Double Bass Pedal Heel Toe Technique
The bass drum is an important part of any drum set, as it adds the low, rhythmic bass beat of your music. A double bass pedal is a set of two pedals that are connected to a bass drum. You play these pedals with both of your feet so that you can increase the speed with which you play the bass drum. One technique that can add speed and style to your playing is to use the heel toe technique with your double bass pedals.
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Instructions
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Place your feet on the pedals in a centered, comfortable position. You should be sitting comfortably on your drum throne (stool), with your back straight and your feet close enough to the pedal that you don't have to stretch your legs to reach it.
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Raise your right heel slightly. You do not need to lift your foot completely off of the pedal for this. The weight of your foot should simply shift toward the ball of your foot while you raise your heel.
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Transfer the weight of your right foot back to your heel as you bring your heel down. This will create the first beat.
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Raise your right toe slightly as you shift your weight back to your heel.
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Bring your right toe back down onto the pedal, which will create the second beat.
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Repeat this process with your left foot.
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Slowly alternate between heel and toe of each foot in turn as you grow accustomed to the feel of this movement. Build speed gradually. Once you gain a moderate amount of speed, the movement of your feet should look like a rapid rocking back and forth between your heels and toes. You also can alternate by playing right heel, left heel, right toe and left toe.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice with a metronome to build the evenness of your rhythm.
References
- Photo Credit drums image by agno_agnus from Fotolia.com
