I am kind of the opposite. I had an injury that required me to use my left hand exclusively for a while. I can write with my left hand (though not nearly as well as my right), I bat both sides, I play hockey mainly left-handed, though I was known to pick up a right-handed stick on the penalty kill (whilst still playing left wing). I can't get myself to play golf right-handed, however.

What happened when my right hand became stronger was that one-handed rolls were that much easier with my right hand. I can play open as well as cross-handed. However, a double pedal is bad for me, as I have to find a Left-footed pedal.

I may have a time where I wish I would have played as a righty, but it does make it VERY difficult for people just to jump on my kit!!!!

Sorry to hear about the arthritis.

It's not all like that brother-I think you can develop the comfort and skills pretty quickly. I am a lefty playing right all my life as well- I play both both hands and both feet- If you enjoy drumming- which of course you surely do, then get into the beginners mind and start practicing what you need. I like to play lefty to remember how my drum students feel- it feels a little unnatural and clumsy- but it will come faster to you than a true beginner for sure- you have a lot of previous experience and you're naturally left handed- Keep us posted on how it comes along and good luck!band3

I thought I would post a little inspiration for Slingerland. He was stoked as all hell to be jamming with REO earlier this year and plays the hard stuff, that I personally enjoy moreso than the jazz and crap like that.

So here's to ya, Slingerland! If Rick Allen could do it, I know you can work around your issues you are dealing with!

http://forbild.netsons.org/2011/09/rick-allen-drum-solo-vancouver-wa/

Slingerland - You would be well-served to study/practice 'open-handed' drumming technique. It will help to make your transition from right to left much easier. Because you won't have to relearn any drumming patterns or rudiments, you'll be able to concentrate your practice sessions on getting comfortable with the open-handed technique. Your cymbals are already on the left side so 'riding' with your left hand will feel natural to you. The feet is a whole other kettle of fish. If you can't come up with a workable solution, (maybe using a remote hi-hat system that will allow you to put the hat pedal under your left foot,) at least the open-handed playing technique will make switching the position of the hats from left to right side, feel much more natural when you're playing. (Your hands -never cross- in open-handed playing!)

I'm 62. If you're getting up in years yourself, don't bemoan forcing your brain to learn new things. Teaching yourself something new will keep you sharper, longer.

Go for it old timer! lol

Hope this helps...

John

Thanks for the moral support, as far as playing open handed as a true lefty, it feels like I'm trying to swim for the first time, weird as hell, for the record I play righty open handed, which means I play my hat with left hand, snare with right, when I tried moving hat and snare to the right side as play lefty, it was more comfortable doing it cross handed, because then I'm still using the same hands on the hat and snare as I normally do, then when you bring in the bass pedal, trying to keep the main timing (excluding double pedals) again, not natural, I dont keep good timing either. plus the stroke of the pedal is not as hard, or defined. Their might be someone to say about teaching old dogs new tricks....LOL. that remote hi hat idea though sounds interesting, how would I set that up again?

I couldn't get along with a double pedal. I may try again one day, but I just couldn't get along with it for the reasons you are basically stating. It takes a long time to develop power, and the slave pedal always feel awkward.

You will get through this.

Sling- there are a bunch of different ones available, but this is an innovative one and the guy gives a good tutorial. Enjoy... hope it helps.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9Atv0_UjVw[/ame]

John

I'm profoundly left handed with a few glaring exceptions. I can't throw a baseball with my right hand with any coordination. The same goes for kicking a ball with my right foot. However, the back-handed motion of swinging a baseball bat or a golf club from the traditional right handed stance feels much more comfortable than the fore-handed motion of doing it from the lefty stance. I learned to play a drum in fourth grade band in the traditional grip manner that almost always called for leading with the left hand. I became very comfortable doing this. I got so comfortable that I have always felt awkward leading with the right hand. I assembled up my first drum set lefty style for only one reason--I'm a lefty. I was so uncoordinated with this that I soon went to a righty set up. But, I have always duplicated my ride and crash cymbals on both the left and right sides of my drum set. I will very frequently play open-handed on a righty drum set. I cannot get coordinated playing my bass drum left-footed/hihat right-footed. But, I am very coordinated playing lefty or righty on the cymbals, snare, and toms. But, much like Ringo Starr, I still must lead with my left hand which sometimes results in runs that start on the floor tom. Does the run pattern on "Come Together" come to mind? Floor tom beginning that ends up on the closed hats and snare?

Plus 1 here! I'm a lefty that (until back issues) had always played lefty. I now play opened handed lefty/righty...always have 2 sets of hats, 2 rides & 2 floors...all set-up L & R. I now have to keep everything in front of me because half my back is fused. The thing that helped me the most was the Swiss Triplet. Saw Dave Weckle talking about it on a DVD...worked on it and a lot of other rudimental exercises for A LONG TIME. Very frustrating at first, but slowly started feeling good! I can now move fluidly between L & R without thinking about it. Also use a double pedal along with a remote hi-hat, not all the time, just enough to relieve tension & cramps. I know that I haven't answered any questions, it's just that, if there is a will - there is a way! My set-up is wacky as hell but it works for me...just find something that works for you!...besides, playing open handed is amazing!

Good Luck!

Dan