Traditional grip

From Freepedia

Traditional grip is a technique used to hold drum sticks to play percussion instruments. Unlike matched grip, each hand holds the stick differently. Commonly, the right hand uses an overhand grip and the left hand uses an underhand grip. Traditional grip is almost exclusively used to play the snare drum, especially the marching snare drum, and the drum kit.

This grip is called traditional because it descends from the early days when the snare drum was carried over the shoulder on a sling. Since the drum is tilted, using an overhand grip on the high side of the drum forces the elbow in a very awkward position. An underhand grip is much more comfortable. Even when the drum is on a stand, many drummers will tilt their drum when using traditional grip.

The overhand grip most commonly used is the same as described in American grip. The underhand grip employs rotation of the wrist (a motion like turning a door knob) as the fundamental motion. The stick rests in the space between the thumb and index finger, with the thumb atop the index at the first knuckle. The middle finger slightly touches the top of the stick, and the other fingers support from below.