Is it normal for a right-handed drummer to want to play with traditional grip left-handed?

Question

I play drums right-handed with match grip but if I try and play with traditional grip, it feels very awkward for my left hand to hold the stick that way, it feels better in my right. Should I be playing left-handed then? Or is that normal and I just have to get over the awkwardness?

I write left-handed by the way. But I do a lot of things with my right hand too, like throwing.

Answer 1

Hello,

Like you, I am in the "do many things with my left hand (write, eat, brush teeth) but also with my right.

Traditional grip takes time, but it moreover takes a good teacher. if you aren't sure what it should feel and look like, ask someone who can tell you. I made that mistake many moons ago, and I basically had to re-learn how to play all over again....(it sucked).

My question to you is, "Why do you want to learn trad. grip?" If the answer is:

a)it looks cool

b) I am learning marching band

c) I just want to

d) I want to work on more refined technique

THEN BY ALL MEANS LEARN IT! Anything you do to better yourself as a drummer will pay dividends down the road. You may end up teaching lessons one day and get asked this very question.

Personally, I alternate between matched and traditional. For some songs, (particularly latin feels, and rock tunes) I like the feel of matched. if I am playing in a smoky jazz club or throwin down some James Brown, I like traditional. it's all in the attitude.

best of luck!

ps- if you can't find a teacher who knows trad. grip well, check out the dvd by Jojo Mayer, "Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer." Aside from being a super nice guy, he goes over in depth how the grips differ.

Answer 2

I don't see what's wrong with it - especially if you write that way. I mean, of it produces good sound..... But, then, I know nothing about percussion.....