Wilcoxon Wrist and Finger Control Part 1- Introduction and Exercise #1

Here is Part 1 of a series of videos demonstrating the classic book Wrist and Finger Control by Charles Wilcoxon. I love this book and have been using it for over 50 years for self improvement as well as in my teaching practice. In this part 1, I show you how to use the book and I also go through the introduction which was written by Wilcoxon. I demonstrate exercise #1 and show several different ways to practice it.
The sticks I am using are 72 gram Black Wenge reverse tips and are available from me at [e-mail].
To find out more about these sticks go to www.rickdior.com/sticks
The pad is an old Quiet Tone Drum Mute. These are now made by Sabian.
The metronome is a Yamaha Click Station

[@williamtaps4565]

Thanks Rick. I appreciate your covering the techniques in this Wilcoxon book.

[@GonzaUY]

Going to practice this!!! Great series!!!!

[@stix9641]

Thanks Rick its always about fine details...and motivation🥁👐

[@Larue615]

Thank you for approaching this book, much appreciated.

[@catfishrushdie1444]

Great stuff! As always. I'll have to live to be 200 to master everything you are teaching! I just take life one diddle at a time...😎

[@SalMichael]

Thanks Rick

[@johndiraimo1444]

Beautiful Rick.
So too are the Black Wenge stick!

[@joc8]

Thanks, Rick. I'm not good at practising my sticking techniques, but you are inspiring me to do so. I look forward to your next session.

[@Joethedrummer]

Looks like a very interesting book. Thans for the introduction. A lot of the technical materials are so dry. Those exercises seemed a lot of fun.

[@pokemonthemedance]

I bought this book recently on a whim and I'm finding the exercises enjoyable and even eye-opening in parts. The arm stroke stuff is something I've thought about and am interested what you say about it, especially how you "teased" about it being a hot topic with you. Thanks for covering this book!

[@jamesconnors5653]

Thank you.

[@sdkmusic2859]

I found a teacher and he send me this exact book to exercise on my practice pad

[@mphase7575]

I may have to hit you up for online lessons. I'm stuck in an apartment currently, so I might as well focus on my hands for real this time!

[@christopherprum4608]

Fantastic lesson, Rick. What type of practice pad is that?

[@doug.auerbach]

This reminds me of Joe Morello's "Master Studies" exercises. Are there differences that would cause one to favor one or the other for developing these skills?

[@rickdior]

Hi Doug
Joe loved Wilcoxon and worked a bit with him, so there would be some similarities.
These exercises are different in that they focus on particular motions of the fingers wrists and forearms.
Each page has a theme.

[@peterlilley9854]

Hi Rick, Wilcoxon talks a lot about the index finger in traditional grip (you omitted to read out that paragraph!). Could you please show how you split the work between the thumb and the index finger in these exercises WITHIN the 30% "fingers". When you say "fingers" I think you mean thumb + index finger together. Seems to me that, depending on the situation, sometimes it's all thumb, sometimes all index finger (or alternately), but mostly thumb and index in combination. This would be very helpful to emphasise because the speed of the strokes is too fast to really see this even in slow motion. It would dispel some of the lingering doubts about exactly how this index finger is supposed to work. I know you explain it in your trad grip videos, but there the emphasis is on practicing it in the upright position. With the index resting on the stick in the normal position the feeling is different and it's much more difficult. Many thanks. Love all your videos!

[@jamesconnors5653]

That stick sounds like it is made of glass!