Chiff and Fipple Forums

The "Why to the left" thread on the flute forum got me thinking about how different parts of the brain control our playing.
I read somewhere that the left hemisphere usually controls rhythm, whereas the right hemishpere is stronger at melody and pitch. So if it is also correct that either hemisphere controls the opposite part of the body, the right legs and arms should be better at keeping the rhythm, right? Makes perfect sense to me and it matches the way stringed instruments are usually played. Most drummers manipulate the bass drum with their right foot, too.
This got me thinking if I should switch from left-foot tapping to right-foot tapping to get an even steadier rhythm and more brain capacity for working the octopus. Especially when playing syncopated reg accompaniment, my tapping goes out of the window and I usually have to stop.
Which foot do you use for tapping? Have you tried switching and to what effect?

I use my left leg, and I play right handed. I find this to be easier, since the main stock rests on my right leg, so the left one is pretty much free to do whatever the hell it wants to do, and it comes naturally since I'm originally a drummer, and the left foot is used to keep the time on the hi hat (which is usually the only steady rhythm for the feet, the kick moves around).

EDIT: Oh, and in regards to what Rory said, I'm a heel-tapper. Or, when I really get going, whole foot tapper.

I've also noticed that there are toe tappers and there are heel tappers .Should be option for that . I'm a right legged toe tapper

RORY
PS if your mainstock is resting on your leg ,thats one low set of pipes.

Both. Of course.

ChristianRo wrote:The "Why to the left" thread on the flute forum got me thinking about how different parts of the brain control our playing.

Actually, Christian, that was "Why to the right?".

Just use any ol' foot there, guy.

I'm pretty much a heel tapper. When I was in my pipering - righthanded - I invariably tapped with my left foot, as that was the one that was flat to the ground and the leg was also chanter-free. Tapping the chanter side meant a possible loss of control over the instrument. It was strictly a practical matter for me.

I typically don't so much tap with either foot, as bounce about with both whole legs travelling a foot or so off the floor and back at the same(ish) time.

Pipering may not be for you, then.

benhall.1 wrote:bounce about with both whole legs travelling a foot or so off the floor and back at the same(ish) time.

Sitting or standing, Ben? (Yep, I know you're not talking uilleann pipes here!)

FWIW (from a flute/whistle/SSP perspective), I never 'stamp' like Ben, rarely feel comfortable tapping for long with my left foot (must be right-footed, eh?), but still occasionally change from right-footed tapping to a four-way heel-and-toe thing with both feet...

Peter Duggan wrote:...a four-way heel-and-toe thing with both feet...

Whenever I see that feat of legerdepied I am always struck with admiration and envy. Comes to tapping, I may not exactly galumph, but compared to your league, I'm pretty close.

Nanohedron wrote:

ChristianRo wrote:The "Why to the left" thread on the flute forum got me thinking about how different parts of the brain control our playing.

Actually, Christian, that was "Why to the right?".

Just use any ol' foot there, guy.

Stupid me

ChristianRo wrote:

Nanohedron wrote:

ChristianRo wrote:The "Why to the left" thread on the flute forum got me thinking about how different parts of the brain control our playing.

Actually, Christian, that was "Why to the right?".

Just use any ol' foot there, guy.

Stupid me

Hell, you should see all the edit backpedaling I have to do.

Nanohedron wrote:

Peter Duggan wrote:...a four-way heel-and-toe thing with both feet...

Whenever I see that feat of legerdepied I am always struck with admiration and envy. Comes to tapping, I may not exactly galumph, but compared to your league, I'm pretty close.

I find that very interesting too. I can understand it for reels, but it completely befuddles me how people do that while playing jigs or slides or any other tune that is based around groups of 3.

I pipe right-handed (though I learned the whistle left-handed) and when I tap it's with the left foot, for the reasons already given.

I'm completely spastic, and would be utterly mortified to know that someone noticed my errant foot, so I follow L.R.'s advice and try to refrain from tapping. God knows, I have enough to do with my other extremities. It really gets a laugh though, when I occasionally let some ankle twist uncontrollably about.

An Draighean wrote:and when I tap

uillmann wrote:and try to refrain from tapping

Yep, I don't tap all the time either (prefer not to when I don't need to), but recognise that it helps me keep a tighter rhythm for dance tunes.