The Foolproof 4 Step Method for Fixing Your WEAK Hand

[@ntonioproductions1591]

Just wanted to say that I had a stroke half a year ago and I've always been frustrated to the point of almost quitting drums since my right size is completely uneven in comparison with the left. But after trying this just once I already feel the sync coming back slowly! So thank you so much for your video, you have no idea how much you've changed my life right now!

[@jessejukuri5202]

Oh man, that's tough. But so are you, just keep at it! 💪

[@willplaymusic1]

whoo!

[@monicabrown7640]

That's awesome to see. Comments like these make having a KZbin channel worth it. I hope you're well

[@alexcolvill8137]

Doing the work no one wants to do. And being happy about it. When this guy can clearly tear up a drum kit. In all styles. Respect.

[@bovinejonie3745]

The part about using my middle finger on the fulcrum was the solution. Turns out my index finger was stifling my sticks rebound. I would be embarrassed to admit how long this has been a problem. Thank you so very much!

[@rhythmantic]

Thank you Stephen, you are a gifted teacher and communicator.

[@josiek5989]

Using your nondominant hand in every day life - in stroke rehabilitation we have patients do this with their stroke side - to the point where we put a big oven mitt on their good side, and call it "constraint therapy". Neuroplasticity in action!

[@turbojav]

Sometimes I walk down the street in NYC bounding a rubber ball (Spaldeen) with my non-dominant hand in order to do this. Works great until I hit an uneven spot in the sidewalk and the ball rolls under a moving bus.

[@jeffrittenour8202]

I'm a nurse and drummer and I can confirm this method!

[@jimimyohanen]

I hear about people finding this super useful but for me it is not. I am left-handed in my daily routines but I am right-handed drummer. My left hand (weaker hand) still sucks lol.

[@inxanetime]

Love this video and it hits home. Just picked up the drums again after 22 years and didn't have patience for the process in my teens. This time, I spent the first month just listening to my hands and fixing my weak hand grip! Feels so much better now. Excited to keep going now using these tips! When I stumbled on the "Stick Control" book, I literally asked "What about hand control?", and then I found your videos. Awesome video and I appreciate your channel!

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Stephen this is a Fantastic lesson. I was just working with a student this past Wednesday who has been complaining about his weak left hand. I gave him some exercises to practice including 16th note singles leading with his weak hand. I will share this video with him and my other students. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@insertmetalusernamehere]

Mind if I ask you a question? I've been playing for about 4 months now and I'm having problems with my sticks slipping. I'm holding at the fulcrum lose and when I'm doing paradiddles on my my pad they just slowly work their way down until I'm holding the butt of the sticks. I bought a pair of promark activegrip sticks but I'm still slipping. Do you think I'm too loose?

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Yeah that’s a common problem for drummers. Tommy Igoe calls it “stick creep” in his Great Hands for a Lifetime DVD. If the sticks are still slipping even with the Active grips then you might have dry skin. I keep a small tube of lotion in my car since my sticks slide more when my hands are dry. Also you might need to tighten your grip ever so slightly. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@insertmetalusernamehere]

@@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348 thank you so much, yes I have dry hands. You're a life saver and I can't thank you enough. I'm going to give it a go today and see if it will help.

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

@@insertmetalusernamehere Awesome man! You're welcome. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. Best of luck with your drumming.

[@insertmetalusernamehere]

@@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348 thank you. I appreciate that a lot. I started about 4 months ago and I'm loving it. I started out on an electric kit but it's been going so well I'm upgrading to an acoustic kit. Drumming was always something I wanted to do when I was younger I was just never in a place where I could get a kit so I had to settle for guitar. I checked out your channel and you have some good stuff, I'm a new sub! Thank you again.

[@gregwonhoff7161]

Steven, thank you so much for the helpful tutorial about fixing the weak hand. I am a 72 year old self-taught drummer that just recently started up playing again after about a 50 year layoff. I know that my left hand needs a lot of work, and I sit down at my kit with good intentions, but I get impatient and just want to get playing to music. This video of yours has inspired me to make a commitment and finally get better. One part of your lesson will help me kill 2 birds with one stone, and that is practicing to Don’t Stop Believing. I noticed Steve Smith play open handed and then later Deen Castronovo, but I kept doing it the old fashioned way. Thanks to you, I am going to begin my journey correcting my problem today. Thank you again, and I really enjoy your down to Earth method of teaching. You share a very positive approach with us students.

[@xiongli6524]

Stephen you are a GREAT teacher! I have seen a lot of your videos and you are amazing in how you explain stuff, PLUS you seem to be a great player with great feel and time. I am old Berklee guy..back in the Fusion days when Cobahm was hot etc Garibaldi well that's funk...Lenny White all those guys. My band was signed to CBS records back in the day..did lots of studio work and I also taught drums. Have a close relative who was Vinnie Colaiuta's roommate...played with Chick Corea with Dave Wekel, Jean Luc Ponty on and on. I had the pleasure of having Steve Smith sleep over my house and we played double drums in the morning..had two sets in my living room. Lenny White would come over sometimes to see my band play. In any case I don't mean to be a name dropper!!, but been around some amazing musicians and played with many of them. I was offered a "REAL job" haha if you will...in 1985 and somehow I got burned out on drumming, and quit 100% in 2000. 21 years later I got the urge to play again..kinda rusty now...but funny though I was a real good drummer so they say, I am now starting over almost from scratch esp as to technique, and though I know most of what you teach...I find you are super helpful and just wanted to say a thank you for what you do here. Sure you have affiliate links and all..but you deserve much more than that...you do a GREAT job!!

[@johnklaman9548]

Steve has a great way of presenting ways to get better.

[@LucasSlipforce]

Best drum teacher available online & free. Keep it up! Cheers from Brazil!

[@dr05guitar]

Man thanks for the tips! And just wanted to say, your kit sounds amazing...so satisfying!

[@anonymouspufferfish7962]

I've been playing for 5 years and I really benefitted from ur advice; I've tried mirroring right and left hand, starting with left on exercises, and everything else for a while. Ultimately it was my grip - gripping it more loosely and tranferring the fulcrum more to the middle finger made a huuge difference.

[@itsgmani]

This was the best beginner video I’ve ever seen. Already see progress.

[@HotRodCVO]

I had a serious bout of tennis elbow on my strong (right) arm and I had to take some time off from playing and it was a blessing in disguise for building my weak hand. Your comment on doing everyday tasks with your non dominant such as brushing my teeth made a serious change in just 2 months. Now it wasn’t hard since the tennis elbow reminded me to use my left arm. BTW the tennis elbow was a non-drumming injury. Also did many practice sessions left handed only since I wanted to get some practice in. The best way to build your weak hand is using your weak hand more. Playing open handed also helps tremendously with not only developing your weak hand but improves your independence. Great tips Stephen.

[@12ealDealOfficial]

This helped me so much, particularly the bit about using the middle finger a fulcrum. I've been playing for over 20 years and I didn't realize how poor my left hand grip was, and how different that grip was from my right. Have to physically hold my left hand still so I don't wrist hits and use my fingers instead.

[@bgnPrinceton]

Right there with you on 2-4. I cut off half of my middle finger (accidentally, not on purpose :D) on my strong hand, so it's doing its own thing grip wise. I lost the ability to compare my grips though due to that major difference. I cry every time someone mentions the advantages of using the middle finger for the fulcrum. :D And finger control is significantly different as you might imagine. Buuutttt......I CAN DO THIS! Thanks Stephen!

[@samueldzigba5480]

Yes, you can!

[@EvanFMusic]

Ive never heard before this video of middle finger being used for fulcrum as it'll likely raise eyebrows in most audition/education scenarios, usually leaves players lacking control at faster/slower tempos, and leaves the pointer finger looking "sloppy", however ring/pinky fingers do a lot of control as well and many neglect that and have them chronically sticking out. using a mirror helps a lot as well.

[@jordanjohnsondrums]

I kid you not, I’ve spent so much time working my left hand, that it’s doing better than my right dominant hand in certain respects. Now I need a lesson on how to improve your right hand lol

[@christopherbassett8585]

Stephen, where were you 30 years ago 😂 these slow hand ( weak left) tips are so crucial to balancing/ evening out patterns and creating symmetry with the hands and striving for ambidextrous ability- your playing reminds me of Mic Fleetwood , near the end of this instructional, build ups with only the left ( snare) hand- invaluable! thx CB 🇨🇦

[@brainswole101]

I've been tapping on things as long as I can remember, but finally got an electric set to learn with. I've been practicing for a little over a year. Great info. Thanks for sharing!

[@suemartin1971]

Thanks Steven! Your videos have really helped me

[@jemmace2586]

I did think that a while ago, I'd use my LH to open doors, everything you talked about, makes perfect sense to build strength in just everyday thing's we take for granted. Common sense really, my left is still a bit behind the right. The exercises are great in this video, thank you very much.

[@seventhquarter]

Such precise, to the core, and very critical of course... I found it very helpful...👍

[@krasiomilchev160]

Another quality video.

[@zelmastrachan1683]

You are great!!!!

[@SaltWaterDrums]

Well this video was well timed! I was just thinking "wow, my left hand finger control sucks, I should focus on that!"

[@insertmetalusernamehere]

My right hand is good. My left is all over the place. It's driving me crazy.

[@webingerphoto49]

Thank you Stephen!

[@trecool9336]

thanks man! didn't know any of this stick stuff even though i think I'm intermediate drummer 😅

[@RVADrummer]

Fantastic video bro! I will start incorporating these tools immediately. Thanks for posting!

[@user-22-]

You always give such helpful tips! Thanks 🥁

[@rustyshackleford8186]

Great lesson, thanks man!

[@blakenunndrums]

Excellent video! The Weckl grip is so amazingly useful! It feels weird letting that index finger dangle to the side at first; but it dramatically increases technique and open/relaxed playing. I struggled with my weak hand for quite awhile, until I fixed my technique and grip to a really relaxed feel and the Weckl grip. The "forearm crusher" exercise you demonstrate is one of my absolute favorites! That, and the Rob Brown warm up really get the hands going, and speed and articulation more consistent. Awesome video! Happy drumming, everyone!

[@douglasstraight3648]

Excellent,, Stephen. I practice very much like you are describing in this video. I am right handed so practice left handed also. I like to practice Advanced Techniques For The Modern Drummer both right and left handed. I also practice Stick Control with hands and feet separate, and then both together, then with the hands starting with the right hand and the feet starting with the left foot at the same time (and vice versa). Great for balancing the nervous system and brain also. When I have a pattern down well enough then I add accents as in the book Accents and Rebounds (an excellent book for weak hand development). I have many more various exercises on this. I never have a bad practice session and grow very much each time. As you say, slow and precise and growth will come. I really like your style of teaching: simple, basic, and to the point. Slow motion helps a lot. Thanks so much bro. Right on, Aloha

[@louisphilippe2011]

You explain this in such a good way, and we should all come back to this from now and then to make sure bad habits didn’t kick in.I am starting to do capsules soon and will insist on this and grip because a lot of people get injuries over the years and don’t know the answer. Starts right there, fundamentals. Good job man!

[@johnrobinson8323]

Thanks Stephen! This lesson and your other lessons have really helped me out with my singles and doubles! 🥁❤

[@arnoldwardenaar127]

Thanks for this video! Great way of explaining it and giving exercises you can work with

[@shahfacekillah]

I'm gonna try this. RIGHT NOW!!!

[@johncostigan6160]

I can actually handle learning one new thing at a time! Thanks.

[@itsgmani]

My left hand is so stiff. It drives me nuts. Hitting them together at the same time is a game changer as I keep changing my hand positions. This is like a quick reset button. Thank you.

[@3tropicstaffies319]

I love your videos. Cheers mate

[@bbekrai316]

Thank you so much for your effective lesson 😊

[@bobweber4140]

This is awesome thankyou

[@sidanx7887]

Newb here moving to the middle finger yielded results immediately

[@Migouelin]

Thanks, I will work my weak hand all the week-end.

[@james00779]

Thanks for the help & great info i did sub .

[@toniotero6881]

Hi Stephen, what kind of pad are you using in this video? Thank you

[@charlietate5514]

The bonus tip, #1, is exactly what I did to start building my weak hand years ago. I forgot to practice doing the same 🙄 But to this day I can no longer brush my teeth as well with my right, strong, hand. 🤣

[@superckn7]

Bro! what practice pad are you using on your snare? Thx! RnMT

[@RubenDrums812]

Good stuff 👏

[@jimbarcelona1078]

I have never used match grip always traditional.

[@apocalypticraid7591]

Question: how much time per day do you think one should dedicate to, for example, the grip fixing you talk about in the beginning and so on? I'm doing the exercises but curious what kind of time you recommend for each just approximately?

[@faceless5003]

Hi mate, what practice pad you are using? Is it size 14? Your videos are really helpful. Thanks man.

[@HotRodCVO]

Looks like a Aquarian Super-Pad, I have one and it’s a nice pad to set on the snare.

[@rodsurly8103]

The difference in my hands? I hold traditional grip. 😭

[@johnard100]

Hopefully, you have found a way to overcome the disadvantages of the traditional grip.

[@EvanFMusic]

Exercising both matched and trad is key, but for tras: concentrating on rotation and fingers on LH for fluidity/articulation and "hinging" (matched) with RH while focusing on stick heights in isolation and together will show where to work and apply. Use rudiments and free improv, or both

[@seventhquarter]

Traditional or matched should never be any kind of restriction. It's part and parcel of the entire concept of drumming... Come on, do open up and break that fixity of a preoccupied mind. It applies to any profession one is supposed to undertake in one's life, and not just drumming...😊

[@gretschludwigdrummer209]

7:51 beautiful !!

[@mkalves6162]

Thank you .. I am from Brazil not speak inglês has help velry se tiver como colocar a tradução em português vc vai alcançar muito mais pessoas que nem eu que tem sede pelo conhecimento

[@robpearson108]

One other good one, singles and doubles into single paradiddles and repeat.

[@PeartDisicple481]

Wow

[@planetfantasy7189]

FALA MUITO

[@jamesspikes3786]

My left arm is about 2 inches shorter from the elbow to shoulder due to a 18 wheeler wreck . My problem is I keep dropping my right drum stick due to coming underneath the high hat and striking the bottom of the high hat ?

[@karlplaysdrums]

Move the hihat closer. Seriously .

[@aidensgameplay3308]

I find I'm wristing it out more with my left but idk how to stop it

[@johnklaman9548]

Hey Steve, I'm an old guy and trying to learn loose hands and finger technic. Playing 95% matching grip. I slide away from the fulcrum which is also new using my long finger. My index is only a guide. Do you know how to correct this.

[@rustyshackleford8186]

Loosen grip maybe.

[@reeselayton3031]

Middle finger fulcrum is very common now, easier in the wrist.

[@olorlolrl]

Mannn I’m beginning drumming next week , I’m always worried about multitasking and using my weak hand , plus speed *like I just watched whiplash and Ik it’s just a film but Jesus just listening to it gave me anxiety let alone watch it*

[@EvanFMusic]

Nice! Whatever you pursue musically, never forget why music (or passion etc) makes you excited. Always strive to find and develop more skills "tools in your toolbelt", find fun music to play to that you know or catches your ear, and always be patient when practicing with yourself with a metronome etc, progress will come. Whiplash is ridiculous scenario don't worry

[@lincolnweller302]

Don't worry about that stuff. You'll probably learn fast and your doubts will melt away through progressing in your drumming journey. Practice Practice practice!

[@olorlolrl]

Haha yeah thanks , I’ve been practicing since Sunday now and I didn’t expect it to be easy but I also didn’t expect my left hand to be so pathetic 🤣

[@matthewguzda4075]

I'll say this, as a former pitcher I know I could never throw a ball lefty as I do as a righty.

[@seanverso6712]

I'm.not getting same bounce

[@bbuchan0]

Best trick I was taught to fix weak hand... play singles on a pillow for 10 min a every day.

[@milimaproductions1565]

❤

[@littlebabyhoho6750]

Traditional grip drummers closed the video two seconds into step one.

[@hauntedhose]

I try to aurally cancel out the metronome clicks….then I know I’m in time

[@PeartDisicple481]

Ok

[@turbojav]

I think I wrote this down correctly: right doubles: RLLRRLLR right singles: RLRLRLRL left doubles: LRRLLRRL left singles: LRLRLRLR

[@HighBeatz82]

Stop teaching BS! Thx!!!

[@AvStevieStevenJamesDrums]

Once again great class/instructions