Great explanation of the traditional grip that Tony Williams used, and the forearm rotation. I have always been able to use the traditional grip, but I had never tried to use it the way Tony did. I am beginning to practice it now, and I can already tell that it is going to improve the grip. Tony Williams was one of a kind, and one of the greatest drummers that ever lived. Thanks for the info.
Must have been great to have learned from a rhythm king like Williams. I've been trying to tackle traditional grip and this was straight forward and helpful. Thanks, Rob!
Hey Gabriel, Glad you dug the video! Yes, was very lucky to get to study with Tony when I did, as he passed not to long after that! If you're interested, please contact me regarding Trad Grip, Best -Rob
Hey! Great vid. So awesome you had the great fortune of studying with Tony. Ive noticed that few drummers using trad grip had that technique of an overhand stroke. In watching a full spectrum of different era vids of Tony. He seemed to employ that more in the 70's til the end. IMO, I always felt it has more to do with the increasing weight of his sticks. He certainly had more facility with what you demonstrated, when his sticks changed. I noticed it myself when I got comfy with trad.grip.
Hello Danuel, Thank you so much for your kind words, truly appreciated! Glad you dug the video! Also check out this other Tony lesson video I produced: th-cam.com/video/LqnlW0FZszQ/w-d-xo.html Peace, -Rob
Hello Benozw12, Thanks for checking out my video! Yes, you're correct Tony used the fulcrum with his fingers in the back of his right hand. However I was concentrating the left hand Traditional Grip he taught me in this video. I was fortunate to record my lessons with Tony, so I will be doing more video lessons on concepts and techniques he taught me!
Wait! You tune your second tom to a higher pitch than the first? That's very cool. Am I just hearing things? If so can you elaborate, was this a Tony Williams idea?
Greetings Magacreon, Thanks for watching the video! Actually no, I'm not tuning my 2nd tom at a higher pitch, maybe your hearing that because the multiple motions around the toms!? All the best. -Rob
It was interesting how Tony advocated trad grip but used matched so often. I wonder if that was a change in preference over the years or just an adaptation to specific situations he was playing in? I have noticed that Tony's left stayed in more of a karate chop position that many other players. It seems like he emphasized the up/down motion of the forearm at least as much as the rotation. This might be due to what he was playing, too - singles vs doubles, etc. Did he talk much about that?
John Savolaine Hey John, Thanks so much for watching the video! Tony mentioned to me that he would switch to matched grip only get more power in certain situations. He taught the trad grip "hand shake" position and yes using the forearm for rotation. I can honestly stay that this grip was a game changer for me as it gave me so much more power! He didn't talk about why he used it, but did advocate that he didn't use bounce strokes. Hope this answers your questions!
Piano Guy here…Why *not* match grip tho? Seems more ergonomically sound & to be fair your right hand is doing it. I see guys like Chris Dave & Mark Guiliana killing it playing match. I can never seem to get a straight answer. And why don’t the rock guys play traditional if it gives so much power?
Hey Piano Guy, If you were born before 1980, chances are you grew up playing traditional grip. (coming out of the marching snare drummers) most born in or after the 80’s grew up playing matched! Some rock guys only play traditional i.e. Stewart Copland etc… Both grips offer a different feel and way of playing, and musicians use grips as a go-to because it feels comfortable for them! (An individual thing!) Hope that explains it for you! Best, Rob
A colossal waste of time and energy. Please check out Hakim, Katche, Phillips, and Aaron Scott who played with Mcoy Tyner. The grip is completely unnatural- move on.
Great explanation of the traditional grip that Tony Williams used, and the forearm rotation. I have always been able to use the traditional grip, but I had never tried to use it the way Tony did. I am beginning to practice it now, and I can already tell that it is going to improve the grip. Tony Williams was one of a kind, and one of the greatest drummers that ever lived. Thanks for the info.
+Daniel Casher Thank you watching Daniel, glad you got something out of the video!
I took a lesson with you back in the early 90's lol. Good to see you're still at it!
Hey , hit me up on my website robhartdrumstudio.com and send me an email! Would like to chat!!
Rob! Thanks for this! I hope all is well. Peter
Really nice left hand stroke demo…..nice to watch the motion. RH also…..
Must have been great to have learned from a rhythm king like Williams. I've been trying to tackle traditional grip and this was straight forward and helpful. Thanks, Rob!
Hey Gabriel,
Glad you dug the video! Yes, was very lucky to get to study with Tony when I did, as he passed not to long after that! If you're interested, please contact me regarding Trad Grip, Best -Rob
thanks for this very insightful, im still having a hard time getting around the set. and speed.
Hey! Great vid. So awesome you had the great fortune of studying with Tony. Ive noticed that few drummers using trad grip had that technique of an overhand stroke. In watching a full spectrum of different era vids of Tony. He seemed to employ that more in the 70's til the end. IMO, I always felt it has more to do with the increasing weight of his sticks. He certainly had more facility with what you demonstrated, when his sticks changed. I noticed it myself when I got comfy with trad.grip.
Hello Danuel,
Thank you so much for your kind words, truly appreciated! Glad you dug the video! Also check out this other Tony lesson video I produced: th-cam.com/video/LqnlW0FZszQ/w-d-xo.html
Peace,
-Rob
Rob Hart n
Great video! I found the info here to be very helpful.
David Glass hey David , I glad you got something out of the video!! Happy trails!!
really nice, thanks
Incidentally, are those Vic Firth Jack DeJohnette sticks?
Hey Ned,
Yes as a matter of fact they are! you're very observant! (love the weight and feel of those sticks!)
@@robharttrio My favorite!
Thanks man!
You don't seem to be using the pinky finger grip on your right hand, that Tony used?
Hello Benozw12,
Thanks for checking out my video!
Yes, you're correct Tony used the fulcrum with his fingers in the back of his right hand. However I was concentrating the left hand Traditional Grip he taught me in this video.
I was fortunate to record my lessons with Tony, so I will be doing more video lessons on concepts and techniques he taught me!
Rob Hart I'm thankful for guys like you - willing to share what you have learnt from such drumming greats! Look forward to your lessons!
Try going slow as a daily exercise move your metronome 5 increments a week starting at 60 to around 130
Wait! You tune your second tom to a higher pitch than the first? That's very cool. Am I just hearing things? If so can you elaborate, was this a Tony Williams idea?
Greetings Magacreon,
Thanks for watching the video! Actually no, I'm not tuning my 2nd tom at a higher pitch, maybe your hearing that because the multiple motions around the toms!?
All the best.
-Rob
It was interesting how Tony advocated trad grip but used matched so often. I wonder if that was a change in preference over the years or just an adaptation to specific situations he was playing in?
I have noticed that Tony's left stayed in more of a karate chop position that many other players. It seems like he emphasized the up/down motion of the forearm at least as much as the rotation. This might be due to what he was playing, too - singles vs doubles, etc. Did he talk much about that?
John Savolaine
Hey John,
Thanks so much for watching the video!
Tony mentioned to me that he would switch to matched grip only get more power in certain situations. He taught the trad grip "hand shake" position and yes using the forearm for rotation. I can honestly stay that this grip was a game changer for me as it gave me so much more power! He didn't talk about why he used it, but did advocate that he didn't use bounce strokes.
Hope this answers your questions!
Piano Guy here…Why *not* match grip tho? Seems more ergonomically sound & to be fair your right hand is doing it.
I see guys like Chris Dave & Mark Guiliana killing it playing match. I can never seem to get a straight answer. And why don’t the rock guys play traditional if it gives so much power?
Hey Piano Guy,
If you were born before 1980, chances are you grew up playing traditional grip. (coming out of the marching snare drummers) most born in or after the 80’s grew up playing matched! Some rock guys only play traditional i.e. Stewart Copland etc… Both grips offer a different feel and way of playing, and musicians use grips as a go-to because it feels comfortable for them! (An individual thing!)
Hope that explains it for you!
Best,
Rob
I did, I did.
master
Neil pert
A colossal waste of time and energy. Please check out Hakim, Katche, Phillips, and Aaron Scott who played with Mcoy Tyner. The grip is completely unnatural- move on.