Now I am not sure. Jim Chapin studied under Sanford Moeller in the late 30's. Joe Morello studied under (after George Stone - Stick Control) Billy Gladstone.

A few years back I touched base with a teacher for some technique lessons. I believe what he showed me was being touted by Morello (and if my memory serves me, the teacher had studied with Morello, I know he studied with Chapin, because this was on Long Island and Chapin stopped off once a week in the same shop to teach.)

Anyway seems that there is a way you grip the stip that is very loose, you can take your other hand and pull on the stick and it will slip right out. Fingers guide the stick. You control the bounce. (no pillow practice here) All downward motions like bouncing a ball, no lifting of the stick. I think you let the stick come up higher so on the next stroke you are using gravity and a longer stroke to bring it down for an accent. THink thats how it went. This is a very natural way of playing and only involves downward force. Easy, let the stick bounce off the drum.

Never understood this "REal FeeL" practice pad action because I never remember hitting a drum that feels like that. Oh well, I didnt play much and it has been years.

If you can explain a difference that would be appreciated.

I remember the old standard texts in the old days had you LIFT the stick up and of course there was practice with the pillow (no bounce) and for a while I had a Moon Gel practice pad NO BOUNCE and I loved praciticing on it. You develop monster chops that way, but today it seems to be vogue to go for these 'natural' methods.