I play open also. My teacher freaks so I play closed for him and open 85% of the time I play out.
I must say, it's giving me an individual style.
I'm not sure if that's good or bad but it's..... different. LOL
The only problem it causes me is my ride cymbal. I play a conventional setup so it's on the right where everyone's is and I spend more time riding my crash than my ride. I play a heavy crash so it works out but, it's still a weak point, I think
that's what is so amazing about drummers. You use all 4 limbs and you actually play multiple instruments grouped together in a million different configurations and you can choose what setup works best for you.
Re: Playing backwards all these years
I've been playing for over 40 years and just found out, to my dismay, that all the songs I've played (since '68) I played... backwards. I mean really backwards, starting at the last measure and counting 4-3-2-1.
The guys I've played with were all polite and didn't want to mention anything but I sure wish they had. Now I've got to go back and redo everything and I'm sorta bummed but heck I'll do it, don't you guys worry about me or anything. Violin
It does explain why I started so many songs out with a crash and then a bunch of out of time tom fills.
The open handed playing is an awesome technique and tends to make you accent things differently for that unique sound.
Here's a cool example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w30K1GUpYwI&feature=player_embedded#at=52
Ok guy's another way of a backwards drummer me.Iam right handed my set if you are looking from the front snare /hi-hat tom on right side f.t on left..I play the hi-hat with my left hand, snare with right "open-handed" when it comes to the ride cymbal right hand ,snare with left. But i also play "cross handed" with the right hand on the h-h,left on snare,bass drum always right foot.Double bass set up right hand on ride or hi-hat,left on snare but i can also play the ride cymbal right or left handed too..Eye Ball...Mikey
