My left hand isn't as 'flexible' as my right!!! - Technique advice

[aircol55]

Hiya,

Can anyone offer advice? Or put another way..Y' Gotta help me!!!!

Just recently I have managed to do this thing with my right hand where it goes heel tip heel tip back and forth. I can also mahabe a double hit with the tip eg heel tip tip, heel tip tip etc. Used in conjunction with one tip hit from my left hand it actually has the beginnings of a roll. However, when I try to combine the heel tip thing with both hands my left hand always ends up flat on the head making an even flatter sound that ends up muffling wot the right hand is doing.There just no flexibility in the left. Its drivin me bonkers. Hope this makes sense to someone.

Any advice?

p.s Thanks to Berimbau who offered me advice on heads a few weeks ago. I'm still getting to grips with this internet/website/PC thing!!!

Col

[CongaTick]

Col,

I am normally right-handed, but play congas "left-handed" Don't ask me why; it's just been that way for me since I started. Because of that I have continually practiced and exercised weak hand dexterity. The answer to your question are the four P's I keep in my head when trying anything new: Practice, Patience, Persistence and Pacing. They're self- explanatory, but a word about Patience and Pacing: You must be willing to take the long view in changing the way your mind and muscles are used to working, so you'll need to gear your head to a patient re-training. Pacing? Go slow. I mean SLOW. Get SLOW down pat, and you will see improvement. It may take days or weeks, but invest the daily practice time in it. Make up exercises that will give your left hand/wrist speed and control and work on them a little every day. You WILL see an improvement.

David
[B]

[Raymond]

Practice, practice, practice and practice. For that "weak left hand", that you need that heel, palm, finger, movement going for you, is a matter of been continiously doing it. If not by playing the actual conga, do it by yourself, in the car, etc. Do it without using the "right hand"...(That wil help you with your independence)...

The way I "mastered" it was doing the "left hand" part all the time, everywhere. Still do it all the time, since I do not gig that much in the congas to keep that left hand "good to go." Is going to be tough at the beginning but keep it up!

Saludos!

[yoni]

All this sounds like great advice to me. We are raised to think we are right or left handed, and one hand usually does become dominant, but we are bilaterally symmetrical critters and should ultimately be able to do with one hand what we can with the other...

Certain uses of the left hand won't feel "natural" at all at first, but it will come with that practice, perseverence and so on mentioned earlier.

Just like the left jab in boxing - it's not a natural punch for a right hander, feels strange and awkward while learning it, but becomes natural with practice and time.

Keep on using the left, don't get discouraged, it will eventually work better and surprise you!

Yonatan Bar Rashi

[aircol55]

Thanks for your advice Congatick, Raymond & Yoni.

I had a bit of practice today are there seemed to be a slight improvement in that when trying the heel tip with both hands the left hand wasn't just landing flat on the drum. Some progress at last.

Think I'll have to just concentrate on the left. slowly and build from there........continually.

I've seen more progress in the last few months compared to my whole 20 years playing...reckon its cos I'm practising more (every day now) and am hoping to buy a new set soon...possibly MEINL Marathon Exclusive or Proffessional (bit dearer) or the LP 40th Anniversary Congas (cos have seen them at a knock down price). Mind you I'm not sure if these 40th Anniversary drums are anything special...apart from their appearance. Haven't noticed any comments about them. I'll probably not buy another new set so I want to make the right choice. Think I'll post a question about these 40th drums on one of the forum topic board thingy's.

Thanks for your advice....gotta go cos the kids are trashin' the garden!!!!!

Col