| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
RockandRhythm
Excellent Contributer
159 Posts |
 Posted - 05/07/2012 : 09:47:21
|
I have a conundrum with a fundamental part of my drumming I was hoping you lot could help me out with. I am starting to wonder if I am leading with the “correct” hand/foot when playing. Before I go into detail I should point out I have been playing for 15 something years so this is not a completely “Noob” question.
About five years ago I started playing more metal and got a double pedal. With practice I can now comfortably play single strokes on each foot at 220 – 240bpm but I have always had a problem playing a roll on both feet properly without the strokes merging together. This has been going on for a couple of years and is a cause of some frustration for me. However, whilst practicing last night I discovered that I can actually play smoother and faster leading with the left foot rather than the right. Whilst I’m no George Kollias yet the difference is marked.
This Eureka moment led me to ponder if I could play single stroke rolls with my hands smoother at speed with a left hand lead rather than a right. At slower speeds there was no noticeable difference but at higher speeds (220 - 240bpm) left hand lead produced a smoother single stroke role. So the questions I have for you knowledgeable lot are:
1)Should I invest more of my practice time leading with the left rather than the right (hands and feet), or is it just one of those things?
2)Could I actually be a left-handed player (I write left handed so it’s not a completely crazy notion), and how do I find out without spending the next ten years practicing potentially the “wrong” thing?
Cheers
RnR
|
|
|
andywilson
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
389 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 10:33:33
|
Hi RnR
I recall Thomas Lang saying that you should start your double pedal playing with your left foot but must admit to not knowing about the hands. I'll investigate this interesting question. |
No 6 of 582 and 850 Mapex Orion. Paiste 16 & 18 crashes Sabian AAX 13 sox B8 china.
I FELT THE POWER ! |
 |
|
|
Hugs
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1276 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 10:56:40
|
In a fit of madness I recently invested in a double peddle. Whilst I have not really spent much time working on it and am nowhere near the sort of speeds you are talking about, I definitely find it easier to lead with the left foot. However, I think this is just because I am used to playing the high hat on the down beats rather than any innate left-footedness.
|
|
|
|
MCMartyP
Advanced Contributer
762 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 10:57:59
|
I'm very left-handed (i.e. left hand and foot lead strongly) but play kit fully 'right-handed', so to speak. Whilst, in my opinion, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages (my right hand and right foot have been forced to get good because they are leading, resulting in better kit ambidexterity) it causes two niggling problems, one of which is the same as your quandary. Playing at high tempos is my first problem, my right hand just isn't as fast. I don't do much double pedal work, but what stuff I do is of superior smoothness if I lead with my left foot, often leaving me ending on the wrong foot which trips over my start to the next bar.
My solution has been, instead of worrying about my feet, to start learning to play open handed. Since I've started doing this, it's opened up a whole new world of rhythms, especially fills where I can do tom work whilst maintaining sixteenths on the hi-hat, for example. The downside is that it's like being a beginner all over again!
In an attempt to answer your question, I have to ask, 'does it matter'? Do what is comfortable and effective for you as that will always yield the best results. If it has compromises elsewhere, can you work around them? Can you stay as you are and work on the barriers as and when you come across them? If leading with your left foot works well, perhaps learning to slot in a double on one foot at the end of a sequence to put you the right way round again might work?
Everybody has different approaches and techniques. Do what you are most comfortable with and it should slot into place. Although I highly recommend trying to learn open-handed for the many other benefits it brings. |
Yamaha 9000, '64 L400/Yamaha 8000/Yamaha brass/Premier XPK/Pearl brass piccolo snares, Zildjian A and A Custom dustbin lids, Pearl Eliminator double pedal, Roc 'n' Soc stool and a total lack of practice. |
|
|
|
martydrums
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
6219 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 11:06:42
|
| Hi RnR, I don't think it is that uncommon for people playing a "conventional" right handed kit to find that leading with their left foot feels more natural. Prior to playing any double pedal I would expect that you were quite used to stepping your hats on down beats. Would you say this was the case? |
Official Sugar Daddy of the forum's Sonor Delite appreciation society, as nominated by Jamoca - Honorary President Paul Brook
|
|
|
|
Tex
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1595 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 13:37:07
|
Ringo is left handed. Right footed.
Fold your arms. Then unscrew the top off a bottle.
Your master hand is the one on top folded naturally. And the master hand will hold the bottle when unscrewing the top.
If either or both hands feel natural it's likely that you are ambidextrous. |
Sitting on top of the mountain isn't the most interesting bit of the climb. Sitting at the bottom aint much fun either. |
|
|
|
martydrums
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
6219 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 14:01:44
|
| ^ I'm a bit messed up then (no don't sound quite so shocked!) Fold my left arm over right but hold a bottle in my right hand and turn the cap with my left. |
Official Sugar Daddy of the forum's Sonor Delite appreciation society, as nominated by Jamoca - Honorary President Paul Brook
|
|
|
|
Hugs
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1276 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 14:20:55
|
quote:
Originally posted by martydrums
^ I'm a bit messed up then (no don't sound quite so shocked!) Fold my left arm over right but hold a bottle in my right hand and turn the cap with my left.
Same here, think he has got things the wrong way round. I am definitely right handed and I fold my left hand on top and would hold bottle in my left hand when unscrewing a top.
Edit: not quite the same then. |
|
|
|
WendyB
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
5687 Posts |
|
|
RockandRhythm
Excellent Contributer
159 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2012 : 12:37:55
|
Thanks for all the help guys - I think I'll practice a bit more left foot lead for now and see how I get on.
MCMartyP - great thinking re open handed playing - I have always shied away from it in the past becase I thought of it as "cheating" for some reason. But when you look at the list of drummers that play open handed (not least my favourite tub thumper, Mr Danny Carey) I think I'll take your advise and give it a go!
Cheers
RnR |
|
|
|
Tex
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1595 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2012 : 14:20:27
|
quote:
Originally posted by Hugs
quote:
Originally posted by martydrums
^ I'm a bit messed up then (no don't sound quite so shocked!) Fold my left arm over right but hold a bottle in my right hand and turn the cap with my left.
Same here, think he has got things the wrong way round. I am definitely right handed and I fold my left hand on top and would hold bottle in my left hand when unscrewing a top.
Edit: not quite the same then.
Marty is ambidextrous and Hugs has likely been wrongly trained probably as an infant as those moves almost certainly are tests for hidden handedness but exceptions to the rules can happen.
Studies of skeletons thousands of years old always find handedness at about 50% either hand so I would not be surprised to find many trained out of left handedness in a society where the devil's hand is the left one traditionally. |
Sitting on top of the mountain isn't the most interesting bit of the climb. Sitting at the bottom aint much fun either. |
|
|
|
dogface
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
927 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2012 : 15:51:00
|
| I don't know if my habit is right or wrong, usual or unusual, but here it is: moves that start on the beat start with the right hand - moves that start off the beat start with the left hand. If it's a bad habit, please tell me now while there's still time to correct it. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
All Forums
Left? Right? Help?
New Topic
Printer Friendly