I was born without my right hand & started drumming at age 13 with duct tape and two sticks. AMA!

Wow this is so inspiring! I have a 2 year old daughter with most of her right hand missing. She manages OK most of the time, but sometimes I worry about how she will do things like type or do her hair or play an instrument. Or share my passion for video games. Any advice for a growing girl?

The best thing you can do for her is encourage her to do whatever she can! I was born missing most of my right hand as well, and i can type fairly decently, and i can game fairly ok as well!

I agree 100%!

Aw I'm so glad you asked! I've actually done many videos on how I do ever day things (including hair stuff and instruments) on my YouTube channel! Check this one out! :) Feel free to email me [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) if you need any other guidance!!

ps, the two comments below about gaming are spot on!

Given you had the opportunity, today, to recreate a proper biological right hand, would you seize the opportunity?

Awesome question. I don't think I would. I started a YouTube channel several years. Sharing my life through videos has helped many people like me, particularly parents of little kids like me. I wouldn't want to close that door! YouTube/Abshow :)

Follow up: Have you ever been feeling envious of people with two hands?

Every once in a while when attempting things like curling my hair... or monkey bars ;);)

How many cymbals have you broken so far?

None!

Very impressive! Who is/are your favorite drummer/s?

Thank you! :) My original fav is Carter Beauford of Dave Matthew's Band. My current fav is Anika Nilles!

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True!

Carter is the man.

Very cool. I’m a musician of many years, mostly guitar and other stringed instruments, but also a passable drummer, although you’re better than me. Some of my favorites: Jaki Liebezeit, Sheila E, Al Foster, B.J. Wilson, Janet Weiss, Bernard Purdie, Dale Crover, Levon Helm, Terry Bozio, Ginger Baker, and Ringo. I could honestly go on and on, but... anyways cheers and keep up the great work!

Bozio is one of the most unique I've ever seen! And thank you--cheers!

I know carters neighbor. He is best friends with my cousin. He brought it up one night like its no big deal. Gave him tickets cause he had never heard of dave mathews

Aw that's so cool!!

Do you like John Bonham?

Yes, definitely!

Do you have a favorite stick to play with?

Yes, 100%. I have been playing only David Garibaldi's signature sticks by Vic Firth for 15 years now. Maybe longer. They are light but a little longer than average which helps me tremendously on my right side!

Can you play YYZ?

After many hours of practice, possibly! XD

When will you get the prosthetic shown on your Instagram?

Hopefully by the beginning of 2020!

Did you ever face any harassment or bullying because of your missing hand? If so, how did you deal with it? Not music related, I'm just curious :)

Actually, no! I'm super extroverted naturally and love making people laugh, so making friends and helping them feel at ease was never difficult!

Is it "ab show" or "abs how?"

Also, weirdly enough I've always thought about this. I can't drum worth a fuck, but I play several instruments, including guitar and mandolin, and it's always been a no brainier that losing my right hand would be preferable to losing my left if I had to choose 1, even if my left is pretty much useless outside of music. You just confirmed/reinforced my belief that you could always just attach a pick to your arm and figure it out from there.

Who's your favorite artist/band and why is it Zeppelin?

It's ab show :) I'm glad to have helped you out with that thought! My favorite band lately is The Paper Kites, but I've always loved The National and Dave Matthews!

What is your favourite song to play and why?

Hm... lately a song I play at church called Awesome God--Gerald Haddon. So fun!

Who/what inspired you to start playing drums?

My dad plays guitar and used to take me to music stores with him. I was always so intrigued by the drums there. Had to scratch the itch!

I found your youtube channel a couple years ago after I dislocated my shoulder and searched for one handed drumming hahaha. Anyway, my question is what is the best concert you've ever been to?

I love that you found me that way--haha!! Best concert... I think Lord Huron. Just exceptional performers and musicians all around. I would go to another show 100%!

I've seen drummers lose sticks during performances. Has that ever happened to you and if so, how do you recover?

That's only happened like twice! I just try to keep the beat with my right stick and reach for the other. I broke a stick once but hand another nearby.

You are amazing! Who is your top 5 favorite drummers?

Thank you!!

Carter Beauford Anika Nilles Adam Tuminaro Tony Royster Jr. Questlove

Have you ever explored (I'm getting the name wrong) open stance drumming? It's where you never cross over, playing hi hat with your left hand and snare with your right. Usually involves lowering the hat. I found that I greatly enjoyed the style when I got past the adjustment period and I thought it might be something worth looking into if you hadn't tried it.

My old drum instructor also had all kinds of weird equipment for reverse handed new drummers like a right side hi hat with a pneumatic pedal line so it could stay on the left.

Yes, I've actually practiced that a bit these past few years. It's getting easier! One of my fav drummers, Carter Beauford plays like that exclusively.

Thanks for doing this AMA!

1. Do you know Jason Barnes?
2. I've seen that Unlimited Tomorrow has reached out to you to get you a prosthetic, which is really cool, but I haven't been able to find any video material of the Unlimited Tomorrow-arm actually working. Do you have any video of it in action, or can you tell me how it'll work?
3. Why haven't you gotten a prosthetic already? There've been a few viable options on the market, from simple myoeletric hooks to the bebionic hand. Is it the price, or did you simply not feel the need for one, until UT reached out and offered one?

I actually had not seen Jason Barnes before! How cool!! Yes, I actually posted a video on my instagram last week of their latest and greatest in action-- @abshow :) I grew up using myoelectric prosthetics but dropped them about 8 years ago. Too clunky and unhelpful! Can't wait for the 3D printed though!

Thanks for the great questions!