What is the right way to grip the drum stick ?

This is an often asked beginner question. There are 2 commonly used methods of holding your drum sticks. These are the matched grip & the traditional grip. For most starter kids the matched grip is an easier option to go with. So lets look at the basic techniques required to play with matched grip as explained in the book 'A Fresh Approach to the Drum set'

1. Find the BALANCE POINT of the stick. The best place to grip the stick is usually about a third of the way from the butt end of the stick.

2. You’ll hold the stick between the thumb and index finger. This is called the FULCRUM – the place where the stick will pivot. For a more relaxed grip, you can grip the stick between the thumb and MIDDLE finger. Experiment to see which fulcrum feels best to you!

3. With the butt end of the stick laying across the heel of the hand, gently wrap the back fingers around the stick. Keep a small amount of space between the back fingers and the palm.AVOID SQUEEZING THE STICK! You should feel no tension in your fingers or wrist.

4. With your shoulder relaxed and elbow close to your body, place the tip of the stick on the center of the drum head, with your hand at about a 45º angle

You can see one of the author's & influential drummer Stanton Moore demonstrate this technique here