Rocket right, snail left

[Vril drumms]

For a while now, I've been struggling with an imbalance in having a fine and quick right hand, but my left has a hard time performing at that same speed. Sometimes I practice with just my left, playing it over and over again, going faster and faster and doing little single left handed rolls around the kit (though not as good as JoJo). I was just wondering what practices or routines I could do to possibly even out my hand speed situation.

[FunkyJazzer]

There's no easy way to get around it.

The Weaker Side by Dom Famularo perfectly addresses this problem.

52 pages, 30 exercises per page, 1 minute per exercise.
As Dom himself advises; Do each page non-stop (should take exactly 30 minutes) every day for a week. Then move on to the next page a week later, and so on...

You should get an intense workout for 30 minutes a day. And the book should last exactly a year seeing as there are 52 pages. It's the way it's designed, a year long programme that has to be committed to with full dedication. I bought it 2 days ago and I'm 2 days into it...

I'm off to do my half hour :D

Good luck,
Lloyd.

[aydee]

Jojo's got a great exercise in his DVD where he plays continuous triplets alternating with each hand, all over the drum set.

It helps me not only work up my weaker hand up, but also helps in controlling dynamics, moving around the kit, speed ( as you build it up ).

..pretty useful little nugget.

[Casper "DrPowerStroke" Paludan]

There's no easy way to get around it.

The Weaker Side by Dom Famularo perfectly addresses this problem.

52 pages, 30 exercises per page, 1 minute per exercise.
As Dom himself advises; Do each page non-stop (should take exactly 30 minutes) every day for a week. Then move on to the next page a week later, and so on...

You should get an intense workout for 30 minutes a day. And the book should last exactly a year seeing as there are 52 pages. It's the way it's designed, a year long programme that has to be committed to with full dedication. I bought it 2 days ago and I'm 2 days into it...

I'm off to do my half hour :D

Good luck,
Lloyd.

Yes, this is an awesome book! I am on week 12 of the programme and have had amazing results in strenght and speed of my weaker hand. Remember, you have to correct the balance between the hands, so you need to dedicate a portion of time to playing vastly more with your weak hand than your strong hand. This book has you do just that!
Casper

[Vril drumms]

Thanks! I had no idea such a specific book existed for the issue. I also have been looking into the JoJo DVD, just because everything that guy does inspires me to be a better drummer

[Jimothy]

Not seen this book but will check it out. However, you can sort this out yourself, just practise all the rudiments you know on the pad leading with the weak hand. If you know your weakness, don't be afraid to try and fix it yourself.

[maddrummr]

I was told this in a percussion clinic a few months ago.

If you know your right hand is stronger, try learning new things with your left hand or learn them left hand lead. Therefore when it comes time to use your right hand you will already be perfect with your left so it wont take much time to make the right hand learn the new technique.

Its worked for me sometimes in certain situations. Give it a try and see if it works out.

[mosher]

exception of guys like mangini buddy rich jo jo mayer and art verdi all righty drummers have a great right and sh*t left
start using your left more in daily living

[Boomka]

exception of guys like mangini buddy rich jo jo mayer and art verdi all righty drummers have a great right and sh*t left
start using your left more in daily living

Huh? I'd say there are more great left hands out there than that! That said, those guys didn't get great left hands by accident, but through a certain amount of inbred ability and a LOT of repetitive practice. Buddy was playing every day for several hours when he was just a few years old. His left hand didn't know anything else.

If we want to improve our left hands we need to isolate them and use them not only in daily life, but for the motion we're trying to improve.. No amount of brushing your teeth, opening doors, or scooping your ice cream will make-up for a lack of dedicated practice for the left hand on a practice pad or drum. Certainly those things can help, but they are not a starting point,they are a complimentary exercise.