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The Open Stroke can also be called an Open Tone, they are one in the same.
Body Awareness:
Your finger tips (not pads of fingers - rather the tips) are the main striking
portion for the Touch Tone
Unlike all the other strokes your hand & fingers point downward - perpendicular
rather than parallel to the drum, so that the finger tips can touch the drum
head.
Your hand & fingers should be relaxed, but not lathargic.
Your fingers are kept open - slightly spread apart; generally, only one finger
touches the head at a time for the touch tone.
Movement is primarily controlled by your elbow and wrist
Slight movement will also come from your shoulder, but the elbow and wrist are
the main controller of movement for the Open Tone.
Drum Awareness:
The sweet spot for the Open Tone is to the sides of the center of the drum.
Imagine invisible pole extends from the earth, through your drum up to the sky.
Your hand should move up & down this pole, dropping upon and bouncing up
from the drum head.