Left hand speed

[ninjamonkey]

I know there are links to lesson sites, etc. but I was hoping people could maybe give me some specific help.

I am primarily a guitarist, but I'm still a fairly competent drummer. The only problem is my left hand (I am right-handed) is not as fast as I would like it to be. I want to be better at death metal drumming, and my right hand is in good shape speed-wise, but my left hand can't keep up. I know all the rhythms etc. I want to play, I just can't get my left hand up to speed. Do you have any tips/exercises to get the left hand faster?

Thanks

[ant_182]

Get a metonome and Play this at a speed you can, increase the speed as you get better

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL (repeat)

[Retarded Chipple]

Practice slowly, making sure you're endorsing good technique the whole time.


Only start to increase the speed when you're 100% ready.

[Det_Nosnip]

Hmm...so you're looking to blast? That is a specific technique that might require some extra practice. As far as overall hand control and speed goes, though, nothing beats rudiments+stick control. Whatever you do, make sure you're using a metronome.

[AdultSwim815]

Practice, use your left hand. Your right hand sucked when you first started too, and then add in your left hand that sucks even more because it's not used much at all. So you have to work it out by just doing what they've said, metronome and LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
It's a pain in the ***, and I know because I'm working on the same thing with my left hand and foot.

[-TGP-]

Just practice, it comes in time.
Everything Ted said.

[ninjamonkey]

Thanks

and yes, I'm looking to blast. I also need to work on the feet, but I need a better double pedal

[Motleyguy]

Pedal's )and other gear for that matter) don't play as much into as you think. Practice so that you're good with the pedal you have. Do the same thing you do with your hands, but with your feet too. This means all the rudiments, with a metronome. Singles, Doubles, Triplets, Paradiddles, Flams etc. and all the variations.

[ninjamonkey]

Yeah, I've heard that. I'm just a lot better when I use better pedals. Probably b/c I don't have to work as hard.

[Motleyguy]

Yeah, alot of drummers I know like to blame all of their short comings on their gear. It's really just not the case. Their short comings are are caused by bad technique, and being out of practice. Just practice, practice, practice.

[ninjamonkey]

So for really fast drumming, what do you guys suggest? What is "proper technique"? Is it using the wrist, or is it using the "finger blast" technique where you pull the stick back repeatedly with the last 3 fingers? Or something else?

[Motleyguy]

It's somewhat of a combination of both. You use your wrist, preferably a good "moeller" stroke, for the initial stroke, then use your fingers along with the momentum and bounce of the stick to perform more strokes. Think of your thumb and forefinger as a fulcrum, by pulling up on the stick with your last 3 fingers you will accomplish what you want. I recommend working on sets of doubles, triples, quadruplets and sixes with each hand.

e.g.

r-r-r l-l-l r-r-r l-l-l r-r-r-r-r-r l-l-l-l-l-l

that's an exercise I like.

[ant_182]

Thats good one too ^ ^ ^

"A Good worker never blames his tools"

[DxRocker]

First realise why your left hand is weak...

It's because you barely use it in everyday life AND because behind the set, it's mostly your right hand that does all the work.

So turn that around. Practice a bit on a daily basis, doing regular and not too dificult rock beats, but turn your hands around: left on hats en right on snare.

Focus on making it sound exactly the same as the "normal" way. Don't go for speed, go for sound and smooth motion. Going for "sound" includes playing around with accents, putting a nice "pulse" into the hats pattern etc. It will be very weird at first and uncomfortable. As you progress, it will get smoother and you'll get more comfortable doing that stuff with your left.

Then, and only then, will you be ready to start speeding it up.

In my experience, that's a method that seems to work best to train that left hand. Leading with it... For the simple reason that I feel the only reason my right hand is so fast and powerfull, is simply because it has been smacking the hats and riding the ride for more then 10 years...

[iamjoe2]

i could have missed something, but do you play traditional or matched?

because that make a difference, dx's ideas are great ifyou play mached, but not as feasible if you play trad...

[ninjamonkey]

I play matched

[Motleyguy]

It's just all about practice. Just work on it daily and don't get discouraged, it's going to take time. Remember that cleanliness is always more important than speed.

[ninjamonkey]

Well, after really practicing for 3 days, my forearms are sore. Is this normal, or is this a sign of poor technique? Perhaps I'm using the wrong part of my arm?

[Carn]

-points to Jojo Mayer dvd-

[ninjamonkey]

So is forearm soreness normal?

[statdat]

for left hand speed you could try the push pull technique. i dont know how well that would work out in death metal, but it works fine with jazz. i know, apples to oranges, but its an idea.

and to ninjamonkey, that's normal assuming you are starting out and have good technique. Make sure you are you using your forearms in a motion that compliments your wrists.

[SparBZ]

Left Hand Speed?

Take cocaine.

/thread

[Harrow]

SparBZ get on AIM I want to tell you about how I finger blasted my GF today.

[SparBZ]

I want to tell you how I finger blasted your mom last night.

[Harrow]

Oh is that what that sound was last night? I thought she was being attacked by a bunch of gorillas escaped from the zoo.

[SparBZ]

That was me working on my left hand speed.

[Harrow]

You should come back tonight and work on your fisting technique.

[SparBZ]

Right hand or left hand fisting?

I was thinking about doing LLLLLLLLLLLLL on the metronome.

[Harrow]

I don't think a practice pad is going to cut it, you need to get a feel for the actual surface of the instrument, why don't you come on over and we will discuss it over stirfry? My wok is hand hammered in Turkey.

[SparBZ]

Hand hammered from Turkey? Did your grandfather give it to you? My Wok is from China, like most Woks. I think the brand name is Wuhan? Looks like a trash can lid.

[Harrow]

My wok used to be flat, but couldn't find a good use for it like that so I brought it into shop class and asked my teacher to make a wok out of it, now I can make chow mein to feed my family every night.

[SparBZ]

I guess it's pretty good for Wok N' Roll.

[fishbulb]

Drunk posting much?