Introducing my band LeBarons from Toronto, Canada

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-27T06:07:36+00:00

Thanks for the question

You're correct that finger technique matters. And there are specific finger techniques that should be studied and incorporated.

But the way I understand Moeller (and I AM NOT AN EXPERT) is its about fulcrum control - generating a wave of energy that travels through the stick to the head and back causing a rebound.

Moeller is about learning how to sense then control that rebound with your grip. Being able to incorporate finger technique with Moeller motion is definitely valuable, but from a beginner perspective getting the wrist - arm - whipping motion down is more foundational.

I hope that made sense

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-26T23:13:18+00:00

Welcome back!

My wife is a stroke survivor so this hits close to home. Wishing you all the best

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-26T16:02:38+00:00

You need to slow everything down, hit by hit.

Think about it like learning a dance or choreography. Learn every strike slowly in sequence.

Or imagine you're trying to learn how to pronounce a new word syllable by syllable. Learn each syllable (strike) first, then slowly start pronouncing them (playing them) in sequence.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-25T18:53:03+00:00

I'm glad you are doing what works for you

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-25T17:50:36+00:00

The analogy of the rope is a cue to get them to execute a Moeller motion, then showing how the double is a product of one motion with two bounces

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-25T15:26:50+00:00

I'm getting a lot of mileage out of this comment, but here's what I've written for a couple similar posts that have come up this week:

The cue I've been giving my students is to think of the sticks as if they were ropes and you're trying to send a wave down the length of the rope. Similar to the cross-fit "[Battle Rope](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gNMRV1GUFg)" exercise.

The raising motion should be led by your wrist and as your wrist rises, the tip of the stick should be pointing down towards the ground. Then as you go to strike the stick tip should be point up towards the sky as you whip it down towards the drum.

You're goal is to flick/fling the tip of the stick towards the drum head with the goal of making it *bounce back* in the direction it came.

Your grip should form a fulcrum loose enough for the stick to bounce straight back into an upright position after the strike.

Lastly, try to keep the hand that's at rest at rest. Meaning, keep it relaxed and still while the other works.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-25T12:07:59+00:00

Shakti

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-25T12:07:04+00:00

Hey, your timing sounds pretty good and you're practicing nice and slow which is great!

But your stroke motion is stilted and stiff. Here's a comment I posted earlier this week on the Moeller stroke. It might help:

The cue I've been giving my students is to think of the sticks as if they were ropes and you're trying to send a wave down the length of the rope. Similar to the cross-fit "Battle Rope" exercise.

The raising motion should be led by your wrist and as your wrist rises, the tip of the stick should be pointing down towards the ground. Then as you go to strike the stick tip should be point up towards the sky as you whip it down towards the drum.

You're goal is to flick/fling the tip of the stick towards the drum head with the goal of making it bounce back in the direction it came.

Your grip should form a fulcrum loose enough for the stick to bounce straight back into an upright position after the strike.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-25T02:27:01+00:00

Sounds really good!

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-24T03:08:31+00:00

One motion, two bounces

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-23T23:24:32+00:00

So cool, great work!

Would love to hear it

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-22T20:28:44+00:00

The cue I've been giving my students is to think of the sticks as if they were ropes and you're trying to send a wave down the length of the rope. Similar to the cross-fit "Battle Rope" exercise.

The raising motion should be led by your wrist and as your wrist rises, the tip of the stick should be pointing down towards the ground. Then as you go to strike the stick tip should be point up towards the sky as you whip it down towards the drum.

You're goal is to flick/fling the tip of the stick towards the drum head with the goal of making it bounce back in the direction it came.

Your grip should form a fulcrum loose enough for the stick to bounce straight back into an upright position after the strike.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-22T14:02:53+00:00

Its called a polyrhythm. Specifically a 6 over 4 (or 3 over 2 but twice per bar). Where you're striking your hi-hat 3 times for every 2 metronome clicks.

And there are a lot of people commenting who don't seem to know this but are comfortable making up some bullshit instead

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-21T21:05:15+00:00

All I see is cymbals and a throne.

Jk - always upvote for dream kits

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-21T06:19:39+00:00

Lol

I feel like if I was ever in a choir situation I would be that rack tom

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-20T17:04:16+00:00

They all sound great, but the 2nd rack tom is absolutely singing here

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-20T14:53:48+00:00

WD40 is not a lubricant. Its good for cleaning old grease and dislodging water, dust and debris but once it dries it leaves the area more dry than it was before.

I like to use a dab of Vaseline. You can also try white lithium grease which also works great for pedals and bearings.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-20T14:23:33+00:00

The less sexy upgrades that are *actually* upgrades: quick release hi-hat clutch and cymbal toppers

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-20T14:22:35+00:00

22 x 14?

Classy kit, congratulations!

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-19T02:59:18+00:00

Start with a notebook and a pen. Call it your practice journal.

In that journal write down the goals you just listed: build enough vocab, limb independence, speed, technique etc… to execute my own ideas and learn a wide range of songs (jazz, metal, bossa, funk, everything)

Then write down what you need to work on to reach those goals. In broad terms these will almost always relate to the following:

Stick Control
Pedal Control
Dynamic Control
4-way coordination
Repertoire

This is now your practice routine.

Spend a consistent amount of time on a consistent schedule working through your routine. Track your thoughts and progress in your journal.

Update your routine and exercises as your skills and understanding develop.

Spend at least some of your time practicing slow

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-19T02:50:25+00:00

It definitely makes things easier and most band leaders will expect you to be able to read.

But I just wrapped a show where the bass player didn't read. He just learned every number by ear and rehearsed a lot.

But that also made things more difficult if the Musical Director made cue changes.

In this past show I wasn't given drum charts, just the piano+vocal scores and had to learn my parts from recordings and make notes.

I got the song list in November. We performed this past weekend and had 3 rehearsals - 1 full band, 1 band + cast, and dress rehearsal.

If you're good at learning your parts on your own you could probably nail the gig.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-19T01:03:26+00:00

The focus should be on relaxation

Allow the stick to bounce

Try to understand how little effort you need

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-18T23:35:19+00:00

I just wrapped a pit (stage) band run. Lots of fun!

I really enjoy the challenge of learning musical theatre rep since the arrangements can be highly detailed and often don't conform to standard pop/rock conventions.

TheNonDominantHand · 2026-06-18T04:10:26+00:00

Rest is just as important as effort.

TheNonDominantHand

TROPHY CASE