matdrummeruy
Junior Member
Hello guys, lately I´ve been asking myself a lot if I should still play open-handed. Let me just give you some background about the situation.
Since I started, I´ve played cross-handed for about 8 years, then I switched to open-handed gradually and today it's been 4 years already. However, some complex patters are still easier for me to play cross-handed (specially when it involves playing lots of ghosts notes between main accents, plus some open-close hi-hat work).
My main concern is that, I play open-handed but I´ve never moved the ride, so if I need to groove on the ride I´ll lead with my right hand, if I groove on the hi-hat then I lead with my left.
This has lead me to practice most of the time twice as usual. If I practice a new groove I need to learn to lead with both hands, which sometimes can be a bit frustrating and time consuming.
So, my point is:
What do you guys think? Should I permanently move the ride to the left and never lead with my right hand again? Should I keep everything as it is and play ambidextrously (what a word )? Or should I focus on faster improvements with my right and go back to cross-handed playing?
BTW, I´m naturally right handed, but since I started playing open, I´ve found a new language to express some of my ideas, but sometimes I feel like leading with my right anyway because it also feels right. But, at the same time I think "why do I depend on this when I should play this leading with my left" (it feels like cheating).
I´ve always read some great ideas and suggestions on this forum, so I hope you can help out to decide guys.
Thanks!
Since I started, I´ve played cross-handed for about 8 years, then I switched to open-handed gradually and today it's been 4 years already. However, some complex patters are still easier for me to play cross-handed (specially when it involves playing lots of ghosts notes between main accents, plus some open-close hi-hat work).
My main concern is that, I play open-handed but I´ve never moved the ride, so if I need to groove on the ride I´ll lead with my right hand, if I groove on the hi-hat then I lead with my left.
This has lead me to practice most of the time twice as usual. If I practice a new groove I need to learn to lead with both hands, which sometimes can be a bit frustrating and time consuming.
So, my point is:
What do you guys think? Should I permanently move the ride to the left and never lead with my right hand again? Should I keep everything as it is and play ambidextrously (what a word )? Or should I focus on faster improvements with my right and go back to cross-handed playing?
BTW, I´m naturally right handed, but since I started playing open, I´ve found a new language to express some of my ideas, but sometimes I feel like leading with my right anyway because it also feels right. But, at the same time I think "why do I depend on this when I should play this leading with my left" (it feels like cheating).
I´ve always read some great ideas and suggestions on this forum, so I hope you can help out to decide guys.
Thanks!