Glossary of Drum Strokes

I posted a summary of drum strokes some time ago. In the meantime, through observation, experimentation and reflection, I have massaged the list a bit and added a few more items (it’s rather long now). There are likely techniques here that you’ve not encountered before, and I invite you to try them all out and see what works for you.

Most of the motions apply to both matched and traditional grip, although traditional grip has a few tricks of its own. All strokes are executed with a first finger fulcrum. 

"Always start basic and you’ll never go wrong. After you have control of your instrument,  you can do whatever you wish" - Papa Jo Jones

Simple Strokes

Down Stroke
This is a one-way stroke that starts at the top and finishes at the bottom. The key is to stop the stick after striking so the tip remains 1 to 2 inches (25-50 mm) from the instrument surface. The focus is on controlling the rebound so the stick is ideally positioned for a lighter stroke.

Up Stroke/Pull-Out
This stroke begins with the stick close to the drum or cymbal surface. After 'pulling' a note from the Down position, the stick is then lifted to a higher position to facilitate a stronger stroke. 

Whipping Stroke/Gladstone Stroke
This technique delivers maximum power. Begin in the down position. Lift the stick from the wrist letting the tip fall down. Then quickly whip the stick up and then down in a wave-like motion. Note that the stroke can be a Down Stroke or a Free Stroke.

Full Strokes

Free Stroke
The full down-and-up stroke begins at the top of your range and, after striking, returns to the starting point using only the rebound -- the hand simply follows the motion of the stick. The grip should remain loose and no effort is needed to get the stick back up. The Free Stroke delivers excellent speed and power, and should be your ‘go to’ stroke. The name acknowledges the tension-free nature of the stroke when done correctly. Also called Down-Up Stroke, Open Stroke, Full Stroke, Legato Stroke, and a few others.

Half Stroke
A Half Stroke is simply a Free Stroke starting at and returning to a lower height.

Bounce Stroke
This is a lighter Free Stroke using mainly the wrists and fingers. Bounce strokes are an efficient way to play quick multiple strokes.

Finger Stroke
This Free Stroke is made by keeping the hand somewhat fixed and bouncing the stick using just the fingers. Finger control can be applied to most techniques.

Wrist Stroke
This stroke uses mainly the wrists with little or no finger and arm action. The stick is gripped more firmly and is pulled up after a stroke rather than relying on rebound. Wrist strokes are excellent for volume and can provide a respectable amount of speed.

Piston Stroke
This is a Wrist Stroke that draws on the forearm for added power. The action is pushing down and pulling up. While this is a very powerful stroke, it puts a lot of stress on the wrists and forearms.

Combined Strokes

“Moeller Method” (1)
Named after rudimental drummer Sanford “Gus” Moeller, this is a two-part stroke that provides both power and speed. Begin with a Down Stroke, ensuring that the stick tip remains close to the striking surface. Then execute an Up Stroke, and return the stick to the start position. So, a Down Stroke followed by an Up Stroke. This action is ideal for playing 'diddles' and also for ride cymbal work

Bailey Stroke
This stroke is similar to Moeller except that instead of an Up Stroke, you simply drop the tip of the stick to the surface as you lift the stick. After a Down Stroke, simply relax the hand and let the tip fall as you begin to lift the stick. Some refer to this as a 'free note' as you get an extra note with no additional effort. The technique is often used by jazz drummers when playing a cymbal ride

Push-Pull
Begin your stroke in the Up position and do a Down Stroke but keep the hand and fingers very loose and let the stick fly up. Then quickly close your hand to execute a second stroke as you lift the stick for the next Down Stroke. This is great for speed and articulation, and also helps to lock in the pulse.

The Pump
The Pump is a logical extension of the Push-Pull. It’s executed by moving mainly from the forearm and allowing the stick to bounce between the fingers and the palm. The fingers only have to move a little to facilitate this action. As your speed increases, the amount of motion must decrease. This pumping action is ideal for playing sustained notes as in a cymbal ride pattern.

Full Gallop
The movement here is the exact opposite of the Push-Pull. The stick is pushed forward on the down beat and then pulled back on the up beat. Think of the thumb as pushing the stick forward and then pulling it back. This is an excellent technique for fast shuffles. (The technique looks like riding a horse when done with both hands. Other names under consideration include Pull-Push, Forth & Back, Thrust & Parry.)

Multiple Strokes

Dribble Strokes
This is a series of low Bounce or Finger Strokes that resembles dribbling a ball.

Jim Chapin's Triplets (2)
With a relaxed hand, begin with a throwing motion and allow the stick to rebound half-way or less. Next comes a Bounce Stroke using just the fingers. Finally, tap the head as you begin to lift the stick. So: Down Stroke/Bounce/Up Stroke. Triplets are a very efficient way to play multiple strokes. Note that you can add more Bounce Strokes in the middle: Down/Bounce/Bounce/Bounce/Up.

Tony Williams “Stutter Stroke”
This technique is mainly for playing a fast swing rhythm on a ride cymbal. The motion is almost 100% finger work -- a sort of ‘twitch’ action -- with the arm remaining fairly steady. For a right-handed player, start the stroke slightly to the left and move to the right while playing 3 quick strokes. The motion produces a sound similar to ‘Ta-da-Dum’, which can be interpreted as ‘&a-1’ which, in Cut time, gives us And-uh-1 And-uh-3.

Traditional Grip

"Buddy's Secret Weapon"
This one applies to the Traditional left hand grip and enables substantial speed by controlling the stick between the fulcrum and the first finger. A stroke is made with the wrist, and the first finger catches it on the rebound and executes a second stroke. The third finger helps set up the next stroke.

Piano Strokes
Some traditional grip players will turn the hand over, putting the first two fingers on top of the stick. Strokes can then be made with either finger, or both together. Some drummers like this variation for brush work.

Two Finger Roll
This technique is actually done with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, and can be used to play singles strokes, double strokes and more. The thumb and first finger simply take turns throwing the stick down. The technique can also be executed with the first and second fingers and requires very good control and rebound.

(1) At one time there was a video on YouTube of an old-time drummer (possibly Moeller himself) demonstrating the Moeller Method. I have not been able to find this video since. I’ve described Moeller based on my understanding of the descriptions and photos in the “Moeller Book” as well as that video.
 
(2) In an on-line video, Jim Chapin gives a good account of his studies with Sanford Moeller and the influence it had on his technique: https://youtu.be/7yNb-kUPwMI