Moeller method

The Moeller method, Moeller technique or whipping technique is a percussive stroke method that combines a variety of techniques with the goal of improving hand speed, power, and control while offering the flexibility to add accented notes at will. The method has been perceived in the drumming community as a secret method. It is considered difficult to learn and no consensus has been reached as to what this technique actually consists of.

It is named for drummer Sanford A. Moeller, as described in his book The Art of Snare Drumming, also called The Moeller Book. It is believed that he described the method after observing drummers who had fought in the Civil War in the 19th century. He later taught the system to Jim Chapin in 1938 and 1939. Chapin worked to popularize this method until his death in 2009.

Whipping motion

The technique uses a specific "whipping motion" that allows gravity to do most of the work, allowing the drummer to play faster, by staying relaxed. It has been promoted as requiring significantly less effort and carrying less risk of injury than other methods. Some are of the opinion that this method incorporates a whip followed by rebounds. Chapin asserts in his video that the technique does not rely on the rebound - that you must master the hand motion while playing each note as an actual stroke - while Dave Weckl in this video says it does rely on the rebound.