By
eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Setting Up the Bass Drum Pedal
Step1
Gather all the parts you need to build the bass drum pedal including the bass drum beater, the radius rod, the attachment clamp, the beater key bolt and the pedal.
Step2
Attach the radius rod to the drum pedal's base. There should be one on each side.
Step3
Find the slot on top of the base drum pedal. Insert the bass drum beater into the top of the slot so that the drum beater is pointing up at about a 45-degree angle over the bass pedal.
Step4
Use the drum key to tighten the bass drum beater in place. The drum key goes into the key bolt and turns to the right to tighten.
Step5
Locate the hoop on the back of the bass drum. Insert the bass drum pedal onto the hoop. Place the base pedal flat beside the drum.
Step6
Tighten the attachment clamp to secure the bass drum pedal to the drum.
Playing the Bass Drum Pedal
Step1
Use the heel down method to play the bass drum pedal. This method uses your ankle to move your foot and the pedal. Your foot controls the beat and the tone.
Step2
Place the heel of your foot on the base of the pedal. You will use an ankle motion to move the pedal.
Step3
Move your foot up and down by using your shin to move your foot and the pedal. If you are doing it right, it looks like you are tapping your toe.
Step4
Let the beater come back to its original position instead of staying against the drum.
Step5
Try the heel up method which uses your whole leg to move your foot and the pedal. This method is more powerful because you use your whole leg muscle to move the pedal.
Step6
Lift the back of your foot right off the pedal as you move the front of your foot up and down to move the pedal.
Step7
Rest your leg between each beat. If you are doing it right, it looks like you are tapping your whole foot.