as many people as possible in places that may not have the benefits I had growing up and learning in the New York city area from some of the greatest musicians who have ever existed. Many concerts there were "free" such as Museum concerts Jazz Mobile, South Street Seaport shows, etc. and I learned so much from seeing hundreds of those. I also benefitted from many great players who would spend time with me for free because they loved to pass along what they knew and loved. I appreciated this so much back then since I grew up without a lot of resources. This channel is not a substitute for private instruction. It is about history and knowledge and accumulated experience over my 50 years of playing and performing. It's not about the money for me, it's about the evolution of the art form.
@@rickdior That is a beautiful ethos that isn't just all pie in the sky. Thank you very much for taking the time to write such a thorough reply. I'm very happy that you can make this all work for you and give so much back to folks who don't have the resources.
Rick thanks a lot for your work! You have been a light for me on my professional drum journey. What kind of digital metronome are you using in this video? Many Thanks!
@@rickdior I always do! I like how comfortably you can go from orchestral to popular music with a very relaxed technique, nice body expression, without the usual stiffness of classical players but still with a very nice touch. Thanks!
Hi Rick, This another fantastic video. I was wondering how to harness the difference in clenching pressures of the left hand traditional grip between, Singles, doubles and especially the buzz rolls. It seems like each has it's own properties and techniques. I guess, creating good flow and control through these techniques is the reason why we practice.
Thank you SO much Rick. Love your work and teachings. Maybe you've examined this method previously? But, could you also comment on using the back 2 fingers/thumb - as a fulcrum (a la Tony Williams and others); fingers stay on the stick for greater control, etc. I've seen 'Q' Davis demonstrating this . . . and, I'm torn . . . I was brought up with the front index/thumb as the fulcrum (w/ assist from the middle finger). To me, if feels natural to use kind of a first two fingers/thumb fulcrum and, using the back fingers for speed strokes. Not to sound too much, 'name-dropping' - Gary Chaffee would never purpolsely claim me as a past student, I studied with him in the early 70's at Western Illinois U. - his first teaching gig before he moved on to Berklee/Boston and gigging with pros around the world. Recalling, Gary taught (at that time) front fulcrum w/ back fingers for additional speed. I love your emphasis, Rick on the importance of using the wrist, also for speed (and fingers). Thank you, Rick . . . LOVE your teachings and demos.
As I have said and demonstrated many times on this channel the way I play is that I grip the stick with my thumb and first finger and the other fingers support or move the stick. I am able to play anything I want to with this technique and that's what I was taught when I was coming up. I can't speak to any other gripping techniques since I do not use them. The rule is that if you cannot perform at any tempo at any dynamic with endurance and a good sound (after playing for many years) than it is time to change your fundamental technique.
Jim Chapin was my mentor and close friend.. he showed me the M technique while we were at his house bf we headed to namm...he also also was an advocate of conservation of energy .. Eventually it came to me .. Good you cover this one Rick. Btw..still looking to source big rivets...any leads. Would be kindly 🙏...
@@rickdior will do.. what skins do you use? I have bovid.. its been so rsiny here in the Rockies ..my skins are soakign up the moisture.. cant play on them.. Dang not suppose to be so much rain here..
Hey Rick your videos are astronomically helpful to helping me learn drums but i have been having a hard time really mastering the double stroke roll so i was wondering do you use the exact same technique for your doubles as you do for the push/pull? Or no?
No, that is a completely different technique. The double stroke roll is a combination of rebound and finger support woth a light up and down wrist. The Push Pull is a bounced wrist and finger throwing motion.
I’ve watched tons of these type videos but always on a taught pad surface. So the rebound is very quick. Could you do the same type of video lesson on a standard snare set up?
Hi This is a pad with a real drum head. Same (or less) tension than a snare drum. It's just quieter so you can hear the metronome when I play.. I suggest you watch some of the videos I list in the description to this video. I am playing on a full set of drums in some of them.
I have trouble with push-pull on the ride with the stick sliding down my hand (i.e. so the fulcrum is moving up and getting closer to the tip). This is an issue on the ride as the stick is angled up when hitting (as opposed to slightly down on the snare). It is angled up for you too. Any tips (anyone) on how not the let the slick slide while still having a relaxed/loose grip between the thumb and first finger so the stick can rebound on the pull/catch? Thanks.
It sounds like the grip between your thumb and first finger is not firm enough. That is very common.The hand should be very relaxed but that grip should lightly pinch the stick. I would have to see how you are holding the stick to diagnose it thoroughly.
Hey Mr. Rick! I want to ask you, what do you think about Tony William's way of holding stick with back of hand, and his words "willy nilly haphazard type of technique technique" about using bounce. Thank you for your amazing work and knowledge!
I have responded to this question once before somewhere on here recently in a comments section. Tony did not hold the stick with the back of his hand, he moved the stick with the back of his hand. That's what he called holding. If you watch him play online you will see this. I saw him play many times in person and he used more of a French grip with lots of finger motion.
I was under the impression that the Moeller technique had to be done with the "Moeller Grip" you are clearly using Traditional grip here. Can you discuss this, do you use the Moeller grip as well?
I am not aware of a moeller grip. It is a stick motion technique , not a grip. Sanford Moeller, the originator of the technique played traditional grip. It was then modified to be more useful for drum set application by drumming greats Jim Chapin and Joe Morello, amoung others.
Rick, that was the nastiest pad solo I have ever heard at the beginning of this video! You rock.
This is the most relaxed “beast mode” I’ve ever seen on a drum pad. ❤!
I am no where to being called a “drummer/musician.” I have been playing for years by ear, and every time I see videos like this I am so grateful that I switched to traditional grip. I still struggle, but my heart feels right.
and matched grip is awesome too..:)
I also felt many years ago although everyone seemed to be encouraging me to play matched I felt a better energy with traditional. I don't fully understand it, but a drumkit is not symmetrical and human bodies move in a circular motion so maybe that's it. I can play both now as both are useful but I still prefer traditional grip. YOU are doing the right thing!! Don't listen to the matched grip zombies!! follow your heart in the beginning and by the end you will be leading with it.
I think it’s helpful to learn both grips. The drumming phenom Thomas Lang uses both grips depending on the situation. He’s mostly matched these days.
One of the most valuable youtube channels for drummers. Thank you rick 🙏
One of the best solo's I've heard lately. TY
Many of the guys I grew up with used the Moeller and the push-pull methods. They were the guys with the monster hands. it takes a lot of discipline to learn these techniques, but well worth it. Great video, great teacher.
Execellent drum lesson! Thank you!
I loved the way you played the Brazilian rhythm 🇧🇷
My teacher Henry Adler didn't teach moeller..but I have to say out of everybody out there your the only drummer that I feel makes sense teaching these techniques.And your right Henry treated me so well I must have been doing a lot that was natural to me.
Good job…. I teach music fundamentals to my students… 4-7 years olds o start with basic rudiments and then push the Moller.
WONDERFUL EXPLANATION.. keep up the good work!
You are such a smooth, controlled player, and your technique, as well as your musical feeling, just oozes out of your pores, Rick! Thank you for sharing your skill, discipline, knowledge, and inspiration. I think that any player, regardless of their level, could pick up much to be inspired by from you. Hugs, handshakes, and high fives from a fellow wood slinger!
I enjoy watching this video for the demonstration. 💯
Yes sir! Great video and greater Stick Control. Thank you for sharing
Excellent demonstration.
Such great instructions. You are a gentleman I’d love to be training with in person. At 61 I have groove and pocket most usually, but my sticking is not nearly so confidently expressed. Perhaps, in my head a bit too much. Thank you as always. Always trying to learn and practice. I needed this instruction decades ago, but never too old. Stay great teacher Rick. 👣🎵💚
Thanks Rtani
Enjoy the learning process. Thats what keeps it fun for me and keeps me going. It never ends.
exactly!!! i just turned 60 . i learned more from Rick than anybody.
Excellent lesson and advice ...Bravo Glenn
Thank you so much for your willingness to share! I have been working on the push/pull technique since watching an earlier video that you uploaded. It takes lots of patience and practice but I am motivated by incremental improvement 🙏.
Hi Darnel
Keep at it and you will get it. remember to bounce as much as possible and start slow and relax your wrist and arm. Try to enjoy the process of learning it. Nothing quite like mastering something you work on for a long time.
To be honest, I feel like I owe you money. Your content is very helpful to me as I try be a well rounded drummer. Also I love the authenticity and superb skill in your playing.
Love the fast swing it feels so good I know though you must play that enough to build endurance
An idea for pull pull exercise I find helpful is to increase the number the rebounds on each stroke. Get two notes on the push, then two on the pull, then three then four. As always much respect for your knowledge & sharing.
Rick doing what you did with Morello… watching your hands 🙌
Thank you for sharing those videos. From sunny Tel-Aviv, cheers from afar.
Thank you so much, Rick! That’s the video I’ve been waiting for! I’m going watch it in a few minutes, but already gave it a thumbs up of course. Have a wonderful day!
Thanks Dominik. I know I promised this a while back, but I have been slammed recently (pun intended).
Cool! Have you seen Ramon montgardner? He mastered push pull - he’s crazy! Awesome video and techniques!
Thanks good lessons
great lesson
Tq so much for the lesson sir 😊👍🏼👍
Ric…fellow New Yorker…love yr channel..thnk u
Blessed Saturday Morning Rick!
Same to you, though its afternoon now.
@@rickdior yep, we're in the same time zone...
Fantastica lezione! Complimenti!
Wow! You make fundamentals swing and sing!
Excellent Rick . Such high quality education . Thanks for taking the “ mystery “ out of theses skills . Of course your other posts explain both technique & vernacular so well . Btw I got the last Sabian PP in Australia 2 years ago . Thanks to you pointing them out . Best to you & my very grateful thanks .
Beautiful playing on both pad & just awesome you playing . Btw That’s wasn’t one of your old Ks on the right . Wasn’t a K con or something?
Thank you, Jeffrey.
So glad you are enjoying the videos.
When I first saw you play with Bill, I didn't know what push pull was. Bill called a latin tune, (probably One Note Samba lol) in which you proceeded to blow my mind. Totally changed how I approached charts that we were expected to burn. As I age, push pull is more or less a way to play with half the energy...lol
Ahh, the good old days
With good technique age means nothing.
Thank you sir
Best of the best. Thanks
Thank you
I'm curious why you put out such high quality material for free? I believe in the free sharing of knowledge but I also know folks have to make a living too.
First of all, I perform and teach for a living so I could see how someone might ask this question as well as maybe be a bit pissed off about this channel.
I get that quite a bit and I ignore it.
I am grateful every day that I have never had to have any other type of job other than doing what I do.
I do this because I want to pass this knowledge along and some of the people who would benefit from it the most or can't pay for it. Unfortunate as it is, we now live in a society where anyone can put anything up on the internet and many people will take that as the truth. I want to reach as many people as possible in places that may not have the benefits I had growing up and learning in the New York city area from some of the greatest musicians who have ever existed.
Many concerts there were "free" such as Museum concerts Jazz Mobile, South Street Seaport shows, etc. and I learned so much from seeing hundreds of those. I also benefitted from many great players who would spend time with me for free because they loved to pass along what they knew and loved. I appreciated this so much back then since I grew up without a lot of resources.
This channel is not a substitute for private instruction. It is about history and knowledge and accumulated experience over my 50 years of playing and performing. It's not about the money for me, it's about the evolution of the art form.
@@rickdior That is a beautiful ethos that isn't just all pie in the sky.
Thank you very much for taking the time to write such a thorough reply.
I'm very happy that you can make this all work for you and give so much back to folks who don't have the resources.
Rick thanks a lot for your work! You have been a light for me on my professional drum journey.
What kind of digital metronome are you using in this video?
Many Thanks!
Excelent video; thank you very much!
Thanks for watching Gustavo
@@rickdior I always do! I like how comfortably you can go from orchestral to popular music with a very relaxed technique, nice body expression, without the usual stiffness of classical players but still with a very nice touch. Thanks!
Hi Rick,
This another fantastic video.
I was wondering how to harness the difference in clenching pressures of the left hand traditional grip between, Singles, doubles and especially the buzz rolls.
It seems like each has it's own properties and techniques.
I guess, creating good flow and control through these techniques is the reason why we practice.
Thank you SO much Rick. Love your work and teachings. Maybe you've examined this method previously? But, could you also comment on using the back 2 fingers/thumb - as a fulcrum (a la Tony Williams and others); fingers stay on the stick for greater control, etc. I've seen 'Q' Davis demonstrating this . . . and, I'm torn . . . I was brought up with the front index/thumb as the fulcrum (w/ assist from the middle finger). To me, if feels natural to use kind of a first two fingers/thumb fulcrum and, using the back fingers for speed strokes. Not to sound too much, 'name-dropping' - Gary Chaffee would never purpolsely claim me as a past student, I studied with him in the early 70's at Western Illinois U. - his first teaching gig before he moved on to Berklee/Boston and gigging with pros around the world. Recalling, Gary taught (at that time) front fulcrum w/ back fingers for additional speed. I love your emphasis, Rick on the importance of using the wrist, also for speed (and fingers). Thank you, Rick . . . LOVE your teachings and demos.
As I have said and demonstrated many times on this channel the way I play is that I grip the stick with my thumb and first finger and the other fingers support or move the stick. I am able to play anything I want to with this technique and that's what I was taught when I was coming up. I can't speak to any other gripping techniques since I do not use them. The rule is that if you cannot perform at any tempo at any dynamic with endurance and a good sound (after playing for many years) than it is time to change your fundamental technique.
Jim Chapin was my mentor and close friend.. he showed me the M technique while we were at his house bf we headed to namm...he also also was an advocate of conservation of energy ..
Eventually it came to me ..
Good you cover this one Rick.
Btw..still looking to source big rivets...any leads. Would be kindly 🙏...
Hi Will
Contact Tim Robert's from Reverie cyms. He may have a source. You can find him online
@@rickdior will do.. what skins do you use? I have bovid.. its been so rsiny here in the Rockies ..my skins are soakign up the moisture.. cant play on them.. Dang not suppose to be so much rain here..
In the summer I change everything to plastic. Mostly Remo Ambassadors or Diplomats.
It's too humid to deal with calfskin.
Hey Rick your videos are astronomically helpful to helping me learn drums but i have been having a hard time really mastering the double stroke roll so i was wondering do you use the exact same technique for your doubles as you do for the push/pull? Or no?
No, that is a completely different technique. The double stroke roll is a combination of rebound and finger support woth a light up and down wrist. The Push Pull is a bounced wrist and finger throwing motion.
I’ve watched tons of these type videos but always on a taught pad surface. So the rebound is very quick. Could you do the same type of video lesson on a standard snare set up?
Hi
This is a pad with a real drum head. Same (or less) tension than a snare drum. It's just quieter so you can hear the metronome when I play..
I suggest you watch some of the videos I list in the description to this video. I am playing on a full set of drums in some of them.
A cross stick roll, ie. both hands. Is it possible?
Any tips for those who want to play traditional? Cannot /haven’t made switch….
Hi
For help with this watch my video about mastering the traditional grip here
th-cam.com/video/A6zd5eGtw1M/w-d-xo.html
I have trouble with push-pull on the ride with the stick sliding down my hand (i.e. so the fulcrum is moving up and getting closer to the tip). This is an issue on the ride as the stick is angled up when hitting (as opposed to slightly down on the snare). It is angled up for you too. Any tips (anyone) on how not the let the slick slide while still having a relaxed/loose grip between the thumb and first finger so the stick can rebound on the pull/catch? Thanks.
It sounds like the grip between your thumb and first finger is not firm enough. That is very common.The hand should be very relaxed but that grip should lightly pinch the stick.
I would have to see how you are holding the stick to diagnose it thoroughly.
@@rickdior Thanks Rick, much appreciated.
Hey Mr. Rick! I want to ask you, what do you think about Tony William's way of holding stick with back of hand, and his words "willy nilly haphazard type of technique technique" about using bounce. Thank you for your amazing work and knowledge!
I have responded to this question once before somewhere on here recently in a comments section.
Tony did not hold the stick with the back of his hand, he moved the stick with the back of his hand. That's what he called holding. If you watch him play online you will see this.
I saw him play many times in person and he used more of a French grip with lots of finger motion.
Brasil
Made my day,now back to the pad.
how can I buy your book?
Email me at rickdior@gmail.com
The old adage there is more than one way to skin a cat!
I was under the impression that the Moeller technique had to be done with the "Moeller Grip" you are clearly using Traditional grip here. Can you discuss this, do you use the Moeller grip as well?
I am not aware of a moeller grip. It is a stick motion technique , not a grip. Sanford Moeller, the originator of the technique played traditional grip.
It was then modified to be more useful for drum set application by drumming greats Jim Chapin and Joe Morello, amoung others.