Should I play right or left handed kit?

[apechto]

I started playing on a lefty kit because I am left handed. But then I switched to playing a right kit open handed. I am not as strong in my right foot then I am in my left. My problem is if I continue to play on a righty kit open handed, my right foot is sortof weak but If I play open handed on a lefty my right arm is not that strong. I love playing open handed because of the freedom so I would like to know if it would be better to just gain more strength in my right foot or get better with my right hand.

[Homeularis]

I dont want to steer you in the wrong direction because I dont know the long term effects of learning something "wrong' handed.
If you learned open handed righty would it slow your progress or perminently "handicap" your playing?. I have no idea.

The only guarantee I could offer is that you would be able to play more kits, whether in the store set up or other peoples kits, simply because there are more right handed players.

If you have to play someone elses kit at a show (because everyones sharing one kit) you just jump on and play instead of setting everything for you and then resetting it back again.

[apechto]

I dont want to steer you in the wrong direction because I dont know the long term effects of learning something "wrong' handed.
If you learned open handed righty would it slow your progress or perminently "handicap" your playing?. I have no idea.

The only guarantee I could offer is that you would be able to play more kits, whether in the store set up or other peoples kits, simply because there are more right handed players.

If you have to play someone elses kit at a show (because everyones sharing one kit) you just jump on and play instead of setting everything for you and then resetting it back again.

Yeah. I've been playing open handed on a righty for the past year and the only issue is that my right foot is kind of suckish but I'm going to practice alot on it. and probably buy a double bass pedal.

[bobdadruma]

You should do a thread search because there are many good threads here on this subject.
All of your questions will be answered in these threads.

[Bo Eder]

Bob's right - there are alot of threads on this very subject. But, being a full-on left-handed player myself, what you're contemplating is really a convenience factor from other drummers. Obviously, if you can play a right-handed kit, you're able to just sit down on any kit and be able to play. The chances to sit-in on other people's drums would expand exponentially if you're given the chance to sit-in.

But other than this, there's no other advantage to playing either way. Some teachers make everyone play right-handed because they don't want to accommodate students or let their student discover which hand they really like to lead with, and although I've heard some pretty profound reasons for this, it's really just a convenience factor for some teachers, and good or bad, it does allow the student to be able to sit-in on other people's drums.

My argument on this practice is this: you have to be given the chance to sit-in in the first place, and if (like you say) your right foot is weak on the bass drum and it really messes up how you play, the chance to sit-in may never come. I know several guitar teachers and we all agree, if you're left-handed, you should play left-handed. Your rhythm center is on your left-side. If it's already there, then why force yourself to go to the other side? You're playing music, make it easy in the beginning. I'm impressed with Bun E. Carlos' way of playing the opposite as he did back in the mid-80s, and that's cool. Being able to do that is great. But I think deciding to play is already a big decision - don't get all wrapped up in having to train yourself to play the other way just because it affords you opportunities to sit in. Like I said, those opportunities may never come if you don't play well-enough anyway.

[bobdadruma]

You see how the argument plays out from Bo's post.
He covered most of the ground for discussion.

In my case I am a lefty who choses to play a right handed kit cross handed.
People often argue with me about the way that I play.

I am using the word argue as a lawyer would in court.

[brentcn]

(I may be this forum's biggest "righty kit" advocate.)

Go lefty, because you're both left-handed and left-footed, and because it sounds like you already have a good amount of experience. Yes, switching the kit around is a pain, but you shouldn't take the path of least resistance if it's going to harm your chances as a player.

[apechto]

(I may be this forum's biggest "righty kit" advocate.)

Go lefty, because you're both left-handed and left-footed, and because it sounds like you already have a good amount of experience. Yes, switching the kit around is a pain, but you shouldn't take the path of least resistance if it's going to harm your chances as a player.

What I'm trying to get at is that, I think its better for me to just work up my right foot. I play open handed anyways so the hand I lead with is no problem. If I were to play lefty I would be fine I just like to play open handed and my right hand sucks. drumming is confusing.

[Homeularis]

What I'm trying to get at is that, I think its better for me to just work up my right foot. I play open handed anyways so the hand I lead with is no problem. If I were to play lefty I would be fine I just like to play open handed and my right hand sucks. drumming is confusing.

Yeah, I guess you're not that far off if you only need to train your right foot. The good news is as hard as it will be to train your right leg, it will be that much easier to train your left.

Ultimately, you're gonna have to go with your gut and run with the side you really want to play to.
Who knows?, maybe youre somewhat ambidextrous by nature. You did choose to play open handed right?.

[brentcn]

What I'm trying to get at is that, I think its better for me to just work up my right foot. I play open handed anyways so the hand I lead with is no problem. If I were to play lefty I would be fine I just like to play open handed and my right hand sucks. drumming is confusing.

It's tough to advise when we don't know your level of experience. Even then, it would be impossible to tell how much time it will take to get your right leg up to snuff. Whichever you decide, play good time!

[Deltadrummer]

Bob's right - there are alot of threads on this very subject. But, being a full-on left-handed player myself, what you're contemplating is really a convenience factor from other drummers. Obviously, if you can play a right-handed kit, you're able to just sit down on any kit and be able to play. The chances to sit-in on other people's drums would expand exponentially if you're given the chance to sit-in.

But other than this, there's no other advantage to playing either way. Some teachers make everyone play right-handed because they don't want to accommodate students or let their student discover which hand they really like to lead with, and although I've heard some pretty profound reasons for this, it's really just a convenience factor for some teachers, and good or bad, it does allow the student to be able to sit-in on other people's drums.

My argument on this practice is this: you have to be given the chance to sit-in in the first place, and if (like you say) your right foot is weak on the bass drum and it really messes up how you play, the chance to sit-in may never come. I know several guitar teachers and we all agree, if you're left-handed, you should play left-handed. Your rhythm center is on your left-side. If it's already there, then why force yourself to go to the other side? You're playing music, make it easy in the beginning. I'm impressed with Bun E. Carlos' way of playing the opposite as he did back in the mid-80s, and that's cool. Being able to do that is great. But I think deciding to play is already a big decision - don't get all wrapped up in having to train yourself to play the other way just because it affords you opportunities to sit in. Like I said, those opportunities may never come if you don't play well-enough anyway.


Wonderful synopsis, Bo. It is nice to see someone injected a little sanity into this very important question. I think you hit all the nails on the head.

My focus as a teacher has always been to make playing comfortable for the student, esp in those first couple of years. Drums are an easy instrument to play. You get on the seat and boom, boom chuck you're ready to go. Most people can't stick a trumpet or trombone in their mouth and make a tone. But drums are as hard as any instrument to play well, and in many ways harder. You have the added inconvenience of using poly-rhythmic textures. Try that on a saxophone. So what is this confluence of limbs going to produce? Is it going to sound good? Do you think it matters to Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta or Steve Jordan what hand they are using? It matters that it grooves well. That's all it matters to anyone.

You don't know where you will end up with your drumming five, ten or twenty years down the line. You only know what feels best for you now, and that is the best approach. If you change later that is fine as well. But I'll ask you this question. If open-handed playing is the best way to play for all situations, why don't guys like Dennis Chambers or Steve Smith play that way all the time? They certainly could with their technical prowess.

[apechto]

Yeah, I guess you're not that far off if you only need to train your right foot. The good news is as hard as it will be to train your right leg, it will be that much easier to train your left.

Ultimately, you're gonna have to go with your gut and run with the side you really want to play to.
Who knows?, maybe youre somewhat ambidextrous by nature. You did choose to play open handed right?.

Well when I first started lessons, I played normally right handed then my instructor asked If I was left so he switched me to playing left. I stopped lessons after 2 years then in school band the kit was always right handed so I started playing righty crossed over, then I noticed my right hand is week so I started playing open handed. So yes I did choose to play open handed. And I do think I am sortof ambidextrous I can play simple beats any way. right or left ,crossed or open.

[Dan79]

I am completely right handed but learned to play left handed because I liked the idea of having my dominant hand on snare and felt more natural. I was able to get pretty good playing on a lefty kit and gained good speed and control with my, non-dominant, left foot.

I have have just recently decided to play open mainly because it feels a lot more comfortable. It's taken about a month of work but I have been able to retrain my right and left feet to play on a righty kit. (sometimes still get my left wanting to play bass drum beats) My bass doubles on my right are still sloppy but it's a work in progress.

Go with whatever you feel comfortable with and as long as you commit to it and work at it you'll be fine.

[Anduin]

Go with the right-handed kit.

First, being able to sit in on someone else's kit is a HUGE benefit that will be all but out of reach if you play a lefty setup.

Second, the more you practice, the less you'll worry about having a dominant hand, as your weaker side will get better and better.

There are historical reasons for drums being set up in the standard right-handed way, but that doesn't even mean it's best for right-handed drummers. Like, if I'm playing a rock groove with 8th notes on the ride (or hi hat) with my right hand, and 2 & 4 backbeat plus lots of ghost notes on the snare with my left, then my left (non-dominant) hand is doing by far the more complicated stuff (the snare work). So if you play a similar groove, as southpaw playing a right-handed kit, you'll have the advantage of using your dominant hand for the hardest part.

[Homeularis]

Yeah, I'm leaning heavily toward loosing a lttle time, building up your weaker limbs and ultimately playing "open handed righty".
In the end, the benefits outweight the sacrifise.