I may get hate mail for this, but as a teacher, long-time player and student of the drums, I would encourage you and anyone else to forget about learning traditional grip. The effort required is substantial and the payback can be hard to justify. There's not even any agreement on what the 'correct' left hand grip should look like. Plus the grip can be limiting and may even lead to pain and injury. Matched grip can handle just about anything you need or want to do, and with a lot less mystery and prep work.
But, let's assume I can't convince you otherwise and you're determined to master the technique of the ancient masters. Or perhaps you're already committed to the grip and just want to tone up your left hand. No problem, but let's see if we can do so in an organized, logical and less stressful manner. Here, then, are a few exercises I use to get the most out of the traditional grip.
The purpose of these exercises is purely to get the hand familiar with the different positions and movements of the traditional grip. None is a final product but all will contribute to a better and more useful grip.
All Crotchety
The traditional grip fulcrum will always be in the crotch of the thumb and first finger. Hold out your left hand (unless you're a lefty) as if you were going to shake someone's hand and put your stick firmly in the above-mentioned crotch. Now, keeping all other fingers away from the action, bounce the stick using just a twist of the forearm. Rotate the forearm outward and the stick rises. Then throw the stick down by turning the forearm inward. Keep the grip loose and allow the stick to rebound back to where it started.
Thumb's Up
Throw the stick down using just your thumb and let it bounce. Bounce the stick with the thumb while keeping your palm open, vertical and still. Your goal here is to 'dribble' the stick using just the thumb and rebound. This version of the technique is preferred by pipe and military drummers ... and some rockers.
First Things First
While a downward motion can come from the hand and/or thumb, the first finger can be equally effective. Keeping the wrist stable and thumb pointed up, bounce the stick using just your index finger. Practice free strokes and dribble strokes using the first finger for the down stroke and use the rebound for setup. The rest of your hand stays out of the way.
Just a Second
We don't use the second finger much with traditional grip, but it too can be useful. It can work in tandem with the first finger, play on its own, or just do nothing. As with the index finger, try making rebound strokes with just the second finger, keeping the thumb and forefinger relaxed. This one can be rather awkward so you may want to rotate your hand and play piano style (see below).
Third Finger’s a Charm
The typical use of the ring finger is to hold the stick up, to stabilize the stick, and to help lift it after a stroke. The third finger can also help put on the brakes after a stroke, catching the stick at the end of its travel.
Last ... and actually least
OK, the little finger doesn't play much of a role. Mainly it either supports the third finger or just minds its own business.
Up For Grabs
An interesting exercise is to use a grabbing motion as you make a stroke. The stick is held in the crotch of the hand, thumb pointing upward, the stick between the second and third digits. Then extend the fingers and execute a stroke by “grabbing the stick.” And repeat. This helps get all the digits working together.
Just For Fun
Try playing 'one-handed rolls' with your left hand. You can play single or double stroke rolls between the first and second fingers, or between the first finger and the thumb. Another trick is to rotate the hand so the first and second fingers are on top, and then use the fingers to tap the stick like the keys of a piano ... odd but effective.
Photo Credit: Joey Swart