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Longshot3
New member
What is the most effective way to use your bass pedal? Do you use your whole leg or just your foot to hit the bass drum?
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crankz1
...
Both.
I play heel up ..... so, force from leg .... articulation and speed from ankle.
I play heel up ..... so, force from leg .... articulation and speed from ankle.
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Longshot3
New member
thanx I appreciate it
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mikeh
New member
This is one of those question with no right answer other than use the technique that workss best for you.
Some people prefer heel down and some prefer heel up. Many use both depending on the musical genre, etc. I play mostly heel down, simply because I'm relatively old and when I started playing 40 years ago, heel up was not common (I would suggest unheard of). Over the last 10 plus years, I've included heel up when it serves my need.
Conventional thought suggests heel up provides more power and heel down provides more speed and more control, however, I've seen heel up drummers that were very fast and heel down that had plenty of power.
Some people prefer heel down and some prefer heel up. Many use both depending on the musical genre, etc. I play mostly heel down, simply because I'm relatively old and when I started playing 40 years ago, heel up was not common (I would suggest unheard of). Over the last 10 plus years, I've included heel up when it serves my need.
Conventional thought suggests heel up provides more power and heel down provides more speed and more control, however, I've seen heel up drummers that were very fast and heel down that had plenty of power.
NegadivOne
Alchemy slut
crankz1 said:
what he said.
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Gamelan
New member
For me it depends on the drive of the music. If it's laid back, heel down, if it's pumped up, heel up. Also, the faster the figure, the higher my heel goes to get a combination of quick toe action and power.
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Gamelan
New member
sorry for the double
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RezN8
Blick-um, blick-um...
I'm with Gemelan.
I'm with Gamelan.
(I just posted here twice to save the double post).
I'm with Gamelan.
(I just posted here twice to save the double post).
Tim Brown
New member
For me it's all heel down, any "Deathmetal" type of speeds, and I go into either "Heel-Toe" mode, or I can even do the Derek Roddy style of playing - which is essentially heel-toe, but only your toe is on the pedal, but since there is maximum spring tension on the pedal, you can't play it at the back of the pedal..... you have to do it up near the toe end of the pedal.
You know how, when you were a kid you would sit at the dinner table, and do that thing with your feet where you would sort of dig the toe/ball of your foot into the floor, and bounce your leg under high -tension? That is exactly how you play the Derek Roddy style of playing for speed.
Tim
You know how, when you were a kid you would sit at the dinner table, and do that thing with your feet where you would sort of dig the toe/ball of your foot into the floor, and bounce your leg under high -tension? That is exactly how you play the Derek Roddy style of playing for speed.
Tim
Fireal402
Eyeballs! OH MY GOD EYES
Always remember to keep your leg muscles relaxed. I don't know how many times I would get leg cramps trying to do double bass stuff when I started playing. They hurt, and it sucks having to stop a jam midway for that!
It requires some concentration and practice, but once you get it your playing will improve greatly. Every time you start to tense up, just force yourself to relax.
It requires some concentration and practice, but once you get it your playing will improve greatly. Every time you start to tense up, just force yourself to relax.
drossfile
nope
it seems counterintuitive, but i find i have more control and accuracy with my heel up, leg suspended in the air. i've tried heel down, and i can't get the force behind it or the same quickness, not to mention the severe inaccuracy that comes with it.
as to muscles being relaxed, i once pulled a hamstring while playing out (it was during the double-bass insanity of "replica" by fear factory)--somehow i managed to not only play through the rest of the song without a hitch, but the rest of the show too--it was painful, but just look at these bragging rights! ...oh, the pressure on us big stars to perform!
as to muscles being relaxed, i once pulled a hamstring while playing out (it was during the double-bass insanity of "replica" by fear factory)--somehow i managed to not only play through the rest of the song without a hitch, but the rest of the show too--it was painful, but just look at these bragging rights! ...oh, the pressure on us big stars to perform!