Left handed
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tim098
New member
to me it doesnt really matter actually because just starting out if u begin learning the traditional way of playing, u will get used to it. Like how a few of my friends are left handed guitarists but write/eat/everything with their right hand. But if u really cant tahan then either do a complete mirror image of a traditional drumset (abit strange to me) or just play with ur left hand on the hi hats. Put the ride on the left side too.
DullTheater
Member
mrforum;
go and find caijunlong, he's a leftie
ask him how he play...
go and find caijunlong, he's a leftie
ask him how he play...
marcdadrummer
New member
open handed. 
all u need to do is move ur ride to ur left instead of the ride being on the right.
all u need to do is move ur ride to ur left instead of the ride being on the right. 
caijunlong
New member
Hello mrforum!
I'm the same as you! Left handed! When I first learnt the drums, my friend taught me to play open hand (left hand on hi hats and right hand on the snare). Initially, there were a lot of confusion especially when I'm trying to do a fill in. For myself, open hand comes naturally because I'm left handed and right footed (I used my right leg to play 'one-leg' when I was in primary school).
Open hand playing means a left handed drummer playing on a right handed drumset. Open hand playing style allows more variation to drumming. It adds more colours but at the same time there are also some usual things that righties can do but I can't. It's usually because of the sticking. Whether I begin with a left hand or right.
If you intend to buy a drumset, you can always mirror the set up so that you will feel comfortable with it. In that way, you are a left handed drummer on a left handed drumset.
There are some lefties that actually play on a right handed drum set normally (right hand on hi-hats and left hand on the snare). It's probably more difficult to start with but eventually you might play like a rightie.
From the feedbacks I've gathered from people, there is no right or wrong with open hand drumming. It's up to you whether you want to play it open handedly or mirror the drumset and play it normally.
Some of the problems to ponder:
1) If you play on a left hand drumset, you will have to make the effort like what chaserr mentioned to move the drumset which is typically for rightie in a studio.
2) If you were to play open hand, the height of the hi-hat can't too high. Or else you will feel the strain on your left hand very soon. Not all hi hat stands can be adjusted low enough for me, personally.
3) If you were to play open hand, you might have to learn to play 16th notes with your right hand. Sometimes you might need it for floor tom (Starlight!).
4) Sticking - Paradiddles can be both RLRR LRLL or LRLL RLRR. I guess open hand drummers got to get used with leading with the slave hand at times.
It really depends on how you want to play. Let me know if you have any questions! I'll help you to the best of my knowledge!
I'm the same as you! Left handed! When I first learnt the drums, my friend taught me to play open hand (left hand on hi hats and right hand on the snare). Initially, there were a lot of confusion especially when I'm trying to do a fill in. For myself, open hand comes naturally because I'm left handed and right footed (I used my right leg to play 'one-leg' when I was in primary school).
Open hand playing means a left handed drummer playing on a right handed drumset. Open hand playing style allows more variation to drumming. It adds more colours but at the same time there are also some usual things that righties can do but I can't. It's usually because of the sticking. Whether I begin with a left hand or right.
If you intend to buy a drumset, you can always mirror the set up so that you will feel comfortable with it. In that way, you are a left handed drummer on a left handed drumset.
There are some lefties that actually play on a right handed drum set normally (right hand on hi-hats and left hand on the snare). It's probably more difficult to start with but eventually you might play like a rightie.
From the feedbacks I've gathered from people, there is no right or wrong with open hand drumming. It's up to you whether you want to play it open handedly or mirror the drumset and play it normally.
Some of the problems to ponder:
1) If you play on a left hand drumset, you will have to make the effort like what chaserr mentioned to move the drumset which is typically for rightie in a studio.
2) If you were to play open hand, the height of the hi-hat can't too high. Or else you will feel the strain on your left hand very soon. Not all hi hat stands can be adjusted low enough for me, personally.
3) If you were to play open hand, you might have to learn to play 16th notes with your right hand. Sometimes you might need it for floor tom (Starlight!).
4) Sticking - Paradiddles can be both RLRR LRLL or LRLL RLRR. I guess open hand drummers got to get used with leading with the slave hand at times.
It really depends on how you want to play. Let me know if you have any questions! I'll help you to the best of my knowledge!
Last edited:
ceing
New member
well cjl said almost all that could be said. haha
some thoughts of mine:
If you want to play left handedly, i think its much better for u to train playing open handed rather than mirror the whole set. Cuz if you were in a gig and there are several other bands before and after you, it could be quite troublesome having to change the kit from right handed to a left handed kit to and forth.
Actually it actually can be considered a plus point for u to be able to play left handedly cuz most drummers play right handedly and it makes u different from others (ur own style) and this lets ppl have a deeper first impression of u. Like when i first saw cjl play, he shocked me as he was playing a totally diff style from others and wow, its cool seriously. haha
No matter how u play drums, be it using left hand right hand or use legs, its all about how much effort u put into drumming. Like clj, (ps i only know him as a left handed drummer so keep mentioning him lol) he can play some really cool grooves while playin open handed. The only thing is u must find ur own comfortable positions for ur hands and legs, and there's no right or wrong about tt.
some thoughts of mine:
If you want to play left handedly, i think its much better for u to train playing open handed rather than mirror the whole set. Cuz if you were in a gig and there are several other bands before and after you, it could be quite troublesome having to change the kit from right handed to a left handed kit to and forth.
Actually it actually can be considered a plus point for u to be able to play left handedly cuz most drummers play right handedly and it makes u different from others (ur own style) and this lets ppl have a deeper first impression of u. Like when i first saw cjl play, he shocked me as he was playing a totally diff style from others and wow, its cool seriously. haha
No matter how u play drums, be it using left hand right hand or use legs, its all about how much effort u put into drumming. Like clj, (ps i only know him as a left handed drummer so keep mentioning him lol) he can play some really cool grooves while playin open handed. The only thing is u must find ur own comfortable positions for ur hands and legs, and there's no right or wrong about tt.
wiremesh
New member
left handed
I used to play with everything the other way arnd, nothing wrong bout that...but its really a troubby...when jamming at jam rooms...
So i forced myself to play the normal way..lol took awhile but it sat in...
humans are habitual creatures...so switching would be uncomfortable but it will come after awhile....
You can also try playing Open- Handed...
I'm left handed ToO!
I used to play with everything the other way arnd, nothing wrong bout that...but its really a troubby...when jamming at jam rooms...
So i forced myself to play the normal way..lol took awhile but it sat in...
humans are habitual creatures...so switching would be uncomfortable but it will come after awhile....
You can also try playing Open- Handed...
I'm left handed ToO!
Anatomyofadrumsolo
New member
yeah.. actually if you are left-handed, its still ok playing drums the so-called "right-handed" way. it just needs some time getting use to.
by the way, The Beatles band, the drummer, Ringo Starr, is also a lef-handed. But he did not play the "left-handed" way of drums like Ian Paice. so therefore, his stronger left hand made him accent on the snare in a unique way. so his style of drumming was very regonisable and nice.
by the way, The Beatles band, the drummer, Ringo Starr, is also a lef-handed. But he did not play the "left-handed" way of drums like Ian Paice. so therefore, his stronger left hand made him accent on the snare in a unique way. so his style of drumming was very regonisable and nice.
caijunlong
New member
Yeah, there are drummers who are lefties and play normally like a righty. It's also another good thing because they can always pick up open hand later on much easily and open up to more creativity in drumming.
» The Secret Drum Lessons
Hey check out this video.
» The Secret Drum Lessons
Hey check out this video.
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Razorzedge
New member
yea man i lefties ROCK! litterally cus eventually a righty will have to learn how to play open handed and like a lefty so since you already have the upperhand work on it!!.. jealous hahaha =P oh FYI carter beauford was a lefty hows that!
hows that!play open handed and join our legion.
Razorzedge
New member
btw open handed drummers that cant switch to normal position sucks its like a normal drummer not being able to play open handed no diff... DUN BE FOOLED whahaha! =D ehh sorry if i burned you but still love u guys hahaha!
caijunlong
New member
hey razor, I don't think a drummer suck just because he/she can't play the another way. It's just a matter of practice. Anyone can do it. If they do not have a need for it, it is okay if they don't learn it. Just like double pedalling.
Razorzedge
New member
dun be so sensitive k.. and if i hurt ur feelings im sorry =P
caijunlong
New member
Nah no worries. I don't get hurt so easily. Moreover, I practice both ways.
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