[jolfy12]

I have recently begun to practice open handed playing in order to improve technique with my left hand and increase my limb independence, I am typically a right handed player used to cross sticking. Other than putting in alot of practice which i am already aware of, does anyone have any tips that will help me find open handed playing easier?

Thanks

[Stickman]

Just getting Started at it is good. a lot can happen With a little time. try to find recordings that have atriculate left hand patterns. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble is one study I chose when wanting to study Texas Shuffles , Double shuffles. Thre are a lot of rockin blues and Tex Mex works that provide a good base for open handed technigues. If You read or are willing to learn to read, Jim Chapins "Co-ordinated Independence" is a superior study for anyone wanting to advance .

[Golden_Child27]

I just started myself, I actually posted a couple forum questions in regards to open-handed playing if you wanna look at them (just search for Golden_Child27 posts), the last three or four of mine had to do with beginning open-hand questions; ride location fill starting hands, etc. check them out, I'd love feedback, I am in the same boat as you!

[jolfy12]

okay ill have a look, thanks guys

[Tainojim]

Have you check out YouTube yet?

YouTube - left hand drumming techniques

[slingerland59]

Like Stickman, I find shuffles the easiest beat to practice open-handed, so I do them alot to build confidence!

When you play a shuffle with the right hand on the ride or hihat, the left hand pattern can be identical on the snare, with accents on beats two and four. So it's not much of a leap to move the left hand to a hihat or ride cymbal on the left side and move the right hand onto the snare. The beat sounds the same. The trick is to be able to play the accents on beats two and four with the right hand, or to change the right hand pattern into single strokes on two and four instead of a shuffle pattern.

To some extent the hardest part about playing open handed is teaching the right hand what to do, not just building strength in the left hand. Anyway, the shuffle pattern can be practised with right hand on ride for a bar or two and then left hand for a bar or two, and back again, with a continuous flow.

I saw the drummer from SilverSun Pickups on tv the other night and he moved easily mid-song from a left handed eighth note pattern on the hihat to a right handed one on the floor tom. I think it looks cool, it's ergonomic, and it's the wave of the future.

[Stickman]

Cross handed playing began in the early 1900's with the advent of trapsets used in the traps for small plays, small orchestra, and vaudeville trap performers.
Mostly it was the result of weak left hands, so the dominant hand crossed over to play the more articulate parts.
Some drummers naturally gravitate to open handed playing, although it is somewhat rare.
Open handed playing is slowly developing in to becoming the standard for proper technigue and freedom of expression within set performance.
With todays advancements in stands and gear it makes it a great deal easier to move to open handed methods of playing.
All that having been said, my reccomendation is to experiment with playing styles as much as possible.
Try reversing your setup just to give it a try. It can be a little confusing at first as your instintcs will have to be resisted a bit; but, with just a fews days of effort it can pay off and open a whole realm of possibilities.

[Tainojim]

Please Read & Enjoy this Thread:

Will open handed playing become standard?

There are some really great responses to your question.

[steve111]

I have been playing open for years,and used to think i was some kind of freak. Try getting Clauss hesslers book open handed playing vol 1,of course the two best exponents are Bily,Cobham and simon phillips...and don fumilaro has a lot too say.