Matched grip (as opposed to
traditional grip) is the most common
technique used in
symphonic drumming. To hold your
drumstick in matched grip, simply grab it near the bottom. Your palm should be about two to three inches from the back end of the
stick. Now make sure all four fingers are holding onto the bottom of the stick, and that your thumb is on the stick on the inside. You should be able to strike a surface using finger and wrist action.
This technique is used for a variety of percussion instruments, from a simple snare drum to a set of timbales. The style is different for mallet percussion and tympani, but the general idea remains the same.