French Grip

In drumming, there are specific methods for how to hold the drumsticks, or other playing tools (like brushes, mallets, etc) which is the basis of your hand technique. Generally, these different methods fall into two kinds of hand grip. These are matched grip and traditional grip. In matched grip, both hands hold the stick in the same way, using the same motions and mechanics, but in traditional grip, each hand holds the stick in a different way, with one hand holding the stick in the same style of the grips used in matched grip, and the other hand holding the stick in a completely different way, which is used only in traditional grip.

French grip, also known as timpani grip, is a form of matched grip. The first aspect to focus on, to create this grip, is the fulcrum, which is also known as the balance point. As described in the dictionary, the fulcrum is ''the point or support about which a lever turns''. You could think of this in terms of the drumstick, as in the drumstick doing a see-saw-type motion. The point in the middle, where it tilts back and forth, is where the fulcrum goes. This is how the stick should move in your hand. To create a fulcrum in your hand, you have to first find the balance point of the stick. To do this, place the stick on the end of one of your fingers, moving your finger tip up and down the stick until you find a point where the stick balances. This is the centre of gravity on the stick. Now, move your finger tip down the stick, in the direction of the butt, so that the tip of the stick moves further away from you. This unbalances the centre of gravity slightly, so that there is more weight towards the tip end of the stick. You should move your finger tip down about 3-4 inches. The exact amount will vary, as different sticks have different sizes and weights, and also as everyone's hands will be slightly different. The extra weight you are adding to the tip end will help to give the stick more bounce. You will have to experiment with the exact spot, until it feels most natural for you.

Place the stick in your hand, so that this fulcrum (balance) point, is between your thumb and the first joints (past the joints at the base of your fingers) of your index and middle fingers. When you do this, don't put your thumb and finger tips together, this will restrain the movement of the stick. Try to keep these separated, or at least don't purposely press them together. The fulcrum point may move slightly between your index and middle fingers, but generally, try to focus the fulcrum point mainly on the index finger.

The next aspect to look at is the 'stop'. This is where the butt end of the stick stops moving, as it impacts your hand, whilst you play, as it is in the confinement of your hand. The 'stop' is at the back corner of your palm, next to your wrist and opposite your thumb. So the stick should be placed in your hand, so that it sits diagonally across your palm, the tip end of the stick pointing out away from you, from where your thumb and index finger are placed on the stick, to the other end of the stick (the but end) which should sit across the 'stop', the corner of your palm, with the actual butt possibly still sticking out from your hand.

Now, we should focus on the 'control' fingers. These fingers are the ones we haven't discussed yet, the ring finger and pinky finger, although the middle finger is important in doing this task as well, and really, all the fingers share this role to some extent, its just the ring, pinky, and middle fingers which are most important and useful in doing this. The 'control' that I'm talking about, is how your fingers either pull the stick into the confinement of your hand, the butt end stopping moving as the stick impacts the corner of your palm, and the tip end moving downwards, to be able to hit the components of the drum kit, whilst you play, or to release more and open up the hold the fingers have on the stick, letting it bounce more and letting the tip move further upwards. So, from the position the stick is in at the moment, with the fulcrum point, the stop, and the stick laying diagonally across your hand, you should now wrap your remaining fingers, the ring finger and the pinky finger around the stick, so that they have physical contact with the stick. In this position, they will now be useful for finger control on the stick. Just remember not to wrap them around too tightly, try to keep them loose and relaxed without loosing your grip on the stick, otherwise this will restrict the movement of the stick, and over time, possibly even cause tension issues that could lead to injury. Your finger tips should not be touching the palms of your hand, whilst you play.

Now that the stick, or other playing tool, is placed in your hand correctly, with your fingers in the right positions, so that you can play with the stick effectively, the next point of focus, is the angle of rotation of your wrist. In this specific grip, your hand should be vertical, so that your palm is facing sideways, towards a centre point in front of you, and the back of your hand should also face sideways, but be facing outwards, away from you instead, with your thumb on top of the stick, and the rest of your fingers underneath. Try to keep wrists straight, so that your hands are in line with your arms. Now, you are holding the drum stick using French grip (timpani grip).



With the palms turned perpendicular to the drumhead and the thumbs placed on top of the stick, French grip makes you bring your elbows in closer to your body, than compared to German grip, and brings more of the fingers in contact with the stick, allowing for a more controlled stroke. Finger technique is the most important and common use of this grip, using the 'control' method discussed earlier, and the advantage this grip has over other styles of grip, is speed. Although the same levels of speed achievable using this grip are achievable using other styles of hand grip, most drummers generally find it easier to play faster using this French grip.