Military fife and drum tutors of the 19th century typically explain the right overhand stick grasp between the little finger and palm, or the ring finger and palm. The thumb and forefingers remain loosely closed to guide but not hold the stick. This method was prescribed by Charles S. Ashworth (1812) and George B. Bruce (1862).1
Sanford G. Moeller endorsed the little finger grip in 1925. He wrote, “... attention might be drawn to the fact that the right stick is held almost entirely with the little finder ... When the stick is placed on the drum, the other fingers are closed around the stick, but very lightly if touching at all. This gives a most powerful and safe grip, but not rigid, and at the same time anatomically correct, allowing a comfortable hang to the arm, preventing stiffness, cramp, and fatigue.” 2
The hand is positioned palm down, but rather than bending the wrist, this stroke’s momentum generates primarily from forearm rotation with the stick angled across the hand’s metacarpal bones.
A typical rope drum has a wood counter hoop that is much taller than the metal counter hoops of screw-tensioned drums. Consequently, the hands’ playing position relative to the drumhead needs to be high enough for the strokes to clear the hoop. A slightly raised playing position in conjunction with a right-hand little finger grip ensures that the sticks will not inadvertently strike a tall counter hoop.
The little finger grasp point is very close to the butt end, adding a powerful mechanical advantage, like swinging a baseball bat, an ax, or a golf club.
1. Charles Stewart Ashworth, A New, Useful and Complete System of Drum-beating
(Boston: G. Graupner, 1812), page 1.
George B. Bruce and Daniel D. Emmett, The Drummers’ and Fifers’ Guide
(New York: Firth, Pond & Co., 1862), page 5.
2. Sanford A. Moeller, The Art of Snare Drumming (Chicago: Ludwig Music Publishing Co., Inc., 1925), page 4.
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