1. Introduction: Being a Left-Handed Drummer in a Right-Handed World
As a left-handed drummer, I’ve often felt like we’re navigating a right-handed world with little guidance. There aren’t many resources out there tailored to lefties, and yet we face some very real challenges, especially when starting.
Do you try to play like right-handed drummers because it’s easier to find tutorials and gear? Do you switch to open-handed playing? Or do you go all in and set up a fully left-handed kit like I did? Each path has its pros and cons, and none of them is clearly “correct.” Even reading standard drum tabs can be more difficult, and most drum gear is naturally designed with right-handers in mind.
But being left-handed behind the drums isn’t a disadvantage; it’s just a different approach. In fact, it can make you more creative, flexible, and ultimately a more well-rounded drummer.
In this article, I’ll share some of the common challenges left-handed drummers face, give you practical tips on drum kit setup, and even introduce you to some famous left-handed drummers who might inspire your own journey.
2. Choosing Your Drum Setup as a Left-Handed Drummer: Open-Handed or Mirrored?
So, what are your setup options as a left-handed drummer? There are two main routes: you can either learn open-handed drumming (playing a standard right-handed kit without crossing your hands) or you can go all in and fully reverse the kit into a left-handed drum setup. Both have pros and cons, and which one works best for you depends on your preferences, goals, and comfort behind the kit.
There’s also a third option that some might mention: learning to play completely right-handed.
Personally, I don’t recommend this for beginners. Yes, it might allow you to jump on any kit later on, but if you’re truly left-handed, forcing yourself to lead with your weaker hand and foot can feel like swimming upstream. You’ll progress more slowly and possibly get frustrated before you even find your groove.
Before you decide, make sure you’re actually left-handed in your drumming instincts. Some people are mixed-handed, left-handed but right-footed, or vice versa. A simple test: Which hand and foot do you naturally use to start fills or grooves? If you naturally lead with your left hand and left foot, a mirrored kit or open-handed approach will likely suit you better.
Open-Handed Drumming
What is open-handed drumming? It’s a style where you play a right-handed kit without crossing your hands, your left hand hits the hi-hat, and your right hand plays the snare, both from a natural, uncrossed position.
The concept dates back to jazz educator Jim Chapin, who wrote about it in Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer in 1948. Since then, open-handed playing has been embraced by iconic drummers like Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers.
This approach is often beginner-friendly. It feels natural and ergonomic, with no more awkward arm tangles. It also comes with big practical benefits: you can sit down at most standard kits and start playing right away.
There’s also a creative bonus. Open-handed drumming opens up easier access to toms, ride cymbals, and rimshots, encouraging more fluid fills and movement around the kit. It trains your coordination and fosters ambidexterity, which can lead to more musical freedom in the long run.
Now, the catch: you’ll still be using your right foot for the bass drum, because on a righty kit, that’s where the kick pedal is. For some lefties, this means training your non-dominant foot. The good news is that it’s often easier to train your foot than rewire your dominant hand, unless you’re Thomas Lang and every limb is independent anyway.
(Side note: I might do a full post one day on why the hi-hat is where it is and how we ended up crossing our hands in the first place, it’s a fascinating bit of drum history!)
Fully Mirrored Left-Handed Kit Setup
The second option is flipping everything: snare, toms, hi-hat, ride, pedals, the full mirrored setup for left-hand and left-foot dominance. This layout feels most natural to many true lefties, especially if you want your strong hand and foot leading the groove.
I personally started with a fully reversed kit. In the beginning, I experimented with open-handed playing (mostly using the ride instead of the hi-hat), but it was more out of convenience than strategy. Eventually, I committed to a proper left-handed setup at home and at my parents’ place, where I could tailor everything to suit my playing.
There are a few challenges with mirrored setups, especially with hardware.
Drum Gear
Now let’s talk drum gear, because the right setup makes a world of difference, especially if you’re left-handed. The great news? Modern drum hardware is more adaptable than ever, whether you’re using an electronic kit or a traditional acoustic set.
Stands vs. Racks: What’s Better for Lefties?
If you’re aiming for maximum flexibility, I highly recommend going with individual drum stands rather than a rack system. Stands let you position your drums and cymbals exactly where you want them, no compromises.
Sure, racks can look sleek (especially if you’re into that metal vibe), and they keep everything locked in place. Many racks are even mirrorable. But from my experience, especially with my Roland VAD306 e-drum kit,stands offer far more freedom, particularly when you’re still experimenting with your ideal layout.
The Pedal Problem: Right-Foot Defaults
One area where flexibility is still a challenge is pedal configuration. Most double bass pedals are made for right-footed players, and mirroring them isn’t straightforward, if it’s possible at all. After trying various setups, I ended up investing in a left-footed pedal, which keeps my bass drum where it traditionally belongs and feels most natural to me. These do exist, they’re just a bit harder to find.
Hybrid Setups and Remote Hi-Hats
If you’re playing open-handed but want your ride cymbal on the left, consider installing a remote hi-hat like Danny Carey does. This lets you place the hi-hat anywhere, even dead center, while keeping the foot pedal right where it feels most comfortable. It’s a creative workaround that today’s hardware makes entirely doable.
The key takeaway? You’re no longer boxed into rigid drum setups. With modern gear, you can create a hybrid kit tailored to your body, your playing style, and your musical goals, left-handed or not.
3. Adapting to Right-Handed Drumming Resources
One of the biggest challenges for left-handed drummers, especially beginners, is that most drumming resources are designed for right-handed players. Whether it’s books, video lessons, online tutorials, or even downloadable sheet music, the default assumption is always right-hand lead.
This can be frustrating when you’re just trying to stay in time, let alone think about which hand should play what. Drum stickings, like RLRR LRLL, don’t always translate easily when you’re left-hand dominant.
My advice? Train yourself to mentally flip the sticking patterns, turn RLRR into LRLL, and so on. At first, this can feel like extra mental gymnastics on top of coordination training, but with repetition, it becomes second nature. I even found it helpful to physically rewrite or re-label stickings in left-handed format while learning more complex rudiments or fills.
You’re not alone here. Many left-handed drummers have adapted in their own way, and there’s a lot you can learn just by watching them play. So, if you’re struggling to find materials that speak to your style, seek out videos of left-handed drummers and steal their tricks. You’ll notice how they phrase things differently, structure their fills, or adapt standard patterns to fit their kit layout.
And you’ll be in good company, some of the most successful and creative drummers in the world are lefties. In the next section, I’ll show you a few of these drummers, along with links to videos that highlight their unique approaches.
4. 5 Famous Left-Handed Drummers and What You Can Learn from Them
As I’ve mentioned, being left-handed isn’t a limitation; it’s a different path, and some of the most iconic and influential drummers in the world are left-handed. Each of them developed their own approach to the drum kit; some played open-handed, others flipped the kit entirely, and some even adapted to right-handed setups in their own creative ways.
Here are five legendary left-handed drummers who prove that it’s not how you set up your kit, it’s what you do with it.
🥁 1. Ringo Starr – The Beatles
Ringo Starr, drummer for The Beatles, might not be known for flashy technical chops, but his musicality and timing shaped some of the most famous songs in rock history. Interestingly, Ringo was left-handed playing on a right-handed kit, and this unique approach influenced his phrasing and feel. Some of his fills are still debated today, partly because of how he approached them with his non-dominant hand.
🎥 Watch Ringo talk about being a lefty drummer
🥁 2. Phil Collins – Genesis / Solo Artist
Phil Collins is behind one of the most iconic drum fills ever, In the Air Tonight. But he’s much more than that: he started as a drummer for Genesis and went on to become a hugely successful solo artist. Phil played on a left-handed kit, fully embracing his handedness and creating his own voice behind the drums.
🎥 Watch Phil Collins perform In the Air Tonight live
🥁 3. Simon Phillips – Toto, Jeff Beck, Judas Priest
Simon Phillips is a master of technique and versatility. While not strictly left-handed, he’s ambidextrous and often leads with either hand depending on the musical situation. He’s a big advocate for open-handed drumming, which gives him incredible flexibility across complex genres.
🎥 Watch Simon talk about open-handed and ambidextrous drumming on Drumeo
🥁 4. Carter Beauford – Dave Matthews Band
Carter Beauford is a perfect example of how unique a left-handed drummer can sound. Known for his open-handed technique, Carter originally mirrored the setup of his idols from watching videos, and stuck with it. He’s one of the most dynamic drummers out there, and his approach is as fun to watch as it is to listen to.
🎥 Watch Carter and Victor Wooten perform Zynergy
🥁 5. Dominic Howard – Muse
Dominic Howard, drummer for Muse, is another lefty who went with a fully mirrored drum kit. Muse is known for its huge live shows and complex arrangements, and Dominic brings precision and power to every performance with his customized left-handed setup.
🎥 Watch a drum cam of Dominic performing Hystria live
These examples show that there’s no one right way to be a left-handed drummer. Whether you play open-handed, reverse your kit, or mix it up depending on what feels natural, what really matters is how you use your setup to express yourself. In fact, some of these drummers became more creative because of their left-handed adaptations.
👉 Want to discover your own style? Start experimenting with your setup and take inspiration from these legends. Your left-handedness could be your biggest advantage.
7. Conclusion: Own Your Left-Handed Groove
If you’re left-handed and left-footed, don’t let the right-handed world discourage you. Whether you decide to play open-handed, set up a fully mirrored lefty kit, or even adapt to a standard right-handed setup, the most important thing is to find what feels natural and then build your confidence from there.
Yes, there are challenges. From flipping drum stickings to navigating gear and resources built for righties, left-handed drummers face a unique learning curve. But that difference can actually work in your favor. It forces you to think differently, adapt creatively, and develop a unique voice behind the kit.
Some of the best drummers in the world, Ringo Starr, Phil Collins, and Carter Beauford, embraced their left-handedness and turned it into an asset. You can do the same. Your drumming journey might look different from the average one, but that’s exactly what can make it powerful and memorable.
I hope this article helped shine some light on the real-world decisions and setups that left-handed drummers face. These are all things I’ve had to figure out through trial and error, and if any of my tips make your journey easier, that’s already a win.
🎧 Got your own story to share? Let me know in the comments how you started drumming as a lefty, what setup you use, or what challenges you’ve run into. I’d love to hear how other left-handed drummers are finding their groove. Is there anything else to mention on this subject?