French Grip
In French grip, the palms of the hands face directly toward each other and the stick is moved primarily with the fingers rather than the wrist as in German grip. This allows a greater degree of finesse, which is why many timpanists prefer French grip. Because this grip uses the smaller and faster finger muscles, this grip is used by single-stroke champions. It also comes in handy for playing fast tempo swing or jazz for the ride cymbal. For louder strokes, the wrist rotates much in the same way as when hammering a nail.
Read more about this topic: Matched Grip
Famous quotes containing the words french and/or grip:
“Nothing is ever simple. What do you do when you discover you like parts of the role you’re trying to escape?”
—Marilyn French (b. 1929)
“you show her the two hands
that grip each other fiercely,
one being mine, one being yours.
Torn right off at the wrist bone
when you started in your
impossible going, gone.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)