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Author Topic: Weak left hand....  (Read 5570 times)

Offline Keys410

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Weak left hand....
« on: October 01, 2007, 05:34:03 PM »
Okay fellas here I go asking questions....

While practicing rudiments on VicFirth I realized that my left hand does not play as freely as my right. It feels as if my left hand is stiff compared to my right. How do I get through this? I have made it my goal to practice rudiments every night on a pillow, until I have them with speed and know them by heart. Thanks in advance

P.S. Although I have played for a while and can keep a groove. I want to really learn the drums not just be able to bang on them and make somebody so "Ohhhhh" or "Whoooaaa", but really master this craft. So any other useful links or videos I can invest in would be appreciated. Thanks
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Offline Keys410

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2007, 05:42:46 PM »
Oh yeah plus I can't break this habit of playing flat footed in my bass foot. Any ideas?
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Offline jtoomer

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #2 on: October 01, 2007, 06:35:12 PM »
Try this link http://drummerworld.com/Drumclinic/Joe_Morellokiller.html

I would recommend also practicing what I got from Aaron Green on Gospel Chops- a flamiddle in "3" Flam tap- Flam tap- Flam tap tap. this builds your independence in each hand.  Practice it slow with proper sticking so you alternate hands.

I don't think it is a sin to play flat footed on the bass, as long as it is solid and you can play your desired speed.
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Offline fretai03

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #3 on: October 01, 2007, 06:41:58 PM »
Left hand lead...

Practice all your rudiments with your left hand leading. Start your buzz & single stroke rolls with your left hand etc...
You'll see real progress in at least a month's time... once you get there tho... you just gotta maintain it!


As for the bass pedal, if you do like the heel down method (like myself) then just a lot of repetitive practicing. It wouldn't hurt to learn the heel-toe method as well, finding the sweet spot on your pedal does wonders, trust me.

I use the heel down method alot but when I need my foot to move... I'll move to the heel-toe method.

Offline juSe

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2007, 07:08:20 PM »
It does not matter what you do if you don't practice the material at a pace that is conducive to building the mechanics to pull off what is being done.  I'm sure you have already heard this from some other source, but the key to playing clean is playing SLOW but with extreme attention to detail.  The truth of the matter is that your left hand is always going to be different than your right.  That doesn't mean that it has to be weaker.  Just keep in mind the mechanics behind each part of the things that you play.  Pay detailed attention to the way your right hand opperates and try to make your left hand move with the same fluidity. 

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Offline LiLBryantofBmore

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2007, 07:57:29 PM »
practice doubles with each hand then switch to 3s 4's 5's 6's but if you want to go on to the next number then go ahead but make sure you accent each time you get back to one . start slow then speed up a lil and so on

Offline Keys410

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2007, 05:17:58 AM »
Thanks Fellas for all the tips. I will be testing these out over the next few weeks to see which works best for me.

It does not matter what you do if you don't practice the material at a pace that is conducive to building the mechanics to pull off what is being done.
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Yeah, I have started with the bronze which is a tempo I can do. Once I get comfortable I will increase every two weeks.
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Offline Ontherise

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2007, 09:43:11 AM »
also keep in mind what you can do with your hands, you can and soon will be able to do it with your feet. erfect practice makes perfect performance....I dont no my dad tells me that LOL.
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Offline tko05

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #8 on: October 02, 2007, 11:04:05 AM »
Get Jojo Mayers Secret Weapons DVD and work with that! Also i wouldn't recommend practicing too much on pillows because your muscles will get tense and you will start to grip the stick harder than you're supposed to. learning how to utilize rebound is a far beter way to gain speed and control.
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Offline Keys410

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #9 on: October 02, 2007, 11:14:05 AM »
Get Jojo Mayers Secret Weapons DVD and work with that! Also i wouldn't recommend practicing too much on pillows because your muscles will get tense and you will start to grip the stick harder than you're supposed to. learning how to utilize rebound is a far beter way to gain speed and control.

Man I was going to ask about the pillow thing. Mane!!! My hands and forearms were killing me. I am going to cop the DW practice set this weekend so I will just practice on that. I practice with heavier sticks than I play with as well.

Good Look on that DVD as well
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Offline Student21

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #10 on: October 02, 2007, 12:41:04 PM »
Hello Mr. Keys410!
If I had any advice that would be beneficial to you, it would be:
-Practice on either a practice pad or an actual drum set so that you learn to develop the proper stroke techniques (natural stroke, down stroke, and up stroke). Agreeing with Mr. TKO05 and learning from personal experience, I've discovered that pillows produce bad technique and put unneccessary strain on your muscles.
-As far as developing better coordination and control, Single strokes are the key. Doubles, four strokes, etc. ALL come from mastering the single stroke. If you can perform single strokes with maximum control then you'll be ready to move on to the next stroke which would be the double stroke, but don't move on to that if you have not developed the single stroke to the point of which you execute it effortlessly in all ranges of dynamics. 4/4 variations will help you in mastering the single stroke.
-If I could recommend any literature that will aid in your growth as a percussionist and musician, it would be the Savage Rudimental Workshop Book by Matt Savage. This book coupled with the information shared here will develop you into the percussionist that you couldn't imagine to be.

May God bless you richly with His presence as you continue to fellowship with Him daily and as you develop your skills as a percussionist!

Sincerely,

Laurence Williams II

P.S. I'm also still working on Single strokes and am learning how to control it using different strokes (natural stroke, down stroke, up stroke), so don't ever feel like you're alone. It's these basic foundations that develop you into a great percussionist as opposed to making beats using licks without full understanding of the application of rudiments. God Bless you! Bye.

Offline JFunky

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #11 on: October 02, 2007, 12:46:13 PM »
Hello Mr. Keys410!
If I had any advice that would be beneficial to you, it would be:
-Practice on either a practice pad or an actual drum set so that you learn to develop the proper stroke techniques (natural stroke, down stroke, and up stroke). Agreeing with Mr. TKO05 and learning from personal experience, I've discovered that pillows produce bad technique and put unneccessary strain on your muscles.
-As far as developing better coordination and control, Single strokes are the key. Doubles, four strokes, etc. ALL come from mastering the single stroke. If you can perform single strokes with maximum control then you'll be ready to move on to the next stroke which would be the double stroke, but don't move on to that if you have not developed the single stroke to the point of which you execute it effortlessly in all ranges of dynamics. 4/4 variations will help you in mastering the single stroke.
-If I could recommend any literature that will aid in your growth as a percussionist and musician, it would be the Savage Rudimental Workshop Book by Matt Savage. This book coupled with the information shared here will develop you into the percussionist that you couldn't imagine to be.

May God bless you richly with His presence as you continue to fellowship with Him daily and as you develop your skills as a percussionist!

Sincerely,

Laurence Williams II

P.S. I'm also still working on Single strokes and am learning how to control it using different strokes (natural stroke, down stroke, up stroke), so don't ever feel like you're alone. It's these basic foundations that develop you into a great percussionist as opposed to making beats using licks without full understanding of the application of rudiments. God Bless you! Bye.

...Welcome to LGM and thanks for adding your input to the thread.  The very thing you've posted above is what we constantly teach 'round here.  Welcome.

Sidenote:  Pillows are the DEBIL.  LOL
Psalms 144.1 - "Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."

Offline Keys410

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #12 on: October 02, 2007, 01:06:16 PM »
Hello Mr. Keys410!
If I had any advice that would be beneficial to you, it would be:
-Practice on either a practice pad or an actual drum set so that you learn to develop the proper stroke techniques (natural stroke, down stroke, and up stroke). Agreeing with Mr. TKO05 and learning from personal experience, I've discovered that pillows produce bad technique and put unneccessary strain on your muscles.
-As far as developing better coordination and control, Single strokes are the key. Doubles, four strokes, etc. ALL come from mastering the single stroke. If you can perform single strokes with maximum control then you'll be ready to move on to the next stroke which would be the double stroke, but don't move on to that if you have not developed the single stroke to the point of which you execute it effortlessly in all ranges of dynamics. 4/4 variations will help you in mastering the single stroke.
-If I could recommend any literature that will aid in your growth as a percussionist and musician, it would be the Savage Rudimental Workshop Book by Matt Savage. This book coupled with the information shared here will develop you into the percussionist that you couldn't imagine to be.

May God bless you richly with His presence as you continue to fellowship with Him daily and as you develop your skills as a percussionist!

Sincerely,

Laurence Williams II

P.S. I'm also still working on Single strokes and am learning how to control it using different strokes (natural stroke, down stroke, up stroke), so don't ever feel like you're alone. It's these basic foundations that develop you into a great percussionist as opposed to making beats using licks without full understanding of the application of rudiments. God Bless you! Bye.

Man for this to only be your 3rd post..Thank You!!! This information really helps man and the fact you took time to put this together helps.Be blessed
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Offline Cherri

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #13 on: October 02, 2007, 01:26:24 PM »
...Welcome to LGM and thanks for adding your input to the thread.  The very thing you've posted above is what we constantly teach 'round here.  Welcome.

Sidenote:  Pillows are the DEBIL.  LOL


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Offline Jedi3

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #14 on: October 02, 2007, 01:31:01 PM »
-If I could recommend any literature that will aid in your growth as a percussionist and musician, it would be the Savage Rudimental Workshop Book by Matt Savage.

I agree...this is a great book to add to the collection.  I've only had it about a week so I'm just really getting into it but this book along with JoJo's DVD will help you get there.  Just don't rush it...take it slow and you'll get it. 

Offline nessalynn77

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #15 on: October 02, 2007, 01:47:10 PM »
...Welcome to LGM and thanks for adding your input to the thread.  The very thing you've posted above is what we constantly teach 'round here.  Welcome.

Sidenote:  Pillows are the DEBIL.  LOL
I didn't know pillows were bad, my cousin told me a long time ago that they were good so I just took his word for it, lol.  Education is the nemesis of ignorance,  thanks for the enlightenment.  Oh, and thanks keys for your question, I learned a lot in this thread.  I'm gonna grab that dvd and book.

Offline Student21

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #16 on: October 02, 2007, 01:59:37 PM »
Thank You ALL for welcoming me here at LGM and counting me in as family. Though we have not met in person, I still accept you ALL as family. I've learned so much just from the short time that I've registered here. It's good to know that we're on one accord! I felt like I should encourage others and share information because I know what it is like to be misinformed due to misrepresentation as well as limited resources. I was into the Gospelchops.com movement (doing licks..though a bum wouldn't donate a dollar if they heard what I was trying to do at that time  :o:'(). I was mislead and knew that I should seek another source that would teach me what to do (rudiments, not licks), how to do it (strokes, dynamics, sticking, etc.), when to do it (timing, patience, accents, tempo, etc.), and why I should do it. This is what I feel LGM offers. Thank you ALL for not misrepresenting and for enlightening the ignorant, the misinformed, and the under-developed!!!

I love you ALL and May God bless you all richly for the humility and wisdom that you chose to share to prevent us from making bad choices whether behind a drum or in life!!!

Sincerely,

Laurence Williams II

Offline JFunky

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #17 on: October 02, 2007, 02:17:31 PM »
Thank You ALL for welcoming me here at LGM and counting me in as family. Though we have not met in person, I still accept you ALL as family. I've learned so much just from the short time that I've registered here. It's good to know that we're on one accord! I felt like I should encourage others and share information because I know what it is like to be misinformed due to misrepresentation as well as limited resources. I was into the Gospelchops.com movement (doing licks..though a bum wouldn't donate a dollar if they heard what I was trying to do at that time  :o:'(). I was mislead and knew that I should seek another source that would teach me what to do (rudiments, not licks), how to do it (strokes, dynamics, sticking, etc.), when to do it (timing, patience, accents, tempo, etc.), and why I should do it. This is what I feel LGM offers. Thank you ALL for not misrepresenting and for enlightening the ignorant, the misinformed, and the under-developed!!!

I love you ALL and May God bless you all richly for the humility and wisdom that you chose to share to prevent us from making bad choices whether behind a drum or in life!!!

Sincerely,

Laurence Williams II

Hey man, GospelChops.com is into teaching as well.  Some of the clinicians and spectators took it the other way though. :-X  Trust me though, LGM and G. Chops are about teaching. ;) 
Psalms 144.1 - "Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."

Offline Student21

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #18 on: October 02, 2007, 02:53:04 PM »
Thanks Mr. JFunky! Yeah, there were some on Gospelchops.com that were helpful: DeMiyon Hall (who talked about Phrasing and also a little bit about the spiritual side of music), Jeremy Haynes (who talked about spiritual things as well yet also shared some practical knowledge like dynamics, listening and complimenting other musicians, etc.), Evan Brice or was it Brice Evans(the keyboard/organ player)? hehe... also, Tommy Brown (the bassist). These were some of the individuals that I found to be interesting and helpful. Over a period of time, I got tired of listening to licks and wanted to listen to individuals that make music with purpose. Another thing that was inspiring, was seeing an individual that was showed a sense of pride (showing off his abilities instead of expressing his oneness with Christ on the instruments) yet had exceptional talent as a musician, grow out of that and into a maturity musically and spiritually. This person is Mr. David Jackson. Though I don't know him personally, I've watched him over a period of time and when I look at him (his musicianship of course but also looking at his attitude/body language when he plays and how he responds to his environment) back then and see his more recent video clips, he seems to have matured, and in my eyes that's what it is all about... expressing oneness with Christ in EVERYTHING you do, whether washing dishes, taking the blame when you didn't really do it, or being ridiculed for being unspotted from the world.

Much love in Christ Jesus,

Laurence Williams II

Offline dude-on-drums

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Re: Weak left hand....
« Reply #19 on: October 02, 2007, 03:06:31 PM »
Thanks Mr. JFunky! Yeah, there were some on Gospelchops.com that were helpful: DeMiyon Hall (who talked about Phrasing and also a little bit about the spiritual side of music), Jeremy Haynes (who talked about spiritual things as well yet also shared some practical knowledge like dynamics, listening and complimenting other musicians, etc.), Evan Brice or was it Brice Evans(the keyboard/organ player)? hehe... also, Tommy Brown (the bassist). These were some of the individuals that I found to be interesting and helpful. Over a period of time, I got tired of listening to licks and wanted to listen to individuals that make music with purpose. Another thing that was inspiring, was seeing an individual that was showed a sense of pride (showing off his abilities instead of expressing his oneness with Christ on the instruments) yet had exceptional talent as a musician, grow out of that and into a maturity musically and spiritually. This person is Mr. David Jackson. Though I don't know him personally, I've watched him over a period of time and when I look at him (his musicianship of course but also looking at his attitude/body language when he plays and how he responds to his environment) back then and see his more recent video clips, he seems to have matured, and in my eyes that's what it is all about... expressing oneness with Christ in EVERYTHING you do, whether washing dishes, taking the blame when you didn't really do it, or being ridiculed for being unspotted from the world.

Much love in Christ Jesus,

Laurence Williams II

You dont know David personally?  Where did you get the information about David being a show off? 
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