Originally posted by anstratdubh1979:[..]
There is a 'traditional' grip (left hand different than the right) and matched drip (both sticks held palm down.
Neil Peart used matched grip for ages, until taking lessons with Freddie Gruber. After those lessons, Neil began using traditional grip only. But that has mutated to some matched / some traditional.
There are benefits to both grips. Good idea to learn both.
Larry plays matched grip.
First get your hands together. Then work on getting your feet involved on the kit. Rudiments are important as they are the alphabet of the language of drums. Once you have the alphabet, you can easily put together words.
There is more than one matched grip. That's why I said, german over american or french. The german is so stronger than the others, and in my experience I have yet to find something that I cannot do with the german grip better than with the more usual american grip.
And by the way, I have never learnt any rudiments. Watch, listen, mimic and learn. That's how I do it.
I thought I remember reading he's used the TS-9 since the War days and stuff? Guess not. 
