my main drumming issue, need help

[IronSabbath]

sorry for posting so many question threads. Well I just figured out that my main problem with drumming is my left hand. I payed attention to my playing on both hands and saw that all tho both hands are in the same spot, my hands and fingers are way different on the left than the right. I then put both hands up and position the grip and fingures so they look like a mirror image, but as soon as I start playing, the left hand gets loose to the point where the stick flys out of my hand. I am not improving because I am not confident knowing that at any time I can just hit a drum or cymbal and my left stick could go flying. This keeps me from playing big fills or technical patterns.

oh and this is not about speed, I am almost equal with left and right. I just want to know how I can improve this, and keep the left grip from slipping. thanx

[figure_02]

It's like this for all drummers in the beginning, the main hand is stronger than the other, same with the legs. Just do rudiments and grooves, fills and such, but you switch your hands, so the left "leads" and does what the right normally would do. After some time it will become stronger.

[Wavelength]

Try Dom Famularo's 2-50 exercise. You'll find it by searching this forum for it.

[Johnest]

You could also practice alternating 8 notes on each hands at a comfortable speed and concentrate on your weaker one. Make sure that all the notes sound exactly the same and in no time you will be alright.

Remember, start this exercise slowly.

[Salicete]

Your problem is one that as has already been pointed out, most all drummers experience. When you are learning drums, you start out with relatively weak and uncoordinated hands and limbs.

You will drop and often throw sticks while you play, that’s ok. Not everyone has two bookend -matched hands, and it may be that your grip will differ slightly from one hand to another. The important thing is to develop good stick control. Without that you will never have speed, articulation and control of your dynamics.

I strongly suggest that you find an instructor, of if that is not possible maybe work with a more experienced drummer. Bad habits that you develop now will be hard to break later.

Never having seen your grip I can only guess at what might be the problem, but here goes a shot in the dark. When sitting at your snare drum, your upper arms at your sides and your forearms at 45-degree angles to your upper arms, look down at your grip. (I assume you play matched grip, if not this won't be as helpful.)

Are your thumbs on top of the sticks or to the inside of the sticks? If your thumbs are on top, I'm guessing they may be, you loose control and some speed. In that position your wrists and fingers are doing all the work. (Small muscle groups). Try moving your thumbs to the inside of your sticks, with the backs of your hands facing up, instead of out.

You will find that this forces you to use the muscles in your forearms more. (A large muscle group.) These muscles are bigger, have more strength and stamina, and are easier to train. You will also find that the end of the stick comes up to meet the center of your palm, instead of resting parallel to the edge of your palm. It will be easier to hold on to the stick since it will no longer tend to flip off the edge of your palm and out of your hand.

Of course, I may be WAAAAAAY out in left field and this may me completely irrelevant; if so I apologize for wasting your time.

Anyway, LOTS of hours of practice, and lessons if possible are the best way to progress.

Good Luck!

[Styx]

I would suggest the 2-50 exercise as well as playing open style.ie if you're a right handed drummer play your HiHat with your left hand. This should start resolving your problem you're having.

Regards

Styx

[hungrypo]

GL Stone's Stick Control. 1 column of exercises at 40bpm with a metronome everyday. it takes about 40 minutes. you will see improvement in a week. within 3 months you'll wonder how you were drumming before. within 6 months you'll realize something very special. but i can't tell you, you have to find out for yourself...

[IronSabbath]

can someone give a link to the gl stone stick control and the 2-50 excercise please? thanx

[slingerland755]

can someone give a link to the gl stone stick control and the 2-50 excercise please? thanx

Check it out if you already haven't. Excellent thread!
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17751