I started playing openhanded because i knew so little about drumming that it seemed like the way to do it. By using linear and rudimental approaches, this book will even help a drummer who has always. Nobody says open handed to mean just playing the ride cymbal normally. Ive considered it and have applied it to my drumming here and there.
Youd be amazed what playing a song like billy jean open handed over and over for an hour straight could do to your pocket and your left hand. Ive moved the toms to the left, and i dont need to do cross handed drumming, like i have seen on youtube, though it is fun to try it. Written by zoro and daniel glass, drummer for royal crown revue, this book is loaded with history, photos, graphics, exercises, and transcriptions, and includes the most comprehensive guide to shuffle playing ever written. A step beyond gives you a groundbreaking stepbystep approach to incorporating this cuttingedge style into your playing. By using linear and rudimental approaches, this book will even help a. If youre never going to play out, do whatever you like, but learning to play.
The art of drumming is often looked upon as still being in its infancy. Open handed drumming the short list of open handed drummers. Add to that the fact that, when playing open handed, i am not hindered by my right fore arm over how hard i hit the snare, and i feel ive made the right choice. There was a thread in an other drum forum, were i stated it could simply be awkward to play open handed since your thumb was in your way, all the time. After years of playing the traditional right cross hand technique i also switched to the open handed technique. One very important skill for every drummer is the ability. He published his first book with dom famularo in 2008, openhanded playing vol. Everything you need to know about open handed drumming. The linear section progresses through two and threevoice patterns, and then covers ways to incorporate the. Playing drums openhanded is usually dismissed by the majority of drummers.
This groundbreaking book offers a stepbystep approach for drummers of all styles to learn and apply the concept of openhanded playing on the modern drumset. This avoids the crossing over of the right arm above the left. Openhanded drumming refers to a method of playing a drum kit. In 2008, claus hessler and dom famularo released their criticallyacclaimed book, openhanded playingvolume 1. For those of you that arent familiar with this technique, in summary, it involves not crossing the hands. Absolute beginners often choose this open handed way of playing as their first and natural attempt to drumming. Open handed drumming the short list of open handed drummers open handed drumming with ride on left. In this article, i will weigh in on the pros and cons, my experience with playing this way, and my netnet opinion. A step beyond by claus hessler with dom famularo gives you a groundbreaking stepbystep approach to incorporating this cuttingedge style into your playing. Drumset sheet music book by claus hessler and dom famularo.
Open handed drumming, playing with a left hand lead, playing uncrossed, or simply open. I think this is a must for everyone who wants to improve their technique. The argument around openhanded playing ohp has been going on for years, but i would say if you are interested in investigating and developing this concept, this book is for you. After hearing what claus hessler had to say on the topic, well. If you want a thorough answer, you need to be more specific. A followup to the popular first volume, openhanded playing, vol. I play a drum set that is set up for right handed people, but i play it left handed. Discovering rhythms inside the paradiddle besides being one of the most popular rudiments, the single paradiddle is a good example to illustrate the overlap between linear and rudimental drumming, and its great for working on an openhanded approach right hand on the snare and left hand on the hihat, or vice versa if youre lefthanded. A number of drummers experiment and are comfortable with openhanded drumming but do not always play in that configuration, such as dennis chambers, sean reinert, thomas lang and marco minnemann. This second volume focuses on linear concepts and applying rudiments to an openhanded setup.
Openhanded playing, volume 2 by claus hessler and dom. Openhanded drumming allows you to explore your kit from a whole new perspective. Open handed drumming drum lesson with chris langan open up so many drumming possibilities. Shop and buy openhanded playing, volume 2 sheet music. While this book was written to promote independence in jazz drumming, its useful for anyone, including rock musicians even john bonham loved it. Meaning, the actual grip on the respective hi hat hand was far from optimal open handed, for some reason, most drummers play cross handed, i would say.
Open handed drumming is a method that is debated frequently. Drumming openhanded simply means that the drummer plays the hihat with the left hand while the right hand plays the snare drum. However, in recent years, with the help of the internet and the everincreasing access to information, we have become more exposed to innovators and can aspire to follow in their footsteps. Not only does it allow better facility around a kit with traditional hardware, but it also demands better technique from your nondominate hand. Every drummer needs these 5 drum books dom famularo.
Its almost like reading a good book twice and making it feel like it was the first time. However, in recent years, with the help of the internet and the everincreasing access to information, we have become more exposed to innovators and can aspire to. Based on concepts developed by teaching great jim chapin and fusion legend billy cobham, openhanded playing not only outlines all the. Openhanded playing, volume 2 drum method book and more. Simon phillips open handed playing discussion dfo drum.
A strong case for openhanded drumming dfo drum forum. Volume one of german author claus hesslers openhanded playing book series dealt with the basics of drumming with uncrossed hands developing ridehand phrasing, voicing alternatives, etc. Active drummers in bakersfield public group facebook. Ive never seen this but maybe its already been posted here. By using linear and rudimental approaches, this book will even help a drummer who has always played with crossed hands. Buy commandments of early rhythm and blues drumming book. Whether this means playing open handed or learning to play righty. Huge improvements to ones playing can come from open handed practice. Eventually, my left hand couldnt keep up so i switched to crosshand. Open handed drumming is not a new phenomenon at all. A followup to the popular first volume, open handed playing, vol.
In the book, they discuss numerous practical benefits of ambidextrous drumming, and offer a wealth of material for developing it. Its no secret that simon phillips has forged a phenomenal drumming career that shows no signs of stopping. Based on concepts developed by teaching great jim chapin and fusion legend billy cobham, openhanded. I always thought he was a leftie playing a rightie. Proponents of the open handed style claim that the uncrossing of the arms frees up the right hand to play anywhere on the kit that is desired. Have fun, experiment, and reap the benefits of playing open handed. There is no such thing as a lefthanded or righthanded snare drummer. Openhanded definition of openhanded by merriamwebster. Whatever you decide to call it, open handed drumming is a way of setting up and playing your drum set so that one hand doesnt cross over the other while playing the timekeeping cymbals like the hihats, or ride. Open handed is the name somebody made up for the technique of playing the hihat with your left hand to avoid crossing over. Open handed drummers of reddit, why do you play open. The commandments of early rhythm and blues drumming book.
Both hessler and famularo break down the two approaches to ohp, which include traditional approach and voice variation. A step beyond, book and cd by alfred publishing staff, claus hessler and dom famularo 2011, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Open handed playing was first conceived as idea with jim chapins book advanced techniques for the modern drummer, and gary chesters book the. One of the biggest advantages to playing open handed is that you no longer have to deal with the obstructed movement of crossing your hands to play the hihat and snare. If for any reason i am playing cross handed, usually if im teaching, it comes almost as a relief to switch. The argument around openhanded playing ohp has been going on for. This groundbreaking book offers a stepbystep approach for drummers of all styles to learn and apply the concept of openhanded playing on the modern. I have written tons of exercises that can help you work on this technique and my new, forthcoming book, drumming synergy focuses on this as well. Hi, have you guys pros and cons for either way of playing.