I started off playing traditional for grade school and college but taught myself to play matched grip after words in the late 70's I like match grip better. here watch the great johnny rabb [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbIk1td0pjI"]Johnny Rabb at 2007 Chicago Drum Show - YouTube[/ame]

I can't play matched grip to save my life.

Keep it old school. Learn traditional. I wish I would have learned that way. I taught myself how to play drums...and matched is what I did. All I do is rehearse traditional grip nowadays.

I learned traditional grip from fourth grade through high school. I find that it has always been easier for me to play quieter music with more finesse when using trditional grip. However, I'm profoundly left handed. So, for those times when I'm playing open handed, (ride cymbal work with my left hand) I do that with matched grip. I also switch to matched grip when playing louder music with either left or right handed ride cymbal work. In summary, I don't think it matters at all which grip a drummer uses as long as it feels right, and produces the desired results.

go with whats most comfortable.

Thanks for the feedback - knew there'd be a lot of opinions on it. My lessons were on traditional, and I agree there's music that just feels better played traditional. Since then, I've played mostly matched. The decision I need to make is given the time I've got to practice, I don't think I can do both and reach my desired level of play. Hence, I lean heavily towards matched, but man traditional looks sweet as played by the pro's. Like my drum teacher was fond of saying - "Man, and then you're swinging!"

Use bothgrips. They both have their uses. When we were taught as kids we were taught traditional for snare drum but matched grip for tenor drum, bass drum, cymbal work, tympani and mallet instruments. So, don't we all know and use both techniques already? Use whatever works the best for the assignment at hand.

DITTO! Yes Sir Right on the mark, Gerald! Traditional grip on drum set and concert snare, but matched on all other concert band and orchestral instruments. But when playing with brushes, I find myself switching unconscionably between both grips even in the middle of a piece depending upon what's best for the "assignment at hand" (great phrase and pun! I'm stealing that).

Mike

I have a tendency to jump from one to the other these days too. I have a funky new orleans style gig and can get that "sloppy" sound playing trad grip, but I could never get through a whole gig playing trad grip. Must practice that more!