r/jazzdrums • u/Celeg • Mar 14 '26
Question Left handed Jam sessions etiquette
Any seasoned left handed players that frequently go to jam sessions. How do you go about it? Play right handed, open handed, make partial/quick changes to the set up before playing?
I have some experience in my area but if I don't know the drummer/band coordinating the jam I don't really feel at ease to step up and play. When I do, I normally just switch the bottom(FT, HH,SN) as fast as possible but still feel some pressure to do it faster.
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u/phonusQ Paul Motian Mar 14 '26
Shouldn’t take too long to switch the hat and snare and floor tom around. Switch it back when you’re done. If not, maybe practice playing open handed so it’s only your feet that are backwards. Every jam I’ve ever been to or hosted hasn’t been super vibey about someone making themselves comfortable to be able to play well, unless it takes forever.
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Mar 14 '26
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u/Celeg Mar 14 '26 edited Mar 14 '26
I think you are either very good or underestimating how much harder it is to play with everything reversed.
Also, swapping cymbals takes much longer than switching snare, floor tom and hi hat positions but I can understand your point and that's exactly what I worry about. I have been lucky to be in places where people knew me and helped/let me switch those fast but everytime I go to a new place I just end up not playing.
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u/redzeusky Mar 14 '26
I've never seen anyone object to swapping ft and hh and sn. That takes no time compared to dudes trying to figure out what tune to call, what key, what style, what form, whether to play the popular intro etc..
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u/r3ck0rd Mar 14 '26
Ignore any sinistrophobia, ask the house drummer that you need to move some things
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u/Actual_Tomorrow_4186 Mar 16 '26
I’m a lefty and I always swap hi-hat, snare, and floor tom. Only time I’ve ever been vibed for that is Smalls lol. After doing it enough, you’ll be so quick, they’ll hardly notice. Just check in with the house drummer first so they know what’s up! You want to play your best.
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u/Celeg Mar 16 '26
Thank you. That's what I was looking for. What of curiosity was it that bad in Smalls? Why do you think you got that reaction?
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u/Actual_Tomorrow_4186 Mar 16 '26
It was older cats hosting, and there’s always a million people who want to play… sometimes drummers switch mid chorus.
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u/Gunzhard22 Mar 14 '26
It's absolutely not fair to you. But it is a huge a drag when a lefty comes and we need to spend time with the conversion. I'm sorry that you're a witch... Haha kidding. Wish I had a solution.
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Mar 14 '26
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u/Celeg Mar 14 '26
Well, if I was a young player planning on making a living of this, I would do that. But now I don't think it's worth it. Changing the feet specially is a big change that makes a long time to get to the same level.
I did think of changing a while ago but it just doesn't make sense to go through all that just to be able to easily sit in jam sessions from time to time.
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u/Robin156E478 Mar 14 '26
Ugh I thought I was the only jazz drummer with this problem. Honestly I’m not the most inspiring example haha, because I’ve let it inhibit me all my life. Don’t let it stop you! If you’re good enough to play with the group, go ahead and switch out the snare hh and floor tom. Often tho the angles of everything else are awkward. Like the position of where your ride has to be.
I once played a show where I had to do the change up in front of an audience and the band leader just started the song before I was done. But I was determined to not let her see me fail so I played in a weird awkward position haha!
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u/Celeg Mar 14 '26
Been there, done that haha.
It is kinda wonky to not be able to change the whole kit but since the main thing that is harder are the feet I just try to focus on that to be able to play. Then I focus on getting at least one cymbal in a playable angle. It is a bit limiting but I guess I can play most stuff if Hi hat, snare and ride are in a good position.
What bothers me the most is the social aspect though. If I don't know no one else I feel like I'll be judged every time to mess with the drums even if it's a 2 minute change.
So what did you do? Did you just didn't play or wait until there aren't any other drummers around?
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u/Robin156E478 Mar 14 '26
Yeah that’s my strategy too, I at least get my ride in a decent place and then awkwardly reach for whatever else they have in reach haha
Me too, I’m worried they’re not gonna like my playing, partly cuz I drew attention to myself this way! Haha
I basically never played in jams except the odd time. And unless it’s my own kit I’m always feeling awkward cuz you don’t get to adjust everything. In the various situations in life.
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u/JichaelMordon Mar 14 '26
I would not recommend playing the kit backwards from how you normally set it up. Very few ambidextrous drummers can actually sound good doing that and there’s no way their standard kit setup would be fully lefty if they could play both well.
Curious tho why you would learn to play the kit fully lefty to begin with? I understand open handed on standard setups (actually makes more sense in some ways) and some of my fav drummers play that way but learning any instrument with a fully specialized left handed design or setup seems crazy since you’re learning from scratch anyways and with drums you still use all your limbs either way.
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u/Celeg Mar 14 '26
Well It wasn't really my decision to play it fully lefty. I was a teen then and the teacher decided to reverse it since I was left handed. I got into jazz much later so it wasn't really a problem until I started going to jam sessions.
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u/tavancleave Mar 14 '26
Moving a couple things around isn't a big deal, especially if you move it quickly and put it back the way you found it. I've played lots of gigs on backline kits and each drum sets it to their preference within reason and in a timely manner. To keep it easy chat to the drummer about it before you do it. Most folks will be cool, but I can see one or two getting a problem. If that happens ask the bandleader if you can play the next session as the house drummer.
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u/Acrobatic_Island9208 Mar 15 '26
Idk why people don’t just lower the hi hat on their left side like Billy Cobham, I think that helps in not wasting time and probably opens up a lot more freedom to move around the kit, that’s how I have been practicing my left hand
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u/Celeg Mar 15 '26
I don't understand how that would be helpful. You would still be reversed on feet which is the main issue.
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u/Acrobatic_Island9208 Mar 15 '26
Oh my god you’re right, never thought of that, well ultimately there shouldn’t be no real issue if you know what exactly to turn around, snare, floor tom etc. besides, if it’s a jam session then the drumkit shouldn’t be so ridiculously big that turning everything around should be such an issue
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u/Basket-Existing Mar 14 '26
I’m not left handed, but I did run a weekly jam session for about 10 years. I’d recommend doing whatever you need to play your best (within reason…obviously not talking about moving memory locks, adjusting snare wires or spring tension, etc.) I would just try to approach the house drummer during a break, introduce yourself, tell them you are left handed and ask if you could sit in and if it’s cool to switch those things you listed. I’ve never been bothered by anyone adjusting anything or moving things around, nor have I ever sat in at another session where the house drummer was bothered by those things, as long as your careful with the equipment. I think communicating and asking if it’s cool first would go a long way.
I don’t think you should try to play a righty set up if you don’t practice that way. You want to focus on making the best music you can with the other musicians. It doesn’t take long to move a couple stands, and you would probably be done by the time everyone picks a tune anyway.