OFFHAND FUNDAMENTALS
with music city mystique:
Garfield Grip
The most fundamental, go-to grip for marching cymbals is the “Garfield Grip”, named after the grip created by the Garfield Cadet Drum & Bugle Corps’ award winning cymbal lines from the mid-1980s. This grip creates solid control over the cymbal and alieviates the tension that results from holding the cymbals between the thumb and first finger (as most concert percussionists do).
Music City Mystique Cymbal Instructor Kiiyaa’áanii Morgan describes the fundamentals of how to grip the cymbals and where to place the fingers for optimum control.
Music City Mystique Cymbal Instructor Kiiyaa’áanii Morgan describes the fundamentals of the Garfield Grip:
CYMBAL GRIPS 01: THE GARFIELD GRIP
The Garfield Grip offers the strongest control over the cymbal with the least amount of tension in the fingers because it fully utilizes the tension on the strap on the back of the hand to carry the weight of the cymbal. Since it is the most fundamental grip that you’ll use in the marching cymbal line, you should spend some time learning to quickly get in and out of the grip.
STEP ONE:
Use the tips of your fingers to spread the strap open while you push your hand through.
STEP TWO:
Rotate your hand and hook your thumb underneath the strap.
STEP THREE:
Continue to rotate your hand and allow the strap to fall into the webbing of your hand between the thumb and index finger.
HAND AND FINGER CONTROL
For most playing situations, the thumb is utilized to grip the pad.
The index and middle finger are placed together to add support.
The ring and pinkie fingers are spread and, when combined with the thumb, allow the player to control the angle of the cymbal by putting pressure through one or the other contact points.
FOR MORE CONTROL,
Place the strap over the first knuckle of the index finger, pulling the strap tighter over the heel of the hand.
FOR A LOOSE FEEL,
Relax the strap into the back of the webbing and forward on the heel. You’ll use this position in the flips that you’ll learn later.
