Moeller method and "whip motion" technique

Introduction to the video drum lesson: Moeller Technique

This lesson dedicated to drum rudiments and fundamentals, introduces the basic principles of the Moeller Technique.

The Moeller Technique is the best method to learn how to play drums with speed and dynamics, using the drum sticks bounce. When studying percussion technique, the initial approach is surely the most important phase; that's why one should rely on a good teacher, especially to learn the Moeller Technique. The following drum lesson is an introduction to the fundamental principles of this technique and to the four different strokes that make it. Established in late XIX Century, the Moeller Technique, or Moeller Method, is still the most effective way to learn how to properly move the drum sticks, and play with speed and dynamics. Its conventional rules are easy, but their application requires much studying:

●  Differences between accented and unaccented strokes.
●  In accented strokes the stick starts in up position, in unaccented strokes in down position.
●  Each stroke ends with the stick moving to the next stroke.

Therefore, the possible movements are four, and they are the strokes that make the Moeller Technique:

Full Stroke, Tap Stroke, Down Stroke, Up Stroke

The gestual feature of Moeller method is the "Whip motion". The wrist moves before the hand, both to raise and let down the stick, letting you hit the drum with a sharper and stronger stroke. First you move the the back of the drum stick, then you bow your wrist, the elbow comes to the front, the hand and the forearm form for a moment a 90 degrees corner, in the so-called "Cobra position".

The other fundamental feature of the Moeller Technique is how to grip the drum sticks: the stick fulcrum is held between the thumb and the middle finger, not between thumb and index finger. This goes for both hands when using symmetric grip, or just for the right hand in traditional jazz grip.

The exercises in the drum sheet must be played for a long time, very slowly at the beginning, with the maximum relaxation and being very careful about the correct position for every stroke. You have to reach the feeling of playing only the accented strokes, taking the maximum advantage from bouncing for all the other strokes.

Drum sheet music Moeller Technique File ZIP

Learn to read the drum sheet music

Drum set elements     The graphic symbols of drum set elements in drum sheet music.
Notes and Rests     Notes and rests value in drum sheet music.
Tie and Dot     Tie and dot in drum sheet music.