[Drum] Johnny Rabb - The Official Freehand Technique

Photograph by Dominic "Pete" Peters.

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THE OFFICIAL FREEHAND TECHNIQUE THE CLASSROOM

THE FREEHAND TECHNIQUE

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he Freehand Technique is a relatively simple and easy to use. When practiced correctly with the proper sticking placement, it can come together in a matter of moments. In the past six years of clinics/master classes and private lessons, I have noticed that it is easier for some people more than others. The most important thing to remember is to relax and carefully follow the diagrams and directions closely to ensure you are performing the technique correctly.

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In this chapter I will focus on the correct and incorrect way to play the Freehand Technique. It has been proven to be a valid applicable technique in countless one-day, hands-on master classes. I have achieved a 100% success rate with all students who have followed the directions in this chapter.

You may ask, “Does the Freehand Technique use the rim?” YES, the stick lifts and pivots off the rim one time per stroke.

GRIPS

TRADITIONAL GRIP

MATCHED GRIP

TRADITIONAL

FRENCH

GERMAN

RUSS MILLER

GRIP

GRIP

GRIP

GRIP

THE OFFICIAL FREEHAND TECHNIQUE THE CLASSROOM

BASIC FREEHAND MOTION t is very important to start with proper technique and motion when learning the Freehand Technique. If you follow the basic steps correctly, you will have the ability to master the Freehand Technique quickly.

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Let’s Begin: 1. The first step is to have your sticks held properly. I suggest either holding the stick between the first joints of the thumb and index finger or by using the first joints of the thumb and middle finger. If you are a traditional player, please refer to the traditional grip for the left hand on the previous page. 2. Next you should get in the starting position. It is extremely important to start parallel to whatever surface you are going to play. REMEMBER THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS START EACH STROKE OFF THE RIM! 3. Now that you are in ready position (parallel to surface and off the rim/drum), you are ready to play the downstroke. Start by slowly dropping the stick using your elbow as the pivot point. The stick will remain parallel until it plays the head and the rim in unison or exactly the same time. 4. Once the head and rim make the first note, stay on the rim and continue pushing down the butt-end of the stick. This is the only angle that the stick will make during the entire freehand motion. That is the first note. 5. Now, simply reverse the process by moving your arm upward using your elbow. The stick will remain on the rim until it makes contact with the head for the second stroke. Once the stick tip hits the head, you will bring both the tip and butt off the rim and head in a parallel motion back to the beginning.

BASIC BREAKDOWN OF POINTS 1. Begin with the stick parallel off the rim and head. 2. While remaining parallel to the head, lower the stick to make contact with the rim and head in unison. 3. Continue to move the butt end of the stick down while remaining on the rim. 4. Bring butt-end of stick upward with elbow to make second contact to head. 5. End the stroke by moving the stick back to starting position.

DOs - Start parallel and off the rim. - Use your elbow as a pivot point. - Hit the head and rim in unison. - Think of 8th notes being the down stroke. - Think of the up-strokes as 16th notes. - End with the stick parallel to rim and head of the drum.

DON’Ts - Start with your stick on head or rim - Start with your stick angled - Move your wrist like a full stroke - Hit the head and rim as a flam - Use your fingers to grab the stick on the up stroke - Leave the stick on the head while rocking back and forth between the rim.

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THE OFFICIAL FREEHAND TECHNIQUE THE CLASSROOM As they say, “a pictures speaks a thousand words!” Imagine a stick being dropped from a crane onto a snare drum, and you’ll get a better grip on the Freehand Motion:

PICTURE 1

This crane has the stick parallel and off the rim and head of the snare drum. It is not necessary to start really high off the drum; however, you should always be in a parallel position to start.

PICTURE 2

Imagine the cable snapping and dropping the stick perfectly on the head and rim in unison (exactly the same time). From here you would see the stick tip move up and off the drum, with the rim being the pivot point and fulcrum.

PICTURE 3

The tip of the stick would move upward and off the head. While remaining on the rim, the weight of the butt-end of the stick is forced downward. Without using our hand to control it, the stick tip would continue upward. The final result would launch the stick in the direction of the crane, off the drum and on the ground. Then the crane operator would be repremanded by the foreman! So when operating the crane, be sure to get used to this downward motion and basic control.

ARM MOTION - Side View

THE OFFICIAL FREEHAND TECHNIQUE THE CLASSROOM THE FREEHAND TECHNIQUE - Matched Grip TIP: Remember that the wrist remains stationary. The down and upstrokes are controlled by the elbow.

START

FINISH 6

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1.

6.

START WITH STICK OFF THE DRUM PARALLEL TO HEAD AND RIM

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FINISH WHERE YOU STARTED WITH STICK PARALLEL TO HEAD AND RIM

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2. CREATE FIRST STROKE BY HITTING HEAD AND RIM IN UNISON

5.

ONCE THE SECOND STROKE HAPPENS, LIFT STICK OFF RIM AND HEAD IN A PARALLEL MOTION

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3. WITH STICK REMAINING ON RIM, FOLLOW THROUGH AND LOWER BUTT-END OF THE STICK

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LIFT BUTT-END BACK TO PARALLEL POSITION

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THE OFFICIAL FREEHAND TECHNIQUE THE CLASSROOM THE FREEHAND TECHNIQUE - Traditional Grip

START

FINISH 6

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1.

6. FINISH WHERE YOU STARTED WITH STICK

START WITH STICK OFF THE DRUM PARALLEL TO HEAD AND RIM

PARALLEL TO HEAD AND RIM

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5

2.

CREATE FIRST STROKE BY HITTING HEAD AND RIM IN UNISON

3

3.

WITH STICK REMAINING ON RIM, FOLLOW THROUGH AND LOWER BUTT-END OF STICK

5.

ONCE THE SECOND STROKE HAPPENS, LIFT STICK OFF RIM AND HEAD IN A PARALLEL MOTION

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4. LIFT BUTT-END BACK TO PARALLEL POSITION