This is a third lesson in a series of lessons on bass drum technique. Today we’ll discuss the technique of playing and practicing with your heels up. We’ll also talk about developing fast and powerful double strokes through the toe-heel technique.
The first thing I’d like to talk about regarding bass drum technique is the throne (stool). When you play with your heels up, you don’t want your throne getting in your way. If you’re using an old-fashioned round throne, you need to sit on the edge of the seat, so that the seat does not get in the way of your thighs as they move.
Several years ago, I went looking for a drum throne with a back rest. I had problems with my back in the past, several times in my playing career, so I was looking for a workable solution. Years ago, all the thrones made that had back rests were round. This simply doesn’t work very well. These thrones force you to sit way back on the seat in order to use the back rest. This gets in the way of your thighs when you play heels up. Eventually I found a throne with a back rest that also had leg cut-outs similar to a bicycle seat. I bought a Gibraltar 9608MB Professional Moto With Back Throne. For me this was the perfect throne. It saves my back, but doesn’t get in the way of my legs when I play. I’ve had mine for several years now. They’re built like a tank, and they’re incredibly comfortable.
Bass Drum Technique Exercises
1. The first exercise I recommend is to just play single notes with your heel up. Stay on the ball of your foot. Stay as relaxed as possible. Let the beater rebound, rather than burying it into the drumhead. Start out slow, just playing quarter notes. As you get more and more comfortable, start increasing the speed, until you’re playing 8th notes, then 16th notes.
2. For the second exercise, play-right, left, bass, bass. That’s 2 notes with your hands, on the snare drum, followed by 2 notes on the bass drum with your right foot.You need to practice this with your heel down first. Next practice the same exercise with your heel up. You should practice this daily to develop your ability to play double strokes with your heel down as well as up.
3. The third exercise is much more advanced. You’re going to practice exercise #2 again-right, left, bass, bass. Instead of playing those 2 bass notes heel down or heel up, you’re going to play the first note with your heel up and the second note is played with your heel. This is sometimes referred to as a toe-heel technique, or a heel toe technique. It’s difficult to describe in words so you need to really watch my video demonstration.
A few things to note about these techniques and exercises.
First of all, when you play and practice with your heel up, you will have less control over the bass drum than when you play with your heel down. That’s okay. Just accept the fact. You will have more speed and power though, and that’s the reason for learning to play this way, along with the other way of playing with your heels down.
The toe-heel technique mentioned in exercise #3 took me a long, long time to perfect. Therefore, be aware that it takes patience and time. The purpose is to eventually be able to play blazing fast, powerful, clean double strokes on the bass drum, which is especially useful in playing “rock.” It’s also a great technique to be able to use when playing other styles like the “samba.” I have learned through many years of playing and observing my students that you simply will not be able to play as well as you could have, unless you take the time to master this technique. So it’s well worth the effort.
If you practice these bass drum technique exercises daily, after several months you will see a dramatic increase in your speed and power. Now go practice!
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