Up then Down or Down then Up ?

What is truly fundamental for a beginner to learn,
before any discussion of rhythms, rudiments, grips
or fulcrums is a simple understanding of motion.

This brings me back to my last post, is the drumsticks
basic motion like that of ball or more like a hammer?

If you practice what JoJo Mayer and Dom Famularo
demonstrate as fundamental, Full, Half and Tap
Strokes and practice throwing and releasing your
grip on the drumstick as they demonstrate then
realize that you are doing the opposite
of what Buddy Rich stated was the way to practice.

I quote Buddy Rich from an article in Metronome
magazine in 1942. There is a full reprint of the article here: http://www.cactusjack.com/basics.html

In the article buddy advocates practicing on a pillow, to
strengthen the wrists.

"Technique. to begin with. is the exclusive property of a
drummer with Strong wrists. You therefore should
practice in such a manner so as to compel your wrists
to do most of the work in the execution of your studies."

He then cautions about using the arms,

"The first step is to eliminate completely
the arm motion commonly used in drumming....
The next step is to eliminate completely the bounce."

and then Buddy mentions the grip.

"I might add at this point that it would be a very good
idea for you to maintain a firm grip on your sticks with
your fingers. In this position. you will find it more
natural to play on the pillow with your wrists."

What JoJo and Dom demonstrate and declare to be
fundamental is the direct opposite of what Buddy Rich
clearly states,
"eliminate... the bounce" and "maintain a firm grip".

Well now what? Who's right?

As good as JoJo and Dom are, I would not call them
virtuoso snare drummers and so far the drum world
has not acknowledged them as such. Buddy Rich on
the other hand was a child prodigy
and world renowned as a virtuoso.

Round One to Buddy.

On earth everything moves Up to come Down, so it
would follow that a naturally efficient motion is
the hammer, up then down, not the ball motion of
down then up which cocks the arm in tension between
motions to catch the ball instead of relaxing after
the strike like the hammer does between motions.
This means Up then Down is more efficient as it uses
less effort,less effort equals more endurance for
the muscles as they exert against gravity.

Round Two to Buddy.

Take in to account what I said about grip, attack and
control of the sticks motion in my last blog post and
Round three goes to Buddy too.

Stop and think for a moment about what you do all
day with your own body as you move through the world
and negotiate it's obstacles are you moving with
up then down or down then up motions? Obviously
up then down is where it's at and using it when
you drum would be the obvious solution to a
gifted child prodigy, don't you think?