Open Handed Drumming - Drum Lesson with Chris Langan

"Open" up so many drumming possibilities! In this lesson, we will discuss how to play open handed.

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[CCMDrummer]

As an open handed player myself, I think your video is spot on.

[marcelodt]

Very cool. I had to switch to this style due to the reduced space requirement for my kit. I'm relearning to play.

[rockshowacustika]

I do not have the microphones at the drum set but i can show you how it can be done. Your explanation is so cleaver.

[stuartwilliams]

Chris. I'm a lefty but right footed. I've only been playing a year, full left hand set up, crossed hands over on the right side of kit, left foot on kick. I'm not even fully left handed as I do a lot of things with my right. My natural instinct, I believe, is to play right handed kit open handed (for me left hand hihat & right hand snare, right foot on the kick). I know your video is not really for lefties, mainly to help right handers develop, but I've been trying to find 'open handed' posts and yours has really brought home that I should play right set up. Not sure my drum teacher believes my weird 'wiring'. Anyway, thanks from the UK.

[groovewithpassiondrumlesso]

Great lesson Chris! I have two students who play open handed. I’ve shared this video with their parents. BTW I really like the cool fills you played. Gives this old Drum Teacher some new ideas... Thanks for sharing your talent!

[tonyhades]

Man same thing happened to me I seat on a drum kit and first thing I did was lead with my left I can’t do crossed I get so confused I got it so far till you added the ride which I have on my left but I’m going to change it to my right after watching this video I really need to do some exercises, do you have any to build techniques and control?

[djplays]

Excellent lesson mate! I found this very helpful and considerate to people like me who drum in this style. Many thanks.🥁

[scotthamilton]

This was great. I wasn't sure how to start. Now I will just go back thru my Rothman's Basic Drumming Patterns and re-learn them open-handed. Thank you so much. This made it much more approachable. Like any new technique I've learned to just accept the awkward feeling at the beginning and know that muscle memory over time will make it feel more natural. I'll just have to be patient and enjoy the ride.

[jamesphillips]

Thanks so much Chris. I too have shared this with a student who wants to learn open handed and I have a question....

If you want to play a straight 16th note, 1 bar fill, single stroke fill round the kit (4 on each tom....you know the one. ;)), presuming you would actually lead that with your right hand (due to the hands not getting in each others way); What do you do to come back to the hats? The hand you finish with on the floor tom is a left so unless you want to hit a crash before continuing on with your left the only thing I can think of is that you hit the first note with a right hand before switching?

Any help on this would be great as I am looking like a bit of an idiot in his lessons atm. Lol

[warrentab]

Great video, Chris! Your instructions are very easy to follow. Since I am now playing on electronic drums, are there instructions specific to these?

[bubinga_basher]

Due to neurological issues, i have to switch to open handed, after decades of "normal" playing. I've wanted to try open handed since hearing the DMB. The hardest pt has been open, and closing the hats. Anyway, i love playing, and won't quit w/out a fight. Thanks for posting this lesson btw, that 10 Inch tom sounds killer!

[rbelmedia]

lol -up to 7:50 i was going like - yeay, duh, i got this. I bought a kit in corona times and therefore i am now 2 years in. I can only play open handed, tried the other way. it is exactly as you said. You buy the kit and set it up as the book says, but i end up playing like it is not supposed to because this is how my mind functions. I need to master this ride thing. it's the difference between holding a tune and touching the stars.

[maximusheronimus]

Hi Chris, just searched open hand drumming, i'm about to start drumming, and looking at a lot of lessons, ( kinda airdrumming) and open hand feels a lot more groove

[visheshl]

I am an open handed drummer and I need drum lessons...can you please of offer these lessons ?

[Kardewski]

If your left hand is the stronger one, and that's why you choose to play this way, your ride cymbal would be placed near the highhat!

[visheshl]

Can you offer open handed drum lessons ?

[stevenwilson]

Most right hand drummers, play the "Disco" beat lefty. And, don't even realize that..
Ambidextrous drummers are amazing...

[udanell]

NICE, that´s why i always teach how to use the left hand staying with the hit hat and the snare drum groove to leave right hand to do whatever you can imagine, also percussive rythms with right hand while left is doing the rest of the groove. If you are interested to see some examples i can start doing some videos for you. Greetings to you and all your followers, very nice video and the sound of your drum set is awesome.

[rydergrimes]

I am learning because Simon made me do it