Iconic Left-Handed Drummers
Southpaws Who Reshaped Music One Beat At a Time
Being a drummer is already a physical puzzle. Now add being a lefty, and the puzzle suddenly has pieces that don’t seem to fit. Left-handed drummers often face an uphill climb in a world designed for right-handed drum kits. From flipped toms to reversed hi-hats, playing drums left-handed can mean years of adapting, rethinking, and sometimes completely reinventing how a kit is approached. And yet, the history of music is filled with famous left-handed drummers who proved that awkward setups can lead to unforgettable rhythms. Whether it’s a full left-handed drum kit setup or a left-handed musician forced into a standard layout, the results are often unique.
So, grab a cup of coffee in your favorite left-handed mug, settle in, and let’s explore some of the most iconic names behind the drums.
Phil Collins
Before he became the face of gated reverb in the 80s, Phil Collins was a powerhouse drummer with Genesis. He played a genuine left-handed drum set, mirrored from the traditional setup. His fills and accents often reflect that reversed orientation, giving songs like “That'S All” their distinctive punch. Collins proved that a true left handed drum kit setup can shape an entirely different rhythmic identity.
Ringo Starr
Ringo is a classic example of what happens when a lefty plays a standard kit. He led with his left hand, which meant fills often came out in unconventional ways. That quirk is part of what made Beatles songs sound so fresh. He might not have been the most technically flashy drummer, but his unusual patterns gave pop music a new backbone.
Stewart Copeland
Known for his sharp hi-hat work and reggae-inspired rhythms, Stewart Copeland is a lefty who stuck to a right-handed drum setup. The result is a snappy, off-kilter style that fit perfectly with The Police’s blend of punk, new wave, and ska. His unique timing still influences drummers today.
Travis Barker
Punk rock’s tattooed workhorse, Travis Barker of Blink-182 is another left-handed musician playing on a standard kit. His blistering speed and reliance on military-style rudiments gave pop punk a more aggressive edge. Even while sitting behind a right-handed drum set, he found ways to twist his natural instincts into creative solutions.
Dave Lombardo
Metal drumming doesn’t get much more ferocious than Dave Lombardo of Slayer. Despite being a lefty on a right-handed kit, he delivered double-bass patterns and blast beats that defined thrash metal. His endurance and precision pushed the boundaries of what a drummer could physically handle.
Ian Paice
As the only drummer Deep Purple ever needed, Ian Paice played a true left-handed drum kit. His speed and finesse brought jazz-like phrasing to heavy rock. The reversed setup didn’t hold him back; it helped create some of the most iconic grooves in classic rock history.
Mike Bordin
Faith No More’s Mike Bordin is another left-handed drummer who plays on a standard setup. His style is heavy and deliberate, often pounding the snare with a unique weight. He shows how being a lefty forced onto a right-handed drum kit can create an instantly recognizable sound.
Dominic Howard
Muse thrives on dramatic buildups and explosive payoffs, and Dominic Howard drives that intensity with a left-handed drum set. His mirrored setup lets him hit fills in ways that catch listeners off guard, perfectly matching the band’s theatrical style.
Bun E. Carlos
Cheap Trick’s longtime drummer took the lefty brain and made it work on a traditional setup. His playing was straightforward but tight, serving the songs with precision. Sometimes being a left-handed drummer isn’t about showy quirks, but about steady reliability within a band.
Rod Morgenstein
Best known for his work with Dixie Dregs and Winger, Rod Morgenstein is a left-handed drummer with a mirrored kit. His fusion background made him highly adaptable, and his left-handed drum kit setup gave him a different angle on complex time signatures.
The Lefty Groove Factor
Left-handed drummers prove that musical creativity often comes from working against the grain. Whether flipping a kit completely or sticking with the standard setup, these musicians turned their natural instincts into strengths. The story of left-handed drum setups is really the story of adaptation and invention
If this list left you curious, you might also enjoy reading about legendary left-handed guitarists, and impressive left-handed bassists. Southpaws keep changing the rhythm of music, one string at a time.
