Lefties playing righthanded (or worse!)

[lockbody]

Pulled right from one of the other newsgroups I'm on:

 

How many lefties are playing as righties?

 

Or, as I, and the left-handed drummer who shows me stuff doing, right-handed setup, with my left hand on the hi-hat, right on the snare, and bass drum with right foot.

 

Since I'm totally new to playing drums, I went in with no preconceived notions on how to set everything up. I tried a straight left-handed setup (hi-hat on right, crossed hands, toms R - L, and playing the bass drum with my left foot) and just didn't like it. The only redeeming quality to it was that the bass drum was easier to play. Now that I've changed back, my drummer (the one showing me stuff) says one thing I should try, as an exersize, is to keep time with the hi-hat like a lot of jazz drummers do.

 

But, I digress, how many lefties playing as righties?

 

Bob

[Lee Flier]

I'm a lefty and I play both guitar and drums righty. And I don't understand why any lefty would play the other way, frankly!

 

Ringo is a lefty drummer who plays righty... http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif

 

--Lee

[djarrett]

Lockbody!

Welcome to DrumTalk!!!

 

I know a few great drummers that are lefties. All of the ones I know ... with the exception of Phil Collins ... play a righy kit. Most of them play the high hat with the left hand and have the ride mounted above the hihat (where most of us have the main crash)

I do know several lefties that play crossed just as if they were righy!

 

Really does not matter. Do not get sucked into thinking that there is a right way and a left ( or wrong) way to set up the drums. In an earlier thread ... we discussed alternative ways to set up the kit. Just cause we have all grown up seeing drumsets set up in a particular fashion does not mean we have to conform!

 

DJ

[DrummerCafe]

I always encourage left-handed beginners to play a right-handed kit. The reason being that most drummers play right-handed (set-up) kits. If you plan to sit in with bands, use existing backline gear, etc., you'll find a real advantage being able to play right-handed kits. I can't tell you how many times I have to play on other drummers kits. If I was left-handed and insisted on playing a left-handed kit, I really think I'd be out of work. It's too much of a hassle to switch the drums around during a break.

 

When I played with Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), Bonnie Raitt and Stevie Ray Vaughn, I had to use the existing kit. There were too many artists performing that night and there wasn't time (or room) to be moving things around.

 

If you are left-handed, I highly recommend playing a right-handed kit set-up, but play "open grip" ... with the left hand on the hi-hat and the right hand on the snare. Being able to do this, even for a right-handed player, will definitely help in making you more ambidextrous. I try to play everything I know left handed once I've worked it out. Even when I practice auxiallry percussion such as congas, bongas, triangle, tambourine, etc., I always make sure I can play either way; right hand lead or left hand lead. For example, being able to play Tumbao on the congas as a righ-handed then a left-handed player has really helped me when I am forced to use a bizarre percussion set-up. I do a lot of stuff where I'm playing the drumkit with the right side of my body, and congas/bongos with the left side of my body. I also work on reversing that, giving me a real edge and allowing to get inside the grooves.

 

 

 

------------------

Bart Elliott

http://bartelliott.com

[felix stein]

You must have a mean shuffle happening Bartman to get a gig with the late great Stevie.

 

Pretty cool ol' boy...kudos 2 U.

 

Oh i digress.

 

My guitar player is a lefty that plays righty. He's faster on the neck than like you wouldn't believe if he has to.

 

Well, back to my day job.

[DrummerCafe]

Speaking of left-handed musicians, I worked with a bassist named Jimmy Haslip one time; he's the bassist for a jazz/fusion group, the Yellowjackets. Jimmy plays a right-handed bass ... left-handed ... and the bass is NOT re-strung, so the low strings are on the bottom. I guess this is why you don't hear him THUMP or POP much. He's an incredible player nonetheless.

 

 

 

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Bart Elliott

http://bartelliott.com

[Steve LeBlanc]

Being able to do this, even for a right-handed player, will definitely help in making you more ambidextrous.

 

Yeah I agree that even if you're right-handed you should develop both...over the last 3+ years my brother has made it a point to work out every beat he plays both right and left handed...it opens up a lot of options...especially for a guy who likes to play a lot of double bass. I'm proud to say I had a big part in him doing this...one of the few times he listened to my advice http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/wink.gif.

 

BTW, Phil Collins is an incredible drummer...one of my all time favorites...just wanted to throw that out there. It's too bad a lot of younger cats don't know his drumming...my nephew thought Phil was a singer who could just kinda play the drums....I had to school him of course and forced him to listen to all 6 of the BrandX albums I own.

 

 

This message has been edited by Steve LeBlanc on 06-08-2001 at 02:07 PM

[djarrett]

Hey,

Bart brings up a great point! We as drummers should be striving to become as ambidextrous as is possible for each of us. Try doing other things in addition to drumming with your weaker hand. You will be very surprised how uncoordinated you are in the this weak hand!

This is an excellent idea to build strength to your drumming!

DJ

[coyote]

I'm lefty, and yeah many years ago I finally got tired of having to turn people's drums around in order to play, so I learned to cope w/ righty kits. I've since grown impatient w/ any drummer who has to 'adjust' a kit before he/she can play. Man just sit down & play the damn song already! Sometimes it's like watching Rickey Henderson in the batter's box LOL BTW, I play guitar also and it always seemed natural for my left hand to be the fret hand.