Left Hand Development by Denny Hair
The need for left hand development comes from the unevenness of the hands when drumming.
The need for left hand development comes from the unevenness of the hands when drumming. The problem is self evident in that logic dictates that the right hand is further developed than the left. Bringing the left hand up to the right hand requires several steps.
Diagnosis the problem
The first step I recommend is making sure both sticks are hitting the same. If the player is playing matched grips then both hands should mirror or match each other. By that I mean the match grip should be identical on both hands. If the player is playing traditional grips then it becomes very important to match the fulcrum of the stick so the "balance" is maintained evenly and match.
Once the balance is maintained, then the striking point on the head or pad needs to be at the same place. Once this is achieved then you can diagnosis the problem areas and work toward developing the muscle development to correct the unevenness of the left hand. In short bring the left hand closer to the right hand in playing ability.
Development
In simple terms you have to wear the muscles down so they will build up. How much exercise is needed and what the student can or should do will depend on the extent of the problem. There are several techniques that can be used and many books on the subject. The Moeller technique is one that has come back into popularity but whatever technique or style used the bottom line is building up the left hand and nothing will do other than hard work.
Assuming the left hand now matches the right hand in attack and balance then a systematic practice routine should be established.
Timing is everything
Set the metronome on a speed that can be maintained for sometime with the left hand as you play various note patterns. The most popular pattern I have found to start with is eighth note triplets. Depending on the student I have found that 80 (beats per minute) is a good starting speed providing your student is not a beginner. The repetition of the eighth note triplets should be practiced with no accents and with the accent on the numbers. The speed should be maintained for as long as the student can do it without feeling pain. The wearing down of the muscles will occur naturally and a warm sensation will be evident in the left wrist. If pain comes easily or persists then stop and go no further until a doctor has examined the cause of any pain. I recommend that this technique be repeated with all types of patterns and at various speeds but always with a metronome. The student should keep a daily log of how long he/she can maintain the tempo. The purpose of the daily log is that progress is slow and is measured in weeks and months and is not evident day to day. Set up a routine and do this "every other day" and never to exceed 15 minutes of strong repetitive exercises. (at first) The reason I suggest every other day is that the muscles need time to rejuvenate. The constant building up and breaking down is what builds the muscles. Once a constant speed can be maintained at a set metronome speed for a week or so, then I recommend that the speed be increased to 88 then upwards till speeds that exceed 144 can be maintained evenly with the left hand. How long this takes depends on where the student is in their development and to some extent as to how old they are. If they play 4 hour gigs twice a week and play out a lot, then it will take a lot of practice time to exceed the normal playing and fatigue the muscles. If they are a beginner then it takes a lot less time. Then on the other days not used for the left hand exercises I would recommend that both hands be used to make sure that a proper balance and evenness can be maintained at slower tempos. Practicing in front of a mirror is highly recommended.
It is also recommended that various note patterns and accents be used and incorporated in the exercises.
Rudimental Development
Take the rudiment(s) apart and determine what movements are required to execute them properly. Then isolate the left hand moments and practice them using only your left hand. Do this with a metronome as well. One easy way to do this is have one hand on the drum and one hand on a pad. One you isolate the moment, practice that moment using just the left hand. Do that in timed exercises as you did the note patterns.
Also finger control and bounce have a lot to do with speed but the same concept applies to them as previously written about above.
I recommend practicing on a surface that has little bounce and the wrist and muscles are used to make the desired pattern. I do not recommend extra weights added to the sticks as an injury is more likely to occur.
So when your students ask "How long should I practice?" Then tell them ..."That depends on how good you want to be!"
Denny Hair has been playing for over 40 years and taught drums since the early 1970's. He leads his own band, Thunder, and is the Master Instructor for Firehouse Music in Texas. Denny is a skilled rudimental drummer on both the snare and the drum set and is widely known for his extended drum solos and rudimental technique. Denny is a skilled clinician, showman, and teacher. He is an author of drumming and related histories and a collector of antique Ludwig percussion instruments and drums.
