Rock Band: How To Hold Drumsticks
By William on Monday, December 10th, 2007 at 2:28 PM PST In Microsoft, Sony
The Rock Band manual and tutorials don’t really do a great job of properly explaining how to hold drumsticks. I’ve seen many people trying to play the Rock Band drums using their elbows to drive the sticks instead of their wrists or fingers. Although you aren’t exactly playing real drums, some proper techniques could help make Rock Band a whole lot easier.
In the end, you’ll have to find a technique that makes things the smoothest for you. I discovered some photos and instructions on rockdrummingsystem.com that show off 3 of the main ways people should hold drumsticks. It’s a quick and interesting read for anyone trying to get better with the drums in and out of the gaming world.
The traditional grip is so gross, I seriously cannot get used to it. I can even get used to the French grip, but for some reason I just feel really uncomfortable using the traditional grip.
traditional is a little weird feeling at first. You really have to get to where you have a really loose grip but not loose to the point where sticks go flying lol.
Bahh, that’s not how you are supposed to hold a drumstick. What is the finger doing so far up. (I was in drumline) The wrist angle is all off and that person’s hand is too far up the stick. On that site, traditional grip, should (for most) be used on only one hand (usually the left, not the right).
Hah. All those marching band techniques are paying off. Yeah, I’m finding the squeeze technique working well for Rock Band since there is little to no bounce on those pads. You’re just wasting energy by going all wristy not to mention you’ll have no control by doing so.
Traditional is a matter of preference, but I only like using it when playing something with alot of offbeats on snare and my right hand going all over the place (hence, the Jazz association). Since there is no central snare in the Rock Band drum kit, I find traditional rather pointless. It certainly doesn’t make you look “cooler” by doing so.
The only commment I’d add here is if your elbows are moving up and down while playing the Rock Band drums, you’re doing it wrong. Hitting them harder doesn’t make them play any louder (or better for that matter).