chasekratzer
Member
Im just wondering, because i play open handed.
Once you get used to it, it wont seem as hard as it was before. I used to play crossed over, but my arm would get tired doing that, so now i play open handed.
Im just wondering, because i play open handed.
I agree with TwoCables.
Now, I personally have been developing open-handed playing for probably 6 years now, obviously not to the point where it is precisely as good as playing regularly, but it is now something that I do regularly live as well as during general practise. It has helped with my coordination and control, and obviously the flexibility of movement around the kit.
That being said, it is essentially learning to play from scratch, or near enough. Are you willing to put the work in to build up the coordination to play that way? If you're a new enough beginner, then I think it's a good exercise to work on it both ways as you have to develop coordination anyway, and the best student I ever had before she moved interstate was one who took the advice on board and put the work into practising everything both ways.
If you're an 'intermediate' level drummer, it may actually be more important to put less of a focus on open-handed playing, and just work on developing your overall abilities as you'll probably find there are more important things to work on. Once you start getting to a more advanced level, where you're already comfortable in numerous genres and you find that you are spending more time working out of specialised books, that's a great time to take up playing open handed.
Personally, when I work on any beats in books, I practise LH lead + RF lead, and RH lead + LF lead so that everything is getting work done. Logically to me this makes sense - having a strong limb creating a foundation for a weaker limb, so all that mental effort goes to the right place instead of being divided. I can, of course, play leading with any limb combination, although I know I probably can't coordinate opening a hihat pedal with my right foot as I haven't even attempted that in yeas
But yeah. There are certainly benefits to playing open handed. Increase in coordination, improvements to balance. Technique benefits, dynamic awareness, freedom of movement around the kit.
Oh, and one last thing: Jim Chapin actually recommended practising everything open handed if leading on the hihat at the start of Advanced Techniques. I must say, it's probably one of the best things for coordination that I've ever taken on board
I've tried a few times. No matter what, the sticks just fall out unless I go ahead and close my hands. I'll keep trying!
Omg I totally missed that joke!! I love it!
Edit: Oh geez, it's the first reply to this thread too.
Haha, I know! I couldn't believe that no one else had commented on it yet. I guess the humor was too high-brow, and it went over everyone else's heads
Personally, I was only looking to make a serious comment. So, I guess I just skimmed over anything that didn't look serious. lol I don't remember reading that first post, but I vaguely remember seeming to know instantly that it wasn't a serious contribution. lol