Moeller method
Encyclopedia
The Moeller method, or moeller technique, is named for drum
mer Sanford A. Moeller
, as described in his book The Art of Snare Drumming, also called The Moeller Book . It is believed that he described the method after observing Civil War
drummers in the 19th century. He later taught the system to Jim Chapin
in 1938 and 1939. Chapin worked to popularize this method until his death in 2009.
The method combines a variety of techniques with the goal of improving hand speed, power, and control while offering the flexibility to add accented
notes at will. The method has been perceived in the drumming community as a secret method because it is considered difficult to learn. The technique uses a specific "whipping motion" that allows gravity to do most of the work, allowing the drummer to play faster, by staying relaxed. It has been promoted as requiring significantly less effort and carrying less risk of injury
than other methods.
However, no consensus has been reached as to what this technique actually is, and the issue is still a topic of debate among drummers. Some are of the opinion that this method incorporates a whip followed by rebounds. Chapin asserts in his video that the technique does not rely on the rebound - that you must master the hand motion while playing each note as an actual stroke - while Dave Weckl
in this video says it does rely on the rebound.
See also Traditional grip
. Moeller's favorite of the 2 right hand grips discussed in 'the Moeller Book', was the 'ancient style' traditional grip. This old style or vintage grip consisted of pressing or 'gripping' the drumstick with the little finger. The other fingers curled gently around without pressing tightly. With this approach, the fulcrum is situated at the back of the hand. This grip works well with rudimental or heavy rock drumming. In contrast, the thumb fulcrum works better for closed rolls and cymbal rhythms that require a more delicate stroke.
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
mer Sanford A. Moeller
Sanford A. Moeller
Sanford Augustus "Gus" Moeller was an American rudimental drummer, a national champion, educator, and author. Moeller was born in Albany, New York, and began his music education by studying the piano....
, as described in his book The Art of Snare Drumming, also called The Moeller Book . It is believed that he described the method after observing Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
drummers in the 19th century. He later taught the system to Jim Chapin
Jim Chapin
James Forbes "Jim" Chapin was an American jazz drummer and the author of popular texts on jazz drumming, the first two volumes of which are Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer, Vol. I, and Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer, Vol...
in 1938 and 1939. Chapin worked to popularize this method until his death in 2009.
The method combines a variety of techniques with the goal of improving hand speed, power, and control while offering the flexibility to add accented
Accent (music)
In music, an accent is an emphasis placed on a particular note,either as a result of its context or specifically indicated by an accent mark.Accents contribute to the articulation and prosody of a performance of a musical phrase....
notes at will. The method has been perceived in the drumming community as a secret method because it is considered difficult to learn. The technique uses a specific "whipping motion" that allows gravity to do most of the work, allowing the drummer to play faster, by staying relaxed. It has been promoted as requiring significantly less effort and carrying less risk of injury
Injury
-By cause:*Traumatic injury, a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident*Other injuries from external physical causes, such as radiation injury, burn injury or frostbite*Injury from infection...
than other methods.
However, no consensus has been reached as to what this technique actually is, and the issue is still a topic of debate among drummers. Some are of the opinion that this method incorporates a whip followed by rebounds. Chapin asserts in his video that the technique does not rely on the rebound - that you must master the hand motion while playing each note as an actual stroke - while Dave Weckl
Dave Weckl
Dave Weckl is a highly acclaimed jazz fusion drummer. Weckl attended Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, MO and graduated in 1978. He majored in jazz studies at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut...
in this video says it does rely on the rebound.
See also Traditional grip
Traditional grip
Traditional grip is a technique used to hold drum sticks while playing 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...
. Moeller's favorite of the 2 right hand grips discussed in 'the Moeller Book', was the 'ancient style' traditional grip. This old style or vintage grip consisted of pressing or 'gripping' the drumstick with the little finger. The other fingers curled gently around without pressing tightly. With this approach, the fulcrum is situated at the back of the hand. This grip works well with rudimental or heavy rock drumming. In contrast, the thumb fulcrum works better for closed rolls and cymbal rhythms that require a more delicate stroke.
External links
- YouTube - Jim Chapin - The Definitive Moeller Explanation
- * Several (explanations and demonstrations) via drum videos on Moeller Method - by Jacob Kaye (former student of Jim Chapin)
- YouTube - Dan Britt explains Moeller
- YouTube - Jim Chapin on the Moeller Technique.
- YouTube - Manuel Bartholdy explains Moeller Technique
- YouTube - Jeff Queen - Moeller Demo
- YouTube - Moeller Demo - Two notes each Hand
- YouTube - Dave Weckl on the Moeller Technique
- Everything you ever wanted to know about Sanford A Moeller's Book and were never told