Split-finger


The "split-finger" or "split-hand" technique is a common drumming technique which was made popular by the famous Turkish drummer, Mısırlı Ahmet. Mısırlı Ahmet studied and practiced drumming in Egypt, hence 'Mısırlı'.
There are various ways of implementing the split finger technique, using one hand, or interlacing the hits using both hands.
The one hand split finger. This involves striking the rim of the drum head with a downwards movement of the index finger of your ornament hand and from there, with no extra movement, bringing your ring finger up with a slight twist to strike the rim. When this is done correctly each hit should sound like a regular "ka".
The two hand split finger. This is a combination of right and left hand strikes. The table below shows the most common ways that it is done.
Note: A side-to-side motion with the hands is more ideal and efficient when doing the two hand split finger.
Also note: a "Tek" is a standard rim hit with the main hand.
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1. Index finger, index finger, ring finger, ring finger
RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND
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2. Ring finger, index finger, index finger, ring finger
RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND
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3. Index finger, ring finger, index finger, ring finger
RIGHT HAND RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND LEFT HAND
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4. Ring finger, index finger, index finger, ring finger
RIGHT HAND RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND LEFT HAND
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5. Tek, index finger, Tek, ring finger
RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND
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6. Tek, Index finger, ring finger, index finger, Tek, ring finger, index finger, ring finger
RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND LEFT HAND LEFT HAND RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND LEFT HAND LEFT HAND
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The result of each one of these combinations is that there are 4 rim hits for each beat making a very fast roll at anything over 200 beats per minute.
Note: the last combination is over 2 beats, making for 4 strikes also per beat.
Note 2: There is a more efficient way of doing the split hand technique, which doesn't allow the fingers or wrists to become sore, and doesn't involve as much wrist movement as the above-mentioned way. This is done by using a more "side to side" movement than an "up and down" movement with the wrists. This generally increases speed without hurting the wrists.

Links

  • - scroll down for detailed descriptions and comments
  • - scroll down for interesting details about various musicians and their own versions of it
  • is a book believed to be the first instructional publication on the split-finger technique written in North America.