OFFHAND FUNDAMENTALS
with music city mystique:
Flips 2, Set to Hip Rest
The Sone Flip (created by Adam Sones, Music City Mystique Alumni) takes opposite rotations between the right (outward) and left hand (inward) down from Gumption to Set. While it takes a little time to master the contrary motions of the hands, the result is a visually eye-catching way to bring your cymbals back down.
Music City Mystique Cymbal Instructor Zach Blessing details the flip pathway on the Sones flip:
FLIPS 03: SONES FLIP FROM GUMPTION TO SET
Like all flips, you should take the most direct pathway between the positions. Keep the upper body as relaxed and still as possible. The final motion of the flip will be as close to instantaneous as possible – starting a split second before 1 and ending in a solid hip rest position on count 1.
Here is a breakdown of the right hand flip motion:
Start with the right hand at gumption position. Pull the arm down, press with the pinky and rotate the cymbal.
The first part of the motion is similar to opening a book. Continue the rotation and push forward with your thumb.
Relax your grip on the cymbal and create the flash point in the outward rotation.
With an open hand, press down with the fingertips, letting gravity do the work of rotating the cymbal.
Continue the rotation and allow the cymbals to fall back into the hands.
End the flip in the set position.
Work on the right hand pathway down from gumption to set slowly. The arm should take a direct pathway with constant motion while the cymbal rotation is controlled by the wrists and fingers. After the flashpoint, the weight of the cymbal and gravitational pull will control the speed of the last part of the flip.
Gradually speed this up until you can perform the right hand flip in a single count.
Here is a breakdown of the left hand flip motion:
Start with the left hand in gumption position. This rotation will be similar to the flip up that we worked on earlier.
Initiate the rotation by pressing in with the thumb, similar to closing a book.
Continue the rotation by pressing with the thumb, taking the fingers off the cymbal and flexing the wrist upward.
Continue to move the arm downward and allow gravity to help rotate the cymbal.
Press with your pinky and bring the cymbal back into your hand.
End the left hand rotation at set position.
Work on the left hand pathway down from gumption to set slowly. The arm should take a direct pathway with constant motion while the cymbal rotation is controlled by the wrists and fingers.
Gradually speed this up until you can perform the left hand flip in a single count.
Here is a breakdown of the full Sones flip with both hands together:
Start with both hands in the gumption position. The hands will initiate the rotation in opposite directions.
The right hand rotates outward while the left hand rotates inward, with the cymbals creating two parallel lines.
The right rotates forward with the thumb and creates the flashpoint. The left hand pushes downward with a flex of the wrist.
Notice that both hands have released the grip on the cymbal. Allow gravity to take over.
Continue the rotation with the arms controlling the cymbal pathway.
Bring the cymbals back into the hands as you arrive at set position.
Work on the Sones flip down from gumption to set slowly. The arm should take a direct pathway with constant motion while the cymbal rotation is controlled by the wrists and fingers. Gradually speed this up until you can perform the Sones flip in a single count.
