Hi-hat technique sweeping motion

[jmcohen]

Jeff Hamilton plays the DRUMS this way. He says it has ruined his strokes, but on the videos I have seen, nothing appears ruined at all.

 

[ekim]

I didn’t think there was a difference in sound between conventional playing and side-sweeping, but the difference is significant on the hi-hat. It took me a while to get used to it, and playing that way (side to side while also striking downward enough to make the desired sound and tempo) is difficult for me over a long period. I play hi-hat right-handed and have found it works best for me to point the palm-side of my wrist toward my left shoulder. This way the movement is still an up and down movement, with a little side-movement thrown in.
Do others do it the same way?

Josh

Yes. This is how I've started practicing 8th notes on the hi-hat for quicker tempo's. Using the butt of the stick makes it stick out more than the push-pull. But I've seen guys using it palm down and flicking wrist and playing really fast.

 

[stuart s]

I could just be for show for Ringo.

Looks cool.

But I do use those swipes when I play difficult long fast right leg bass patterns while keeping 8'ths on the high hats. For me those fast leg patterns are easier with 16'ths on the high hats, but sounds cooler with 8ths (think of "All Of My Love" Zep passages)

Swiping like that distracts that syncopated energy from the right foot to the right hand