How To Play

Step 1:

Lay your drumsticks on the ground. Your grip needs to be loose enough that the stick (bachi) can move, but firm enough that you don't drop it.

Stet 2:

Pick up your bachi. Pick them up again with your fingers together and your first finger and thumb forming a V. Grasp the bachi at about a quarter of the way up. Wrap your fingers around the bachi and push your first finger a little higher up the stick

Step 3:

Hit a surface. Try a pillow, couch, actual drumhead, tire, trampoline top, or anything else that won't break when hit.

Step 4:

Get to a drum or drum surface. You can also use a PVC pipe, chair with an old tire on it, or any other surface that fits your height and size.

Step 5:

Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.

Step 6:

Place your arms in ready position. While you are holding your bachi, place the bachi tips onto the drum head as if you are ready to play

Step 7:

Strike - The tip of your bachi should roughly describe a circle, or an inverted teardrop, the narrow end being at the drumskin and the round end being the apex of your strike.

Step 8:

Basic rhythms - There are three basic rhythms: San doko is played two crotchet beat, or quarter beat, beats for two quavers, or eighth beats. It is played as right right-left. Doko doko is Two quaver or eighth notes, played in progression. Don ko is a "swung" beat. The don is given heavier weighting than the ko.