another left hand question

[IronSabbath]

Ok first, sorry for making random question threads about matched grip but this one might be different. For the past year I have played every day for atleast 2 hours. I play along to cds, or just jam with guitarists. But I have not improved one single bit. My left hand is a freaking idiot, it has no control or bounce. So I never practice rudemints because I figured It would just strengthen my right hand, which doesnt need help, and the left will just still be uneven and clumsy. I honestly dont know how to fix this. I read books, went to an instructer and nothing I mean nothing improves my left hand. So I end up just playing Phil Rudd style just so I dont have to worry about the left hand F'n up with technical fills. So the question, If I play just singles on the left hand for an hour everyday at dif tempos, will it eventually start to be "normal" as in using the wrist and have bounce and control??? because right now, i'm slaming the left stick with arm power not wrists, while the right is all wrist and bounce control. Its really holding me back.

[X14Halo]

What really helps is practicing doubles and paradiddles and triplets for a long time. If you are just sitting watching TV, you should just lightly tap on your thighs, doing those rudiments with both hands for 10 minutes each. As long as you make sure they sound even, your left hand will develop (especially because of the lack of bounce). And your right hand wont really skyrocket away from the left, since they will both be going at the same temp. Your right hand will be limited to how fast your left can go. Just remember start slow and speed will come over time. This link is also very helpful http://www.vicfirth.com/education/rudiments.html
Pick out a few rudiments that you are weak at doing (especially on left hand) and add them into your daily practices. And again.... do it SLOWWW until they sound clean then increase slightly. You probably won't see improvements for a month or two.
what is Phil Rudd style by the way?

[IronSabbath]

thanx for the ideas and link, i'm going to check that out now. Oh and the Phil Rudd (ac/dc) style is just playing the typical rock beat thru every song with limited fills.

[X14Halo]

I should also mention... to start adding accents in random places once you get comfortable with doing the rudiments normally. Really helps develop a good feel in your wrists and fingers. Also... when doing the rudiments, when you get to faster tempos, really start utilizing your fingers rather than your wrists. You can get alot faster speed with less work. (incase you don't already know all this =D )

[syaoran05]

i have this problem too.. i still have it but its not as bad as before.. first, i started using german grip [palms face down] when practicing on a pad. i realized that my left hand cant do finger control at all so i figured i'd start with my wrist. then i started doing paradiddles. i play at the fastest tempo my left hand could play without getting tired or screwing up.. with lots of practice, i gained wrist control on my left hand... then i switched to french grip [thumbs facing down] and did the same exercise... my left hand is still weak, but it does help.

[Cabazon]

So I never practice rudemints because I figured It would just strengthen my right hand, which doesnt need help, and the left will just still be uneven and clumsy.


Even if your hands remain imbalanced, your left would still be better. Wouldn't you prefer being imbalanced but better rather than imbalanced and not better?

[X14Halo]

couldn't have put it any better. my left hand is weaker than my right....always has been and probably always will be. but by practicing rudiments, they both get better no matter what. If you keep comparing your right hand to your left hand, you won't see much progress because because they are both improving at the same rate.

[skaman]

Try open handed playing. Move your left hand to the hihat so make it a leader and right hand to snare and try to groove that way. If you practise 2 hours a day take half an hour for left hand lead. If your left is totally bad just play hihat groove with both hands simultaneously so your left catches the groove that your right has. Get it? Just mirror the technique from right to left hand.