Pedal Technique

Preview

# Bass Drum Technique

## Heel Down Technique

Let's start with **heel down**, which I recommend for all beginners.

- **Foot Position**: The whole part of your foot will be on the pedal board, with the back of your foot lining up with that part of the pedal.
- **Movement**:
- Lift your foot up a little bit (not off the pedal) to release the beater.
- Press down with the top of the foot so that it meets the drum head.

Some people prefer to play the beater into the drum head. I choose not to do that, not because it's wrong or bad, but for sonic reasons:

> "When the bass drum beater rebounds off the head, you get a nice sort of pure, clear tone and you get to hear the drum as a whole."

### Experiment with Techniques

- **Beating into the Head**: Burying the beater can alter the sound.
- **Play the Way You Want**: Nothing is right or wrong—experiment to achieve the sound you desire.

## Heel Up Technique

Some players use the **heel up** technique, which I have gradually adopted over the years for more power and speed:

- **Foot Position**: Hold the leg in position, suspending it, and put the front part of the foot down to play a note.
- **Core Strength**: This technique relies on core strength for balance and may feel more exhausting.

### Combining Techniques

I often use a combination of both techniques, depending on the speed and style of the piece:

- **Example**: Heavy metal drummers often play heel up due to the speed and power required.
- **Heel Toe Method**:
- For some notes, keep the whole part of the foot on the pedal.
- Lift the heel for more attack or speed.

> "You'll notice I was using a combination of both techniques, and that's fine."

### Recommendations for Beginners

I highly recommend beginners stick with the **heel down** technique for better control and timing.

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# Hi-Hat Pedal Technique

In all these pieces, the hi-hats are closed.

## Adjusting Hi-Hat Height

- **No Need for Strain**: You don’t need to exert all your weight on the pedal to keep them closed.
- **Personal Preference**: Adjust the height of the top hi-hat symbol to find your comfort:
- Some students prefer them closer together.
- **Balance**: If the hi-hats are too far apart, you might need excessive pressure on the pedal and risk losing balance.

## Playing Closed and Open Hi-Hats

- For closed hi-hats, keep your whole foot on the hi-hat pedal and lift the top part of the foot for an open sound:
- This is similar to the bass drum technique.
- For a crisper closed hi-hat sound, I sometimes use the heel up technique.

> "It’s not really very comfortable for me to play with my heel down."

## Comfort and Balance

Make sure you're balanced between your feet:

- If you find yourself leaning more to one side, consider adjusting your stool position.
- Experiment with your setup to ensure you are comfortable while playing.

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Feel free to reach out if you have any questions as you progress!

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